Do you have a budget range in mind? Have you gotten estimates for professional painting and new countertops?

Even just changing the counter would really change the look. You might start with that, then decide whether to paint the cabinets. Then consider whether to add backsplash. Keeping all appliances in place and not changing cabinets is a least expensive option that can make a nice update. I think you can make some simple changes that update the look.

btw, in my opinion, I think black lower cabinets with black appliances might be a little much too. I think if you were to have stainless appliances it may be ok but I would spend the money on different cabinets versus new appliances especially if they are in good working order.

I agree that it might be worth considering replacing the cabinets. If you have some pretty basic diy skills IKEA can be a great, stylish, cost-effective option. You could take them to the ceiling and even do one of their wood countertops, which would be quite cost effective.

If you don't want to replace the counters, I would stick with the wood-tone cabinets and replace the counters.

I don't think I'd paint those cabinets. New countertops, new backsplash, paint the walls to bring some life to the room. Replace that pendant light over the sink with one that doesn't hang past the opening - that window sized opening to the next room is awkward. Could that wall be either opened up more, or closed in?

Thanks, everyone! I was hoping to stay under $3000-$4000, hopefully lower. It sounds like everyone agrees that I shouldn't paint the current cabinets that I have.

If I were to switch out the countertops and add a backsplash, would it be easy enough to re-use the countertops and would it cause a lot of damage to the backsplash if I were to change out the cabinets in a couple years?

I guess another question is what type of countertop should I look into? I, personally, would be happy with a solid surface to keep costs lower. I'm not the type that needs everything top of the line, however, if I could find a decent deal, is it worth it to go ahead and get granite or quartz countertops? Again, this is not a forever home and may become a rental in the future.

@sunshine_31 I can definitely change out the pendant light. The previous homeowner put in some new fixtures to update the house before selling, but I would like something that fits my style a little more. I don't have the budget to open that wall completely and I'd rather not close it off.

Have you considered staining the cabinets?

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/tips-ideas-update-oak-wood-cabinets/

Looks like your counter area is relatively small, so if you want a stone countertop you might be able to use a remnant for a reasonable cost. Laminate can also be a good low cost choice. We have white laminate with a wood edge (it was the 80’s :) ). We are redoing the kitchen now as part of an addition, but those 30 plus year old counters still look good.

When are you planning to sell? IMO if soon clean and leave it there will be no payback if selling soon. Get all the stuff off the top of the cabinets and off the counter as much as possible so the space does nor scream “I have no storage”.Take a way the little cart , all the stuff off the fridge . My guess is whoever buys the house will be redoing the kitchen.

Now if not selling soon then do whatever you like but having those cabinets painted will eat up all the budget and IMO best to leave them because unless you are really good at painting cabinets they can look worse instead of better.Remove the cabinet and do not add shelves there get some nice fabric for roman shades , Paint the walls a pale sage green and if the counters are is decent shape and you can live with them take a trip with the money.

the black appliances, cream counter and walls and light are what dates the kitchen. here's what a little re-fresh can do. If you can eventually change out the appliances, that helps with resale and will look more nuetral.

@misecretary i hadn’t thought about staining, but I’ll look into it!

I’m not planning to move for another few years, so I want something that will appeal to myself while I’m here, but will also help in selling down the road.

It appears that the cabinet fronts are in good condition except for the one under the sink. You might want to check the ReStores and see if they have some fronts that match yours and replace those. It's hard to tell but if you sink isn't in the best condition replace it when you put in new counters. Also, some cabinet hardware wouldn't hurt either. Look at Rachel's pictures and how the hardware dresses up the cabinets compared to having none.

If you are thinking you might replace the cabinets down the road, then I would just do the 4" backsplash lip like you have now and when you replace the cabinets you can easily remove that lip and then install a backsplash.

If you are thinking of replacing the cabinets and if you can live with the kitchen as it is now, I'd just keep saving your money, do your research, put together a plan and a budget (based on your research) and do everything at the same time.

Another item I'd mention is the backsplash pattern with regards to scale. You seem to be attracted to the new cement tiles and their patterns. I don't think this will work in your small space. I agree that a lighter counter and light backsplash will make the space look larger.

Definitely look into IKEA cabinets. Running those up to the ceiling on one wall, paired with a Formica or woodblock counter would be quite cost effective. They have basic white but also some stylish & colorful options. The IKEA website has a design section, so you could price it out. I looked at their woodblock counters not too long ago - a few hundred dollars and my kitchen is much larger-
See Young House Love for how-tos on installing.

Another idea- resurfacing. Someone here will know more...

@Kitchen Tune-up Zeeland, Sales & Design those are really nice kitchens! I hadn’t thought about staining the cabinets, but that seems to be a better option.

