I would swap out the outlet covers for ones that math the wood and get smaller stools.

Just wondering what you hope to accomplish by adding trim? Seems like a lot of work for not much benefit. I agree that changing the outlets is a good idea, since that white is such a big contrast with the wood, and not in a good way.

I'm confused by what trim and where on the island ends. Are the end panels on your island the same as the doors on your cabinets? It could just be the angle of the photo but they don't look like the same material and I find that kind of distracting. The current trim looks like the cabinet material but the panels do not.

Ditto about the outlets.

What is plan with new countertops? Were you planning on changing backsplash?

Yes new countertops, backsplash and painting cabinets.

The panels were I believe matching the cabinets when they were installed. Over time I think panels faded

Oh that wasn’t clear from my initial reading. If you are wanting feedback on your materials, plan, etc maybe post some more information.

You are fortunate to have cabinets that look good for painting with lots of storage and good variety of heights.

I would get rid of the shoe molding and corner trim on the bottom 3"-4" of the panel and replace it with baseboard wrapped around into the interior of the seating area. The hardest part will be trimming the corner molding on the inside corners, so that you can do a miter-cut baseboard. Don't add shoe molding on top of the baseboard. https://www.cabinetjoint.com/video-library/molding-trim-returning-base-molding/

When you say trim, do you mean those panel ends?If you do, then I would explore having new panels made and stained to match your door fronts on the island. And have them integrated without the trim work that surrounds them entirely so that they appear to be panels, not just an after thought. New outlet covers to blend better, etc. too.

Sorry there is no good about staggered height cabinets and IMO stop right now and seriously think about the cost of what you are planning . Your cabinets are a dated style , the island is odd to put it mildly and having cabinets painted costs a lot of money to have done right .The layout is awkward, the iland could be a ton better with a bit of rework you could have 4 stools there . If you were my client I would seriously tell you to stop now and wait until you can afford to do this with an outcome so much better than what you are planning. To just give you some idea all base cabinets should be drawers, every range should have a proper vent not a MW an island where the overhang does not needskinny little cabinets to support it , passing the range to go from fridge to sink is bad design . This kitchen space is good please make the most of the money you spen with good design that is up to date and honestly will make your life better

I wanted to add trim/panel that would be similar to these pics

Thank you Patricia. However to do this kitchen brand new is not going to be in our budget for a very very long time. So I wanted to DIY as much as I could to make it look better. The cabinets on top are 42 inch cabinets and still there is a foot of space on top of cabinets so not sure what can be done about the staggered look. We plan on painting the cabinets ourselves and installing new hardware. I was considering getting rid of the seating on the island and possibly just doing the panel/trim. Not sure if that’s better then the existing.

Nala-

Look for @Beth H. on here…designer that always gives great advice on remodels like you are doing….re-painting oak, backsplash, etc

Hi! Just a few comments:

1. Do not paint the cabinets

2. Drop/lower raised cabinets that are raised up, then do backsplash

3. Add real vent in cab. over stove

4. Re-configure island: square-off range side, remove those end cabinets & achieve a true overhang for 3 chairs, paint island a complementary color

What counters are you putting in?