The pic is of my existing cabinets

"I’ve looked at videos on resurfacing our cabinets but would that be a cheap solution?"

A proper refacing project is really not any cheaper than new cabinets.

everything that Sophie said plus update the hardware.

If i leave it alone it will affect the choices I make for flooring. I’m seeing online it saves 50% but I don’t want to end up with a cheap mess. I’m checking into cost of just removing the quartz (sorry I said granite n last comment)

What about your current kitchen do you not like? Is it the oak? Is it the door style? Are you selling soon?

Do you like the way to kitchen functions for you? If you feel you could significantly improve the kitchen layout to improve flow and/or storage, I would not spend money on the existing cabinets. You might look into a hood instead of the micro over the cooktop - it looks like the MW is right in your face.

What kind of flooring do you want?

I want to add a caution about chasing trends by "updating." Personally I see nothing wrong with your floors, and I actually like the counters and backsplash. That's why I want you, Reba Jo, to tell us what you don't like about your kitchen.

"I’m seeing online it saves 50% but I don’t want to end up with a cheap mess."

Not done properly.....................

We are updating our house. We went a little oak crazy with cabinets, floors & vanities when we built and we were also in a different stage of life then too. We are now empty nesters.

No, I agree I do not want to chase trends, it’s too time consuming! I enjoy “living” too much to do this all the time. We’ve been doing different projects for 3 years & I’m so ready to be finished!

We are turning a office into a playroom and it has carpet but we want to do hardwood as carpet just doesn’t last anymore. Our bedroom is by the office so we want to extend the flooring into that room also. Our existing hardwood has been refinished twice so we were concerned about the life of the old flooring vs putting in new flooring (it seems the cost is about the same to replace all with pre-finished flooring)

Changing the cabinets was just to update the kitchen to match the rest of house. Everything
I see says this style door & wood is outdated.

It also narrows choices down for flooring, my husband loves wide plank distressed.

I’ve considered just changing the doors & hardware but I don’t want to make a mistake since this will most likely be the last chance to change things.

Nothing wrong with the floors either. Save the 25K for that project and take a nice vacation instead.

I like our existing floors but the life of it has been reduced ... as far a sanding & refinishing

If I get new floors that can be refinished several times & the old floor only has one more refinishing possibility ... I’m back to square one in a few years.

Does that make sense?

Floors should be able to go 20-40 years between resanding and finishing. It’s not something done every 10 years. That would be a screen and recoat, where just the finish is abraded. And in a shoes off house, that might not need to happen but after 15 years. There are 150 year old original hardwood floors still in service. Yours should be able to last another 30 just fine.

show a close up of your counters. It appears the backsplash doesn't work too well with counters. A simplified lighter backsplash would be my preference. that would be a good start. Your backsplash is good looking..just not here... the intricate detail with the oak grain does not help. So you can LIGHTEN the space and help with the LOOK of oak with a change. I think your oak cabinetry could be a strong, appreciated feature: larger pewter or iron knobs and handles.Not sure about floor.....what exactly is the problem..floors can be stripped/restained and refinished. I could see a darker stain but what's up w the floor currently? One more cycle of redoing the floor? Why? anyway....then do it...and get a new look.

Reba Jo,

Refacing cabinetry usually involves gluing a veneer to the faceframes and all exposed sides, toekicks as well if it's the same wood as cabinetry. I have no idea on the cost compared to new cabinets. Have you looked into just replacing the doors with a square recessed panel in oak? I mean without refacing. Your drawer fronts wouldn't need to be replaced.

I agree with what Sophie said about refinising the floors. That's only done when it shows wear or if you want to change the stain color.

It sounds like you need to consult with an interior designer to help you with your upgrades so you don't wind up with an uncohesive mish-mash design overall.

We had lived here 10 years & the floors were showing wear (we have a lot of family & company) we had them refinished not using any stain & just a clear coat. We came home to a mini disaster. You can see several places where the finish was not smooth & there was dust in it.
They came back & tried to correct the problems but didn’t & We decided not to let them try again!

I don’t know if they just screened it the second time? Because they had also accidentally used a matte Finish in one room & semi- gloss in another.
They had done work for friends of ours without any problems but it was a nightmare situation for us.

I did try to hire an interior decorator but she had more modern taste while mine is traditional or farmhouse.

This is a close up of the counters, it has a fleck of
the oak color in it.

If I change the doors, I will also have to change
The front of the bar & side panels of cabinets.
And if I could do all of that & have it look great I’d definitely be for it. But after the floor situation
I’m ??? On what to do.

And the backsplash does need to be changed I agree, it’s on the list of things to do.

Thank you for all the input!

Floors are fine.

Cabinets are fine.

Counters are fine.

Backsplash, lighting, and paint, are not.

You need a good lighting plan, that includes under cabinet lighting. The new backsplash should pull the lightest cream color from the counters. Then use a great color on the walls, and you’ll be done. And won’t be spending 50K.

We’ve heard that floors can be re-finished numerous times & others say it’s according to
How much was sanded on the second refinishing.

I would like to have less gold to work with as far as color but I’m fine with keeping what we have! My husband has fell in love with the wide plank, distressed pre-finished floors but we want to do what is best on the cabinets & flooring for longevity and updating.

Closeup of floors

If you have a floor register, pull it and see the thickness left there. Or a threshold.

But unless the finish is worn through to the bare wood, you do not need a refinish. You need a screen and recoat. You might need a refinish in 10-15 years.