I honestly don’t foresee putting in new cabinets since this isn’t my forever home and the existing ones are in decent shape. I think I will focus on a refresh of the cabinets , switch out the countertops, add hardware, paint the walls , and maybe a backsplash.

your cabinets are not made to withstand the weight of solid surface countertops! when I explained that they are bare bones builder grade before this is partly what I meant. I have encountered these many times before. If you add solid surface countertops to these they will eventually sag from the weight of the solid surface countertops.

it is very difficult to remove and replace countertops for reuse. your countertop layout is seamed whether it is laminate or solid surface and moving it will break the glued seam. also removing a countertop hoping to not damage a backsplash tile application is not reasonable either.

I understand you do not want to spend a lot but do not waste money by doing anything the wrong way.

the money that you would spend on painting, resurfacing, or re-staining would be better spent on replacing for a few reasons. If you are looking for resale value, none of those options will do it for you. it will look like you are putting lipstick on a pig.

to re-stain, the cabinets will have to be cleaned with tsp, sanded thoroughly, cleaned again, stained, and sealed with at least 3 coats of sealer. the labor for this would be better spent replacing!

I also didn't mention before as I don't want to tear apart your current kitchen, but your microwave cabinet is too high and your fridge cabinet should be deeper. replacing will allow you to correct this and maybe change to personalize storage options.

resurfacing this grade of cabinet is also a waste of money because that isn't cheap either.

right now you have 7 cabinets if you remove the one to the right of the sink. you can very economically replace these cabinets with stock cabinets from a box store. I don't know if you are handy at all or if you were planning on hiring someone to do the work. If you were planning to do the work yourself, you could very easily do what I am suggesting for around $5,000 (not knowing where you live). If you were going to hire someone to paint, replace the countertop, and tile, the $3,000 to $4,000 is pretty low anyway. the budget was why I mentioned that many of these box stores have special financing available to help home owners budget for projects like this. you can get 12 month financing with no interest many times.

at least look into your local stores on options for stock cabinets. you can probably get those 7 pieces for under $2,500. think about laminate countertops for a budget friendly option. then add the backsplash later when you save a little.

Don’t paint the cabinets. Spend the money on new countertops. Also, you can have a cabinet maker/woodworker make a door that matches the rest of the cabinets. One thing I would definitely change though is the placement of the microwave and the cabinets above it. Those need to be moved down into the proper spot (the top of the cabinet aligned with the other cabinets).

@Stull & Stull I’ll look into the costs and weigh the options. There are other people in my neighborhood with the exact same cabinets and granite or quartz countertops placed with no sagging or reinforcements so I don’t think that’s an issue, but I’ll be sure to have professional look at the cabinets before I spend the money to get countertops.

Out of curiosity I just popped your current kitchen into the IKEA planner, guessing at some sizes. It came in at $3200 for the cabinets (including a new sink and I think a faucet was in there too). If you wait until one of their kitchen sales and are willing to do the work yourself, you can do an IKEA kitchen including new cabinets and counters within your budget. I think this would add far more value for resale purposes than any cosmetic fixes to the current cabinets.

b Reid...
the example I put up is actually waxed, not stained. here is a link to the article where you can find more info on what they did.

https://pin.it/6wobhj33uz6q6i

@Kitchen Tune-up Zeeland, Sales & Design thank you so much! This seems to be exactly what I need in order to refresh the cabinets without breaking the bank. I’m going to try this before doing anything else and if I don’t like it then, oh well, I only spent a little money.

You have very, very little in the way of drawers, which is a real problem in a functional kitchen. Rather than get open shelves, I would get rid of that doorless cabinet above the dishwasher and put up a pegboard where you can hang some of the things that would ordinarily go in kitchen drawers.

following

Perhaps staining the wood in white ..letting the grain show underneath is a good idea ..although I have painted cabinets in the same material ..with undercoat and a few applications of very good paint ...I had great results . If this is not your forever home yet ..go to a marble /granite place and ask them to check out your cabinets and see if anything needs special or more /different support before you buy a new countertop ...it may be simple to put in some supports if needed . And you can use the same backsplash as your countertop ...as a 3-4 inch molding around the top . And paint the rest . I like Your black appliances , keep it simple ,me joy and look at small kitchens at HOUZZ .. Something that looks like your size kitchen that could inspire you .

Look at HOUZZ small kitchen segments like : 10 big space savings ideas for small kitchens ....they have great ideas and beautiful small kitchens , some with black appliances ..

Do you have a photo of the wall next to the window that has the portable wood cart? It could be a good location for a new base cabinet with drawers.

@apple_pie_order unfortunately, something the size of the cart is the largest that can fit there. The fridge is on one side and the laundry area on the other.

