New pulls, and a light backsplash would make a world of difference. Sunday tile is a classic, match the lightest color you can find in your counter top and do under cabinet lighting. You’ll be shocked.

Your countertop is also lovely. I think slate has had it's day and it's a new day. Adding pendant lighting would be nice. I don't like dark trim, so I'd paint that out - however, that is just me.

Can you shoot a closeup of the countertop? You can easily (gently) remove the 4” granite backsplash in anticipation of a full tile one from countertop to cabinets. A creamy colored tile in an interesting shape, arabesque or place subway tile in a herringbone pattern, would lighten up the kitchen a lot. I would bring in blue accessories after that.
I’m assuming the whole house has the same trim as the window next to the cabinet in the last photo. I would leave that alone. Maybe you can shoot some photos from further back so we can see more of the cabinets and layout.

Yes leave cabs countertops and go for new backsplash removing the 4” standard piece that there

Your cabinets and countertops are beautiful. The washed out wood and stark white countertops in the inspiration photo don’t hold a candle to them. I would quit watching HGTV and start enjoying the classic beauty of your kitchen. The backsplash changes suggested could enhance its beauty.

Thabks everyone, I am loving your help! Here is a close-up of the countertop, as well as photos of a couple of problem areas. Any ideas what to do with this very narrow shelf? Or how about this under-the-stairs closet door- it is an eyesore compared to the rest of the wooden doors in the house.

It’s your floors you should change out! Too much red with the cabinets. Remove that 4” backsplash and replace with some nice tile all the way around

That window trim color is really pretty

I think some shade of pale green would tone down the red. We need Beth H. To weigh in. She’s the expert!!!

@Beth H::: help!!

I think changing out the reddish floors might make a bigger difference than changing your cabinets. The floor and cabinet wood tones don’t seem to play nicely together.

Shasta
Great point, thank you!

Nicolle, here's what I see:

#1, Lighting. Good lord, no wonder it's dark in here. Your lighting is basic. Before you go any further, call in an electrician and get yourself some good recessed lighting.

At the very least, replace that ceiling fixture with a new light that has at least 3-4 bulbs that you can put 75-100W LED daylight bulbs in. What's currently in there?

#2, flooring. You have dark against dark, coupled with minimal lighting. all of that=DARK! Do you like it? Can it be refinished?

#3, granite. Your granite is doable. I'd remove the 4" piece and do a nice tile backsplash. That's last, don't worry about that now.

#4. Wood accenting like trim, the 6 panel door and the elf door next to it. It's a diff wood tone and just adds to more darkness. I'd paint all of the trim around the windows white. ditto the pantry and elf door (try and match the elf door to the other)

As you've been told, refinishing those cabs is a HUGE undertaking. Looks like you have natural cherry, yes? Natural cherry has a pink undertone. You'll never it to look like white oak.

natural cherry, no stain added.

If you had the budget, you could have them completely stripped down to natural. they'd resemble this one. (you could also add glass to few of your uppers)

I'd also lose the rope trim around the crown molding. (I used to have the same thing in my kitchen before I completely redid the entire thing. I painted mine)

But notice how nice this granite looks w/no 4" piece and a simple off white tile. With Natural cherry finish.

Another natural cherry w/soapstone countertop. these are very close in color to what you currently have.

You like that? How much money do you have? because to completely strip down your wood wouldn't be cheap. maybe 6-8K? basically the same as painting them. (a good pro paint job, not joe blow house painter)

Here are cherry cabinets almost the same stain color as you have. Lighter stain oak floors, River White granite. Notice the lighting and how much brighter everything looks. (white walls too)

Another similar cabinet like yours. same tone, graining. Same color floors. Again, notice the lighting. they used a white quartz w/this one. It's still too dark for me.

So based on all of this info, what do you think you'd like to do?

Wow the natural cherry looks so pretty

You could have your door replaced with one that uses a touch hinge and is textured like your walls. This video explains it well.

So, here was my original inspiration photo...

Here is where I am leaning now...

1. Yes, new lighting
2. Yes, new floors (the eating area is over carpet and with 4 kids that is just not going to work). We plan to replace kitchen and great room with a lighter toned engineered hardwood.
3. New countertop and backsplash in a light blue/grey (see above AD photo).
4. New hardware (black or gold?)
   5.??? The cabinets are still a wild card. I am having a quote done for refacing the cabinets (new door and drawer fronts), but some are telling me that is likely as expensive as new cabinets. I can’t bring myself to rip out a lovely set of cabinets that is in good condition, so maybe working with them as they are is the best option.
5. The wood trim around the windows is throughout the whole house and is beautiful wood, so it is starting to grow on me. So far I’m thinking we’ll leave it as-is.

Please feel free to chime in- thanks everyone!

I'd paint the elf door to match the wall. Tempted to paint the framing of that one too.

