They all look pretty much the same and I think they might already all be dated. Pick the one that in person appeals to YOU the most. All kitchens will be dated in a year, so get what you like.

Don't do the mosaic backsplash no matter what color cabinets you get!

My backsplash is not colored. It’s glass taupe like picture 1. I don’t like the tiles everyone is doing right now- the white rectangles of same size

Does dark have to equal a dark stain? There are a million dark paint colors that might suit you better.

Gorgeous walnut. If not the actual wood, a neutral brown without red, without being too dark like espresso. I love your idea and we are doing same. This is my inspiration picture. This tone is what I mean. Gorgeous!!

That taupe toned stain is also a current trend! (photo shown by Keepthefaith). Introduced to move people away from gray and onto the next trend.

Most likely choice to remain less dated would be a medium brown classic stain.

I can’t see much difference in the pictured cabinets. You need better pictures - perhaps the manufacturers have pictures on their websites you could download and post.

In any case, unfortunately the “espresso” cabinets that are pictured are dated, and also connote mass-tract-builder quality these days. Probably not the case 25 years ago when espresso cabinets were new, but it’s the case now. As mentioned above, try for a shade of wood that looks naturally-occurring.

Edited to add: your last pic that is computer generated needs to have a proper hood, not an over-the-range microwave.

Your kitchen is large enough to do two finishes . Perimeter in one / island another. Or island and window wall in one and side wall a 2nd . Maybe a little discrimination w the dark wood is in order... might actually look better w something contrasting alongside.

Originally I had a plan with a beige island and wood wall cabinets but I want the island to stand out.... but then I have mostly beige wall cabinets which is a lot of “beige”. What about this color? A cherry maple....

Thank you so much!! I feel there is a lot of judging on this site though I do Appreciate the advice which is why I asked. This is for me. I am drawn to warmer fall colors as that is my favorite season. My family room walls are a burnt orange color :-) and I love it! Everyone keep saying get a proper hood and get rid of the microwave but no one‘s giving me ideas of where to put the microwave when you look at the space i have. To the left of the fridge is my only form of a pantry I need. To the right is a bar area I want with glass. I don’t have many options except the island and my son and I are extremely tall and I don’t want to lean down to open a microwave. And the drawer microwave would bother me with how slow they open 😬 So I bought a low profile microwave

I think a natural dark wood stained by a pro rather than super perfect shiny ones will stand the test if time best.

I know a lot here think white is classic because it was used in kitchens of yore but many original built in kitchens and pantries were more often stained woods back in the day for painted was considered cheap and subpar by wealthier home owners. It was not until the sterile era of the 20s that white metal easy to clean kitchen cabinets and white subway tile became mass produced and thus trendy.

Some wood in darker tones classic kitchens and pantries.

Put the microwave to the right of the fridge. Either mounted under an upper cabinet or in a microwave shelf. And then use a range hood rather than the microwave over the range.

I love picture 3&5. Do you know that wood or stain about? Maple?

Get your inspiration pics and start getting w your designer. The best way w your look is to bring the wood samples w various stains into your space. They can order a couple doors as well. There will be subtle things w grain and edge profiles making shadows so the real life viewing in showroom and in your home will reveal more than voting from all of houzzers. The last set of pics are very detailed traditional cabs . The kitchens are not at all like yours . You may find modern veneers in a slab style gets you what you want. You really have to start seeing the options. I think you should go w your concept but there’s a range of things that will accomplish this.... and some things you will veto due to price point. You need a good designer at this point.

Maple will often be blotchy if not stained by a great pro. I think #3 has more red than an espresso stain does so maybe a mahogany. Here is a stain sampler for maple stain options.

I live in a house full of dark mahogany doors and I still see the grain and they have remained this way for almost 100 years and all the previous families who have owned the house did not tire of it nor change it. That is a pretty classic dark wood in my opinion.

I do agree with you need good pros working on this. Not only the finishes but cabinet styles and design work.

I have a great designer and he’s working within my budget wonderfully! He’s done amazing work with my space as we are tearing down walls etc to get the open look:) I have many limitations without my walls, with uneven windows which I do not want to replace because that ends up replacing siding etc. and within my budget :-)

Espresso finishes became popular with imports as a way to disguise the poor quality wood underneath. Toners were used, that mask the grain. You can’t even tell what species a lot of it is. If anyone remembers the rubber wood toned “mahogany” at Bombay Co. Same thing.

I can't wait to see how it turns out. I applaud the fact you're doing an individual choice and not creating what the masses are right now. I love wood, and can't wait to see what species you end up with. There are so many choices if your budget allows. Our budget wasn't that high! I don't have photos because we're building. That photowas off the internet and while some say it's a trend I would say if it was why can't Ifind more photos! My DH wanted wood, he likes it darker than me, but mainly because he's tired of seeing white kitchens literally everywhere. White is classic and I have no complaints on it. Anyways, what species are you leaning toward? Then stain choices after that...

