Your budget will determine a great deal. Do you know how much you are willing to spend to create a kitchen that you love? Your kitchen has great bones. If you want to replace cabinetry, I'd recommend hiring a designer to walk you through this project.

We’re working with a designer and originally planned to create a full open concept kitchen and full first floor renovation (involved moving a bathroom and eliminating our dining room).

Unfortunately now that we’re working through the details, we’ve blown way past our budget ($100k ish) and need to scale back. Just curious if we’d be happy and feel like we have a renovated kitchen if we paint what we have or just wait until we can fully replace the entire kitchen.

So much could be done with your kitchen without a full gut job. Add cabinets above your cabinets, turning a cabinet into a trash recycling cabinet, extend the island with a new top and some legs so it is larger,

Do you like the layout? If you like the layout the way it is then changing finishes might be just what you need.

I love your kitchen! I like the color of the cabinets. If it were my kitchen, and I had money to update, I would take out the black counters, the black light fixture, and the black knobs.

I'd go with aged brass or nickel hardware, a new countertop if that's in your budget. I like white or cream (but not gray with your warm tones). I'd think about a counter-depth refrigerator, if that were possible, and a fancy and functional faucet and new single-tub sink. I prefer a workstation-type sink.

If you don't have undercabinet lighting, consider adding because it can be pretty inexpensive. Lastly, I'd provide a little color/character with a runner and probably backsplash tile.

I would not paint those cabinets because I think they're lovely as is.

I would paint the cabinets white (yep, I said it) and replace the knobs with black pulls to complement the countertop. Pull off the 4” backsplash and replace it with a tile full backsplash that matches the cabinets. If budget allows, replace the island countertop.

I think painting, adding some glass to a few of the doors (or, refacing and going up to the ceiing), getting a new countertop (NO 4" piece) along w/a proper backsplash, would look great. A counter depth fridge would also be a plus.

I'd also do a proper hood above your range (or maybe do a wall oven and a stove top?)

I can't really see your island

Are you happy w/your layout?

No need to keep those 30 year cabs as is. yes, wood cabs are coming back into vogue. but those have had their day in the sun. If you want wood, get new wood cabs. But really, those aren't anything to leave earth for! You don't have to paint them white. plenty of other colors.

Or, you could just paint the island. or even get a wood island and paint the others white. lots of options

I painted mine and couldn't be happier. (circa 2004)

I had all new french oak floors done throughout the house. you wood floors will be fine refinished.

I had a new hood made and moved my micro under my wall oven. the island (which used to have two open shelves on the left) now have 2 large drawers. much better. The fridge is counter depth too.

You may want to do something w/that end by the fridge. rearrange the pantry or add on a bigger one? or perhaps make a coffee bar/beverage bar at the end?

post another pic w/o the stretched view.

Oh my gosh! You painted your cabinets?!? So beautiful!! I’d like your kitchen :)

ARe you ok with your layout? Seems like that island is a barrier between your sink and fridge.

How wide are your aisles?

Drawers for lower cabinets are so much more efficient to use and create better storage.

Nowadays most people prefer cabinets that go to the ceiling especially so they don't have to be constantly cleaning on top.

Personally, that kitchen would drive me nuts. It's large, but could be so much more efficient. Of course YMMV.

It might be best to do some research online before committing to painting your cabinets. You might look into getting new countertops, without the 4 inch backsplash, and then get a backsplash. We also might recommend new hardware and new lighting. Here are a few kitchen designs of ours which might help you figure out what updates you'd like to do.

Modern Napa: Kitchen · More Info

Hilltop Residence - Kitchen · More Info

Why not consider adding some updated hardware, island countertop, and remove the 4" backsplash and add a backsplash which might help lighten things up. You could also paint the walls and add some pops of color around with a colorful tea pot or some flowers.

Alpine Ski Home · More Info

@Tricia VP, we have a 90s kitchen we are hoping to revamp too. Although I don't mind the color/style of the wood cabinets, it's the lack of functionality that drives me bonkers (deep, dark corners, all lower doors vs drawers).

If you like the layout you can make smaller change. I think the match-y floors and black counters are the most 90's things. Simply replacing the counter, installing a proper backsplash (do not use the 4" matching countertop - get a full backsplash) and refinishing the floors would make a huge difference and update the look. Installing a vent hood, relocating the microwave and changing out the hardware to something with less contrast would help make it look more high end too.