Either keep the cabinet color or keep the countertops, but they are way too much together. The cabs and the floor are too close in color too. And the wall color is off, but that's easy to change. Why-oh-why do people do this? And then saddle you with it?

I guess I would see how much a *good* cabinet paint job would cost and compare that to the cost of replacing the counters (which can be donated) and go from there.

There are many ideas though they depend on your taste and style. If this was my kitchen I would possibly repaint the walls - they are not bad, but I tend towards lighter colors. I would not be able to use the over the range microwave because it would be too high for me, and I would replace it with a hood. I would have to live with the granite a while to see if I liked it. If I was OK with it I would possible remove the 4" splash and do a simple cream subway tile backsplash. I have an older oak kitchen, but I have an apron front single bowl sink which I love, and it would be hard for me to go back to a two bowl. However, if you are used to what is there, you will be able to live with it:) If you think you will do a remodel down the road, then I would not put too much money into it.

Your kitchen does have a pretty good layout. That is good because if you do get new cabinets later, it is less expensive if you go with the same layout and just take out old cabinets and install new. It also looks like you have a nice floor and newer appliances. I would rather have a good layout in an older kitchen then a bad layout in a new one:)

This is my wood kitchens idea book. It has both newer and older, refreshed kitchens and you might get some ideas:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

I love the countertops, seriously. If it were my kitchen and I could afford it, I'd think about painting the cabinets cream. And the walls, too.

If that's not in the budget, because a good cabinet paint job is really $$$, then I'd try to take off the 4" backsplash, get something brighter (cream subway tiles, or another interesting shape), to dress up the backsplash area. I'd paint the walls, get new knobs (or pulls, if possible), and a pretty rug.

I love the counters, because I love those warm tones.

Your kitchen looks so much like the one in the house we bought! I can only commiserate, and agree that the counter is awful (looks just like the granite in my kitchen LOL).My plan is to paint the walls green until we can afford to remove everything. I can't understand the appeal of cathedral doors...and in my kitchen the corner upper isn't even a cathedral...???

I'll be watching for great ideas. I've thought about only replacing the uppers...which could be an option for you.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets - that oak grain is too strong. Plus, painting them doesn't change the arch style, which isn't your favorite either. You could paint the boxes and get new doors, although you would still have a lot of grain issues to contend with on the exposed sides. If it were me I'd probably just paint the walls (cream or white) and live with it until I could afford to gut it.

Mr S. Suggestions for a good cream color? I’ve gone done the rabbit hole. I’ve played around with the BM website and literally just can’t look at it anymore bc I just don’t know. I definitely have a contractor I’m working with who can paint them. I was thinking of this but obviously not with wood grain showing through. Weird website thing. Note wall colors are changed to Edgecomb Gray too. Would also be putting in a backsplash. Totally novice here though so that 4 in of granite has to come off?

I should also add that we are a military family so this is not our forever home but want it liveable and nice while we are there bc every little bit helps with your mental health. Soooo major Renos down the road are NOT happening.

if it were me, I would skip painting since it is expensive and I think the string wood grain would still show through.

I would consider removing the uppers (which would get ride of all the arched cabs) and if budget allowed remove the soffits and add open shelving. I think it would also help lighten up the room not having by your inly window. I'd remove the 4 in splash as well. and paint the walls the same colors as your shelves.

Creams and off-whites are challenging. I have a couple dozen sample sizes of BM and SW colors, and some others as well. It's really going to depend on what you like, and the lighting in your space. If you are going to do your backsplash, you might choose a tile you like, and try to match that color for paint. That way, your granite is the "star". Maybe start with SW Creamy, to see how that looks.

I'm not a big fan of the teal color in your space, perhaps because it's cool. I think maybe just pick a color that's in your granite.

I almost painted my cabinets at one point... and was also worried about the wood grain. Funny enough, we purchased white faux wood blinds, and the upcharge was for the "wood look" even though the paint was white. If the color is right, I think I wouldn't worry about the wood grain. I just wouldn't care, though some might.

There are ways to hide the wood grain, but your cost starts to really rise. Again, I wouldn't care about the grain.

For starters I’d remove your wood blinds on the window. It’s one more brown thing. Then I’d paint the walls white and see how that feels. Might consider removing the soffit if it can be done without a major headache.

Definitely remove the 4” backsplAsh As others have suggested. To me it makes the cabinets seem low and close (the soffit makes That vertically crowded feeling worse) Good Luck! It isn’t bad really. Just a bit brown.

