I would change out the hardware and live with it as is. Upgrade the lighting, maybe replace that fixture with something more contemporary on stainless or nickel.

Thank you P Banos. Yes, the ceiling light fixture is going soon along with the scallop trim! Any suggestions on paint color?

Don't spend money on professional painting. You CAN paint yourself. Clean well, sand, and use the deglosser. Use semi-gloss paint. Take the doors off and remove hardware. Paint, let dry. No, it will not be like factory painted cabinets, but it will be much better than anything else.

I did it in 1985 and it still looks fine. It was supposed to be only for a year or two, yeah right.

The style of the cabinets is so outdated I wouldn't spend money to have them painted. Save your money and have them refaced when you're ready. It costs more than painting but less than total replacement. While I admire Sherry for her long-lasting paint job, there are plenty of posts on this forum from people who painted theirs and it didn't last. The preparation and doing every step carefully are very important and apparently it's possible to hire painters who think you can paint them the same way you would a wall and it will suffice.

Sherry…Are you able to see the grain?

Look at keeping in the off-white family. Just make sure the color works with your floors.

Here's a few rooms with similar colors:

Hebert-3066 · More Info

Oakwood Traditional Kitchen Remodeling · More Info

Cherry Kitchen Cabinets with Corian Countertops ~ Broadview Heights, OH · More Info

My husband and I refinished our cabinets with Rustoelum cabinet transformations. We are perfectionists, and took our time. The end product lasted 5 years before we started to have chips. Last year, I made a professional company to redoor and refinish, and it was worth every cent. They were done in 4 days.

rtpaige03…it would be great to see some pictures.

The two tone shows what we started with on the top cabinets, the all brown is our work with Rustoleum, and the bottom pic is the redooring and refinishing of the cabinet boxes by N-hance.

They look great! I have heard N-hance does really good work. Exspensive, but you get what you pay for, right. I’m in the Chicago area, so I will check them out. It looks like you had some cabinet changes too?

I'm not in love with the cut out shape on your cabinet doors. If you are and if they are in excellent condition and will last another decade then paint them. I would also consider having the faces painted and getting new doors.

I always like to share my experience with painting cabinet doors …as it is a cheap and easy diy…holds up better than brush painting..first remove the doors sand lightly or just clean well …and use spray paint in a can..several light thin coats….spray paint in a can has a high glue content..so it doesn’t scratch..wears like iron…and leaves no brush marks

Since it is an inexpensive fix you can even go with a pretty color..pale yellow ?..loden green ?… or your favorite color?..

Yes, I had a cabinet bank changed to drawers. I got three estimates for the same scope of work, N-hance impressed with their options and their price. I live in the south so metro Chicago may be pricier

I agree that you can paint the cabinets yourself. I've painted several kitchens. Some with Sheriwn Williams ProClassic Interior enamel and also with Benjamin Moore Advance. While I had great success with both paints I do prefer the BM Advance. I did paint a cabinet with SW SuperPaint as it was suggested by SW, but it chipped easily and I wouldn't recommend. Advance is easy to work with and evens out very nicely and shows very minimal grain on wood cabinets. You can go a step further and use grain filler for an even smoother finish. Lightly sand the wood just enough to remove sheen, prime well and then paint. I made sure to read the directions on when to add the next coat. It totally transforms cabinets with very minimal cost. And you could save the money for a total remodel down the road if you wanted. Or you could add some molding on top to give cabinets some height, new cabinet pulls, a beautiful window treatment , new light fixture and rug and find that a total remodel is no longer needed.

Great suggestions Emily. Thank you!

If you decide to paint yourself, don’t skimp on the cleaning step first. Old cabinets will have years of grime and cooking grease on them that you can’t even necessarily see, and anything left on them will prevent good adhesion. An internet search will help you find good tips and products to use

I really appreciate all the information from everyone. This is a great forum, I have learned alot. Since I just replaced the countertops, I need to decide if I should paint or possibly reface.

Yes, I can see the grain, because I wanted it. Mine did NOT have any grain, so I used a brush on purpose to give it a grain. I did that on the cheap wood look paneling accent walls also.

I used Behr semi gloss. I also used a primer first.

You have oak, so there will be a grain unless you go to a lot of trouble to fill. You can have less by using a roller.

I like a grain to a cabinet. I dislike the smooth plastic look that is on a lot of cabinets now. If you do, you won't get that look.

It is a LOT of work. You have to take the doors and all hardware off. Clean, clean, and clean some more. Sand, primer, and two coats of paint. Even after the paint seems dry, you don't need to fully close the doors and drawers until they cure completely, which is about a month.

I had plenty of time and space and no money at the time I did it. It was supposed to be a temp solution until a remodel. That was 30 years ago, with one touch up, lol. Everyone in our subdivision painted.

