Painting cabinets correctly is not cheap. It is usually a good idea to live in a home 6-12 months to get a good feel for it. If flooring & counters are staying, then leave the cabinets as is. White is not the way to go.

I like the cabinets. They do have a retro vibe , and wood is back. I would leave them as is. I also would not add hardware.

I’d maybe lay another vinyl or linoleum floor maybe a terrazzo look. And I would consider making the appliances look like stainless by covering them with the stainless look film - you can find on Amazon. And maybe change out light fixtures.

This is a terrazzo look LVT.

I don’t really see these cabinets being painted white. That will give you a very cottage look and I don’t think that is what you are going for. MIL is not going to be living there (hopefully :). At any rate, I agree that these cabinets in white could be weird. If you really want to paint them maybe taupe or a color . I would just leave them.

@freedomplace1 i also agree wood is back and is timeless? i feel like i’m the crazy one in the family cause everyone else says white!! i also think it would look weird white with the cabinets not being flat and having that curvy design.

Eventually we will change the floor to tile but we need to figure out the kitchen layout first which will be in like 2-3 years anyway.

@jck910 flooring will eventually change but because the wood flooring will be lighter than what’s existing, we are having a hard time deciding the tile. we are very lucky his family owns a painting company so all we pay is for paint but i still think paint would look weird on that style of cabinet. am i right? that non-flat design on the cabinet (to me) is usually wood?

also no idea what to do with the countertops. but theyre not my favorite but they will do for now.

Stay strong on the cabinets and leave them alone - if you paint them white that vintage floor is not going to look good :/ I would be temped to paint the walls a cheery color, maybe a funky green?

For a good job that will last, painting the cabinets is an expensive project. Sounds like you have a limited budget and since you're keeping the flooring, countertop and appliances, consider replacing the lighting for an updated look. You can also replace the vertical blinds with a roman shade and place a washable runner along the counter. Here's the idea in a black & white colour scheme since I don't know what you have, and any colour of accessories can be mixed in with this.

Leave all of that until you are ready for the big redo. Adding another layer of flooring is a waste IMO. That kitchen has many issues and putting lipstick on the pig will not make the issues go away. In this case add a track light with some good LED bulbs and be done until the big job can be done.. I would not even spend money on hardware it is not cheap and who knows what the new kitchen will be like .MILs should stay out of this I am one and never tell my kids how to style their homes.

You say that a full renovation is only a couple of years away. Don’t bother painting the cabinets (yes white WILL look weird with those old arch designs) and just clean the floors as best you can. There are hardware bundles on Amazon if you find those doors are obnoxious to open. Have your FIL put them on for you. I would look at oil-rubbed bronze pulls.

Spend the next couple of years thinking about a full reno. Take your floor measurements to places that sell cabinets. Start saving photos of kitchens you like. Don’t spend money on a kitchen you plan to rip out. And hold fast against your family’s idea that white painted doors are the answer.

If you want real help for the plan in the future post a to scale floor plan here and you will get lots of pro help for that new kitchen. Use graph paper show windows , doorways where those lead the plumbing if not easily moved and you will have lots of time to figure out function and we can help with that. You have time to figure out apliances too and how they will function for you. Stay away from appliances pkgs they are never a good choice . Plan on plain old stainless so you can buy applainces that work for how you live.

Regarding cabinet hardware, I second RedRyder. Do you have an idea what your design style is? If you gather a few photos in your Houzz Ideabooks of kitchens and other rooms that appeal to you, we can better help you, not only with this question, but in the future. Here are some inexpensive pulls that come in multiple colors. I also like oil rubbed bronze if your decor style leans at all rustic: