I think the finishes in your kitchen look fine. That said, the island shape is awkward and dated, and most on here would say that the cooktop on the island is way less than ideal. I think you'd be best served by saving your money until you're ready to do a full remodel and layout change.

Your kitchen cabinets are really lovely! I wouldn't paint that beautiful wood.

@Carrie B Thanks for your comments.

I have too much wood color in the rooms and trying to change it to lighter color for now; I am looking for a little brighter kitchen.

@Carrie B Should I make the Island shape rectangular? How would you design the kitchen if I completely remodel the kitchen?

You have a nice looking kitchen. In addition to the island and lack of ventilation, the arched doors and kitchen desk have fallen from favor. Most people today also run the cabinets up to the ceiling.

Having your cabinets painted professionally will not be cheap. You may be better off saving for a re-do, especially as your kitchen is perfectly nice.

One thing you might change is the lighting. Do you have under cabinet lights? What color are your cans? Maybe switch to led cans at 4,000. Add lighting over the cooktop. That will brighten your kitchen at minimal expense.

in one picture it looks very light, but in the last pic it looks dark and dreary.

the cabs in this pic match the railing. and trim. for sure I'd change your hardware. get some pulls

can you get a better quality photo that shows the entire kitchen in one pic? try a flash? maybe close the blinds?

are those peel and stick tiles?

in any case, that 4" granite piece AND that backsplash needs to go, regardless if you paint or not.

lets see a better pic first

do you like the stove in the island? I'd hate it.

if you want to paint, have the cabs modified so that the stove can be fitted under the microwave, get a proper vent hood, and move the micro to the island.

then you could do a diff island top, or replace both.

Painting those cabs will be well over 5K.

replacing countertops and backsplash about the same.

I wouldn't paint those cabs! They work great. A new backsplash would really update the space (plain perhaps subway, lightest color in the granite) and get rid of the 4" granite pieces. Fill most of the dining area with a rug to cover some of the wood and add some texture. Add a roman blind on the kitchen window to also add texture. If you feel you must paint a cabinet, paint only the island - pick the lightest color in the countertop and match it.

I agree with others in that for the most part, you have a lovely space. The upper cabinet arched doors are dating the space, but you could get new doors. If wanting to lighten the space, I'd paint the cabinets a warm white (match it to the lightest color in your granite or your backsplash). However, painting cabinets the right way is not cheap and I agree that the island is an odd shape. Cooktops on islands are a thing of the 90's because of venting, as well as safety concerns. Let's face it, no one wants to sit at an island looking at a cooktop. In addition, desks are no longer used in modern kitchen designs. It seems you don't have any deep drawers on your lower cabinets, which are so much more functional that a regular cabinet. Depending on your budget, or your plans down the road, you may want to wait for a total redo. If you post a measured "to scale" drawing marking all doors and windows pros will chime in and layout the possibilities for a "new space".

How about some glass in your wall cabinets? or removing the upper doors. Maybe painting only the uppers.

@latifolia I do have enough light in the kitchen. I added pics with more light. I also have lights under the cabinets. Recessed lights are LED. Please look at the pics. I added to capture the entire kitchen. Thx

@Beth H...I added more pics. that show entire kitchen. I do have enough light in the kitchen. What color backsplash or countertop you suggest? The backsplash is not peel and stick. They are travertine bevelled edge tiles 3x6 in light beige color. Please look at the pics. I added to capture the entire kitchen. Thx

@Sammie J...I already have backsplash in light beige color that almost matches the lightest color in granite. What color roman blind in the kitchen you are thinking of? Please look at the pics. I added to capture the entire kitchen. Thx

@mcoledesign Please look at the pics. I added to capture the entire kitchen. Which cabinets should I change to glass ones?

@mdln...which countertop and backsplash or what color you are thinking of?

I think with all of this “quarantine time” at home, we’re all starting to obsess about changes we’d like to make around the house. I don’t think you should paint the cabinets, and I think you should change the color of the wall to be something similar to the base color of the tiles (some kind of off-white). Do you have to have a window treatment above the sink? Perhaps a couple pendants above the island would be nice and some stools to offset the weird shape. I wouldn’t go with stained wood stools. I think something offwhite might look nice. I’ll try to find a picture.

Like these:

@Design Girl...I added a hand drawn plan of kitchen for you to give you an idea of the measurements. I also added pics to show the entire well lit kitchen.

