Since this appears to be a short sale/foreclosure, I’d use those several thousands of dollars it’ll cost to paint the cabinets to address more urgent matters, which surely there are.

Having said that, if you want an all-white kitchen — and money is no object — then paint away!

I like the wood cabinets. If you think you want/need to change something, I'd look at a lighter colour counter and different backsplash. I think the current white tile with black/dark counter, isn't really doing anything to work with your cabinet colour.

Also, seems like the room is fairly dark. You may want to consider changing the current lighting or maybe you will need/want to add more lighting to the room.

Hard to tell for sure, but the floor tile looks like light background with some grey veining. Have a look at some light coloured counters - I'm partial to quartz but there are light coloured granites and marbles too. Marble is a bit high maintenance for some. If you like veining Calacatta Laza is really gorgeous. There are so many quartz products, you really need to go shopping to see the choices. Take a cupboard door with you and if possible a floor tile if there are any extras around.

Also, if it were my kitchen I'd consider moving what appears to be the main sink out of that corner and putting it into the cupboard to the left of the dishwasher drawers. If you are changing counters, it isn't such a big job to consider re positioning the sink (of course plumbing is a concern but I assume since the dishwasher is right there, plumbing is also nearby).

These cabinets are beautiful. I just installed cherry cabinets in my new build. I Moved in last month. I'd keep the cabinets and shop for a new countertop and backsplash if you really feel the need to spend money on it now.

I’d keep cabinetscherry but maybe change the counter tops to something lighter. They make it feel dark to me. I like the cabinets.

“In or out” is irrelevant. Even though I have white cabinets I wouldn’t paint these. Btw, wood tones are considered “in” now, white cabinets, while classic, are waning in popularity. I might change the countertop , but I’m sure there must be other things to spend money on So it wouldn’t be a priority for me.

I also vote for moving the sink out of the corner.

that is where the only window is, that is why the sink is there, but i agree, if the peninsula is staying i would move the sink out on it more.

Evaluate the function of the space first THEN consider how you want it to look. I don't know how cherry compares to painted cabinets in terms of pricing these days, but it once was considered an upgrade. BTW, all kitchens need good lighting to feel "light and bright." Even the white ones.

As others have posted, I wouldn't paint cherry cabinets or any wood cabinets in nice condition. Any after market finish is not going to be as durable as the original wood finish.

What is your budget - do you have unlimited funds? I come from a place where changing functional stuff in good condition is low on a list of ways to waste my money. Either there are ways to spend that money that would improve my life or I would save it - trust me that you will appreciate that $10,000 saved this year and put into a retirement or investment account when you turn 65 and it has increased to $50,000.

The floors seem more objectionable on a purely aesthetic level and you could use a backsplash.

The sink in the corner is weird, the countertops too dark, the floor unappealing AND the cabinets are 10 years old, certainly not in perfect condition. Tear it all out & put in the kitchen you want.

Agree with Sammy - chances are you will have more on your plate than cabinet colors you don’t like. I also see a lot of strange things in the layout that would be more important to change (and would require a demo) - not a cosmetic fix. If you do decide to paint, don’t do white with that beige tile. Choose a cream, ivory, etc.

I really like the cabinets and the counters. However, is that damage (scratches/gouges) next to the prep sink? If so, you may want to replace the counter.

If you're not happy with the "color", then consider waiting until you can afford to gut & redo...there are some layout issues that, personally, I would really want to address. (You could then donate the cabinets & counters to Habitat for Humanity or similar, assuming they're in good condition.)

not damage, just needs to be cleaned. maybe polished.

what are the layout issues that you think need addressing?

I don't have a problem with corner sinks, I have one, but I would have a big issue with it being a small oval sink.

I would live with the kitchen as is, for a year or two, and then decide whether I want to do a refresh or complete gut to fix the layout.

Cherry is a classic. I you really want white cabinets, put this for sale in Craigslist and buy white cabinets. Painting over cherry could be problematic with bleed through. IMO, priming and painting this beautiful wood would probably cost as much as buying new. Plus, you will recoup some money by selling the cherry.

Off the top of my head...

• Kitchen workflow is not followed, it should be:
  Refrigerator --> Sink --> Counterspace --> Range/Cooktop
  -- a.k.a., Ice.Water.Stone.Fire
  -- You have a lot of zone crossing and going back and forth
• Location of the cleanup sink -- not necessarily b/c it's in a corner, but b/c how it reduces the available counterspace b/w the range and sink
• The prep sink isn't really useful b/c it's around the corner from the range
• Wasted counterspace to the left of the DW drawers. It's probably going to be used for prepping b/c there isn't enough room b/w the range and corner sink
• Island is barrier b/w the prep side of the island and the counterspace to the left of the DW drawers
• There is a lot of zone-crossing overall (see the first bullet)

The aisles appear to be pretty good -- but without measurements, it's impossible to say for certain.

I assume there is no seating at the island -- I don't think the aisles are wide enough for seats.

.

