I like your space overall and think your cabinets look very nice, but the cherry does pop against your wall color. Perhaps a slighly different shade for the walls?

if you want to go lighter, you could do a white counter and backsplash. Unless the finish on your cabinets is in bad condition, I think they nice as are and wouldn’t paint.

I also think your cabinets are nice. We have family members who wanted to do some updates to their kitchen with cherry cabinets prior to selling the house. They ended up replacing the counters with quartz and adding a subway tile backsplash. Here's a link showing part of it.

https://photos.zillowstatic.com/p_f/ISyf6zeln5z5gk0000000000.jpg

That cherry is a classic! I wouldn’t paint it. I think simplifying some of the details and new counters would give you a nice change that would work with the existing well.

I agree with other comments about the cabinets looking good. What I see is traditional cabinets and the rest of the room kind of farmhouse. The gray paint doesn't complement the cherry, try changing that and one backsplash rather than the 4" + the mosaic would be more updated

I personally don’t think it looks in need of an update. I couldn’t paint those cherry cabinets. If you just don’t like it that’s another story. Counters and backsplash might give you a change , then if you still want white you could do that after.

Simplifying by eliminating the corbels, items on shelves? I’ve thought about taking out the stainless back/shelf of the Vikings range and replacing with new backsplash.

A few additional photos of the space

Good and honest advice. Any recommendations on specific paint colors?

I love the wood cabinets. This is personal taste: As a smaller change but big effect, I would change the island countertop, I have never been a fan of black. I would also take off those intricate corbels on the island. Once I saw the look with a new island counters, I might or might not paint the island a less contrasting color. The least expensive simplest fix would be to repaint the island and see how that changes the look. Do the stools get used, if no remove them or whatever number are not used and it will change the look. What are you wanting to do?

Declutter countertops. Repaint walls in something else than grey. You could change the backsplash to something else than a mosaic. And also change the clock to something else.

Cabinets are nice.

I think you'd be amazed what lighter counters and a simple backsplash can do. Removing some items on the counters would also help, and that won't cost anything.

I might consider a new wall color and the addition of a rug in the dining area and runner rugs in the work zone, plus some art. The kitchen is beautiful as is, but we all understand the desire for some kind of change after a few years. Keep it simple.

Great kitchen. I feel like all the displays and stuff on countertops competes with the displays in the glass fronts. For me, just makes it too busy. The other thing is the height variation on top of cabinets. I wish they would have just gone to ceiling. Maybe paint island black and go light on that slab? I think it might help anchor it a bit? It is like your eyes don’t know where to go. But that seems like a lot of work. Start small and dust free! See how the small changes make you feel.

Start with the free and easy change. Declutter and remove all the busyness. That will make it feel like an entirely different space. $0 cost. Talk to a couple of fabricators about changing the counters. 5-8K. A new splash. 2-3K. New, simpler stools, 2K. Fabric shade for window, 1K.

Also talk to a finish carpenter about boxing over those columns with some simpler cladding and integrate that with some additional simple trim work framing the opening.

Least expensive - turn off HGTV and other design shows for 3 months and then see if you don't like your lovely kitchen just fine:) HGTV is a marketing tool - get people to dislike their stuff so they will buy new stuff - marketing 101.

I do understand wanting to change up a space if there are worn areas or something is bothering you, and it is in the budget. Painting cabinets is expensive, and I only recommend it as a way to make worn cabinets last a while longer till a renovation is in the budget. That does not seem to be the case here.

This is my wood kitchens idea book with both new and older, refreshed kitchens:

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

If this was my space and I had the budget I would do lighter countertops and simpler backsplash because that is my personal preference. I also am not that fond of gray and would probably repaint - again, personal preference - nothing wrong with what is there.

So looking closer at your photos I am wondering about the style you are going for. It looks a bit country French but there are some contemporary elements as well ( the hardware and stainless range backsplash/shelf) I think before you do anything define the look you want. That will help direct you as to keeping the corbels and or trim. If you really love painted cabinets and like Country French consider these kitchens. I just get a Ballard Design kind of vibe from your accessories.

I had a designer recommend Benjamin Moore Pale Oak once to go with my cherry built ins, but I haven’t tried it myself.

Do you recall what color you have now?

Either way, your space does look nice now, but I can understand wanting a change. Are you open to colors, or would you rather stay neutral on the wall?

