I would try to match up the paint to the lightest color in your floor and backsplash. I think that could brighten up the space and make it seem larger. How about changing out the hardware to something more contemporary?

Paint the cabinets white

Just some thoughts:

Personally prefer the wood and wood finish cabinets you have to any color you could paint them in no small part because anything painted will, inevitably, need to be repainted and can look awful as it gets that way. Also, some wood finishes are more difficult to paint than others, especially trying to paint over the existing finish rather than stripping and refinishing them -- small cracks and imperfections can become even more visible.

Perhaps you might consider painting only the base of your island for now or cladding it with the material you prefer -- perhaps even changing the island countertop -- and see how you like the results ... short term ... and how you like the color(s) as a potential future color(s) for your kitchen cabinets and countertop.

Also, even if you don't reuse your remodeled island in your future kitchen remodel, you could add wheels to it and park it where it will be useful for a back yard BBQ or in a basement or garage/shop situation of as a potting shed counter..

You could also go ahead and paint the walls the color you've been considering for your future remodel. -- something lighter (if a lighter vibe is what you seek in your remodel).

Not a pro. Posting to bump for the pros.

the cabinets are pretty nice. If you have a big budget full reno coming up start planning for it now and leave well enough alone . You will have plenty to do when the time comes. You may have fatigue w the space but HOT MESS??? dont think so. try cabinet doors falling off....floor tiles missing or cracked ...one single ceiling fixture...old noisy fridge w freezer on top...coil burner electric stove with one burner not working and no vent fan...thats what a hot mess is.

"but are painting them this fall to get us through."

Save the bucks and live with it as is. Painting them properly will cost you north of 5k or a month of prep.

I would agree with the consensus to not paint the cabinets now, since you are planning a reno in 3 years.

If you have to do something, paint the walls. If you are handy, you can replace the backsplash, but only with something inexpensive, because it will come out during the reno.

I would personally recommend spending a little money on wine, chocolate or candles for the bath.

If you decide to paint the cabinets yourself and do it the lazy way (because of the 3 year timeline), the paint will probably not hold up. But it might get you through a year or two of your 3 years. I'd hate to go to the work though. You could put that energy into planning the reno, and the money into buying some really good chocolate, wine, or candles.....

Paint the walls. That yellowish doesn't really go with anything.

I think your backsplash is the HOT MESS, not the cabinets. If you could just put in plain subway tiles the exact light background color of your very nice countertops and declutter the countertops, get nicer dishtowels, paint the walls that background color, you could go way longer than three years on those changes.

It's not bad at all. I'd paint the walls though.

I have very similar oak cabinets (same wood stain tone, style and likely approximate age) and oak floors all through house. What has worked well for me to calm down and complement those warmer yellow-honey wood tones are light cool greenish blues. My kitchen, DR and LR is SW Copen Blue and my nearby Fam Room is Valspar's Winter in Paris, which is very similar in color just less saturated/paler. These colors also look good with tans and taupey browns, too, which you have plenty of in your kitchen. Try that easier and less expensive change first and it may just be good enough for a few years until you are ready to redo kitchen completely. We've been making do with our simple paint and black hardware "update" for 5 years and are just about to start process for redo. I'm so glad I didn't put any more time or money into it than a couple gallons of paint and $35 worth of hardware!

Leave the cabinets as is for now. Paint the walls to match the lightest color in your counter material.

The backsplash would be a quick improvement with a big impact and also changing your wall paint color which has strong yellow/green undertones that clash with your tan/beige tones. A creamy white subway tile and a light soft beige paint color such as SW Canvas Tan (bring home several different samples to try in your space) would go a long way in doing a small update to get you through to your eventual remodel.

Personally, I think 3 years is too long to live with something you don't like, especially, that much of it, in a room you'll be in a lot. If you have your colors, styles, etc., already in place for the reno, choose the lightest one and paint your cabinets that. Also, a white kitchen goes with anything and is always appropriate, because it implies, clean.

