Short answer: dark wood itself isn’t “out of style,” but dark reddish/brown traditional finishes paired with busy floors , dark backsplash and spekled granite are what read dated.

Here is some inspro

Love this! Yes it’s beyond time we get to redesigning this! So busy it’s awful. So keeping espresso lower and painting the uppers?

What is the condition of the current cabinets? On closeup, they appear quite worn (but that could just be quality of the picture). If the cabinets are in good condition, I would keep them as is, replace dark, busy counters and backsplash, replace busy flooring. Update lighting fixtures to something lighter and brighter and definately get rid of the fan. Update cabinet pulls to brighter metal finish. If budget allows, remove 2 tier peninsula to all one counter height when replacing counters.

The cabinets are fine, its other things that are dated, and also the lack of lighting in there, makes it look dark. You need more lighting, and use daylight type 4000 led light bulbs, so you get a whiter light, instead of a yellow type light. Lighting, backsplash, and flooring would be what I would do first. I dont mind your countertops, its just that they dont go with much of anything else right now.

Navajo White is quite a dark white for whole-house trim - you won't be able to go any lighter than that for your kitchen if you do paint some or all. The trim paint has also likely changed a bit with time, so bringing in a piece to color match it (or double checking against paint samples) will get you a true match, vs. requesting Navajo White (also every paint line has a different Navajo White tone fyi.)

I agree that updating the busy backsplash and floor too, if possible, will be a huge update. Light fixture, ceiling popcorn, one-level counter in a lighter beige (not white bc it will look too stark)... all these things changed would freshen the room. If it were me, I'd remove the cabinets from the window wall as much as I could, for more breathing room and a lighter airier feel that literally lets in more light and has more light reflecting off a pale wall vs a dark cabinet. Decluttering accumulated kitchen items always is a good start to gain more space, and usually needed every 5 years anyway.

Are you planning on replacing the flooring? if so, what is on the floor in the adjoining area of what looks like an open concept? Can you post more picture of the entire room so we can see what style of decor we can work with.

We are replacing the flooring throughout upstairs. It’s currently 1/2 tile 1/2 wood look laminate or something cheap. The cabinets are in great condition, however the fronts are going to be replaced, they feel very cheap. I’ll do another photo .

Here is view from other directions. Couch is getting replaced as well. We haven’t touched anything for 10 years! It’s time! As Mariah would say! 😂

Color reference of doors . Our bathroom is white tile. Doors are warm. I have used Navajo white paint on window trim when we replaced windows , believe it was
Sherwin.

Popcorn textured ceiling are very outdated and to me unappealing. Add to your list removing the popcorn from the ceiling and floating out drywall compound for a nice smooth finish. It diffuses light adding to making a room look even darker.

The shaker cabinets are still in style so the doors don't really need replaced, just professionally painted along with the cabinet boxes. You only need to replace the hardware.

Paint the cabinets, replace the hardware, replace the countertops, the floor and backsplash, along with getting rid of the popcorn ceiling and I will look pretty darn good.

With the right backsplash, floor and cabinet color it the countertop still could be used IMO.

Thanks ! I had not thought of the ceiling, will definitely look into !

And, remove the fan from the kitchen ceiling. Fan blades collect dust and grime, which get blown into the air when the fan is on. Just what you don’t want where food is being prepped, cooked and eaten.

Ick yep that’s coming down!

So start with your budget and floor selection and then you will get best advice. I find flooring costs to be a bit of sticker shock for people - have you priced out what you are considering?

Your kitchen photos in your idea book don’t really give any indication of a particular style or direction - how far are you thinking your budget will go?

As suggested by @thinkdesignlive, you must look into the flooring first before we can consider giving any advice to go further. Show us what you like.

I think you have several things to consider in going though this renovation, removing the popcorn ceiling, replacing the sofa, and I would suggest you change the wall colour. Looking at your photos I'm not sure you're making the best use of the space with your furniture layout. If you have a floorplan it would be a good idea to post it.

