I would leave the cabinets just like they are. They look to be in great shape, and slapping paint on them, will just mean a much earlier remodel, than you may be anticipating. Painting cabinets, and getting them so they look nice, and dont chip and peel, in a very short amount of time, is a lot of work, and it also takes a lot of time. I would spend my money on adding more lighting to the kitchen, which it desperately needs, and buying some lighter, colorful runners for in front of the cabinets. Right now, its all wood color, with some very dark slate flooring that really doesnt go with much of anything, even though its pretty. It needs lighting more than it needs anything. It would be slightly brighter in there if the appliances were all white, but, they arent. Clear off all the counters, add the new lighting, and some light colored accessories, here and there along with the runners, and it will be a nice looking kitchen.

Ditto what @cat_ky wrote - absolutely agree! I might think about removing that railing detail above the upper cabinets sooner rather than later though. For me, it’s a distracting detail that doesn’t go with the kitchen style. If any appliances need replacing I’d go with SS to match frig instead of white. The SS is brighter than the black color & I think white would stand out like a beacon.

The top rail is a little distracting, but I see what you are talking about. It looks like you have two different wood species in there and the cabinet finish is pretty worn. Paint is a great idea but it is a huge amount of work, and keep in mind, you also need a new backsplash, one that bounces light around the room instead of swallowing it.

If you like the contrast with black, consider using black on the lower cabinets and just a clear varnish on the uppers. Yes, your uppers will disappear into the wall, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you have lowers with oomph.

The other thing to consider is painting that odd strip of white drywall above the range cabinets, or putting more wood there. I know you’re thinking that you want less wood, but the exposed drywall there makes your cabinets look small and emphasizes that they don’t reach the ceiling.

For the backsplash, consider tile that harmonizes with the lightest tones in your counter material. You will need to bring samples home and look at them in your own light, but think ivory and cream. This is Sand Dune by Fireclay Tile.

Also, in place of those red rugs, maybe go for a gelpro mat that harmonizes with the colors in your floor.

If I did paint them, I might try a finish that makes them appear vintage and age them with a brown or black wax.

Painting them is a lot of work. You can end up with a quality product if you buy the correct tools, supplies and cabinet paint. $600-800 all in with 5 days of effort. Could take a little longer for a first time.

@eam44 - I love the idea of just doing the lower black, changing up the backsplash, and re-varnishing the uppers. You’re also right about the drywall patch. I hadn’t really thought much about it before but it would look so much better if we could find wood to match. The weird rail thing up top is definitely getting removed asap as well.

@beverly - I had thought maybe a grey/green color would look good and really like the idea of aging it. I’ve never done that before but it would look nice.

@dan - I’ve got the right brushes from doing the cabinets in the bathrooms. My uncle is a professional painter so he pointed me in the right direction on those.

I'd first change the backsplash, floor mats, and paint the white triangle above the cabinets. Then see if you are happiness with those modifications. If not, then take on painting the cabinets.

How many years off is your full reno and how long do you want this paint job to last? There is a lot of grain in those doors and it is a lot more work to fill and paint them.

I feel like it's the backsplash that sucks the light out of the room.

If your cabinets are all standard size (and I'll bet they are), you could replace just the uppers with Ikea, painted whatever color you want. You could run them to the ceiling, and if you're lucky not even have to change the backsplash.

When you eventually do the base cabinets and counters, you can work around the uppers. The layout isn't bad, though I would swap the fridge and pantry locations.