I would get them refinished to just natural. New floors, lighting, backsplash. New countertop if you can afford it

Otherwise find a backsplash that goes. That natural cherry color is gorgeous

None of your wood tones seem to match...cabinets, window trim, flooring. I wouldn’t touch your gorgeous cabinets. I would consider new flooring and a new color for the window frames instead.

right now lumber has quadrupled in price. So anything having to do with wood is going to be expensive.

I had my cabs refaced w/solid maple, and then sprayed. the cost was 2K (just for all new doors/drawers) , in addition to the expense of painting all the cabinets and doing a bunch of other things. I have double what you have, so I thought it was a good price. I opted for the shaker style but it has the 45 degree bevel. Much easier for cleaning.

you could,

. check with a local carpenter and see what kind of cost they would charge to make new doors/drawers.

. Are you near any Amish? They are amazing crafts people when it comes to making cabinets and their prices are very reasonable.

. Do NOT try and get pricing from lowes or HD. You will pay through the nose w/them.

. You could offer to sell your cabinets. This way they wouldn't go to waste and you'd have some extra cash to get exactly what you want without worrying about the base/skeleton matching your new doors.

. Ikea has the style you like.

. check RTA cabinet sellers and see what kind of price you get. (if you can see yours first)

as for your wood trim, it's not the same as your cabinets. It's perfectly fine to paint the window trim in your kitchen and leave the trim in the other rooms wood. Ditto the door.

Sorry, but for what you want to do w/your kitchen, these just don't work. You could always remove the trim and replace it w/MDF you can paint. maybe reuse this trim elsewhere?

I did a little photoshop for you. what if you got a cool salvage door for the one (you could use something opaque if you prefer) and did something different for short space. I have a list of ideas below, but this is a little nook.

another salvage door w/white trim, and smaller, double doors if you need more walk in storage.

(what does the other door lead to? pantry? a room? garage?)

maybe a glass door? frosted or opaque if you like.

I don't know what you're storing in there, but could a diff door be an option?

what about making it a beverage bar or coffee bar?

a little desk area?

open nook?

instead of a door, get pull out drawers for extra storage.

do you have a wall oven??

Ikea ideas

btw, these are Ikea cabinets. If you like this style, they have tons of combos you could do

Thank you Beth H.
Love all your ideas. (The door next to the elf door is for the office/bedroom right off the kitchen. Behind the elf door i have a rolling shelf bc this area also provides acces to the crawl space). What is the quality like on ikea cabinets? Are they real wood? One more question... if I paint the trim on the kitchen window, do I need to do the same on all of the windows in the adjoining room (great room), or can I just do the single window?

"Your cabinets and countertops are beautiful. The washed out wood and stark white countertops in the inspiration photo don’t hold a candle to them. I would quit watching HGTV and start enjoying the classic beauty of your kitchen. The backsplash changes suggested could enhance its beauty."

Totally agree with the above statement from Nancy K. And frankly, prefer your kitchen to the one in AD as well as all the suggestions posted :) Lighting could be improved to highlight the beauty of your kitchen and the doorway that is different could be changed, but beyond that the kitchen is quite lovely. A backsplash could be added though generally I find they are much too busy and add relatively little (just my opinion). I don't splash much though so it depends what kind of cooking and baking you have going on :)

Suggest enjoying the kitchen and seeing if it too doesn't grow on you over the course of the next year. I have seen too many kitchens that people "improve" that wind up half as nice as what they started with.

If you do, for whatever reason, truly desire to completely rip out this lovely space, I'd suggest hiring a designer that shares your design aesthetic to provide you with expert guidance.

Just my thoughts! Good luck with whatever you choose.

P.S. If you do decide to change cabinets, doors, counters, etc., please consider donating/selling them. Someone would LOVE to have that kitchen or even parts of it :)

Definitely research a stripping company to get the finish off your doors. That’s the best idea and then you will have a light, natural cherry kitchen. (Price a new one and your appreciation of your kitchen will soar!). The “blue” countertop in the inspiration photo looks like natural soapstone. In certain lights it does look blue-ish in certain lights.
I’m suspicious that once you change your floors to a lighter wood, you will see your kitchen in a different way. I would definitely do that FIRST. Floor color affects other design choices here.
I agree with the idea of getting a designer. You’re embarking on a big house design journey. Having a trusted professional in the rooms with you, to coordinate all the decisions, would be very helpful.
It seems to me that your cabinets can be used to get the feeling you want. Everything else around them is also on the table, which makes them more viable.
But please get better bulbs now!

Per mimimomy...

“Totally agree with the above statement from Nancy K. And frankly, prefer your kitchen to the one in AD as well as all the suggestions posted :) Lighting could be improved to highlight the beauty of your kitchen and the doorway that is different could be changed, but beyond that the kitchen is quite lovely. A backsplash could be added though generally I find they are much too busy and add relatively little (just my opinion). I don't splash much though so it depends what kind of cooking and baking you have going on :)

Suggest enjoying the kitchen and seeing if it too doesn't grow on you over the course of the next year. I have seen too many kitchens that people "improve" that wind up half as nice as what they started with.”

