I would ditch it -- it would drive me nuts when working at the sink, like I was always going to bang my head into it. Plus, it looks "off" just hanging there by its lonesome.

Andrea,

All good questions, Andrea! It's difficult to empty the dishwasher without hitting your head, wall cannot be removed pipes for water, etc are in that wall and no moving the sink is not in the budget.

My everyday dishes are in the cabinet... plates, bowls. I do not have a ton of stuff in them and I think can make room in the lower pull out cabinets for the other mismatched stuff. I'm just not sure shelves would look right there.

Remove them. Add nothing in their place.

@mxk3 I have banged my head and I do not have space for larger items "to drip dry". Although my counters say a differently I am pretty organized. In my defense I took this pic while my 2 grands were here.

If you don't need the storage then maybe a nice picture...a blank wall would bug me.

Andrea asked most of my questions, most important were 1. What’s in cab & where will it go & 2. Is it in your way when working at sink. I don’t get the upper open shelving craze in place of cabs either! I see it’s the only upper close to DW so it’s logical place to hold meal dishes. You mentioned pull outs in lowers? That would be a must for lower cab at least next to DW & maybe in the island in addition to the existing drawers. It would help to see full view of kitchen from other side of island. I’m trying to visualize flow as well as storage. Either way, I agree something needs to be on wall if cabinet taken down.

I only have the one upper cabinet (that is easy to reach) so I was thinking shelves. The door opens towards the dishwasher and it's awkward and tight when at the sink. I took the door off to get an idea. I have a white pfaltzgraff soup tureen and white water pitcher I could incorporate. Something for color, maybe herbs? Just so unsure. I am thinking subway tile with dark grout all the way up the wall where the cabinet is now. A different or no window treatment. This all started with let's paint the ugly cabinets and brighten up the room. Most of my budget is being spent on the painter.

I would remove the cabinets and leave the area above the sink bare. You can always add shelving later on if you find you need more storage, but I would try to make it work without it. Remove the valance and leave the window bare, which will give you more light. Make sure the white you choose for the cabinets has a warm undertone so it doesn't make the floors look grungy in comparison. I wouldn't use a dark grout on the subway tile - maybe a taupe that works with your floors. If it was my kitchen, I would leave the cabinets as they are and put your money into new floors, a backsplash and lighter wall paint.

I will never get the hubs to change the floor, he loves it!

@calidesign I am currently deciding between simply white (yellow undertone) and White Dove (neutral). My painter only uses Benjamin Moore. I was also looking at Swiss coffee, more of a beige undertone. What would be your pic? And I need the shelving. Maybe once he sees the tile is a problem he will change his mind. I wanted hardwood or a hardwood look. Can't win all the battles.

Thanks for post of more pics. I agree with calidesign to not paint cabinets but I’m confused - have you already done that? If so then that ship has sailed & question is whether to keep the upper cabinet to left of window. The black appliances are a large part of dark appearance. Black does pull out light especially in smaller spaces & the frig is huge. SS appliances would really help lighten overall but even with a multi appliance purchase discount that’s $$$. There isn‘t a huge area for backsplash to be displayed with the stove controls on back & all small appliances on counter. I would take the valance down & if one is needed to finish window top make it half the length & much lighter color. Maybe a woven wood close to cabinet color whatever that is now. About the single cabinet - could you have it modified by cutting @ 1/3 off bottom so there’s more head room & the door swing isn’t such an issue? Or, cut off right side of it so it’s a single box & center it on the wall or leave that half in place & add 2 shelves to right side? So a compromise between no cabinet or shelves?

Paint your cabinets. Take out cabinets over sink and carry your backsplash all the way up that wall.

No, the cabinets have not been painted, we do not like the cheap oak look and wanted to lighten up the black island. Just wanted a quick, inexpensive update but I am fast learning that's not possible.

Maybe go darker with cabinets, I was thinking a green but that can get dated fast. I am more confused than when I first posted. LOL I should mention the floor has radiant heating and only 7 years old. Since we are getting close to 70 I do not want a full remodel, I just wanted an change. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

I would take the cabinet down by the sink. Live with it like that for awhile. Then decide if you want or need open shelving there. Also remove the valence over the kitchen window. Good luck!

Heated floor - nice! You are spot on, nothing is easy about “small updates”. And, you ask for input on one aspect & suddenly you are being advised to buy a whole new room!😱🤣 Back to your cabinet painting & the one cabinet question. Seems like best to leave it as you need storage space & it serves a big purpose. So I will suggest again that you consider how to have it modified. As to painting cabinets, I won’t ever do that to mine bc paint chips & wears. And I don’t have the traffic in my home that you do in yours with grandkids. I don’t think your cabinets look like cheap oak but I do like wood & while I don’t mind light color cabinets I don’t like painted ones. Have you considered getting new cabinet doors & drawer fronts & having boxes refinished? New hardware & you have a complete new look. Wonder about having island refaced instead of refinished if you’re wanting contrast? All of that would provide good opportunity to modify the cabinet to right of sink. It would be quite the job & not a DIY but I would never consider cabinet painting a DIY job either. Note, I’d still suggest a valance change to lighten things up! I know it‘s not a point you asked about so feel free to ignore.☺️

you have plenty of other cab space. remove the cab over the sink and tile all around the window.

if you like this idea, you can do it.

if you will be painting the cabs yourself, read this tutorial.

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

@Beth No. I am not painting the cabinets myself. I looked at tutorials and I am not up for the job. Maybe I will revisit resurfacing. I do like the shelf idea you posted, alot. Just wanted up lighted up the area and stop banging my head!

@KW I am losing the valance. It was a gift from my mother and up it went. Now, it's memory that I can pack away and visit if I'd like.