These links may help you understand the issues (taken from the "[New to Kitchens? Read Me First![(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-dsvw-vd~5500754)" thread):

Kitchen Design Best Practice/Guidelines FAQ Threads:

FAQ: Kitchen Work Zones, What Are They?

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500762/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they

FAQ: Aisle Widths, Walkways, Seating Overhangs, Work/Landing Space etc

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500771/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc

FAQ: How Do I Plan For Storage?

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500787/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage

.

Humorous discussion of workflow and other layout topics (the famous Ice.Water.Stone.Fire thread):

Looking for layout help? Memorize this first.

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

.

Asking for layout help:

FAQ: How Do I Ask For Layout Help & What Information Should I Include?

• https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500789/faq-how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-what-information-should-i-include

The cabinets are gorgeous! It would be a waste painting over them. What @mvan1 said is what I would recommend as well. I would leave them as is and work around them. Once you change the backsplash and have a lighter counter top, I bet you would appreciate the cabinets more.

so would the cherry cabinets go nicely with the white travertine floors/with grey veins, and white quartz countertop?

if we keep the island off white cabinets, can i do the same countertop on it, no right?

when i say painting them white, I am talking about refinishing them properly, sanding down, professional sprayed with a lacquer finish multiple coats for that factory finish look.

These cabinets look very pretty and if you ask is cherry in or out -- it's always in, as long as cabinets are high quality as yours are. Classic, timeless. To brighten the kitchen space, I would add a nice white backsplash and white, marble-like quartz, both on perimeter counters and island. The contrast will be lovely!

no to paint on cabs and anything with gray in it, white travertine floors with gray veins...

you have 'warm' cabs... stay with 'warm' with all your other pieces. big no-no mixing 'warm' and 'cool'. you would have to hire a professional to do it right and even then its very hard to pull off... stay on the 'warm' color wheel.

i would replace counter and b/s and most probably the floors...

here is a close up of the floors, since apparently thats a big part of deciding to keep the cabinets stained or painting them white.

The floors are absolutely filthy, and would def clean up nicer and whiter than they are in the pics. but they are still stone floors...

def gonna replace the counter top.

I would not paint the cabinets. It will be costly with that amount of cabinetry, and the results may not be long-lasting, with chips and bleed-through over time.

I think the kitchen needs to be a total re-do for the following reasons: while I understand what Helen said above, to me those cherry cabinets appear to be low quality with their stripey multi-paneled center panel. At 10 years old, while not old, is not like new either. The layout is poor. The "main sink" is almost non-workable. You are missing appliances, and the warming drawer is in a bad location at the floor. The counters make the room seem very dark. And you want white cabinets for your new home (as an aside, I don't agree with K Laurence - white cabinets have been used for more than a hundred years, and will continue to be used and be classic; what s/he said is what light-weight articles say on Houzz that pop up every week with "what is in and what is out" whose purpose is to make you click on it).

Given all the issues I just listed, you would do best to save your money for a total re-do. Perhaps you saved a good deal due to the foreclosure/short sale price and can use that toward a new kitchen. Hire a good kitchen designer to get the optimal layout, and also post on here for advice, to get a kitchen that you will be happy with for years to come.

Others beat me to it, but I'll bring it up again: Why is the main sink so small? That would be the first thing I worried about, unless you don't mind washing pots and pans in the bathtub.

@Shannon - You seriously think it's a good use of money to gut a 10 year old kitchen and spend $40,000 or so in the process? Again, I confess I am of a mindset that would think twice or even thrice before spending money to remodel a kitchen because it wasn't my taste or because it theoretically could have a slightly better layout.

I currently finished an expensive gut remodel of my condo and, within reason, didn't skimp on materials but I spent many years living with an ugly kitchen that had certain dysfunctional elements.

I don't know what the dimensions of the sink are because sometimes the proportions of in a photo don't reflect actual dimensions. I know that the realtor photos of homes I am familiar with make rooms appear significantly larger for example.

And one could do a relatively simple and inexpensive retrofit if one actually needed a larger sink. A good cabinet maker can make seamless looking changes in cabinets without replacing everything.

I would live in the kitchen for a few months or a year, and see how it works for you, then figure out what you want to re-do. It would be a waste of money to paint the cabinets and then after you have been there for a while, decide you don't like the layout, etc.

@Shannon - You seriously think it's a good use of money to gut a 10 year old kitchen and spend $40,000 or so in the process?

@Helen - I seriously do, assuming--as I said--that the OP either saves to afford it, or has purchased the short sale/foreclosure at such a price to afford it.

Again, I confess I am of a mindset that would think twice or even thrice before spending money to remodel a kitchen because it wasn't my taste or because it theoretically could have a slightly better layout.

The layout is poor, pointed out in the several posts in this thread; a re-do would not "theoretically" be a "slightly better layout" as you put it, but create a workable kitchen that the OP could enjoy for many years. I do not like to repeat myself, but it's not that the cabinets "aren't to one's taste" or could have a "slightly" better layout - those cabinets appear cheap, and not so hard to part with. If they can be donated (if an organization like Habitat for Humanity would even take them), or sold at a low price on Craig's List to someone who could use them, so much the better.