Wow you are a woman after my own heart. And amen to the “you don’t have to have a backsplash idea”!!! So many of them are so busy and are a total distraction from the rest of the kitchen. I specifically chose to not do a backsplash in my new kitchen.

I think people are starting to long for the warmth of wood. However, instead of really taking the plunge, the “trends” are showing very pale woods with stark white countertops! How about fixing the lighting instead of putting in stark white cabinets and countertops? And pairing wood cabinets with white ones? Ghastly. It’s like “make up your mind”.

People are so fearful of not being “on trend”. I think it is sad. Before HGTV and Chip and Johanna, people thought for themself.

Examples of good looking kitchens with short backsplash...

I understand your vision, but your cabinets really are beautiful. I would echo the suggestion to change the flooring instead. Also change your electric in the ceiling to a series of recessed lights.do you have an opportunity to add another window for more daylight? We put one on the other side of our table and it made a huge difference in our dark kitchen. As for the little door, I’d get some primer and enamel to match the wall color to make it less noticeable. Or you can ask a carpenter to make a hidden door for it.

yes you can only paint the sink window trim and leave the others as is. perfectly fine.

as for Ikea cabs, they are an mdf base, but I believe they do have some real wood. depends on which one you get. Many people on here have commented that they're really nice. As nice as your solid cherry cabs? No way! I only recommended them because I thought you were on a budget and wanted a certain look.

Any amish near you? even the next state over?

what do you think about selling yours?

or, call in a cabinet refinisher and see what kind of pricing he gives you to strip yours. I think they would look great a lighter shade. The floor also.

If not, then sell those and look into a local cabinet maker.

Or, check out Ikea. you can research the look here on Houzz.

Nancy K and mini mommy are stuck in the 90’s.....there’s a reason HGTV is so popular. Backsplashes are completely on point and in style. White and wood kitchens are gorgeous

My point is...everyone has different tastes. And it Is possible to have a beautiful kitchen that is NOT trending. Not long ago honey oak was trending. Now it is looked upon with horror. To each his own. Point is...follow your own tastes instead of copying HGTV “trending” kitchens. People in general are like sheep. And heaven forbid that anyone does something different. How can anyone think that plasticky looking quartz is better than granite? And people spend more money for it. I think quartz in 10 years will be considered today’s cultured marble. We have been fooled.

I think HGTV has its place... as does Houzz. I like some of the ideas but recognize that quite a bit of of it is for entertainment value. I am not sure that means anyone is "stuck in the 90's" though ;)

I suggested hiring a designer so that the OP could obtain a design that truly meets her aesthetic should she decide she wants a complete remodel. That seems like fairly reasonable advice to me.

Backsplashes have always been in style... they are certainly not a trend. But the amount of agony over a backsplash is, in my opinion, remarkable. I merely said that I find many of them overdone (you can read about it right here in the pages of Houzz dilemmas).

I personally love almost everything Hillary Farr does on "Love it or List It." Incredibly talented woman who creates beautiful and timeless designs that meet the needs of the homeowner.

Your mileage may vary!

I do think that it is helpful to get ideas from HGTV, Houzz or wherever, however I don’t believe in blindly following trends. I don’t think everyone needs their kitchen to look like the one or two trending styles at the moment. I have had natural wood cabinets in my kitchen since 1998 and I am putting natural wood cabinets in my new house. I did not need Chip or Johanna to tell me this is what I like. I do not like busy looking tile that detracts from the beauty of the wood. I currently have a full slab backsplash. That is my taste but everyone is entitled to theirs. I just hope people listen to their own heart and do not blindly follow the herd.

Agree with your comments about quartz. I just don’t think Cherry will be making a Come back anytime soon. Real oak is in style again! I have oak from my 1983 kitchen. Can’t wait to redo it

Well who would have do thought that oak would be back in style? Cherry may be next. But what really puzzles me is why more than one thing can‘t be in style at the same time.

Thank you for adding some reason to the madness. I am so glad you mentioned QUALITY! All cherry is not created equal. All white kitchens are not equal. Same with anything else.

"Popularity doesn’t determine beauty" Best thing I have read on Houzz ever. Thanks Peter Barnard !

Nancy K. Of course it can, I just can’t remember the last time I saw a Cherry kitchen in anything

And yes I would rather have a quality dated wood cabinet than the cheap shaker stuff you see everywhere

Hello. We got our updates finished and I wanted to say thanks for all of your past input and share pictures of what we finally decided to do. Kept cabinets the same, added lighting, changed countertops, backsplash, floors and fireplace, plus a coat of fresh paint. Everything is much brighter- thanks again for all of your advice!

Lovely! Good for you!

Looks great!

Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing!

Lovely! Thanks for sharing

Great job!

Wow! It looks fantastic. Thanks for posting the “after” shots.

It looks really good. Four years ago we also kept solid wood custom cabinets and redid counters, backsplash, lights and wall paint. We have never looked back. Enjoy

You have a great kitchen now.

Hello, the after turned out very nice. Can you tell me what color and material for the countertops?