Others will tell you not to waste your money on painting, but I would totally do it. I think that white cabinets would look cool against the counters. And I have to say, I really don't hate those counters at all. You could really play up the retro look.

I love the look of your cabinets. Clean lines, light wood. Very nice! (Scalloped valance is charming as well.) Love your counter colour as well. If it were mine? I'd paint the walls white (BM's Super White? Really depends on your exposure, etc. Suggestions based on monitor pics are chock-full of caveats), add a washable runner or vinyl rug with a fun colourful print that picks up the counter colour, change the curtains to something weightier and brighter (more white again, probably) and think about replacing the fan with a simple schoolhouse light fixture. I could live with it like that for a long time, providing the storage and space were functional.

SJ I actually like your cabinets and countertops. They're both retro-cool. I would suggest the following relatively easy and inexpensive changes: Remove that wavy trim piece over the windows; paint walls, ceiling and trim a crisp white; remove that small backsplash piece and replace with a nice tile backsplash; remove the curtains and don't replace with anything on the windows- let the light shine in; clear all the clutter; remove all artwork from the front of the fridge but if you must, use the side of the fridge only for kids art; add a fab modern retro light fixture. Good luck!

I would leave the cabinets for now. Remove the valences (“wavy wood parts”), replace the ceiling fan with a more interesting light fixture, and paint the walls a striking color. Then see.

Also think about swapping out the fridge with a smaller or counter depth model

I’d paint the cabinets white, ditch the curtains, and get a funky retro looking tile and do the entire backsplash. I am in the same boat but my cabinets are heavily grained oak with god-awful cathedral doors on the uppers. Nothing short of lighter fluid and a match will help mine... Good luck!

Two windows add a lot of light. To make it more workable, I'd move the microwave over next to the cooktop. Is it plugged into one of the few grounded three-prong outlets in the kitchen? Ask an electrician for cost to add a grounded GFCI outlet to an existing circuit that could handle the microwave.

What is wrong with the lower cabinets? Drawer guides broken? Missing shelves?

New curtains on rings will be easier to open than 2 inch wood blinds.

Have you considered replacing the fan with new lighting?

If you like and use the ceiling fan, keep it. If not, you can replace it with a more interesting fixture which will work in your planned new kitchen. Remove all the scallop trim. Paint the cabinets white. If you need to paint the walls, try a pale aqua. Change out the two little white rugs for two aqua rugs or a larger rug with aqua in a pattern. De-clutter the fridge of all but the most important messages...for photos or other things you like to look at, get a magnetic message board and magnets, and hang the board where it isn’t the first thing you see looking into the kitchen. Change the curtains if desired (if they are needed for a bit of privacy or sun control).

I might treat myself to a professional deep clean of the kitchen followed by a few new accessories like dishtowels, rug, dog water bowl, and curtains. I would especially make sure things like the light fixture and the windows get cleaned. Sometimes a little more light makes a ton of difference. Decluttering may also make the kitchen feel more spacious and appealing.

I would also take a look at what makes the lower cabinets busted. If it is just lubricating a slide or adjusting how a door hangs it may be enough to make the kitchen bearable for a few years.

Finally, get on over to the kitchen forum and start planning your new kitchen. That is an absorbing task and can help you endure the current kitchen's shortcomings.

To make the bottom cupboards more functional, get some fairly tall boxes that fit into the bottom area and also on the shelf space. Preferably plastic but sturdy cardboard will do. Use them to store bulky items, or smaller things that are less often used. It will be so much more functional. The large boxes act like a deep drawer, since you can slide them out (all the way or part way) and access the contents much more easily, especially the stuff at the back. You can spray paint the cardboard or cover with contact paper if you want, cut out a handle, etc. I found some perfect-sized plastic boxes at the dollar store for a few dollars.

This kitchen is in pretty good repair for its age, I would love it just as is until you really can commit to changing. but ultimately you will end up with the same basic layout.

