its worth it to get new doors for the uppers. you can insert glass for some. I might start to price out replacement of those..then find the counter and backsplash . include a new island top too. then see what options you would consider/ or leave... for the lowers. Yes to lighting plan not sure about floor. it starts to add up. so when you calculate the costs the alternative is using DIY /RTA cabinets and replace all or segments [uppers?] ...theres only one corner so it could be quite easy and you would save. just start the calculations and you'll see.....its not small / but its straightforward.. do you have a budget? If you know that people will ad lib about similar replacement projects and their costs to get an idea. Its all about costs right now... heres a room showing more going in with an island. a change in scope of your project could see an updated space as you have good sq footage to work with. not sure about lounge chairs but something else against one wall ...

Farmhouse Kitchen · More Info

Thanks herbflavor.  Yes we plan to replace all countertops, including island, and have already got estimates. Replacing the flooring is a must, and is actually why we're starting this project due to a fridge water leak and damaged floors. Definitely will change light over island and add recessed lights and under-counter lights. Want to keep current cabinet casings, and as many doors as possible, but the upper doors and stain color overall are my biggest pet-peeves. Unsure of IF I should change color and how best to change color. I know lighting and new counters and backsplash will help the room tremendously, but hard to picture how the cabinets would look best. Would love to see others final project pics. I've scoured dozens of other posts and haven't really found what I'm looking for.

Replace the doors.

You can purchase replacement doors from

https://www.richelieu.com/us/en/category/custom-made-cabinet-doors-and-drawers/1000128

Herbflavor, that's a beautiful kitchen photo you shared. Unfortunately our space isn't that wide and we only have one window. The other side of our sink wall is our back porch-turned-sunroom, so adding more windows isn't an option either. The space is pretty much limited to what you see in the pics. Beyond our kitchen is our utility room which has several more matching cabinets and 2 large pantry cabinets. So whatever I change in the kitchen will also need changed in there.

Herbflavor, that's a beautiful kitchen photo you shared. Unfortunately our space isn't that wide and we only have one window. The other side of our sink wall is our back porch-turned-sunroom, so adding more windows isn't an option either. The space is pretty much limited to what you see in the pics. Beyond our kitchen is our utility room which has several more matching cabinets and 2 large pantry cabinets. So whatever I change in the kitchen will also need changed in there.

BeverlyFLADeziner, thanks for sharing the website. I will check them out.

@Mel MK - I meant to comment on this yesterday but got busy, so please forgive my late arrival.

Your kitchen is not a great candidate for new doors. I understand the desire to replace the doors, but you have way too much face frame and a lot of detailed molding. Because of this, the cost of replacing the doors and staining the cabinets to match is going to get your attention. At that point, you might as well consider replacing the cabinets.

You could pull off new doors if you remove the dentil molding and either reface or sand the rest. However, no one is going to effectively match the tone of the dentil molding to match new doors, so you will need to replace the molding. Which is fine because dentil molding isn't that popular these days and that might freshen things up a bit. Having said that, by the time you sand everything down, replace the molding, get new doors, and stain everything you should seriously consider new cabinets.

You can try to darken everything with a light sanding and a gel stain but whether it turns out a gorgeous chocolate color or a splotchy dark and light mess is a coin flip.

Good luck

Here's an out-of-the box compromise to keep most of the current cabinets yet get more light and openness in the kitchen.

--Remove all the cabinets on the window side. This will let in more light and also add air space to your narrow kitchen.

--Add a real island for extra storage you may need by removing the cabinets. Add a dining height table on the end. Paint the island a light color.

Hale Aina By The Sea · More Info

@Bry911... Thanks for your insight! And you make very valid points. 

I didn't mention, but we are indeed removing/replacing the molding, so it will match whatever we do with the cabinets. My thought is to buy new upper doors (right now the cost appears will be ~$3000), sand everything else, and restain darker. Not super dark, but something like Minwax Provincial (see photo; the shade on the left). And of course new hardware.