If you a planning to remodel, your cabinets look nice, mine did not. You may want to search on here about what to use with the oak, as is. There a quite a few that have changed wall colors, and lighting tones and it looks great. I do not like the 4000 recommended, but I do like the new daylight bulbs, I think mine are 3500.

Everyone is right - don't paint your current doors - the style is too dated.

How about just getting new doors and then painting them yourself?

NO to painting they are too dated and honestly you should have come here before the new counters were chosen . Now fix the lighting it is as dated as the cabinets and you can do much better . If you love everything about that space now that you have spent the money on the counters look at just replacing the doors on the cabinets and then have the boxes painted to match get rid of the brick above the cabinets get a proper hood above the range . The light fixture needs to be removed the ceiling patched and repainted and if budget does not allow for new pot lights get a really good LED track light thatcan be installed to light up the space really well. The bulbs need to be LED 4000K

Yes, it’s definately a work in progress, Patricia! I had to get rid of the countertops, they were worse than the cabinets-old faded laminate. I have white with grey/ blue veining quartz countertops now so that is a start. It made a big difference.Thanks for your input, very appreciated.

Patricia, I know you like the 4000, but I tried them and I do not. They are too bright for me. I like 3500 LED much better.

ETA. I also detest the term "dated". Nothing is dated. Styles come in and out all the time.

I am going to tackle the lighting issue first.

suggestions on fixtures would be great!

I like pot lights but looking for something more.

Paint the brick above the uppers to match the backsplash brick. Paint out the the trim at ceiling that "outlines" the room and lowers the ceiling. Remove the scallop above sink, change out hardware on cabinets to black or silver tones, and pick replacement light fixture in coordinating finish to the hardware. Do you have undercabinet lighting?

I think it's perfectly fine to DIY paint those cabinets as a holdover until you can do something better. that wood does not look pretty enough to preserve. a fresh new color will definitely update that space. or if budget allows, consider having just the doors replaced instead. it costs way less than new cabinets.

I would also recommend painting that brick white.

Lighting:

I personally don't like 4000k bulbs, way too cool. when you're ready for that, get a few different bulbs to try out, save the receipts and return what you don't like.

unfortunately that fluorescent light fixture is going to be a bear of a job. removing it might reveal a lot of damage on the ceiling, which might require a ton of patching. maybe. IF that's the case, look for flat panel LED. it won't look as good as recessed lights, but if budget is your concern, this will be a very easy way to update that old fixture. I think some of the square shapes kind of look like skylights!

I do want to say, that although painting cabinets is a lot of work, it is done in stages and is not overwhelming. Just take your time and go step by step. Don't fall for the trap I did for years of thinking that everything has to be perfect forever and ever. It is, however, something that will take longer than one weekend, lol.

at least it's spring! wait for a few dry days and paint the cabinet doors outside.

There are so many questions that should be asked and answered before giving advice.

First Question - how long have you lived in your home?

Second Question - how long do you intend to live in your home?

Third Question - have you planned a long term budget? Owning a home means maintenance and all too often young people / new home owners fail to budget for the big items that have an expected lifespan

- new roof

- HVAC

- Appliances

- Furniture (Sofa, mattress are bigger, but all upholstered furniture only lasts so long).

- hot water heater

You also need a budget for minor repairs

- roof leak, plumbing leaks / clogs, tree removal, broken windows, concrete damage . . . I just found I have termites.

Before doing any cosmetic repairs you need to budget for the necessary repairs and then figure out how much you have left over for cosmetic updates and other priorities (Kids, vacations, new car . . .)

Whatever money you spend on the cabinets can only be spent one time. If you paint and then decide in 4 or 5 years to replace that money that you spent painting is gone and is that much less that you have for replacing.

On the other hand, if you only plan on being in your home another 5 years and really hate the kitchen cabinets you may want to spend the money getting the painted, but it is $5 k less you will have for the next home. Are white cabinets worth $1k per year?

If you are planning on being in the home 20 years, you like the layout of your kitchen and the cabinets are in really good shape, but you want a white kitchen, you may want to look at getting the boxes painted and buying new doors and drawer fronts and have what you want without replacing in 4 or 5 years.

Have you really thought about why you want white cabinets? Your cabinets are pretty, the arched doors are dated, but that does not make them ugly, just reminiscent of a time gone by. White is considered timeless, but it has never been as popular as it is today - it very well may be dated in 10 years. In general wood cabinets are timeless, but as you see, the styling comes and goes. The only exception I can think of is when everyone needed deep cherry cabinets - that particular look became dated.

I know I didn't give you a good answer - hopefully I gave you a lot to think about.