Probably too much of an open-ended question for us to give you much guidance. Are you keeping your door style or refacing? If you're keeping the doors and just re-painting, then look up traditional kitchen photos on this site and pull examples of what you like to create an ideabook. Will help you narrow down a look and color options.

I think you pretty much already have traditional and timeless.

I wouldn't paint the cabinets. I would change the counter and backsplash. Look at cambrisusa.com Dovedale and Ridgegate. Subway tile for backsplash. Lighter window treatments

You HAVE timeless. Now, don’t muck that up with too much chasing fads that are over in the blink of an eye. The things that your kitchen needs, which are a bit of color, and much better lighting, including under cabinet lighting, are also equally timeless.

Refinishing your cabinetry not a good use of your money and time. The wood is nice, and if you paint it, you will likely get chipping and bleed-through within a year. If you reface, it’s very expensive and sometimes difficult to retrofit.

Definitely spend money on more lighting that is less old-fashioned and brighter. A new backsplash too. New cabinet hardware as you said. Remove the red/purple window blind and either leave the window naked, or replace old blind with something light and fresh.

De-cluttering would be huge improvement, and I am not trying to criticize. You have a lovely glass-front cabinet and it instead just looks so full of stuff. Family photos look so much better in the living room or den where you can actually see them. The same with the counters. I am not one for empty counters, but removing some of the stuff would really change the kitchen’s appearance. I bet if you put your mind to it, you could get rid of some stuff in drawers and cabinets, and then be able to put away some of that stuff on the counters.

Is that a natural granite counter-top? If so, I assume that stays. The first thing I would change is the tile backsplash. The fact that it's multi-toned makes the kitchen look very busy and it fights with the busyness of the granite counter. Another issue is that everything is basically the same tone - cabinets, hardware, counter, backsplash.

I would do something like a very simple, uniformly-colored subway tile in a light cream (the lightest color that matches the granite). You could install it in a herringbone pattern for some extra interest. Match grout to tile to keep it from looking too busy.

I would then replace the cabinet hardware with large bronze pulls. Dark cabinet hardware and a light backsplash would contrast with, but still tie into, the granite counters. And of course lots more lighting like other folks have said and new, light-colors window covering.

As has been said above, the "bones" of your kitchen are great. You need to brighten and update. First, start by decluttering. Right now all I can see is the "stuff" all over the place. Then remove window treatments above sink and whatever is behind table. Then install under cabinet lighting and update fixture above table. Re-evaluate at this point to see if additional items are needed.

I agree that your cabinets are timeless. If you want to change things up, change other features, but keep the cabinets, they are beautiful as is.

Definitely add better lighting over the sinks two fixtures. Add LED tape lighting under the wall cabinets in a color that enhances the cabinets, countertops, & backsplash. There is nothing sacred about stained wood so paint if you want. Be sure to get a quality paint job if you go that direction. The pictures shown is very nice.
But start with these changes:
Unclutter
Add lighting
Paint walls a lighter color
Change cabinet hardware
Backsplash
Countertop
Can you use a tablet instead of large computer?
Is there another space for office.
Can you add easily accessible storage for small appliances & keep out only coffeemaker, toaster or other frequently used appliances.

I say just put in a new floor and declutter the space. Maybe opt for a smaller and round kitchen table.

What color are your floor tiles? Hard to tell in the photos. And is it stone or tile?

The "challenge" of your cabinets if there is one is that they are raised panel. Personally, I've never cared for that look, and I find it looks best if it's painted. If you do paint them I would recommend white. Then you can bring in other colors by painting your walls which is much easier than painting the cabinets. Grey's going "out". Even if you go with that there are so many shades and tones and they go in and out as well.

I think the challenge with what you have is it's beige a la beige: the wood, the backsplash, the floor. And I don't think that brown and grey go that well together - which seems to be the wall paint color.

Personally, I'd start with the white cabinet paint, then see if you can live with the rest. If not, then which is most important to address next. I personally don't like tile floors. Can't stand grout lines. So that might be most important to me. You may be able to just paint the backsplash tiles if you decide you want a change there, then see if you can live with that before removing. I'm just looking at it as a lower cost way to go... Looks like the kitchen as it is was expensive enough to install.

