I wouldn't paint, especially not to please a random future buyer. An after-market painted finish will be less durable than the wood, so it's going to look chipped and worse at resale. Unless you are willing to rip them out and have them sprayed professionally off-site, at a large expense.

If the cabinets are fairly new, I would investigate getting a new fridge surround and some filler pieces that let you pull the over-fridge cabinets forward a few inches. Getting the sides of the fridge completley enclosed would add a lot of polish to the room. A new backsplash is definitely a great idea. What particular colors are you planning to use here and in the rest of the home?

The kitchen looks lovely. i don’t see you getting any of the money back that you put in to this kitchen so i’d only do what makes sense for the time you are living there. the busy backsplash drivesme a bit nuts so i’d probably do that. countertop looks fine so i’d leave it. cabs are lovely so don’t waste your money there.

Cabinets and counter are fine. that backsplash must go. Dont do anything eyecatching. Just a boring soft white subway tile.

I agree that you might not see a return on any money spent, EXCEPT if you're in a position where you need to sell. Upgrading might make a big difference in how quickly you sell. (When a house stays on the market too long, you either see a price decrease and/or people wonder if there's something wrong with it.) The market frenzy seems to be over and things have taken a big down turn.

From the pictures, your kitchen seems pretty nice. I'm wondering if the countertops are laminate? Like others said, the backsplash is too busy and dates everything else.

A counter depth refrigerator and all stainless appliances would look great. You can enjoy them for the rest of the time you live there. And you can probably sell what you have on FB marketplace.

I would look for a countertop that ties the floor color into the mix. Personally, I think all tile backsplashes date quickly, so the simpler, the better.

Keep an eye out for the details - right now, there are ivory outets with white cover plates.

Cabinets look to be good quailty, but maybe a newer handle style.

If you are open to changing countertops, a similar backsplash like this:

I think that the counter will be fine once you change the backsplash and get rid of the grayish paint. The grays/blue-grays don't play well with cherry, but the counter seems dark enough to be neutral.

The cabinets are lovely, don't paint them. Do change the knobs and pulls to a style that is simple, smooth, and shiny - something that is comfortable to grip if you have stiff joints - I love mine: example of arthritis-friendly pull

I also think that the white appliances will work just as well as SS, in terms of the overall color scheme - especially if you put in a similarly white backsplash. Light clear colors (including white) tend to show cherry in the best light, IMO. (I will admit that there are those who see white appliances and think "old").

If you are 100% moving in two years, I wouldn’t do a thing. Save your money. Anything you do may not be your future buyer’s taste, and you are not going to lose a sale over this kitchen. After all, you bought it!

If selling soon is iffy and you don’t like the kitchen as is, you will get the most benefit out of a new countertop and backsplash, not painting those cabinets. Those are last cabinets! They are even drawers on the lowers! I would only start replacing appliances as they die, unless they are nasty or poorly functioning.

You don’t “absolutely have to” do anything to this kitchen. But I would consider a plain white backsplash and possibly new, plainer hardware as others have said. DO NOT paint the cabinets.

When you’re ready to sell, your realtor will tell you what needs to be done throughout the whole house to get it ready for prime time.

Thank you for all of the comments so far. I'm feeling the consensus is not to paint the cabinets, which pleases me (yeah!), and I'll use the comments here to share with the other person in my household who thought differently - so thanks everyone! I, like others who have commented, really don't like the backsplash (too busy), so I'll do some searching and see if I can find something that will be simple and lighter and possibly work with the countertops, floor tile, and cherry tones. I don't love the countertop, but maybe the right backsplash tile will make a difference and tie it all together? I think the only way to tell will be to get some samples of backsplash tiles and put them up and look at them in the space. I had not thought about changing hardware but will look into that as well

Since you are planning to sell so soon, consider painting the backsplash tile instead of replacing it. YouTube videos by painting pros have the how to details.

Don’t paint the cabinets, it will devalue them. Go ahead and update backsplash and appliances

I think you are right. A new calm backsplash will make all the difference. Love the cabinets!

If you are going to invest in a change? Change the flooring. Everywhere it exists : ) Thus I will ask...........is this Florida?

That would make it worthwhile to poke around, look at other places, similar in price to yours. Also those newer and a bit above yours in price.

I agree with Jan - from the wee little bit we can see - the floor (and backsplash) would be the best way to update.

why dont you get the needed lighting upgrade ? including the piece above the sink [ you can do better] at the same time remove the old phone jack. thats an actual improvment for your space. The other list is purely optional and a new owner will make their own selections so no need to ......and the cabinets are quite nice. Good Luck ..if you did nothing you'd be okay too. something small like hardware change and an upgraded pendant if you want to pare back the activity and your financial involvement .

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One more vote for changing the backsplash and not painting the cabinets. As for the countertops, I think these might work with the new appliances.

