Some inspiration pics...

Learn how to DIY the cabinets correctly. https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaintingKitchenCabinetsforProfit/

I think you could significantly change your kitchen to make it more to your liking without painting the cabinets. Just add some pulls to them. When you have the funds, change out the range and microwave to stainless to match the rest of the appliances. Put an interesting, colorful rug on the floor. Put in a new white or off white backsplash. Paint the walls a nice non-beige color.

As far as the countertops and difficulties with seams, look for something that is more subtle and with a more random pattern than very distinct directional veins. Eliminate that low 4" backsplash and get a new sink.

I think to waste money on a dated space is foolish I think this kitchen could be a lot better and all those base cabinets need to be drawers so IMO wait until you can do this right . Painting caniets is niot a DIY job unless you have done this many times before . You need a space that is dust free and a sprayer the prep will takes hours and I have never seen a DIY cabinet paint job thta lasts . I am not a wood lover but I see nothing wrong with the cabinets you have if you are not going to change anything get all LED 4000K bulbs for the lighting and some hardware for the cabinets if you want and a new range and if at all possible a proper hood for venting. That is all I would do right now. BTW the staggered cabinets are also dated please do not throw good money after bad design.

Verbo, I have been lerking that group since we decided to maybe paint. Lots of great advice on there.

Julieste, I am really leaning towards a white and gray quartz and a white backsplash. I think I can swing a new microwave now but the stove will probably have to wait as we also want to put an little island in our nook. Our table now matches my old decor (it is copper) and it is big and I need more kitchen space with cabinets.\.

Patricia, I know your right about waiting to do it right but I am SOOOO done with this kitchen. I don't see us ever affording new cabinets. I don't want to trade the oak for cheap cabinets like laminate. BUT I am thinking of getting someone in to give me a quote just to see what the cost would be to change out the fronts and maybe some drawrs. I feel, The design of the kitchen stops us from getting that clean modern look as I have wide spaces in between the cabinets from the trapezoid shape of the kitchen. I like the look of the doors up agains each other.

My husband is going to take down the crown molding but the uneven design ruins it. Totally my fault for listening to our cabinet guy 25 years ago.

Thanks for the advice! I need to hear opinions to help me figure this out!

If i were going to keep the cabinets, I would take off the upper moldings and raise all the upper cabinets to the ceiling. Then put new molding and put a shelf under the shorter uppers to be flush with the longer uppers. Then add some nice pulls.

Yes you are very frustrated with this kitchen, but don’t be hasty and pay for mistakes you will later regret.

First, I am concerned about your layout. The photo makes it look like the fridge blocks oven and corner cab doors from fully opening? Concerning the wall angle, is it a void, is it load-bearing, what is on the other side, and can the angle be straightened out? Second, if you like grays you can still work around the golden cab color for a beautiful blend of warm and cool…try light bulbs on the warm side of Kelvin scale, use “warm” gray paint on walls tending towards griege. A white counter with flecks of black, gray, and honey will also blend warm and cool. To fix the too-high upper cabs, you can replace the over the-range microwave with slim profile exhaust vent and buy an under counter microwave. If y’all are really good at DIY and perfectionists, sand the cabs and stain and seal - if you want a painted look, use gel stain and don’t wipe it off. BTW, your cab fronts are the ultra popular Shaker style that everyone wants.

From what I can tell, those are builder grade cabinets popular 20 to 25 years ago. i have seen them painted and that will give you a whole new look. White or gray would be nice. i say go for it.

Who's painting the cabs? to pay a professional to do those properly could be close to 5K. ( if some painter tells you he can do it for 2K, don't fall for it. it means he won't be prepping and priming which means you'll end up w/chipping paint)

Personally I'd close the gap and go to the ceiling. You could easily find a few taller boxes to replace those shorter ones, or, find taller doors to equal the others.

when you close the gap, it's easily done like this

if you can't do that, then replace those short door panels w/glass, and do a better looking crown. like they did w/these stepped cabinets.

the cabinet over your fridge is useless because it's too far back. Redo the surround (if you don't have one) and do a larger shelving above the fridge.

something that you can actually reach. if you make something like this, you could possibly attatch you old doors.

If and when you replace the fridge, get a counter depth model.

If you can't afford to paint the cabs, then do what she did here.

If you still plan on painting (please look at the how-to's so you know what is required) sanding and priming, sanding again, (before painting) is a must.

first thing you need to pick is your flooring. then your countertop. (or vice versa, but it's easier to pick a countertop that matches your floor tile). THEN you pick cabinet color. Then the hardware. (you need pulls w/painted cabinets)

Then wall color. backsplash tile last after everything else is done.

before and after. notice how they closed the gap

two tone bright white and gautlet gray. a simple marble look quartz

there are a million pictures online of oak cabinets painted, before/after. take a look at see what you like

Also, if you have access to pre-fab countertops, take a look at those. you could save 1-2K