You have a high quality and chic kitchen that has stood the test of time.

I can understand you wanting something new; but wood is back... and the painted white cabinets are more than overdone at this point. Also, the white cabinet/Taj Mahal thing is almost becoming a caricature. So you may not really be “updating” by going in that direction.

I asked AI to clear the counters a bit, and install some under cabinet lighting, plus a Roman shade (which is hung at the ceiling).

You could have the floor professionally cleaned. And you could probably have a good painter make those black tiles disappear- although, honestly, I do not see a problem with them; I am also a granite lover so I wouldn’t touch them. For what?

I concur with Diana. If you cannot change the flooring, then don’t paint nor use Taj. It is going to clash and be a waste of good money. If the floor must stay the same, I’d keep the cabinets wood, get a solid white countertop that doesn’t clash with the floors, remove the corner cabinets, and declutter.

I completely understand wanting a new look after 28 years. You are lucky that you were forward thinking enough to add lots of base drawers 28 years ago. Great if the cabinets are still going strong these years later.

I think you will be surprised by what a change just new counters and removing the corner cabinets will do. Remove the valance, get a new light, you will be pleased.

First thing I would do is clean off everything from the countertops. It is extremely cluttered. Definitely remove the valence. I think the backsplash makes the whole room dark. Please don’t paint them white with taj. Will look so horrible with the floor.

IMO you have nice cabinets a bit maybe dated but I do not think painting them white is the answer. The floor to me is the dated item . The center light is awful so replacing it would be a huge plus , just a nice ceiling mounted LED fixture with 4000K bulbs and also in all the pot lights . Take the valance off the window and a huge purge and reorganization to get the stuff off the counters will instantly make that space feel and look better .Put some lighting inside those cabinets by the windows and only things that look nice inside the cabinets IMO one or 2 pieces in each one .Removing those cabinets will open a big can of worms so a big no to that.

I like your idea, changing the corner cabinet for a regular wall cabinet will really give you breathing room. I‘m not sure why people are dissing the idea of taj mahal with travertine flooring as i found a thread her on gardenweb where everyone was praising the look!

I personally prefer a fresh white kitchen. Even though the wood looks good I think white will be a nice refresh. Here is an image of what you are thinking done with ChatGPT. I think your ideas are spot on. I did not replace the light or the flooring but wanted you to see what it would look like.

Thanks for doing that mock-up, Lorraine. Personally I think it looks blah, stark and soulless, but YMMV.

You have dated cabinet design. Painting them white is dated in some areas. White kitchens favored across the entire country had it's moment but it's passed. Painting will not fix the "dated", so I would not spend what it's going to cost if that truly is your reason. Wanting a white kitchen is fine and it is a bit cheaper than all new cabinetry but I would do a cost analysis before I decide. I do think removing all the cabinetry from the window wall will give you a more modern vibe, but given all on your counter top I doubt if you can afford to lose the storage. A photo at night was maybe not showing off your kitchen at it's best.

Please upload some daytime photos.

Do you have undercabinet lighting you can turn on for photos?

@Lorraine Leroux Can you do an image like what you posted below but not run the counter up the walls and paint walls and ceiling case color as you have on the cabinets?

I don’t see fresh in the image you posted but woner if it is half way there.

Some visual how you can go

Updated image for Kendrah. I think a day time picture will also help as that lighting maybe making it feel dated. Easy to take this image and drop it into any paint, tile generator and play with some colour on the walls, tile backsplash, some drapery and lighting etc. You can usually get a few free images daily out of ChatGPT as well.

I see where someone showed you what it could look like with a new window treatment and that made a big difference. A new light source, new hardware on the cabinets. On the open shelving I would remove the clutter and add decorative pieces

The cabinets sure could be painted white. And look generic like many kitchens.

OP’s wood cabinets are not ”dated”. They are very high quality cabinets and look to be in good condition. The people who think that new IKEA, etc. are a step up are sadly mistaken. Most of the kitchen cabinetry made today is straight up garbage.

I believe OP said that the cabinet finish was worn in some places and that's partly what brought about the idea of painting.