Your current counter top will add warmth to the white. But if you decide to remove that, I'd go with natural wood. I've used it before and it's my favorite. Low economic impact, as well as ecological impact. Look at the beautiful warmth brought into this weeks "Kitchen of the week" with the wood island counter - I think it would have looked better if all the counters were wood:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-of-the-week-white-gray-and-peaceful-in-tennessee-stsetivw-vs~141018868?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u14843&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery3_3&newsletterId=14843

Also, if you decide to move forward with white, the one I chose was Benjamin Moore "Chantilly Lace". I like that it's bright, but there is still some warmth to it without being yellow, and bright without being blue. I never tire of it. Good luck!

If you are going to keep your countertops then that would be where I would start with the color choices.

What is motivating your desire to change things? The installation you have looks great, but maybe tired. You didn't mention budget, but I'd do the simple things first. Lighting should come first so when you start looking at colors you'll see them in their true glory. Take down the window treatments to let in all the natural light you can. Change your ceiling can lights to 4000K LEDs and add the same level of lighting under the upper cabinets; don't forget lighting up the interior of the glass front cabinet and restyling it with pretties or a collection. A new chandelier over the table should update the feel of the space. Replace the backsplash and re-grout the floor tile with a lighter matching grout. Add new hardware and replace your sink with an apron front style and a new faucet. Replace the range hood for a big impact, and if you need more accessible storage, convert some of your lower shelves to pullouts.

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I'm with decoenthusiaste. Your kitchen is timeless already, but needs refreshing with lighting and possibly changing the backsplash in the lightest color from your countertop--make sure new backsplash coordinates with floor tiles as well.

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Dining lighting:

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But first declutter some areas so you don't have stuff hanging here and there and stray stuff on the countertops. Everything at the window end should go under the sink. The window view is all cluttered up. (Do you have a double sink? If so, drain your dishes inside the sink, not on the counter.) You could reface the cabinets flanking the window, also in glass.. But make sure what you display inside looks great--beautiful glassware, dishes, etc. Or remove those two cabinets entirely to open up the window. (Change out the Roman shade to something lighter.)

Definitely restyle your glass front cabinets and light them from within at the same time you have an electrician change out your dining pendant to something more modern and lighter.

Definitely de-clutter.

I would have the cabinets PROFESSIONALLY painted white or light cream depending on what went with the granite. Since they are traditional a glaze may look good. Leave the vent hood wood. Update lighting, including fixture over table. Remove window treatments entirely and only replace if you need to block sun going straight in your eye as you’re trying to do dishes. Replace backsplash with a simple grout less subway. And for a splash of color find a rug for floor (easily cleaned) and a some pretty bowls or jug for counters you have a ton of storage. Put the toaster away. Lastly, if you like your table, replace the chairs with ones that are less modern.

De clutter, remove window cover over sink and change out light fixture over the table. I call those upside down lightshades - bug and dust catchers.

White will date and cheapen it. I would go with the undercounter lighting, a charcoal black backsplash (paint it?), and very dark bronze square/rectangular cabinet hardware. This would produce a contemporary contrast and the cabinets will appear lighter. You already have black in that room, go with it - feel sophisticated. Remove the kitchen window stuff, and paint the sash black. Hang a transparent woven shade over the window, starting up at the ceiling to give the space some height. Put a stunning modern fixture over the table. Ditch the plaid.

New feature faucet - consider Brizzo 63063LF BLGL, sorry I can't paste the photo. Terrific faucet, black and brass - Keep your basics and go on a nice trip with the money saved.

I had the same problem with too much busy travertine 4x4 square tile backsplash (hello, 2001).... a very quick and easy fix would be to PAINT THE BACKSPLASH AND ADD LED UNDER CABINET LIGHTS!!!! Sounds too easy and simple but it will change the entire feel of the kitchen! Along with some of the other suggestions of new light fixtures, declutter, and remove window coverings it will change everything for just a few hundred dollars...