May we ask what the total budget is that you have in mind, including floors?

If the cabinets are in very good condition, work to upgrade other features as most Commentors have suggested. Keep cabinets as is. Your wall paint, countertops, and flooring are what are making the space so dark.

--But first: remove/replace popcorn ceiling.

--Spend your budget on real wood flooring for most your entire space. Choose a light wood that harmonizes well with the cabinets. If you decide you'd prefer tile in kitchen area, then get light tile that harmonizes with the cabinets and wood flooring you choose.

--Light countertops and backsplash.

Space to Expand · More Info

a

Marina Del Ray · More Info

--Change dining and overhead kitchen lighting to white:

4-Light Brushed Nickel Ceiling Mount · More Info

Black Chrome Timeless, Transitional, Linear Chandelier · More Info

--Paint the entire space Benjamin Moore Simply White. The rest of your furnishings will be fine.

We are looking at wood flooring. Unsure of budget yet. We are just starting to look at everything. We are going to diy , husband is handy in trades. Thank
You for the help!!!

I may be the outlier here, but...The kitchen is 16 years old, and several elements suggest it is really starting to show its age. The cabinets stop short of the ceiling, the lower units are mainly cupboards, and the two-tier peninsula both dates the space and reduces usable counter space. The poster says that the cabinet doors need replacing. The popcorn ceiling and flooring need to be replaced. There is also an overmount sink, where most people would prefer an undermount. Given all of this, investing in new cabinet fronts alone might not provide the best long-term value. If you're going to be going through the expense of replacing the floors, it would make sense to redo the kitchen at the same time. I'd consider saving toward a full renovation so you can create a space you'll truly love and will improve the value of your home (rather than putting money into fixes that will still leave you slightly unsatisfied).

Strongly agree. We will determine a budget and move forward.

Several commenters suggest prioritizing removing the popcorn ceiling treatment. I don’t know the age of your house, but a popcorn ceiling older than 1980 almost certainly contains asbestos; that’s what gave those ceilings their shape. For your own safety, you need to wear PPE and screen off the room with vinyl walls while you scrape the ceiling. And there are protocols for disposal after you remove it. If I didn’t want to pay for professional removal, I’d be tempted to paint the ceiling Super White or Extra White to reflect light better, and call it good.

Just adding to my comment below—Steph gives date of the kitchen as 2010, but I didn’t know if that was the original or an update. 2010 would be somewhat late for popcorn in my area. I happen to love your flooring and backsplash, but not with the existing appliances.

Lots of good advice already - if it were me, I’d first focus on flooring as others have said and get it connected in with the surrounding rooms (consistent flooring makes house feel so much bigger imo)

I’m not always one to paint cabs but I’d do probably do that here - I’d be tempted to do a deep navy as it seems like that would be easier than getting the cabs to a lighter color

bring in some brightness with simple white counters, then updated lighting and backsplash

Update was 2010, when we purchased from a flipper. Originally built 1978. So definitely better than could be! We see the walls had been removed which opened the space. Thanks for the ceiling information. We didn’t realize that was a possibility. Our whole home is popcorn. Maybe we will leave as is. Flooring first!

Refacing is a great way to save money! Just a heads-up from my experience: Since you are keeping the original cabinet boxes from 2010, give them a serious deep clean before putting the new doors on.

Old particle board tends to hold onto that "stale grease/old wood" smell that paint can't always cover.

I ended up buying a cold air aromatherapy machine for my kitchen counter to neutralize that lingering "old house" smell. It uses nebulizing tech (no water) so it's safe around the new cabinet veneers. It really helps the kitchen feel new, not just look new.

Good luck with the flooring!

The trim on the upper cabinets is quite large and heavy lookiing. It might be possible to remove it and replace with a simple crown or other simple style of moulding. That might make the cabinetry less oppressive although I would recommend changing the color as well. A big yes to replacing flooring and backsplash.

What would be a good crown to replace with? I agree and thought it looked over the top. I would love to do shaker doors , what would go with that?