The cabinet casings are still in great shape, so I don't see the need to start from scratch. Plus, we will do the sanding and staining, so the only cabinet cost would be new upper doors, new trim, staining materials, new hardware, and lots of elbow grease and time.

And we'll likely do the island in a different shade for contrast since there is so much wood in the narrow room.

Does this sound like a project with a positive outcome? Honest opinions plz. :)

@housegal200

Thanks for your ideas. Unfortunately the sink side of our kitchen shares a wall with our sunroom, so adding extra windows would look strange in our layout.

We already have cabinets in our island, and seating space for 3. We do indeed plan to stain (or paint) the island a different color for contrast.

@melMK: I didn't suggest more windows, just taking down the uppers on the window side to create a more open feeling in your narrow kitchen. That's often a solution in galley style kitchen.

@housegal200

Oh I see what you're saying... to lighten some of the heaviness with the abundance of cabinets. Gotcha.

Right. Sometimes people put open shelves where cabinets were for attractive daily dishes and glassware that get washed frequently. Good luck with your project. I'm glad you're saving your cabinets--better for the planet and far less hassle for you and your family.

There's a very good chance that the face frame of your cabinets will not match the refinishing you do on the doors no matter what type of colour/stain medium you use. It may also be that if you replace the upper doors they also won't match the refinishing you do on the lower cabinet doors. If you are wanting to replace the top doors and also remove the mouldings, I'd suggest just taking out the upper all together and replacing with new ones, adding in some open shelving on either side of your window like @housegal200 suggested and consider either paining the lower cabinets and frames or if you want to keep it all wood, having a professional cabinet finisher do the work and get a proper match to both upper and lower doors as well as the cabinet frame.

If you're considering diy stain and refinish products, consider General Finishes. https://generalfinishes.com/ Not more money. Just more quality and easier to work with.

Instructional vids. https://generalfinishes.com/video

@dan1888

Thanks, and yes I've been reading a lot of good info on GF stains. Gonna get some to try on a practice area. Thanks!

I like the new, unfinished doors.

for the boxes you have, strip (not just sand. sanding will not remove old stain down in the grain) the side panels and the fronts. drawers too.

GF is a better brand than minwax. I also like GF Urethane. comes in a wipe-on formula. You will have to apply a top coat.

Too bad they don't make Spiced Walnut any longer. that color is beautiful. The Antique Walnut is without any red undertones. american walnut would be closest to the provencial color of minwax.

Don't forget the Wood conditioner. When you sand, don't go past 220 grit or you'll burnish the grain. 150 might be best, apply the wood conditioner, knock down any fuzzies w/a very light brushing of sandpaper (use your hands to feel) and then apply your stain. one coat only. if you want it darker, use a darker stain, not a second coat.

some redos of oak w/black accents ^ and all white, below:

I would consider painting the island a diff color (not white). this looks great w/the bluish gray color and oak floors

similar kitchen. another grayish/blue island w/white quartz and bronze hardware. obviously the lighting in your kitchen needs to be tackled before settling on colors

both of these also look great w/oak

you could also use one of these for the island, or your wall color. they all look great w/oak.

TajMajal quartzite would look great w/your darker oak cabs. (and any of those colors above) here it is w/these darker wood cabinets. You might also consider adding some glass to a few of your upper doors.

these cabs were rehabbed w/Leathered Steel Gray granite and white splash. I don't care for the hardware w/these cabs.

if you can swing it, build a panel surround for the fridge. it will look cleaner. Get a red oak plywood to build this so it will match the cabinets. (it's plywood skinned w/a red oak veneer. just be very very careful sanding it or you'll burn right through)

@Beth H.

Thanks for all the great info! I can tell this must come from experience. :) And I love the recommended color options both for stain and island paint. The example photos help too! I appreciate you taking the time to share helpful advice.