Keep the countertops and the cabinets-change the wall colour, change the hardware and the biggest is change the backsplash. Add a nice warm toned area rug and some great lighting along with the new appliances and you will appeal to the 55+ community. We- as in aged people- like warm woods and see the value in the cherry cabinets and would not even think of painting them.

If you tape some white paper over your backsplash tiles, you will get a pretty good idea how much your kitchen will change. A simple white backsplash can do wonders.

I used your wall color to hide your tile to give you an idea of how the tile dominates the room.

@oarah - Perfect! Very helpful.

yes to painting over the backsplash -- simple and effective, and won't constrain the new buyers if they want to change counters/splash to suit their taste.

Don’t paint! I would change the backsplash and appliances then see how you feel! Two timeless kitchens with sinilar wood tones.

I'd hesitate to rip it and do all white. then the discordant issue between floor and counter shows even more. the counter and splash are in synch whether you think its dated or whatever....but without the coordinating surfaces you then have no choice but to note the bisque floor la lot more . it is no trouble for people to do their own splash. but if i walked in I'd figure either the floor or counter has to go and thats a lot more trouble. You get too much into creating a new pallette and that has so many things involved .....i dont think a simple white splash is any help.

You can downplay the flooring for sale with rugs, I agree with others that a backsplash change will make the biggest impact. Are the counters Formica or granite? The edges look like Formica in the pics. I wouldn't touch the cabinets.

The counters are formica. I also acknowledge the dilemma with the floor being bisque / cream color in terms of introducing a potential bright white backsplash, as mentioned in some comments. Unfortuately there is no bisque/cream/off-white in the countertop to play off of. It is a very cool pallette of black, cool grays, white

formica owes you nothing. probably the backsplash is of greater value. if you want to go down this road of recreating tones and themes it makes no sense to do it on top of formica. pull the formica/ get a single deep sink and new counters and splash then. here's a coordinated palette/ cost being reasonable w choice of granite...floor can stay...no painting of cabinets. generally appealing

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You could use a subtle variegated subway that wouldn't be as harsh of a contrast with the counters as a bright white.

If you are absolutely going to sell within 2 years, interview a few local realtors and ask THEIR advice. No sense going through any work that won’t make a difference in your sale price or potential to sell.

Years ago, a realtor insisted I paint my shaker Cherry kitchen white, and install a new backsplash. (She provided the contractors). She was adamant that my “old” kitchen was holding back any sale. Since she was the top realtor in the neighborhood, I listened to her. I wasn’t living in the house at the time so I didn’t have to deal with the headache. And my house finally sold.

She was highly knowledgeable and knew the area, so your best bet is to find a professional like her and figure out what is worth the money and headache.

I am sure I am the odd man out but the cabinets would be gorgeous in a light neutral not bright white..change out the backsplash and add new hardware..I think you will just love it and enjoy the change for the next couple years..my surroundings are so very important to me so visually I would want the change even if for short term..but to me two years is a long time!

@Lynn Brenner I searched for subway tile with some variation in color and found an MSI Kalypso Pharaoh tile available from Home Depot that might work with the existing countertops. I took one of their stock promo images that happens to have a countertop that is gray, and I cropped out sections of photos of my cabinets and dropped them in above and below.

@herbflavor Thank you for the lighting suggestion and regarding removing the old phone jack. We will put those on our list - very easy! We also plan to change out the outlets and switches so they consistent and updated.

I think it looks really good! Nice photoshop job! The tile color palette also seems to work with your floors as well. I would definitely bring home a box and see how the colors look in your space with your light. With a new warmer wall color, all the finishes should come together nicely.

Just having fun!

@Home Interiors with Ease This is tempting. I love this palette and if not for here, then maybe my next kitchen!

It is so beautiful…the gold mixed with stainless appliances is just classic and adds so much warmth without being dark. Home depot tiles and Alaska White granite are so budget friendly and still look like a million bucks!

Don’t even think sbout painting the cabinets, two years go by in a flash & I think the cabinets as they are would appeal to more potential buyers than painted cabinets. I’ve noticed that higher end homes have trended away from white cabinets ( even though I’ve always had them ) & now are featuring wood toned cabinets in my area ( coastal So. Cal )

First off, I think the counters and cabinets look very nice together. The ones posted above with the white counters look jarring or "off", at least to me. I recommend keeping the counters as-is. As others have said, the backsplash is probably what you don't like -- it's fighting with the counters.

The cabinets look very nice and have a fresh look. Do NOT paint them! (Painted cabinets look "cheaper" to me, especially when painting is done after the fact and DIY. Professional painting would probably cost almost as much as new.)

Hardware...I would go with a simple "silver" tone and ones that are easy to use. (I.e., not cup pulls.) Stick with simple, straight pulls on the drawers. Maybe even on the cabinets as well. They're usually easier to use if you have arthritis.