Thanks all for the suggestions. If I were to just paint the walls (and probably the backsplash), what color would you recommend for the walls? I sampled BM Navajo White, but I feel it's too light. I feel limited to warm whites, as anything blue or grayish will not go with the brown countertops. As you can tell, I have no idea what I'm doing!

Pick the lightest shade of your floor/countertops background, matching the tiles in a new backsplash if you decide to do that.

If you part of what you don't like is the backsplash, there is a mid way between leaving it and replacing it. You could remove the current backsplash, add back only a 4"-6" backsplash in something acceptable for the next several years and then paint the wall above the much shorter backsplash as you repaint the rest of the walls. You could even use a painted board as your backsplash -- same color as your window and door trim.

https://www.kitchensource.com/counter-tops/jb-walrs12.htm?p=JB-WALRS60-O

I’m with judrand05 on this. Three years is a long time to live with something you dislike and spend so much time in. And let’s face it - will it REALLY be three years? I suspect that most people don’t end up remodeling as per their original schedule. So if you can afford it, paint the walls and cabinets. And I’d strongly consider painting right over that backsplash with your wall color. What have you go to lose? Btw I actually really like your floor.

Just passing on a "This Old House" video on painting over a backsplash. I have no idea whether this would work on your small glass tiles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTRWdIVQ-bU

If you are a d.i.y. person you could paint them yourself. Use 220 grit sandpaper to scuff up the surface to receive the paint. May take a while to do them all but is certainly possible.

Thanks all for the suggestions. If I were to just paint the walls (and probably the backsplash), what color would you recommend for the walls? I sampled BM Navajo White, but I feel it's too light. I feel limited to warm whites, as anything blue or grayish will not go with the brown countertops. As you can tell, I have no idea what I'm doing!

I'm also in the don't paint the cabinets camp but then again I don't have the energy to paint cabinets. :P I also don't think this kitchen is anywhere near a hot mess! Goodness. So much can be done with lighting, wall colour and decor. :) I also like your floor a lot!

That said, if you feel outside your comfort zone selecting colours, I recommend you get an on-site colour consultation to help you choose a cohesive colour palette. I suggest this because our screens can't be trusted to render colours accurately so any suggestions we may offer are best guesses. A one-hour consultation with a Pro (my Benjamin Moore store offers this service for around $100 last I checked) can save you serious time and money. FWIW, green is considered by many pros to be neutral. It harmonizes well with oak cabinets and certainly looks good with greys and browns. Unless tress have it all wrong. ;-)

I understand you hate this room, which is the most important in most homes. My suggestion would be to do three things: 1. Remove the overly busy backsplash, repair the wall. 2. Since you have the energy (and or money) paint the cabinets. Look at Sherwin Williams Creamy. It’s a soft off white that may work with your current countertop and floors. Paint the repaired backsplash wall creamy with a semi gloss version of the same color. 3. Paint your walls the Creamy. This plan should give you a less chaotic looking room. There are so many patterns, I can see why you need to paint as much of it as possible. And yes, your Reno will BEGIN in maybe three years, so you won’t have a new kitchen for closer to 4. And that’s if your timeline works out.
Read up on how to paint cabinets. It’s a lot of sanding and wiping and sanding before any color is applied. MARK ALL THE DOORS so you know where they go when they’re painted and dry.
SW has a cabinet paint that I used on two bathroom vanities. So far, it’s holding up.
Keep us posted. You will get tons of help here.
My kitchen was refaced in SW Creamy. Before and after photos.

Are you going DIY with painting the cabinets? If so, worth doing. If not, get some quotes and decide. If you are doing the painting yourselves, check out stories about painting cabinets on Houzz. Use a good cabinet paint like Benjamin Moore Advanced, and do it right. Use a sprayer. Sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint second coat. Work on a padded (bubble wrap or old towels) sawhorse outside and always start with painting the inside of cabinet doors first, especially if you are using plastic points to dry the painted doors. Use a bucket and wet sanding sponge - so much easier! and rinse with a garden hose. It takes a lot of time and good drying weather, but it is doable, even for beginners.