First thing I noticed in your kitchen is the baby bottle and wipes - clutter is forgiven. It is far more important to spend time with your baby and get rest when able so you can meet the demands of tomorrow than putting all the dishes away.

There are a few things you should evaluate before deciding to renovate or determining how much you should spend on your renovation.

How long you will be in your home is a huge question - Kitchen renovations are expensive and given the condition of your kitchen, updates will not bring you more money when you sell, so the money you spend will need to bring you enough joy to make it worth the spend. This is money that could be spent on your kitchen or on your next home or on family vacations or put away for retirement or your child's education, but you cannot spend the same money more than one time, so make sure your are appropriately prioritizing your needs.

Depending on how you answer this question you can figure out how much to spend on the kitchen.

TImeless is kind of a misnomer - good quality is always appreciated, but colors, finishes and materials keep changing. Cabinets that are wood or white are both fairly timeless - in that they have been around for 100 years. We have no idea what materials may come about over the next 100 years. Appliances are never timeless, we keep improving the options. They are like cell phones and are dated the day after you buy them. Flooring, counter tops and back splashes are somewhere between the two. A new material that answers the issues with each current material could be found and make all the previous choices seem dated. In my lifetime we have gone from Formica counter tops to solid surface to granite to quartz and now are seeing a rise in solid surface again.

So - if you are selling in the next 5 years the only thing you want to consider is the impact your kitchen will have on potential buyers.

If you plan to be in your home for 20+ years (or like me - plan on dying before selling your home) the only thing you need to consider is your emotional response to your kitchen. What do you love or hate about your kitchen? What can be done to make it a room that brings you a feeling of joy when you enter the room? I'm trying to decide between painting my cabinets purple or a deep coral red or if I want to paint the walls a deep coral red, including the dining room and paint the cabinets the same neutral that I am using in my living room. Again - the only one who has to like my kitchen is me - I don't have any reason to care about what the next owner likes. I will be dead and the money will be someone else's to spend.

Every time span between the 5 and 20 years needs to be balanced between what buyers want and what will make you happy.

If I were advising you I would probably recommend that you change the wall color of the dining area to a color that makes your heart sing.

Then I would recommend picking a back splash that matches your flooring and only bring it up to the bottom of the upper cabinets near the window. Paint the area around the window to match the dining area, paint the trim around the window the same white as your trim in the dining area Then get a bolder version of the color for the window covering over the sink.

In the dining area I would recommend updating the lighting fixture and adding a centerpiece or place mats that have the dining area wall color along with some complementary colors. Possibly adding some seat cushions that coordinate with the new wall color.

I can't see the rest of the dining area, but if there is a space for a piece of art you may want to consider getting a picture that helps tie the various colors together.

Wow! We are in the same boat. We are looking to sell in a year and are updating our kitchen but don't want to sink a lot of money into it. Our kitchen is an eat in kitchen with a bay window seat and huge island. The current tile floor was never installed properly and the grout is gone and tiles cracked. We will be installing hardwood flooring. As stated, we have a large bar height island which is going and will be replaced with a smaller, table height, furniture like, island in black wood. Of course the granite will be different, but will coordinate. Finally, we will paint and get new window treatments and probably replace the hardware, although it's rubbed bronze. I have a chandelier over my island that I love and am hoping will blend. I am keeping the backsplash and all my trim is white. Funny, when we moved into our home 23 years ago, the kitchen was a different lay out with painted white cabinets. We went with cherry, which were pricey and considered 'timeless'. Ha! White is back. But I personally would never do white. With experience, the paint chipped and looked terrible and they showed everything on them. Also, I did my master closet in white. The wood has yellowed over time and looks awful.

In 5 years time, painting your cabinets gray will look dated. Stick with your cabinets and change out window covering, add colorful rug (check out washable Ruggables), maybe a clock or fruit/vegetable paintings above window, then move on to changing pulls, then backsplash, then countertops (in other words, least expensive to most expensive). Unless you just love the piece, I'd consider removing the glass-front section and maybe add open shelving. You'd gain a different look and more counter space. Maybe change out pendant light over table.

