The cabinets are the absolute BEST thing about the room. Change the floors, counters, backsplash, and do a better lighting plan.

Heck no!

Who cares what anyone else thinks! Do what YOU want. Now is the best time to paint.

I say GO FOR IT!

It is obviously up to you, but I would most probably just paint the walls white and change the countertops and backsplash. By doing that, the kitchen will be much brighter. Not sure if changing the floor is an option, but that would also help.

The floors are the problem and it appears your lighting scheme is inadequate. I agree with Verbo, the cabinets really are the best feature of the kitchen.

A friend of mine had beautiful cabinets and painted them white (professionally) and while the paint job is excellent, now it looks like everything else out there.

The floors are definitely the biggest problem in the room, followed by the counters. The cabinets are gorgeous and deserve to be showcased with better counters and floors if your budget can swing it. Natural cherry is classic and would be criminal to paint, in my opinion.

Here's my understanding of cabinet painting, from many years on this forum:

-Painting cabinets is involved & expensive.

-A special cabinet paint should be used.

-Most decent, professional painters are NOT equipped to paint cabinets - you need a cabinet specialist.

-The results of painting cabinets - even when done by a pro - are often disappointing.

If you're planning to otherwise live with the kitchen for 10 years or so, maybe it will be worth it to you if you really don't like the wood.

But if the layout isn't perfect, you are going to want to switch out floors, countertop, backsplash, etc., better to wait and do it all at once.

All that said, my mother painted her own cruddy old cabinets in her funky old house. Knowing my mom, she probably went to Home Depot and bought the cheapest paint & paintbrushes. And you know what, it's pretty obvious up close that it's a sloppy novice's job. But looks charming in this photo, right?

(edited to add - I like your cabinets, and *I* definitely would not paint them, but it's not my decision, eh?)

Another vote for Please! Don’t paint!! In 25 minutes since you posted, you’ve received 8 replies with 7 against paint. Pretty strong response I’d say!

Agree, cabinets are best kitchen component; would change floors.

Another no to painting the cabinets-you've got warm wood, warm tones in your counters and a warm floor so a white would be a miss unless very carefully chosen with warmer tones. If that was my kitchen, I'd opt to work on the flooring since your cabinets are classic and in style.

Cabs are gorgeous and are the best part of your kitchen. I wouldn't paint them. Of course, it's up to you because you own them, but it would be a shame to paint. Agree that floors and counters are what need the help in your kitchen (and the wall color). You could update pulls as well if you don't like the shiny chrome (black would be nice).

Love the cabinets!

Install under cabinet lights, it will make a BIG difference.

Absolutely paint them! And it's your kitchen, if you want them a different color, go for it!

I think the cream or white will definitely open up the space. Our kitchen looks basically the same from the cabinet color to the color of the tile floor. Also when you change out the cabinet pulls and hardware, the space will be totally transformed and inviting.

Another no vote. The cabinets are beautiful, it’s everything else that should be changed! If painters are coming in, have them paint the kitchen walls a warm white. As almost everyone else here said: floors, counters, backsplash, lighting.

These are all great suggestions. I don’t want to do anything I will regret. Truthfully I figured paint would be a cheap easy fix. Sounds like that isn’t the case. I would rather put my money towards a new floor (I hate it!) although I dont think new counters are in my future. If I did a new floor, backsplash and wall color would it be enough? If feels like a cave right now 😩

"If I did a new floor, backsplash and wall color..."

Don't forget lighting. Lighting might be #1.

You need to install a real vent hood over your cook top that vents to the outside.

Please speak to a contractor about this.

It may mean that you have to move your cook top.

And that means rearranging your kitchen.

Do this before doing anything else because that is big bucks and will affect what else you can spend money on.

The dinky fan under the microwave doesn't do stink as you will soon realize.

Dollars to donuts there is a film of grease combined with dust that is marring the beauty of those cabinets which is one of the reasons you want to paint them.

How wide is that island? It seems rather narrow.

If it is too narrow it isn't functional to work on and becomes just a landing pad for stuff, as you can clearly see in this photo where it has become a repository for junk rather than a kitchen work surface clean and ready for food preparation.

If the kitchen is too narrow for an island, why not get rid of it?

Maybe meet with a certified NKBA kitchen designer before you do anything, ask to see the credentials, and not a cabinet salesperson who calls themselves a kitchen designer, and talk about all of this.

You have only showed us one photo.

Maybe you are better off with a peninsula.

Or neither.

Maybe a galley kitchen with a smallish portable (on wheels) cart. They can be very convenient.

It does seem like you want to change quite a bit and you need someone to guide you.