@T Dalton, do you know the manufacturer of your cabinets if you were to want to replace your corner cabinets with new, taller cabinets? You'd want to be able to match the cabinet profile for it to look right. I don't think your current cabinet style is outdated-just more traditional. If the upper doors had arches, that would feel more outdated than just your current raised panel cabinets. The varying height cabinets do feel a bit outdated.

A new light fixture and a blind or roman shade hung at the same height as the cabinets will help update things as well.

Thank you, @SJS Interiors. I, too, think a change of window treatment makes a significant difference. I also like your ideas for a new light fixture and possibly new hardware; (although, I think existing hardware looks pretty good, from what I can see.) I actually did try to bring in a new style of ceiling light/fixture- AI was not really cooperating very much on that one. :) Your idea for styling the shelves is also great.

Here is my rendering, again. I tried to lighten the image. OP’s original picture and (hence) my original rendering appear darker.

Do you want to have fun? Paint the floor a checker pattern or use stick on vynil and then add some bold color. Change the light

The black counter needs to play off something ..hence the floor

@freedom place,,if hers were like mine, worn, finish worn off in spots, and overall, in need of a good refinishing, that's prob why she wants to redo them. From the picture you probably can't see they aren't in the best of shape. That's why I had mine redone. to get them refinished(properly) would be just as much work, if not more, as painting. 28 years is long enough. I'm with the OP. time for a change. )

Dalton:

I'd remove those shelves.

I'd also replace that boob light.

Have you had any quotes for a deep cleaning of the grout and travertine floors? it will make a huge difference and really lighten things up.

You have a very small countertop area. if you're in an area that can get pre-fab countertops, you'll save thousands by purchasing those instead of a large slab. the pre fab even comes in Taj. I saw this one years ago at my stone place for 1800. it's already cut to depth size and finished, and it's 9' long. A fabricator would cut it to fit on site for another 1K, most likely.

If getting cabs painted, please do your research. all of the doors/drawers should be taken back to their shop to be sprayed. (primed, sanded, then lacquer coated). you need to ask the exact steps that they do.

obviously have the base cabs sprayed prior to countertop install. this is what mine looked like

I had similar cabs and a slate tile floor. was so tired of the dark.

I don't regret on dollar spent on this kitchen.

for another 2K the painter replaced all of my door and drawer fronts w/solid maple rails and mdf center panels. The others were all wood. MDF center panels are better if you're going to paint. Plus, I was able to get everything to match AND get the 45 degree bevel edge shaker which is much easier to clean.

I notice that you have slab drawers, similar to what I had and a more ornate shaker door.

Here's the after shot. you can see how the fronts all match each other. I also had the micro moved from above the stove top to under my built in over. (they built the custom vent hood for me and I used walnut to trim that out, as well as my window trim. You also can't see the coffee bar to the left that has walnut shelves.)

couple of changes I'd make to keep yours from looking too blah, is contrast.

a runner, new light, for sure a new window ( I did a french casement in black that I trimmed out myself in walnut), new hardware. get the toaster oven off the countertop or find another spot for it.

more black and white. clean up the countertops and add nice looking things. purge what you currently have

do a larger casing on the window trim, maybe install a sconce or even a pendant.

see how nice this window looks over the sink? don't know if you can replace yours.

read this article she did on Taj, and talks about colors:

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/taj-mahal-the-quartzite-countertop-thats-rocking-kitchen-design/

she also has a list of wall colors and cabinet colors that work w/Taj, further down in that article.

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-8-best-warm-toned-quartz-quartzite-countertops/

@George - I love the OP’s existing wood cabinets and kitchen. It is classic and chic. High end. But that yellow, etc., is fabulous.

And it’s so funny... because not long ago I was looking at a coop, here in NYC, that had been sitting on the market for quite awhile; and I suspected part of the reason may have been that the original white kitchen cabinets had been painted a similar yellow. Would be no problem for me!!! 🙌🙌🙌

@ freedomplace1 I'm in Queens!... It's also possible the coop board was rejecting everyone ;-)

You could be right, @George! 😂

Haven’t been to Queens in a while, but I’ve spent quite a bit of time out there in my life. Friends, family, hairdresser, etc... :)

@George , I live in Washington Heights. My best friend lives in Jackson Heights. I’m there all the time enjoying great food. I love walking my dog in Forest Park. And Queens Night market is the best!

if you”re not ready for a complete redo than i like your ideas on paint and flooring i dont like the idea of replacing the corner cabinet with one straight to the wall i think it would be had to access it and look ackward. Consider some opem shelving which would wrap the i side corners on both sides. i like shelving next to windows above the sink as it makesthe space feel more open

I just uploaded new daytime photos. You have all given me a lot to think about and now I am rethinking everything. Maybe just removing the shelves next to the kitchen window and replacing the granite with quartzite and tile backsplash. I really do not like the darkness of it. I am going to meet with someone to see about doing a refresh on the cabinets where the finish has rubbed off.

