I would definitely paint! The color ideas you gave would look wonderful and painting would give it a more farmhouse look in my opinion. Even if the paint finish wears in places over the years, I think that can add to the farmhouse charm.

Someone will be along shortly to tell you that the farmhouse look is over.

I love your ideas but then I live in a farmhouse (former dairy farm), with off-white uppers and green base cabinets, m/l mix and match. I painted my cabinets originally ap 26 years ago then again 10 years ago. The colors were about the same off-white, but the original paint was oil-based and had yellowed. The second time around, the oil paint wasn't available, and the latex hasn't worn as well. Still, for 10 years on, and two grandsons in residence, they are OK.

If you have plenty of time to clean, sand, prime, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand and paint again, I'd recommend the paint over the thermofoil.

Do you have any inspiration photos?

I’m thinking farmhouse because it goes with my house style and decor. I’ll place some inspiration photos below.

Like the paint color ideas for the cabinets but agree either expensive or labour intensive if you decide to do it yourself. Cannot speak to ther afoul option.

Looking at your kitchen, changing the light fixture to something more farmhouse in style would help, and changing out the sink to a farmhouse sink would put you closer to the look you want. Also an attractive hood over the range, if you could relocate the microwave.

Would you consider fewer cabinets on the top and/ or glass fronts for some of them?

Personally I think your cabinets and granite work well together. If there is one thing I would replace it would be the backsplash - on my screen, it has a pink undertone that really doesn't work with cabs or counters. If you want to paint the cabinets, the colors you mention would probably work well with your granite, but again, that backsplash would be the fly in the ointment, color-wise.

Funny how variable everyone's taste is. I like your cabinets, and their wood color and like your backsplash. I'd change out the granite and the floor.

Like honey oak FAR better than painted cabinets in any color. Do at least consider just changing out your backsplash and countertop and flooring -- and any / all wall paint, too -- instead of painting the cabinets.

This countertop and backsplash say modern country farmhouse to me.

https://carlaaston.com/designed/2-inch-high-kitchen-slab-backsplash

I’m pretty much resigned to resurfacing The cabinets with thermofoil. I’ve been living with those honey oaks and just have tired of them. Just need to decide on cabinet colors and if the counters and backsplash will stay. The floors will be updated later when I can do yhe floors in dining/kitchen area.

The rather tight U shape doesn’t speak farmhouse. You can gaze at lots of painted two tone kitchens with islands pendant lights lots of tile hardword floors / windows w light showing off everything. The configuration here doesn’t accommodate the features . Without base drawers which would justify money spent , I’d probably leave the oak and source some wall cab replacement doors w glass and show off some great dishes and pottery . Get hardware and a big braided rug for somewhat of a change. If anything this kitchen‘s best next life would be modern: as in Monochromatic , unadorned surfaces.

Hmmm ok. The kitchen does get lots of light during the day as the dining area is a vaulted ceilings with skylights and faces west. So lots of sun mid-day through sunset. thrbotger option would be a Reno to turn the counter area into an island. I just don’t think that will be affordable for us right now. We budgeted $8k for cabinetry refacing.

Even Joanna gains is tired of painted faux farm house kitchens it seems. Here is her new cooking show self designed kitchen. Maybe use this as a new inspiration instead of her 2015 work.

More light wood insirations to look at

Just changing your cabinets will do nothing to achieve your inspirational look. Start with you lighting. Removing the light box for some updated lighting will go far. Carrying the wood floors from the adjoining room would also be better money spent than refacing in my opinion.

Wow. Thanks.

A few photos did not load here is one with similar counter tones

some authentic old farmhouse kitchens

8k seems like a lot to only fix one element you don’t like. My personal opinion is that you’d get more for your money to do the counters, backsplash and add hardware.
Even with refaced cabinets you will still have granite that doesn’t match well with the current backsplash so it will be tough trying to figure the right cabinet colours to tie those two together.

Your kitchen is not farmhouse! You have stainless & topless stove. Go somewhere more modern.

@happyleg perhaps my description of farmhouse is incorrect. Let’s call it my own then. I came here for some advice I feel like it’s been more of a lambaste of “farmhouse vs non farmhouse”. With very little advice vs condescending remarks. I’ll take my questions elsewhere. Have a wonderful day and may you all find kindness within your hearts this year.

@User thank you! Do you know if the wood grain would be visible if we were to paint them?

No one was being rude to you were telling it like it is from what we see you came here for free advice

And by the way you have a beautiful kitchen

Cripes, I swear I’m not stalking you @User

Steph, that FB group is a good place to start if you decide to paint. We didn’t have to strip and do all that with ours to get started, so you’d have a lot more work with yours, but ours are just cheap unfinished cabinets from Menards, so you’ll have nicer ones when you’re all said and done.

Steph we did the same thing a couple of years ago. Had custom maple but was sick of the yellowing. So ahead and pain them if you want!! We used cabinet coat by BM in white Dove which I do not recommend. A lacquer finish is much more durable. Wood is coming back though... you could find some prefab slabs for a nice redo. Here’s my old kitchen pics.

Yes wood grain would be seen without layer of cabinet grain filler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwoAwgDsCKw&t=389s

here is how it would like with paint.

and with better light

I would paint them and put in canned lights too. My sisters looked like yours and painting came out very nice. And that was her friend! You should not have to spend $8k to paint them either.

There is no green in your counter, so I would not do green cabinets. Gray may work, and cream should, too. Be mindful about any cream with the flooring...they must coordinate.
There is a pinkish tone to the backsplash, so replacing the backsplash would be logical.
Pick a color in the counter for the backsplash, and bring home a sample or three before making your decision. Replace the fluorescent light fixture first....

Although muted sage green is going good with your countertop, I would go with entire light cabinets color. Visually it makes bigger kitchen.

I had the exact same delimma. All the new kitchens are bright white, and my cabinets and granite are brown. There is a way to update without ripping it all out. If you go too light with the paint, your granite and backsplash will look dark and dirty. So I abandoned the bright-white trend and opted for a tasteful compromise. We brought home a bunch of paint chips in lots of shades of off-white and picked the one that matched the granite. Then we updated light fixtures and knobs.

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images wow! This is so helpful!! Thank you! I agree, staying with an off white on top and bottom will make it look bigger! thank you!!!

it's all good advice things to think about

I am curious about what you decided. My kitchen is VERY similar with the oak, granite and black splash colors. Please show pics of what you did as we are in the same predicament.

For reference of how similar my kitchen is, here is a picture:

I just painted mine. They were oak also.

Before