Flooring...Unless it's vinyl, it would be too expensive to change and not worth it.

Sink...If you want to update something, I would update the sink. Get a 2-bowl with uneven sized bowls. Look at 60/40 or 70/30 sinks. Sinks with equal-size bowls are not only outdated, but in general are dysfunctional -- they're either too big or too small for the majority of uses.

Appliances...are they all functional? How old are they? I'm not sure you will make up the cost of all new appliances, but I do agree that they will look better with your Kitchen. If they're "basic"/"builder-grade appliances, new/updated appliances may be worth it for you over the next few years and, therefore, worth it to update. I.e., updating for you as well as future owners.

Finally, think about what people in the 55+ age will like. They are probably more "traditional" (not everyone, but I suspect more than not). The cherry cabinets + dark counter is a classic look.

Honestly, I’d keep the kitchen as is since youre not planning to live at this house for long. By the time you sell, white kitchens may look dated. If you are planning to stay in the house longer, then do what makes you happy. The kitchen as is, it pretty traditional and will probably appeal to future buyers in its 55+ community.

Updating the backsplash could be a simple fix too. And it seems like wood stained cabinets are making a come back.

Just a bit of info on white and light kitchens..accent colors and trends going into 2023

HIWE - Great information.

A local realtor knows the trends that are “in” where they live so I still think a free conversation with a realtor (who can eventually help them sell the place) is a good idea. My realtor was adamant that “everyone wants a move in house without work” since my audience could have been young couples. But this audience is different (as are different areas of the country). Getting the kitchen painted is a huge headache.

RedRyder…we had our cabinets painted in our new home in MI a few months ago…they..removed all the doors and drawer fronts and took them to there warehouse to be painted with a sprayer..so our kitchen was still functional during that time…than for only two days the kitchen was closed up to spray the cabinet boxes and than the doors and drawers returned and hung..it was very easy process but the company you choose makes all the difference!..important to do your research.

Painted-over cabinets would be a deal-breaker for me...and I'm in your demographic pool.

Not suggestion brush painted….professional coating to look manufactured.

HIWE - I think we are all only thinking professional paint job.

I have spoken with my husband and some friends about the feedback here. We have decided not to have the cabinets painted. We are definitely going to change the backsplash, and we will make some additional changes as well once we get some backsplash samples in and firm the selection up. I appreciate all of the suggestions and input - including some things we hadn't thought about - very helpful! Thank you!

If not painting…make sure to change out that hardware!

Post the tile samples you are considering!

My suggestion is that if you are selling soon, leave the cabinets as long as they're in good shape. I wouldn't even bother with the countertops or backsplash unless you truly want to. Changing the appliances will be a great step. Then just a few little things: update the cabinet hardware, get rid of that silly hanging pendant and put a ceiling fixture there, and replace all the outlets with new/all white and abandon the old phone jacks. Not sure if there is still some blue paint around the soffit? If so, paint that to match the wall. These are all inexpensive fixes that will make a difference. The biggest change I would make would be that floor...but I suspect that runs throughout other rooms so would be a pricey fix. Hope this helps!

I absolutely love the cherry cabinets and I think it would be a waste of money to paint them. Replacing the backsplash and the white appliances will go a long way to updating the kitchen. Personally I love the look of a white or pale countertop with a subtle backsplash. Many of the posted photo examples are great.

Invest in small less expensive changes. Hardware and an intersting backsplash will do wonders. Since you are considering selling in the near future, keeping quality wood toned cabinets would be the smarter thing to do. as mentioned above, change the pendant light maybe to a flush mounted or can light. Are your countertops natural stone? If so leave them . They go very nicely with the cabinets. Updateing your appliances is a great idea. Taking the counters and backsplash to warm tones is a style that is an old favorite. It doesn't really modernize your kitchen. You need to decide if you are making the change for your enjoyment or for ease to sell the home. If it's for sale reasons it will be quite an investment which I don't think will be worth the inestment Buyers will appreciate quality cabinets over the colr whenever you paint cabinets its always obvious and not something I'd do. But if you are decided to change the color, consider having them resurfaced. You buy the doors and have a veneer applied to the front of the boxes. Preserve the wood grainat all costs. Nt sure why you havethatstreip of gray on the wall along the ceiling. That really stands out, not in a good way. If you want gray go for a mix of gray and beige, often called graige. There are so many intenities to that colr which is a good compromise. For the backsplash, consider a more expensive looking moth-of-pearl one lke this. It has that random beige to tie in to wood cabinets, but the pearl look of high end materials. I'd g with black hardware to set off the colors and modernize your kitchen. First decide on the main reason for the changes. Then add a pop of color on decor on the counters and areally pretty runner in front of the sink. Good Luck!