My usual answer is to avoid painting but I think your kitchen is the one that would really improve with a white paint over. Not easy, but a good interim freshen up.

I like the cabinets and think you can work in a short term solution. I’ve heard good things about the Howard Wood Restore Products. Here’s an article: https://www.instructables.com/id/Easily-Renew-Wood-Cabinets-Without-Actually-Refini/.

Also, I’d remove the scallop edging and replace the light fixture. I think you could do better on the paint color, too, but not my comfort zone to suggest anything specific. Here’s a sample of coastal colors that could work in a retro space such as yours:

Your scallop edging is adorable.

I would remove the curtains and keep the windows bare if you can. I would keep the scallops. Replace the fan light with recessed ceiling lighting. It will really open up the space and still work with your new kitchen when you do remodel. Replace your two small mats with one larger colorful rug. Try Old English oil on the bottom cabinets to help them look better.

I love your retro kitchen and am planning to remodel my 90s kitchen to look like yours, which will fit the age of my house. If you do decide to remove the scallop valance, please donate it to a salvage yard. I'm sure a retro remodeler would love to have it.

I think that it all looks wonderful! However, if you don't like the lower cabinets, paint them white.

Embrace the retro for now, including the scallops. Yes, get a deep clean done. If you're up to it, do a light sanding of the base cabinets and match the stain to the uppers. Retro lighting and a great kitchen rug, counter depth fridge would do a lot. The kitchen below isn't retro, but look how great the wood looks. You have so little wall area, how about matching the countertops with wall paint the same color?

Get a great vintage style kitchen rug

And atomic light:

Thank you!

Thanks! I’m taking your ideas!

Wow! I’m doing this. Thanks so much!

Thank you! Great ideas!

Wow! Never thought of that. Thanks so much

Thx. I have painted it white as you suggested, walls and cabinets, and it looks fabulous! Thank you

Thank you so much!

Thanks. I’m doing much of what u said!

Thank u for your ideas!

post a picture!

Thanks so much! I took ur advice and love it!

Can you post pics, I can't wait to see what you've done.

Such a heartfelt thanks to all of you for your ideas. It took me the better part of four days to remove the cabinet fronts, sand them lightly, Prime them, then give them their final coat and reinstall. I still have a little work to do in this kitchen, namely replace the ceiling fan, add a rug, and probably change out the window coverings to some neat, simple shades.
But until I got your grand ideas, I was planning on painting the cabinets white and the walls gray. So glad I did not do that. One thing I have learned is that you should use colors that you really like instead of going with something that’s trendy i.e., gray. So so grateful for your advice! I almost feel that we did it together! Thank you, Susan (by the way, I did this as a surprise to my son and his wife who left town for four days. They bought an old house and it needs to be remodeled from top to bottom. Kind of dreary keeping your head up day after day with all the work ahead of you.)

I'm usually all for white cabinets but I really think these are cute. I agree remove the curtains, it you have to have something consider a shutter. Paint the soffit with a color that goes with the counter top. I really like the geometric rug housegirl posted. If you replace the fridge at any point consider a counter depth it will really make a difference in the look of the kitchen.

What’s the soffit? Just above the cabinets? Or just beneath the ceiling?

What a vusual difference! Great job. I think you should leave the soffit (area above cabinets tops up to ceiling) as is since it makes your counter stand out with a wow factor.

It looks amazing! You did a great job!

It looks lovely, great job! I like the cafe curtains, they suit the era/vibe of the room which I feel is more important than what’s trendy. I also don’t think you should paint the soffit because you don’t want to draw the eye there.

I love your kitchen! I wouldn't paint the cabinets. I love your countertop color. it is all very retro. I would get rid of the curtains and maybe change out the cabinet hardware.

She already painted the cabinets

Nice job. Looks good!

Looks wonderful.

I am a little sad that you got rid of the scalloped wood valance! It was charming!