I don't know what the dimensions of the sink are because sometimes the proportions of in a photo don't reflect actual dimensions. I know that the realtor photos of homes I am familiar with make rooms appear significantly larger for example.

The sink is round and small--look at the surrounding cabinets, that corner, and the base cabinet that it is installed in to get perspective.

And one could do a relatively simple and inexpensive retrofit if one actually needed a larger sink. A good cabinet maker can make seamless looking changes in cabinets without replacing everything.

I don't see how - the sink is in a very small base corner cabinet. Explain how you'd make that sink more workable without creating a domino effect because then the surrounding cabinets must change, and the appliances and so on, and then the uppers won't line up, and so on. And cherry changes color over time - how would you "retrofit" to match the existing 10-year-old cabinets without spending a great deal of money on a very skillful carpenter in efforts to match the finish? Given the striping on the center panels, matching will be near impossible.

I spent many years living with an ugly kitchen that had certain dysfunctional elements.

You've mentioned this a number of times on this forum, with a great deal of feeling, and I empathize. But just because you lived with a dysfunctional ugly kitchen (your words) for years, it doesn't mean that others should. That is a decision you made, or circumstances that you had. Other people will have priorities or circumstances different from yours and can choose to do things differently than you did.

The cherry cabinets are beautiful ad timeless. I wouldn't change them

@Shannon. I realize those were my economic choices but I am glad my younger self had the wisdom to put up with minor inconveniences and less than perfect aesthetics because I am looking towards retirement with no financial worries.

I didn’t live live a life of monkish frugality wearing a hair shirt from a thrift store and pinching every penny. My economic philosophy was you don’t borrow for discretionary expenditures. My only debt is my mortgage - just paid cash for my new Lexus. Obviously not the way many people handle their finances but that’s okay.

If OP has plenty of funds; is fully funding retirement and has at least six months of living expenses in a liquid account, OP should spend on whatever discretionary item will give them the most joy. But i just can’t imagine that a 10 year old kitchen needs to be completely gutted as a fiscally prudent economic decision.

I dont know what living in the kitchen will do, besides make us hate the layout of it. everyone seems to be on the same page with the layout stinks, and needs to be fixed, might as well just think about it now, plan it out, make sure it works on paper and in our heads for a few weeks, get peoples opinion on here then implement the changes so we don't have to move out of our house in a year.

Those look like pretty inexpensive cabinets to me. Remind me of the RTA cabinets we just got rid of. I can't imagine spending on the cost of a good paint job on cabinets that are perhaps not worth the money.

Can you achieve some of the looks that Beth H suggested by brightening up the walls and counter tops?

They are a lot of cabs. Prob about 40k in cabinets.... Once uptown a time. I got a price of 30k just to reface them white white maple
Doors. The guy was out of his mind but still.


Prob 5-10k to refinish
10-20 to reface
25-40 to replace

Is the basic rate.

This granite would change the look of your kitchen completely.

we have more of a traditional taste, most of the cherry cab pictures on cab dont reflect that.

Cherry cab pictures on cab? Not sure what u mean.

on houzz*

Those Shaker style doors are a very simple traditional style, as opposed to a profile type door.

My wife and I simply love the look of a white kitchen... despite trying to live with these, we are changing layout, adding some cabinets , appliances.. this gonna be our kitchen remodel for the next 20 plus years.. so we don’t want to go in not loving the color.

We are going to have them refinished and painted . (White and island blue)

My only concern is that the 2 cabinet designers /salesman I met have stressed that rarely does painting cabinets turn out well.

So I do t know if that’s just a sales pitch to get me to replace the cabinets or if it’s the truth.

All of the refinishers say they use a great process comes out as close to a factory finish as possible.

Repainting that will last will cost a lot of money. Ask for references from the refinishers. See what people say after five years. You will probably need touch ups. Does that matter to you? For me, it’s a pocketbook decision. If I can afford the better choice, then I would go for it. I would not choose to save money on this choice. But, if I could not afford it, then touch ups are not the end of the world. I love me a white kitchen as well.

moneymm we had Home Depot come out and give us a ridiculous price of 30k to refinish the cabinets. Instead we hired a cabinet make to come in and build new doors and drawer fronts and painted all our cabinet fronts (we too kept the boxes) and it looked fantastic and was not even close to 30k. It is 3 years later and even though I sold the home last November, I have gone into our former home a few times and the cabinets still look great . Go with what you want but make sure you hire someone who knows what they are doing. Ours were sprayed not hand painted.

I have already gotten 4 prices, all in the same vacinity of $5500 to $7000, which isnt bad, b/c its alot of cabinets involved.

they all have a similar process..

The cabinets are lightly sanded to remove any sheen in the existing finish. They are not sanded down to bare wood.

primer and paint would be spray on.

The first coat is bonding primer and then lightly sanded again.

Multiple finish coats are then applied to achieve the desired finish.

The cabinets are lightly sanded between coats. They would require at least 2 coats and sometimes 3.

one or two use benjamin moore advance, others said they use more of a professional grade , chemcraft was one.