I would take the cabinets off either side of the window above the sink & make the window bigger, like that whole section. Lighten up the remaining backsplash, new pendant light. Paint cabinets white if you feel the need.

Either paint the cabinets a creamy warm white or reface them. I like Bec's suggestion to take the upper cabinets down from the window wall and put in a great big window. Then change hardware on cupboards to something simple and timeless. Go to a tile store and look at the thousands of possibilities for backsplash and surfaces- they usually have a designer on staff who will help you within your budget. Make sure and take rough measurements of areas you want to cover- they will come do final measurements when you order. And finally add ceiling lighting for the work areas (on dimmers), undercover lights for the dark work expanses and a new droplight over the table. Your chairs will look great against the white, and you can add an area rug for a big splash of color.

I like your warm wood cabinets. Keep them!
I’d change the backsplash tile. It just too much beige/brown.
I’d also replace the sink window molding to a white trim that matches your door in the dining area. And finally, replacing the cabinet knobs to a white knob would highlight and repeat the white in your door (and maybe window?) trim. A larger more colorful sink area rug would also break up the beige feel.

Hi!

If that were my kitchen, I would want to change it, because I don't like a lot of uniform wood cabinetry. SO? I would get with a pro to ask what's possible on a budget, because I am a cheapskate and i hate making mistakes.

One thing I would not want to change: Having a real table in the kitchen, because I don't like islands. I might pick a different table and chairs, however, but that is up to you. I would take down the upper cabinets on the window side of the room and have open shelving,, but that's just me.

I like your plaid tablecloth or placemats! I think those are nice warm colors, and if you end up keeping some of the wood, those colors are nice with wood. I might take those colors off the table and use them on a rug in the kitchen.

I'd probably replace the drop-down pendant with something fun and that I loved. Might get 2 of them -- one for near the sink and one over the table.

Have fun!

You are fortunate to have so much storage space! The color of the cabinets is fine. But - so much stone/ceramic tile and floor! I would change the floor to wood or a product that enhances your cabinets. Get rid of the tile backsplash and choose something brighter and more reflective. I have seen some lovely glazed tiles - go to a tile store and see what sparks you. Also, the lights are dated - check out a lighting store. Big Box stores will not give you much choice in lighting and tile. Enlarge the window by making it higher. Need brighter and airier. Window treatments are all dated - out they go! In fact, take those down now and see how it looks. Consider building in a place where you can post photos and memorabilia neatly - can you replace the glass cabinet door with something customized for that purpose. Anyway, good luck!

I say first of all start with painting the cabinets white (white is truly timeless, cabinets are good don't change them except for the color).
Keep the countertop and change the backsplash (take the countertop as a source of inspiration).
Maybe change the cabinets hardware to black long handles.
And the lightings of course to three separate lights maybe?
Best of luck.

I agree with the posters who have said to leave the cabinets as they are. I would go with lighter countertops, also replace the backsplash to go with something lighter- perhaps a solid surface countertop and matching backsplash, change the light fixture and either change or remove the window treatment over the sink, replace the pulls on the hardware. If you can’t or don’t want to replace the tile floor try using a colorful rug.

The OP has not posted again in 5 days since her original post. Looks like she is gone.

Here are some other suggestions that I have, depending on your budget of course! So many things are dependent on our budgets! I think if you took off the cabinets next to the window and replaced the window with either a much larger one, or maybe three separate windows I think it would really open it up in there and change the way the room feels. Right now it appears to feel crowded. Change the floors. Not sure what is in the rest of your house, but maybe some hardwood? Then replace pulls/knobs and lighting. The big expense would be windows. Something like this:

I think the natural light is partly obscured by the window treatment and would look much better if that were removed or placed much higher up. Then open shelving on that wall instead of the cabinetry might do the trick without going to the expense of a new window. A rug under the table (and one by the sink) or even painting the floor could make a big difference at much lower cost the replacing the floor,, and I'm not sure more wood is what's needed in that space.

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or a add a rug under the dining table

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I might spring for a new range hood I liked and I'd definitely want a new pendant

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OP disappeared

annapacificnw

What color are your floors?