I would redo the backsplash, first. No stainless and no mosaic. If you want to paint, then I'd start with the stools. The chairs at the table would be next for me. Counters are expensive. The granite you have is bulletproof. Walls should have a pale color.

If this were my kitchen, this is what I’d do:

• Declutter work surfaces of topiaries, candles, plates on display stands, framed photos, etc. If it’s not useful, it’s distracting.
• Replace existing granite upstand and backsplash tile
• Replace glass-front doors flanking range hood with solid doors (if you like having glass doors, do them on the uppers flanking the window with decorative muntins and interior lighting)
• Add solid door to corner cabinet opening
• Replace drywall cladding on range hood with wood. Add shelf to hood to display some of the items removed from countertop.
• Remove beadboard wainscoting and chair rail
• KEEP existing granite tops
• If I still don’t like the cherry, have the cabinets professionally painted.

Gorgeous kitchen. I wouldn’t touch the cabs but I would:

Get rid of the clock.

Remove the 4” granite splash and replace dated mosaic above with plain white or off white porcelain or glass herringbone. (Unless you replace countertops.)

Seriously consider removing the metal splash behind the stove. I generally like them but yours seems to add to the clutter, especially that shelf which cramps the hood.

Clear almost everything off the counters.

Remove the island corbels. If it leaves noticeable wounds, replace them with simple ones.

I would like to see plainer, lighter counters with less ogee, and a warmer paint, but that isn’t essential to my eye.

And remember that 99.7% of folks would kill for that kitchen as is.

There are people who know about this detail much better than I do, but it's my understanding the backsplash on the cooktop may be required to meet code, fire safety. From other discussions on this topic, particularly with larger and commercial-like appliances, tile on drywall on wood studs is apparently not safe (even though manufacturers show images like that). So it may be safest to keep the existing stainless with the cooktop.

I might also paint those barstools white, or replace them with something that has more character, maybe a very low back. Maybe a low back. Would love to hear what others think of the stools. Again, gorgeous kitchen.

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This is one of my favorite kitchens and yours reminds me of it. If you paint any cherry maybe just the ones flanking the hood and maybe paint the hood soffit all white to match the island too.

Wow! Thank you to everyone for such awesome ideas and suggestions. I’ve never posted before today, so I’m very appreciative. I’m already decluttering and thinking about next steps. Love this community of creative, helpful people.

Tamera - Thanks for sharing your kitchen. And kudos for being brave enough to post on here.

I'm not sure why all the comments about your decorative objects and things you use everyday accessible and on your counters. The way some of these commenters have ranted you'd think you were a prime candidate for an episode of Hoarders.

You have a real kitchen that gets used as opposed to a kitchen that gets used to cook a Thanksgiving turkey and transfer takeout onto the "china" and the rest of the time it's a stylized fashion statement.

And what's with the hate on the oversized clock?

What you have is lovely. In terms of changes, I wouldn't go beyond a new backsplash and, optionally, countertops. If you get new countertops I'd look into removing the corbels. What friends of mine did to support their island overhang was to install a sheet of steel first and then overlay the steel with marble.

I would start with removing the mosaic backsplash and painting the wall a different color. If it was inexpensive or easy to do myself to remove the 4" backsplash and I wanted another full backsplash I would do that. Like others said remove as much as you can off counters, and many people would love to have your kitchen!
I would not paint those beautiful cabinets.

You haven't really said what your goal is -- a more modern look? Lighter? Just something new? Those would lead to pretty different recommendations.

I think a light counter and more modern (white or gray) backsplash would be pretty. That's the direction I went with my new kitchen. Other options would be frosting the glass cabinets, or replacing the door with aluminum frames; removing the drywall hood in favor of a sleeker metal one; relacing some of the black chairs and stools with lighter/metal ones; replacing some of the random clutter with less and maybe a conscious accent; cooler paint tones; darkening or lightening the floor for more contrast.

My newish kitchen is cherry. Here are a few of the kitchens that inspired me:

Rio Del Mar Kitchen With Natural Lighting and Wood Cabinetry · More Info

Cheerful kitchen · More Info

KItchen, Bala Cynwyd, PA · More Info

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Tamera - I had a cream and cherry kitchen and repainted mine but your cabinets are a nice simple style and not overwhelming at all. It's not super clear what your goal is or what frustrates you about the current space. Your black granite (probably uba tuba or verde labrador/butterfly) is fine. I am not a fan of the fussy edge but the dark does not bring down the space at all. We replaced ours with med grey quartz.