You don't know what you don't know, and that is not an insult in the least.

You don't do this for a living, and neither do 99.9% of the people on this website.

You don't want to make mistakes to the tune of thousands of dollars you will regret every time you walk into that kitchen for the rest of your life.

Why not read these to give you some ideas-

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5972404/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first-2020-interim#n=7

https://www.modcabinetry.com/nkba-guideline/

I vote new floors & countertops, I think that will really bring your space up a notch. Your cabinets look nice & classic.

My vote is for new floor

"Should I paint these cabinets?"

No. They're beautiful.

If your style tends toward modern or retro, this terrazzo trend wold look just right

https://www.tileshop.com/products/terrazo-bianco-macro-porcelain-wall-and-floor-tile-8-x-8-in-681534?g2=tile&c=new-arrivals&sc=

Ok I think I’m on the hunt for everything but new cabinets 😂 thanks everyone!

Well, there’s no lack of help here if you want ideas, but if you do, give us an idea of your style so you don’t get bombarded with useless suggestions.

Remove and install new floors, and remove that over the stove microwave, and install a regular hood. Paint the walls, and start saving for new countertops. However, most important thing, is to improve the lighting in that kitchen. The kitchen itself looks nice and the cabinets are beautiful.

Great looking cabinets and kitchen, too.

Another "vote" against painting those cabinets.

Would definitely paint the ceiling white or if you hate white ceilings, then choose the most pale shade of the color you choose for your walls.

Seriously consider changing out the lighting, especially the light fixtures over the island.

Have you ever considered adding a large faux skylight light to your kitchen?

https://www.lightology.com/index.php?module=coelux-artificial-skylights

Cabinets are so pretty!

That faux skylight is fascinating!

I don’t exactly know what my style is but I know it’s not this. I think I’m doing pale coastal colors for the rest of the house. Just light and bright but cozy to prevent seasonal affective disorder during these rough New England winters!

I hear you! I’m in Minnesota! It’s going to be tricky with cherry. It’s gorgeous, but just not on trend right now. Luckily, one of the best colors to use with it are chalky greens and blues as a contrast to all that red. Eventually countertops will also help, so plan those into your overall design, even if you delay replacement. The floor will easily transform what you have already. Pack up, cover, drape, PROTECT everything! Removing that tile is going to send dust and chips everywhere! Demo was fun, but living in the mess was the worst part of my reno. Anyway, as for the new floor, I would not do anything to white or grey. I would keep it soft, neutral, light - not bright. I personally love encaustic tiles and they would be a great way to introduce that coastal vibe, however - they are much different than ceramic and a bit more maintenance unless you like that dingy European aged look. The porcelain fakes are better if you want to just put them down and forget them. Secondly, if you use colored ones, or you tire of the pattern you’re stuck with them later. In those respects, the backsplash is an easier place to add character and color. Another bold choice would be to use a checkerboard pattern - but not the 50’s diner look. Smaller sizes run on a diagonal in muted colors give a more European look. Again, the terrazzo floors could give you some subtle character and there are many options. If you go with a stone look, avoid slate. It’s a predictable, but dated look. Instead, I’d go for a medium to light beige to grey. I personally love this dramatic look, but pretty much the opposite of what I just said, lol!

I'd lighten the floors and replace that island with something movable that you can see through

I actually like your cabinets. My previous kitchen was very similar to yours - wall colour (at least on my screen it looks like the light grey/green we had), cabinet colour and what also looks like the exact same pinkish brown square floor tiles! Only difference: we had white laminate countertops with the built-in 4" backsplash. They brightened up our kitchen (we didn't have under-cab lighting) and would be a relatively budget friendly "fix" to brighten until you're ready for a larger investment. Another thought would be to change your lighten to LED 4000K.

Congrats on your "new to you" home!

Those cabinets are solidly on-trend and GORGEOUS. Yes, the floor is awful. I like your counters and think they can work if you make the right flooring choice, but you need to update the backsplash and lighting. I also agree the OTR microwave is inadequate for a serious cook. Please come back and share your updates. It is a geeat space.

Alicia, Congratulations on your new home. I agree with Verbo! Beautiful real wood cabinets are rare and a gift. I would lighten the floor, upgrade the handles on the cabinets, lighten the walls to the cream or white you have in mind, and possibly consider changing the counter tops. You also may want to read the article on this site called, "11 Terrific Paint Color Matches for Wood Details" by Charmean Neithart Interiors. You may get some additional inspiration. Best wishes!

You have the cabinets that we really want! I would go with the above mock-up and change the floor of possible, but it depends on how much you LOVE your cabinets!