Merlot or cocoa maple. I have A tight budget and I’m already above it. Another reason why I’m putting a microwave above the range which everyone says not to. I can’t afford a drawer microwave and I don’t have wall space to put it anywhere else. Because I need a pantry to the left of my fridge. I love the advice but I think a lot of it comes from unlimited budget source😜

If money was not an option I would definitely do things differently! But I still like the warm colors off of wood.

I would never do a white kitchen. My house was built 16 years ago and we have maple stained cabinets.

You have to take the advice, apply what you can and realize that it is just that - advice. Don't think that everyone has an unlimited budget, because those folks are probably few and far between.

Actually not only the cupboard‘s stain, but its style, your backsplash (glass especially), etc will all most likely become dated in 5-10 years, so maybe just go with what you are drawn to the most. Also consider how stain works with your flooring. Maybe consider a mid range stain (wood type will also affect the look), especially if your kitchen is on the smaller side and think about how much natural light you have to help offset dark cabinetry. Nothing worse than a dark kitchen.

Stain color below is a good neutral and because of that, may have a longer life span style wise. No red, orange, grey or espresso tones.

Backsplash wise, if you want longevity, suggest a classic design like herringbone and instead of pure white (which cold be very stark with the darker cabinets), look for a warmer feel which will enhance the cabinets.

Yes that’s the cabinet color I’m wanting. My space is open floor plan w vaulted ceilings and lots of windows. That’s why I like the idea of the darker cabinets. And do the windows I don’t have a ton of wall space so it won’t look like a wall of darkness. My living area wall color and flooring will all be lighter tones

Here is the backsplash I picked out. Against a similar white quartz counter.

Do you really need a microwave? For me, the few times I use it, it would delete it from over the stove. Plus is microwaving food good for us?

It’s only my son and I and he uses it a ton and he’s only 11. And I do as well for reheating food

microwaving veggies is one of the most nutrient savvy preps in existence. Have you looked lately at the fabulous combinations /assortment of frozen veggies at the grocers? No waste compared to fresh/easy/rather fast....You can end the cooking at any stage w the microwave and toss the items into a casserole/ or any other way you like. How is that anything but "good"?

I use it daily for the breakfasts I create. I don’t microwave veggies.

We had a MW over the range in my last house. It was a small kitchen and we debated on putting it inside a pantry. I almost never use a MW but this was when the kids were in HS. Heating leftovers after practice, making popcorn, defrosting beef... it was used daily. I didn't love it above the range but it worked for that stage of our lives.

Sometimes you have to do what works for you. If the MW over the range is the best option than go with it. I think people suggest otherwise not because they have unlimited funds but because they know what works for them and are happy to share it.

This is not my kitchen but this is what we did in my current home

This is my kitchen cabinet but the MW is behind the doors on the left side our coffee station below is on the right cabinet

I like the backsplash you listed above very pretty.

Looking at some dark stained maple cabinets and they look so pretty. I can see why you love them.

This one is a pretty nutmeg color..

What makes wood cabinets dated is a stain. If you think about it, you automatically know when something was done when you see honey oak, dark cherry, or frosted maple cabinets. Same thing with you dark espresso, sorry to say.

Natural wood finishes are timeless. Instead of "cherry" maple, perhaps consider cherry. Or maple. Or White Oak. No stain, just natural.

I think walnut would be gorgeous with your white counters! However, that might not work with your budget. If not, I would look at cherry.

I agree with others who aren't crazy about the taupe backsplash. However, if it bothers you in 10 because it is passé', it is easy to replace.

Best of luck! Nicole

What about putting a smaller microwave to the far left where there is now a toaster oven displayed? Would that look junky? It would be about double the size of the toaster oven that is shown . Then I could get a proper hood.

@jessica federspill love that idea!

I agree with the advice to go with a more natural to the wood stain, medium brown, that Maureen gave you above! The lovely variation in tones in her example (which you said you liked, and I think is beautiful) keeps it in the less subject-to-trends category IMO. When I look at photos of kitchens that seem "dated" to me, it is often the very trendy cabinet style, and the choices of counter and most importantly, paint colors, that are dragging down the look. For example, oak cabinets surrounded by beige/tan paint.

You really should go with what strongly appeals to you, but, since you asked about "dated".... I wouldn't choose the narrow stacked backsplash tiles, and I do think that is walking into "dated" territory, but if you don't want rectangle and do want glass, then I realize that your choices are more limited both by budget and availability. I would still look at larger format tile, or different shapes for myself (I actually skipped backsplash, just have good paint on the walls). Do you have a Floors & Decor store nearby? They had very good prices on a large selection of wall tile -the last time I shopped there.

Also just going to add that my kitchen is much smaller, with probably half the storage that yours will have, and I find that I have plenty even with my MW in the pantry cupboard next to the fridge. It is a convenient location for cooking things out of the freezer - I had it installed on the shelf that was the right height for me. I cook at the stove a lot and have found that having a good hood really helps minimize the grease buildup on surfaces in the kitchen as well as minimizing lingering cooking odors and controlling heat in the space in summer.

Please come back and show us your finished space when it is all done! You will be inspiration someone else I am sure.