My kitchen cabinets are by Kraft Maid so they are of good quality which is why I was looking to keep them and paint them. Will definitely have the floors and grout sealed and will replace those dark granite squares in the floor.

Thanks for daytime photos. Your kitchen cabinets are beautiful. I hope the refinishers can deal with the worn spots.

It looks like the ceiling fixture currently has one yellowish and one white-ish bulb. Changing both light bulbs in the overhead fixture to "bright white" with color temperature 3500-4000K would illuminate your kitchen evenly, especially important for the refinishers to get the same look on both sides of the kitchen.

TD I think your rethinking is headed in the right direction. I wouldn’t change the architecture of the cabinets. First change the black countertop and backsplash, then rethink what you want to do further. That will lighten up the area considerably. Removing the clutter from those little corner shelves is a great idea but I don’t know about removing them without damaging your glass fronted cabinets in a way that is impossible to rectify. If you keep the corner shelves, maybe some plants… just on one shelf on each side and leave the other shelves empty. Then deal with the lighting. I think the floor is fine. I am a fan of wood…so I wouldn’t paint… but if you do, a good cab paint job is quite a process and something for a professional.

And yes, I would remove the little granite black squares that tie in with the countertop. You could possibly put white in there to match the counters?

You might also be able to simply refinish the small black squares if removing them is problematic

If you just change the backsplash, it would significantly lighten up the kitchen. Plus clear the clutter and style the shelves.

The counters do not have to be this empty... but just to show the difference.

I altered the floor to remove the black granite tiles that you do not like- and to also clean the floor. So you see this is not your exact floor in this one- but it’s the general idea.

I also have a very small kitchen with a similar vibe. Storage is always an issue, but some reorganization and downsizing of equipment has really helped. Also, if you don’t want to see what is inside the glass fronted cupboards, there are materials that you can buy… to temporarily adhere to the inside of glass cabinets concealing what is in the cupboard. In a working kitchen, it’s difficult to keep everything tidy all the time so you may want to make those cabinets less about display and more about practicality.

It’s called privacy film, or glass cling film. You can also buy it so that it’s simply a frosted glass look..with no pattern at all…which might be better in this space.

On the windows, I would probably put two Roman shades on the window rather than the swag across the top, or something that lets some light in…like attractive textured blinds.

The light backsplash definitely makes a huge difference. I would like to change the granite out completely. Any suggestions for a quartzite color that would work with the current cabinet color?

I was just going to say that I would remove the glass Cupboards in the corner by the window it would open the space that's what I was going to say but I would have the shells the same color has the cabinets or wall so they blend it'll give you more space there but it will be all open and collects dust but so does glass glass collects dust you could always put privacy frosted glass on the doors if they're driving you nuts unless a pantry to put all that stuff in and eliminate shelves there all together unless it's something like a plant you want on the Shelf that would be nice

The cabinets are not the issue. It’s the floor. And some other people here have also been telling you that. You can put Taj Mahal with your cabinets- but it is going to be a clash with the floor. The coloration on the Taj will be similar to the floor and it will just look like a busy mismatch. The existing black granite is a type of granite that happens to be on trend (at least here on this board) and it works with your floor. It is basically a solid black color. It also works in your kitchen with some of your black appliances, etc.

Most any quartzite is going to be too busy for the floor. Plus, sort of busy with your cabinets. Which btw, I am glad you are considering keeping the wood, as is. The painted white is not an improvement.

You can have the tile floor painted. Or you might be able to put down a piece of linoleum or vinyl sheet over the tile floor

Maybe you love quartzite- or just have it in your head that it is a step up from granite because of the quartzite trend (and partcularly the Taj Mahal craze). But granite is not second to quartzite... (except for a very small difference in the hardness of quartzite, compared to granite.) Also, there are a gazillion granite style choices out there.