Google DeVol kitchens. Very very simple kitchens, but high style. I think you could keep the counters with small backsplash, paint or stain the cabinets, maybe add open shelving on the uppers, add pulls, paint, new sink, and new light, and have a nice little kitchen for cheap.

first off, no to pickling those oak cabs. that was a thing in the 90's. I know because i did it to my oak cabs in 1994.

No to staining. to do it correctly is just as much work as painting and you'd have to go darker.

Paint the cabs and do the other things you wanted. You're young and can do them yourself. I have the perfect link on how to paint those. If you read it carefully and do everything she advises, your cabs will look almost brand new. Cheap out and don't prep, and that's when things go badly.

https://www.evolutionofstyleblog.com/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets-like

as for the countertops, yours is small. Look at pre-fab quartz or granite. you can get a 9' countertop w/finished front edges for $400. hire a fabricator to cut it to fit for another 800 or so.

there must be 1000 how to's on a budget kitchen remodel. Doesn't have to look bad if you do quality work. cheap white subway tile 19 cents a tile. Look on craigslist for everything you need, including appliances. people sell brand new stuff all the time. they also sell tile because they bought too much of it. sinks, faucets, even left over wood for your shelves.

take them to the ceiling for a really finished look. this isn't as hard as it looks. know any guys that have power tools? Dad or family members? ask around for some favors.

or, learn how to do things yourself. SawdustGirl blog is awesome.

you can also leave them open. and a darker lower w/white uppers would look great.

Ikea or floor and decor have some nice butcher block counters that don't cost too that much

I agree with Beth.

Another one of my favorite budget tips is to change out the shade on your light to update it (measure the hole, or fitter, in your shade first and then find a new shade that size). Go with seeded glass and an Edison-style bulb, for example.

This is a devol kitchen. I think you could achieve something like this look for very cheap, using most of what you already have in your kitchen. The darker lower cabinets would tie in your existing appliances

I have a professional coming to look at the cabinets in a couple weeks to give me advice and an estimate on painting. In the meantime, I ordered some Briwax, but I’ll just do something small like a bathroom to see how it looks and if I want the entire kitchen to look like that. After that I will make my decision based on the costs and longevity of everything.

Briwax? for what? kitchen cabs? nooooo. don't put wax on kitchen cabinets. first off, it won't do anything magical. secondly, every inch of dust, grease drop, dirt whatever, will now stick to that wax. your cabs will be grime catcher. Plus, wax is for wood with no top coat on it. if yours has any type of clear coat, it won't do anything but sit on top and get dirty.

I got a quote on painting my old wooden kitchen cabinets and it was more economical for me to replace them. Especially with options like IKEA where you can get some nice upgrades for little $. Your cabinets look like basic stock sizes so I would suggest looking at that, with perhaps a nice laminate countertop, to start. Amazon can’t be beat for economical yet hefty knobs and pulls.

Good luck and keep us posted!

You could also do wallpaper instead of a tile backsplash to get that design you like, in the correct scale.

What about these?

Photo credit to Toby btw, they have so many kitchen remodel idea but don't have English site tho. These two are my favourite

https://www.hellotoby.com/zh-hk/id/%E5%BB%9A%E6%88%BF%E8%A8%AD%E8%A8%88

For anyone who cares, this is the kitchen post update. Thanks, everyone, for providing insight and giving me ideas. I decided to go ahead with the painting. I understand and am willing to live with the risks. I am so happy with the final outcome! I still have a few small things to do to finish it out, but for the most part, Im done. I am going to switch the outlets to white. I'm now considering what color to paint the walls or whether to leave it the same color.

It looks SO good. I’d paint and change the shade on your light above the sink. I remember you liked a pattern tile in your original inspiration photo. What about wall paper or stencil on the walls in a similar pattern/colors. How much did you end up spending?

Thanks @Katie B.! It was right around $4000 for the countertops, backsplash, painting the cabinets, new faucet, and new cabinet hardware. I was able to do some things on my own to save money which helped out a lot and also gave me some DIY experience.

Your updated kitchen looks great. Congratulations...It looks so fresh!

If you can...find two long low rectangular straight sided rattan baskets in the same wood tone as your flooring to go on top of each of your two lower cabinet section that will match the height of your taller middle cabinet section. It will visually fill in that area to make the heights match and repeat the wood tone and add some texture.

excellent use of that money! These are my favorite kind of projects to see. Love it.

Another inexpensive idea-Take the shade off and add an Edison bulb. They make all different types of Edisons now- get daylight (not amber).

so glad you went forward. it looks so good.

agree about the paint. that current wall color looks too pinkish/taupe toned.

try a warm gray if you like.

or try one of the blues

and here are some various whites and other neutrals.