I would be nervous about getting your husband's current style in flooring. I don't think distressed will be a lasting trend.

I have under cabinet light but they need to be replaced/updated.

Do you think the cabinets & quartz are too “busy” together?

So a creamy color of backsplash? And what shade of paint? My living room, dining, foyer all open to each other.

Dining room & foyer are a blue-green color.

A lighter color in a blue green would be perfect for your kitchen, and provide continuity to the rest of the home. Look at SW Sea Salt (below) or Rainwashed.

Lighter blue would work with this? I already have blue in my foyer & dining room

Sorry the sw color looked blue

I thought pictures would help to see the Layout of kitchen/it connects to living room/dining/foyer.

I’m leaning towards keeping my cabinets but would appreciate any picture ideas for backsplash?

Hardware?

Should I re-stain cabinets?

The cabinet wall where the dishwasher is has the open shelving (not my choice) that drives me crazy. I tried to have a door made but they weren’t able to match existing cabinets (early American stain).

I am still going to price new cabinets beginning tomorrow I’m having a bid done on quartz removal.

Thank you again! It helps to have input!

Your kitchen looks very nice. It seems that you have money burning a hole in your pocket. Listen to the recommendations you've gotten already. Here's mine.

Your under cab lighting is inadequate, and you need a new backsplash that has some reflective quality. You could update your hardware and faucet with brushed nickle/stainless and get a new light fixture in similar finish that provides more light. I suppose if you must, update the countertop with something lighter, but it really does look fine.

Lol no, if you read my prior text, I’ve don’t have “money burning a hole in my pocket” what
I have is 3 years of remodeling & I’m ready to call
It a day!!!!

But with life changes (4 grandchildren) we are on the last stage of what we want to do & that is give them a room on the first floor to play & stay.

We either want to extend our existing floors into the playroom & master bedroom or replace them all. With flooring also comes matching these kitchen cabinets so that’s been my dilemma.

Getting insight & advise on here has helped a lot!

Your cabinets look fine, and your counters are fine, and your floors are fine. You can put hardwood in the other rooms you want, by having them weave it into what you already have, as long as you pick the same hardwood. Your lighting needs updating, and I cant see what color paint you have on your walls, but if it is the same or similar to the dining room, it does not look good with your oak cabinets. Oak cabinets call for a color on the wall. Light blues., light greens, light aquas etc, look fantastic with the oak cabinets and with the color of your floors. I dont like the microwave over the stove. I know it is done often, but, it is one of the worst ideas anyone ever came up with, however, it is what it is, and your microwave looks like a very new and nice one. Your backsplash is actually beautiful, but, not in your kitchen. Your existing floors can be sanded more often than engineered floor, that cant be refinished often. Your cabinets look very well made. To replace them with something as well constructed as what you have, would be very expensive. I would keep the quality you have.

Did you consider painting the cabinets if you really don't like them?

Wentzylvania, love your username! I watched Carson play all through college (I even have his autograph). I hope he has a great season.

Me too. Every time he slips, I cringe to think what could happen!!

Thank you! The kitchen is sw blonde & ive considered trying to use general finish glazing or antiquing to help the cabinets.

I’m going to make another attempt to try a interior decorator...

But if you can show me any pics for lights & paint I’d love to see what you have in mind.

My knobs, faucets, lights are in oil rubbed bronze.

As far as the microwave, if I installed a hood as someone else suggested, I don’t have space to
put the microwave in a better spot.

If this were my kitchen, I'd want to replace the oak cabinet doors at least. I think you could find an updated style, with a much less grainy oak and change the look significantly. Perhaps some uppers with glass. I don't think it's the oak itself that looks dated, as much as the style and wide open grain that do.

I think your floors look beautiful and you could have oak to match added to your play and bedrooms, no problem. Just having them extended to other areas will update the whole area. I agree that what your husband wants for flooring might look dated very shortly.

I think your cabinets look nice..the arch part of the doors aren't my favorite. If it were a shaker or slab door and maybe w/different hardware, all pulls maybe, dark, I'd like them more. Now, having said that---I would take them for my own kitchen, arch and all, w/a big smile b/c they're waaaaay better than my monstrosities hahahaha. I prefer a lighter and plainer counter, but that's my preference-the counters you have look nice w/the cabinets. The backplash tho, I would want to change that, it would brighten things up. And just from what I've seen on here, under cabinet lighting would be fabulous.

(also I like your bee pictures-we just started beekeeping this past spring)

what does the inside of your cabinet door look like? i have heard folks were able to reverse the doors if the inside looks good??? I would NOT paint. what about putting glass in a few doors to break up some wood? changing the backpsplash, paint and lighting are the ticket for sure. DO NOT change the floors. I would also highly recommend changing the micro out for a hood. could you put the micro under the counter where across from the stove wall where that bank of upper cabs are? I took out a drawer and put a counter micro under my counter and I love it.

ugh, nevermind, just saw the dishwasher is there.

Hi, yes the grain is one of the biggest issues to deal with. And just my luck the inside of the door
Isn’t flat it has the arch too.

I thought about glass but the places that I could put it are right by the cook top... I see constant
Maintenance in keeping it clean.

I guess the microwave has to stay, the kitchen just doesn’t have another spot for it. It isn’t the best place I agree ...

I like your kitchen. It's very pretty with your dining area. I would get new barstools. Nice bright undercabinet lights. A light backsplash. The only major thing I would do is put in a light countertop. But these are new so maybe not.

Thank you for all your suggestions, here’s the final outcome. We are loving it!