Make sure your painter does all the prep before painting cabinets, or you will end up with peeling paint before very long. Prep for cabinet painting, takes a very long time. Make sure a paint that says especially for cabinets is used, not regular wall type paint. I actually like your cabinets just as they are, although, cant tell what shape they are in from your photo. If they are in good condition, I would suggest a good cleaning and keep them. Your kitchen, definitely needs some color. It is very bland.

1. You are nuts for allowing a "painter" to touch cabinets. Especially those cabinets. They are the best part about the room. And, they are right in style. You need an actual cabinet finishing professional, if you do decide to have those coated, not a painter.

2. Unless there is a local coatings or cabinet supply house for industrial wood coatings where an actual cabinet finisher can have a 2K poly like Renner, Envirolak, Centurian, Milesi, Ilva, Icro, etc. tinted and picked up on short notice, all of those type materials are shipped in, and require a color decision at least a couple of weeks in advance. That couple of months of wait list for the cabinet finisher is where you consult with a designer, in time for them to order the materials shipped in.

3. Your can absolutely know that your "painter" is NOT buying the right stuff, and probably doesn't have a real clue about how to properly finish cabinets.

4. If you move forward with him, you will have a peeling chippy disaster. And then need to replace the cabinets in the not too distant future.

Your money would be much better spend on new counters than some painter ruining your cabinets. A true cabinet finisher would be 10-15K to do that job. New basic counters would be LESS than that. And, there's nothing wrong with the cabinets. Wood is the most popular choice in all of the new kitchen designs.

What you are planning is a downgrade. Not an upgrade.

I'm sure this is all a jarring turn off to hear, especially when all you see online people painting cabinets for an instant makeover. However, a paint job that is not factory finish quality is going to peel and chip in no time. Your painter might tell you otherwise, however, NOBODY ever shows pics of their client's cabinets after 18 months of use.

1. What specific steps and products did your painter say they would use to paint your cabinets?

2. What condition are your cabinets in? Can you show us close ups of the challenge areas if there are any.

I got quotes for cabinet painting that would result in factory finish standards and longevity and it was nearly the same expense as getting new cabinets installed.

I really urge you to hit pause. What is the harm in putting the painter off a week or so while you re-evaluate?

Your counters are far more outdated looking than your cabinets. I'd get new counters and paint the walls.

Thank you everyone! I want to change the ” brown” overall look of the kitchen therefore planning to paint it.

As for the cabinet painting, the process told is sanding-primer - two coats of paint.

Primer - Bin Primer

Piant- SW Emareld/ SW Cashmere.

Also, if I chose to not paint the cabinet, what could be a good option for backsplash and island color. I am not planning on changing the countertop.

Thank you once again

Yes, your kitchen is in the brown tones, but, the cabinets are not to blame for that. Change out the wall color. Pick a light color for the walls, in a green or a blue or a aqua, and add some colorful accessories and a colorful rug in front of the sink area, and some pretty art work on the walls. Liven it up a little, instead of it being so bland and brown. For your backsplash pick a color from your counters.

Your painter is a clueless fraud who is using house paint, not professional grade products. He knows nothing about finishing cabinets.

The counters contribute more to being "brown" than the cabients do. Changing the color of the cabinets and leaving the counters does nothing positive. Also, wood and warm caramel and brown tones are what are coming back strong as popular. You really should work with a designer who has current ideas of how to keep most of what you have, and change just a few things. Or else just start over with a blank slate and demo everything for all new everything.

I agree that painting the cabinets is not the way to go, but it sounds like you are going ahead. My choice would be B.M. Gray Owl to go with the light clouds in the counters.

For the island:

You buy the paint. You ask the B.M. sale person what prep and what finish is needed for cabinets. You instruct the painter.

I would continue on with the Gray Owl on the walls, eggshell finish and do a color wash by painting the trim Gray Owl in a satin finish.

Good luck.

Thank you everyone !