I like your idea of painting the cabinets to off white color. But as you said I might as well redo the kitchen by changing the doors.

I like the stove on the island as I don't like to look at wall while cooking. Actually I don't use the island for sitting as I have enough seating in the room. Also If I choose to sit at the island, there is a vent that comes out and above the counter and blocks the view of stove.

Let me know what you think after seeing the latest added pics. Thx

Pam, I'm going to post a bunch of pics so I can explain what I think would work. (and now that I see your entire kitchen, I can see the backsplash tile a bit better. The thing is, it's usually the 4" granite piece, or the tile, rarely both. With that particular granite, I just don't think the beveled travertine looks right. I'd remove it, and the 4" piece, which is easy to pry away from the wall. If you and yours did the demo of the wall tile and the 4" piece, you'd save yourself a nice bit of money to put toward the other reno's )

Ok, so as for the layout I mentioned, with the stove being moved and the micro moving to the island, and straightening it out,,,

Just like this.

(also too, another way to do away w/the curved upper door in the corner, is to do something like this corner shelving pictured here.

I think the island in this configuration looks way better. whether or not you have an overhang for seating is up to you. but notice the extra storage you get. the micro would be inset on the other side.

Pendants over the island give a bit more interest.

You'll also notice that the gap to the ceiling is filled with smaller boxes. there are many ways to fill this gap. if you paint, you can easily have simple boxes made and have everything painted at once.

Here's a closer shot of doing the corner shelving near your window. you'll also notice the range and vent hood exactly where I mentioned yours could go. redo the island. btw, this Zellige tile would look nice w/your granite.

I posted this one to show you the higher crown they did to fill in the gap. If you paint, you can have exactly this.

If you leave them wood, a wood finisher may be able to match your wood species and stain and do this.

The glass door option? either side of the sink looks good, just like they've done here. I like the hardware too. no more knobs!

Another option is to go w/a thicker/taller crown.

if you notice this and compare it to yours, you'll see the diff:

Another maple cabinet option. someone mentioned glass doors. you could do them on either side of the sink. The glass can be opaque if you prefer.

Notice the black, simple hardware on these. looks nice w/the wood. Countertops are a simple quartz and a modern mosaic backsplash. this style is more mcm.

When I mentioned moving the stove over the wall under micro, it would end up like this, w/the vent hood. Notice the taller crown they used here to fill the gap. again, if you painted, you could do this.

This is Taj Majal quartzite that another poster just used on her redo. would look great if you decide to keep your wood cabs as is.

But see how the micro is here? and the stove top and hood over on the wall?

you could have your island done just like this, with a few seats at the end. Love the hardware here too.

Someone mentioned two-tone

Do you use the desk area for actual sitting down and doing things? if not, you could make a beverage bar out of that area. If you left the cabs wood, the beverage bar could be painted whatever color you like. put some wood shelves in the middle

more on that later if you decide.

I'd prob go to a Restore or salvage and look for a cool pantry door.

@Beth H. : Wonderful suggestions. Thank you!

Pam, I noticed some blue gray in your granite. its' actually very pretty w/the flooring.

here are some accessories should you decide to paint. I copied your Blue paint color next to the fireplace onto this mood board, because I think that shade, or something similar, would look nice w/your granite. (you could paint the island with it, and the other cabs white, or if you do the beverage bar, do the color over there)

I gave you a few diff hardware colors, some pendants, and diff tile options. the lower right one is a soft blue gray that I think would look great w/the granite, your flooring, and either the wood or the white cabinets. The two middle ones are Cloe tile, and the upper middle tile is just a white 3x12 subway with a gray grout.

I'd prob thrown in a copper sink in the mix too!

Found these pics of Typhoon w/similar color cabs and a bright white beveled tile. This does NOT work either! the beveled is just too traditional looking for these items. and the white is far too bright.

this looks better, although, I don't care for the backsplash. and the cabs are way traditional and more of a grayish color:

whiter cabs. dislike the backsplash, but the white color is nice

white with the glass uppers

this is a beautiful white w/the granite

@Beth H. : I love your ideas! Is BM Simply White is the cabinet paint color?

here are pics of the Simply White.