A new backsplash would definitely give it a different look as well as removing those heavy corbels as suggested. We love our handmade tile. We chose one simple color (that inherently has some variation) but a fun shape. We had ours locally-made but check out fireclay, heath and wizard.

The kitchen was remodeled about 2003 with a few updates along the way (hardware, backsplash). My goal is to make improvements which will update, lighten and freshen the space. I like so many of the ideas presented and appreciate the advice.

I read a real long thread regarding pro ranges and the stainless behind the range. The short answer is keep the piece behind the stove.

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@T Lee I think H B is correct that stainless back guard on your range is fire code. Beautiful kitchen btw, don't paint those cherry cabinets, paint the walls a warmer color and do a new backsplash, removing the granite backsplash and those mosaics too. White counters would be lovely, but really it's a lovely space. Get quotes and see what feels right to you.

When I am considering a change, I remove everything that is not permanent to evaluate color, lighting, etc. Then slowly add the items I love(d). Also include other family members opinions - they live here, too. Take your time. I know of very few people who are happy over time with their painted cabinets. Expensive and does not change the style if you find that is your objective. Leave what you need on your counters. Your house, not a TV show as mentioned earlier.

Valinta is right. Take your time. The suggestions here are pretty consistent - de-clutter first. It gives you a chance to see what your “blank” kitchen looks like. Consider your budget and start with getting estimates on backlashes, countertops and wall painting (unless you can do that yourself). Those numbers may influence your decision. I would put “paint the cabinets” at the very bottom. With some of the above changes, your kitchen can change dramatically .
Which of the suggestions appeal to you the most? You haven’t said.
You’ve got a great kitchen to work with.

I have already decluttered and this makes a difference. I like the idea of removing the 4 inch granite and mosaic backsplash and replacing with a lighter, updated option. Perhaps I can consider keeping the dark granite perimeter countertops, but replace the island stone with a white quartz option?

I would also like to remove the island corbels, replace the stools and add a door to the angle open cabinet (I have it in storage). I also like the idea of removing the beadboard from the wall and getting new dining chairs.

I am intrigued, but not sure about the idea of painting the glass cabinets white and adding some painted wood elements to refashion the drywall hood vent. The clock has been there for a long time, so perhaps it is "time" to let it go.

Regarding the paint (SW Amazing Gray), I'm open to looking at new colors, but the walls flow to the family room and entry hall. So, changing this out is a bigger project.

I really love all the suggestions and fresh ideas. After living in the space for 20 years, it's time to look at making some changes. My husband loves the warmth of the cherry and the cabinets are in great shape, so they will stay. Thanks for all the inspiration and support.

I love the cherry cabinets. Agree with all that the backsplash should go and be replaced with something more neutral. Would love to see art with color by the table rather than family pictures in white frames

You might want to search Cherry Cabinets in the Forums as there are quite a few out there that you may glean some ideas from. Here is one that discusses wall paint color.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5834179/wall-color-to-go-with-dark-reddish-wood-cherry-cabinets#n=35

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I too think your kitchen is very nice as it is! It actually reminds me a lot of my sister in law's kitchen. Her house too was built in 2003 and her cabinets are a similar color, but hickory instead of cherry. She has Steel Grey granite on the island (same color as the perimeter cabinets) but a different granite on the perimeter. They painted the walls Anew Grey (which is I believe close to Amazing Grey) and brought in cobalt blue as an accent color and it really looks stunning. And not that I'm suggesting you do this, but they restained their wood floors a darker color (I think it was Java) so that it contrasted more with the cabinets. I'm sorry I don't have pictures but their kitchen really looks great.

I'm not a pro but if I were to make any suggestions, I would declutter a bit (like others have suggested) because I feel like there are too many things to look at. While the collage of photos is nice, I would instead put a nice, colorful piece of artwork there -- one piece only since you have the wainscoting which already makes the space busy. Art is very subjective and I tend to like more abstract canvases, which is what I would put up if it were my space. I also don't think having the different end chairs at your table works here; I prefer that look more in a dining room. I would either have them all fabric (matching the end chairs) or all dark wood. Again, simplying the number of different "thing" to look at.

But you already have a really nice space to begin with so I don't think you need to make many changes to give it a new look.

Yes, white hue would be great and a natural countertop!