IMO not worth the $$$$ to paint those since they have virtually no drawers for base cabinets and obviously storage is an issue. Having the cabinets painted will cost as much as new and really the new would have so much better storage ideas. If you have never painted any cabinets before I would stronly suggest you do not tackle these. The prep alone will take days and unless you have a dust free space to spray the doors and drawer fronts the paint job will not last either.

The finish on your cabinets looks fine, unless the photos are not showing something.

If you hate the countertops, perhaps you could change them, then change the hardware on the cabinets, then remove the strip of wall paneling above the cabinets and replace with drywall.

Is the cabinet to the left of the wall oven the same color as the other cabinets?

A good paint job on those cabinets would (and should) cost far more than replacement of a laminate countertop. If you think painting the cabinets is a quick and inexpensive fix, I suspect you'll be disappointed with the results. Other options would be replacing the doors/drawer fronts and painting only the cabinet face frames - and reconsidering countertop replacement.

As for your actual question about white cabinets: It looks like you have backsplash tile that is off-white. If you don't plan to replace the backsplash, paint some samples to make sure you pick a white that complements rather than clashes with your backsplash.

If it were my kitchen, I'd leave everything as-is and plan/save for a bigger reno down the road.

I think your cabinets look very nice. They seem to be in good condition. Since it costs a lot of money to redo cabinets, I would put that money to changing out countertops, which are not so nice, even if you choose a nice laminate again. Laminate has come a long way, since those countertops, and it is actually very nice. Personally, I would choose laminate over stone anyday.

10000 times what you've been told. Don't throw good money after bad. Save what you'd spend painting and replace counters, backsplash, sink, etc. They are far more troublesome than the cabinets.

I'm in agreement that any money spent, should go to new countertops and perhaps under counter lighting.

ditto what's been said. pro painting will cost you well over 5K. then you'll have fresh cabinets w/30 year old countertop and tired backsplash. you'll really be disappointed.

you're getting new appliances?

Are you happy w/the kitchen layout?

more drawers would make life easier for storage.

do something w/the paneling above the cabs, the ceiling, get new hardware, and get a new countertop and tile splash. that alone will make a huge diff. much better than painting 40 year old cabinets.

or, if you can swing it, save up and get the kitchen redone.

I think the wood is quite pretty, though I agree the blue countertops aren't ideal. From the picture, it looks like the cooktop is not in an ideal space (no counter space to the right). If that's the case, I'd be saving my money for a more comprehensive remodel than just painting cabinets. If you want a quick update and hate the countertops, why not replace the blue laminate with new laminate?

I think the wood is beautiful, very rich and warm. Agree with above advice not to paint, replace the countertops instead. I would do something with the strange spindle-front cabinet, though -- maybe replace with glass front?

dont paint! agree with everything thats been said. if you can only do one thing fo the counter. i have a nice laminate, they are out there!

Agree with the pack., hold on all of this. Save money for a full remodel. Current counter with white dove everything along with floor will not make you happy :)

thank you. good points all around.