Since you are considering remodeling in a few years, you obviously don't want to spend too much now.

The cabinets you have are going to be difficult to paint (it will be hard to hide the strong grain), but you can do it -- especially if you are OK with seeing the grain when you are finished.

I think I would remove the bricks and repair the drywall. The backsplash that you have coming up from the counter is sufficient for protecting the wall. I would probably just paint the newly revealed wall the same color as the rest of the wall.

I wouldn't enclose the refrigerator now. Save that for the full remodel.

Add the dishwasher and the trash cabinet since you want that.

I think I would just pick the yellow you like the best (that goes with the counter and flooring) and use one color on the cabinets.

Just paint the brick for now. If you are doing a big remodel in a couple years, save your money.

I would leave the refrigerator cabinet for later on when you remodel. It isnt needed right now. Paint the brick backsplash, the same color as the color you paint the walls;. Paint upper and lower cabinets the same color, not two toned. Add your dishwasher, and unless, you really need a trash compactor, I would just put in a trash can in that location, until you finally do your remodel.

When you paint those cabinets, clean them really good, and sand them really good, and prime them with a sealing bonding type primer, and then paint them with cabinet type paint, not regular house paint. Since you want yellow, I would put that on the walls, and paint the cabinets all white. It will lighten and brighten up the room. I would also pick up inexpensive handles and change them when you paint. Those handles are very outdated, and not in great condition either.

On my monitor I see B.M. Standish White HC-32 for the cabinets. Do uppers and lowers in the same color. Leave the brick alone and rethink it after you paint the cabinets. I'm guessing you will keep it as is because it works so well with the dark floor.

Try this off white for the walls.

Hardware is expensive, suggest you trying cleaning what you have for now.

If you want new, measure the distance between the screw holes (looks like 5" ). Then you don't have to fill the holes.

l like the oil rubbed bronze or the antique brass finishes.

This seller is asking $99.00 for the lot.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1283973048/vintage-ceramic-cabinetdrawer-hardware

thanks everyone for the comments! super helpful. Keep them coming.

edit to add:

This is part of an open concept room (kitchen, dining, living, and office) Like the house was 50% remodeled before selling. While we have these old cabinets that are somewhat falling apart (which will probably be short term), I really want yellow for the cabinets NOT on all the walls. It’s in San Diego, and I have lemon and orange trees outside. 😍

I’m adding a photo were you can better see why I want to enclose the fridge. it sticks out weirdly from the backdoor. We already have most of the wood on hand and can DIY it, not much added expense.

For the pull-out trash can: we need something in addition to the dishwasher to fill the blank lower cabinet space anyway.

adding a few inspo photos and more for the layout/fridge.

Love your yellow cabinet idea, gorgeous!! You can buy a counter depth fridge.🙂

love the yellow cab idea! i think yellow can be HARD, i have had yellow kitchens and bedrooms over the years - I would choose a yellow from a historic collection to help make sure it has some depth and doesn’t come across as too juvenile

Personally I would look to unfitted kitchens in the UK for inspo - SO many charming kitchens out there that don’t resemble the giant white rooms that are favored here in the states — I think the trick is to embrace your own style and don’t feel like you need to try to make it a typical US kitchen

I think your idea of painting the kitchen yellow will turn out very cute! I would do the island in white for contrast with black accents. I didn't do all the door detail but it gives the idea...

Oh what fun! These are perfect candidates for paint - totally flat so sanding off the gloss and imperfections will be so easy with a sander. Time consuming though - prep is like 3/4 of the work! Not sure why people fret about oak grain - a good stain blocking primer and good self leveling paint should give good results (take doors down and lie flat so paint settles into the pores ). You still will see some slight wood texture but surface color should be uniform with no shadow of darker grain showing through - if you use good paint and primer and painting technique.

I also love your idea of yellow cabinets--such a breath of fresh air after all the gray kitchens! Your inspiration kitchens are beautiful, and a bright yellow will be so pretty. If you're going yellow, then go really yellow!

I wouldn't worry about the oak grain showing--it's not a big deal. In fact, I think that having the grain show would give a nice texture to the cabinets.

Regarding hardware, it looks like you only need about 19 pulls, you can get them very reasonably from Home Depot or Amazon. At even $5 a pull, you're only talking about $100.

Just to add to your inspiration, here's a great yellow kitchen with a brick backsplash:

Historic Renovation · More Info

I love a cheerful yellow kitchen! Your post reminded me about @2LittleFishies kitchen, posted 11 years ago but so pretty I still remember! Here's the reveal post of their gorgeous kitchen in case it helps with some ideas. Looks like they used BM Barley 199 for the yellow, and BM Mascarpone on other cabinets. (But you'll want to test lots of colors in your space, in your light, at different times of day.)

I still remember your gorgeous kitchen @2LittleFishies 🤩

Wow, 2LittleFishies, what a beautiful kitchen! And even though done 11 years ago, your choices are perfectly appropriate for your home and thus timeless!!

I was just going to post images of Fishies kitchen. It’s my fave too. Here is the thread with the professional pics. I do love how the white compliments the yellow in that space, so don’t decide right away that it all has to be one tone. Ease into the idea 😂

The backsplash is easily removed. It’s not something you have to live with lime-washed or painted. The problem with either is painting the grout - not a great look in my opinion. Again, think about the posdibilities, gather your inspiration images, and let your mind play a bit.

Your kitchen in Daffodil and Daybreak (sort of). 😊

I came across this blog post this morning and thought of you and your desire for a yellow kitchen. This is all about the upsurge in yellow, specifically mustard yellow, in decor:

https://town-n-country-living.com/decorate-with-mustard-yellow.html

Perhaps we will finally see a move away from the ubiquitous gray trend to warmer and more homey colors?

^^ Yay for yellow! Saw this and thought of your kitchen :)

Mustard yellow takes me back to the 1990s when the colors were Forest green, burgundy and gold.

And? That's a very nice combination of colors!