Thank you! We will be removing the shutters since they are not functional anyway. The sink faucet is in the way and they don’t even open. Soooo dumb. I never would have though to take down that 4” backsplash so will definitely do that it makes total sense.

Why don’t you start with just a nice coat of non-beigey paint on the walls, removing the shutters, and some bright rugs to break up the floor? You could also potentially paint only the island. That’s going to be your most budget-friendly option. Sit with that for a bit. Then see if you want to go further.

That kitchen IS brown ... but if you think it's the brownest, you clearly didn't live in the 1970s! Sorry, no help, just sayin'.

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Mrs. Pete you caught me. 80s kid! I should say beige & brown. Blah

Really dislike that muddy wall paint. Definitely start there. I also think the 4” splash needs to go, and a simple cream tile backsplash needs to go in. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the improvement these two changes will make. Good luck.

Was going to say same thing as mizlizzie.

Area rugs or runners will break up the floor brown.

Paint the cabinets Simply White. Island Kendall Charcoal - or pull the darkest color from the counter top.

What I would do (but I'm no expert):
Paint walls and put in different backsplash. Add Colorful runners. Evaluate.
If not happy- Paint island. (I like wood grain showing. Makes it look like real wood) ( I used Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax-some love it some hate it. I love it, its DIY and inexpensive) Evaluate.
If still not happy, paint the rest of the cabinets. Debatable since you are military and probably won't be there long. Would buyers want it? I probably wouldn't do it and think other changes will be enough.
I would not do open shelves. Unless you can arrange everything nicely it doesn't look good. And a cleaning nightmare. Just my opinion. I wouldn't change counters due to cost and your granite isn't awful. You can make it look better with other changes.
You have a nice kitchen space and layout wise. Good luck!

Maybe new lights with a bit of color and some fresh flowers ?

I should have added rugs to my comment - if you keep the cabs as-is, adding rugs will break up the brownness quite a bit.

This is what I would do...paint the entire kitchen a pretty shade of soft white, remove the shutter, and change the cabinet hardware. The next thing I would do that isn’t a major renovation but a little more $$$ is change the countertops to a light granite or quartz. That’s all I would do, and those changes would make a drastic improvement.

Thank you for your family's service!

Keeping changes simple, easy and low cost:

- Get rid of the shutters (Free)

- Change the light over the sink to a whiter 4000K (~$10 LED screw in)

- MUCH lighter wall color paint (~$25 and you paint it, see note below)

- Under-cabinet lighting? (~$100 and use the same 4000K color temp)

- Bar stool covers (maybe cream, same color as new wall color? Or, maybe black? Someone else may need to assist on this one)

- Hello, the 80's called and want their phone back (move phone on wall = free)

I'm poking fun with the phone comment but, it does look a little cluttered. :)

Note on wall paint color: I'd get a color fan/wheel and match the absolute lightest cream color in your granite and try a sample of both that color and another sample of that color cut 50% (makes it even lighter) to see if either of those work.

I think doing all of the above would make a nice change for ~$200 and a little elbow grease. Skip painting the cabinets as 1) the wood grain would show through and 2) painting cabinets well takes some expertise. Mess it up and it will look like poo. Want to try it anyway? Paint those shutters white and see how it turns out (might want to do that anyway if you need a low-cost window covering. Match your white trim color).

Hey folks these are listing photos I haven’t even seen the home in person yet so the bar stools and the phone are not mine. I appreciate the feedback though keep it coming.

This looks just like the kitchen in my first house when we moved in. We left the lower cabinets, removed the uppers and demoed the soffit, then replaced with 42'' cabinets. If you're on a budget you could just order new doors for the top and get rid of the arches. Once we had all the cabinets installed we painted them white, put in granite counters and did a subway tile backsplash.

If you're keeping the footprint the same you can do a kitchen upgrade for way less than a full remodel. I really like the pic you did above with the teal lowers and white uppers.

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You guys I’m painting them. I could not stand them. Also thanks to whomever suggested taking down the 4 inch backsplash. It’s coming down and a white subway tile is going up all the way around. Progress being made

Coming along

Wow, that looks a million times better. Great job!

You did a beautiful job!

Ok I’m done sharing picture after this but I’m pretty happy with the result and finally got to move in and cook in it.

That looks awesome! Well done you!