(I just had my cabinets painted a year ago and did Simply White. I also did Simply white on my walls and my trim. for me, it's a very nice white. neither too warm or too cold

(here's my before) I had a few modifications done in the island, the vent hood, moved micro below wall oven, had a few drawers added, and all of the dated trim removed)

and here's Simply White on my walls. (I did a lacquer conversion on the cabinets, so they might have gone one shade lighter)

these are all other simply white cabinets

Beth, You have great taste; I like your cabinet color...simply white. Looks ideal for my place that has lot of warm colors going on (i.e. fireplace, floors, furniture which I am trying to get rid of to replace with non wood color).

I also like white color which is neither too warm nor too cool. Since I have bright med. oak floors; I want my cabinets to be different. Currently the floors are matching the cabinet; that's why it is showing too much of wood color. I don't like too much matchy matchy stuff.

I also like your idea of bluish gray backsplash. The bluish gray will bring the pop and backsplash will stand out.

I may do the island in the darker color of my fireplace. Not sure if the desk space will look good in that darker color.

@Beth H. : Yes, I am not planning to move the stove top as I don't like to see the wall while cooking. Island cooking makes me enjoy the TV in the family room.

Thanks for the suggestions about painting the cabinets.

Somehow I am not a big fan of glass door cabinets; but something I can consider.

I would definitely consider big drawers on the lower cabinet, but a different one as the one below microwave has draw out shelves that help me take out big pots and pans by just drawing out.

How high the cabinet handles have to be. I want to replace the knobs with nice handles.

I can change the window blinds. Any suggestion?

Something to consider is that I have the same window blinds in the adjacent family room also.

Thank you so so much!

@Beth H. : I will definitely think about changing the shape of the Island. So if I get new countertop on the island, which granite color you suggest?

I wouldn't do another granite if you're keeping the other on the perimeter run. You'd have to go for a solid. either a quartz, or a black, a solid white, or even a butcher block.

(unless, you could find a small left over piece of the same type of granite you already have. but that's doubtful)

I think you have plenty of room to make more of rectangle

if you moved the stove top, it would look just like this (except the island wouldn't be quite this long) Looks great, huh?!

you could choose to have seating,,,,

Or no seating. and this is what I mean by a solid quartz, or a solid, honed black granite

If doing a black granite, it CANT be polished. Too glossy.

or the charcoal quartz,

You'd basically have this type of look, but reversed. (just look at countertops, not the overall style)

more of a gray

butcher block, and the island like this shape w/stools at one end

solid white quartz, taupe painted island/cabs

if you have the room, you could do this, if you need the seating. if not, I wouldn't clutter things up. just have an overhang on the smaller end. (notice the stove top over there!)

get yourself a new pantry door and paint it, new knob! love the looks of this one.

Have you considered staining your banister darker or painting it? It is what jumped out at me most as dated not your cabinets.

@roarah What color I should paint it with?

@Beth H. : You did a commendable job explaining all the design aspects. Thank you so much! Just curious if I choose to change the granite completely, what color will go with oak wood floors and simply white or another white upper cabinets and darker island cabinets?

I love the way island without cooktop looks. If I change then I won't be cooking any more :)

Can you please give me advice on the kitchen blinds also?

I am curious about the name of countertop and backsplash you have in your home?

Something I don't think I have seen suggested is getting entirely new uppers. The problem with painting what you have is that you still have the arched style, which is the opposite of the modern look you want. Yes, you could replace the doors and then paint, but I'm guessing that will cost just about as much as new uppers.

I think your cabinets are really pretty. If you are going to change the island, I would put an induction cook top on it. That way it's easy to clean, not obvious when you aren't using it, doesn't generate a lot of heat, and they are super great to cook with.

You say you are looking for lighter and brighter, so why don't you start with the wall color? Paint is easy and cheap to change. I don't know what color "Stone Harbor" is but in a couple of the photos provided it looks dull and dreary.

@littlebug zone 5 Missouri It is light gray color. What color you suggest? I am looking for the style, more pop and latest designs. I guess more contemporary, modern or transitional look that bring in a wow factor!

For brightness, white of course.

If you want popping, let your countertop or backsplash or floor rugs do the popping.

@Little Bug which white cabinet color you think can go with my warm floors and fireplace? Any specific color you have in mind?

+1 on dated banisters. if you go with black kitchen cabinet hardware you could install more contemporary black iron newel post and balusters, perhaps keep wood railings.