And btw, you have to be careful with stone vendor selection, etc. - because much of what is being sold these days as quartzite is not actually quartzite. A lot of it is marble/dolomite.

So here is another image with a light colored counter material. This one is along the lines of River White granite.

Okay, I guess I will look into having the floor and granite replaced. Any suggestions? I cannot do wood, I have an LVP in the living room that is no longer available so I do not want to try and match it, I would rather go with some sort of stone so it won't clash. Maybe porcelain?

Not sure the style of your house but Marmoleum has lots of options and feels so nice on the feet-

I've never heard of marmoleum, will look into it. Thank you.

As I suggested above: linoleum/marmoleum or vinyl sheet installed over the existing tile could be an option; and it would be much easier than demoing tile! Also, more cost effective. And as @la_la Girl mentions- it is easier on the feet than tile. I actually miss the linoleum kitchen floor at my previous place. Much more comfortable to stand and walk on, compared to the tile floor where I am now. The linoleum was definitely easier on the back and legs. Also warm in winter, cool in summer. Plus, rarely did anything break, if dropped on that floor. Low impact.

You could alternatively possibly consider a linoleum/marmoleum tile or an LVT (luxury vinyl tile).

https://www.forbo.com/flooring/en-gl/products/linoleum/cmlack

Taj Majal comes in a HUGE variation of tones and hues. I think it would work fine w/the travertine.

Have you even thought about getting this flooring steam cleaned? grout too? it will make a huge diff. (redoing those floors w/demo, clean up and new material installed, will be over 3K. pro cleaning about 500)

But please, those bulbs. switch them out to LED 4000K. ditto the boob light.

either of these would be a vast improvement w/the 4000K bulbs.

I'd get the floor cleaned first and change lights. then I'd look for a diff countertop (and tile backsplash later)

New hardware.

You can always opt to paint after doing all of that if you still desire.

Have you gone to a stoneyard to see what they have?

are there any pre-fab countertops? you have a small area to cover.

pre fabs look like this:

cost between $600 on up. You could prob do you countertops w/a pre fab quartz for 2K or so.

a slab of Taj will look like this, and prob end up costing 6K after purchase and fabrication and install.

( and this hue will match your floors)

Perla Venata is another option, similar to Taj. also a quartzite.

Beth, I definitely plan on having the floors cleaned and regrouted. There is a light out in the kitchen but I get your point, I've never been a big fan of those boob lights. Can't wait to switch that out too! I will also looked into prefab countertops. I appreciate your input.

If you decide that you want to paint them either because (i) they can't be spot refinished (and completely refinishing them would be $$$, or (ii) you want a more drastic change after all of this time, it may be more cost effective to have the doors/drawer fronts replaced to a transitional style (instead of traditional = your raised panel style doors).

If you replaced the doors, you could have them made larger in order to cover more area at the top of your cabinet box where the crown is currently connected + add an extension board in order to install the crown = there won't be a gap between your cabinets and the ceiling (without having to add a larger crown).

Closing the gap between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling would update your kitchen. You also could have a small box built to slide on top of the lower corner cabinet (I would remove the shelving) and have the doors for those two cabinets made the same height as your other cabinets (= all of your cabinets would go to the ceiling). You'd still just have one door covering the cabinet + the small box.

If you have the business that's making your new doors/drawer fronts finish them, they'd have a durable professional finish - and you could easily paint your face frames to match (this is not a difficult DIY project - however, painting all of your cabinets + doors + drawer fronts would be a very time consuming project in order to have them look nice).

I'd also have side panels made by the business who's making your doors/drawer fronts = they would look more custom + the ends of your cabinets would have a durable professional finish also.

There are many people on Houzz who will comment that replacing your doors/drawer fronts cost almost as much as replacing all of your cabinets - that simply is not true. Maybe it was true several years ago - however, there are many businesses that offer replacement doors/drawer fronts/side panels = the price has become reasonable. In fact, it would cost less to do that than to pay a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets.

I know a couple who used Raile Cabinetry to make doors/drawer fronts for a custom closet + another set of friends who used them for their kitchen. Both were very happy with the results. Raile Cabinetry is on Etsy + has their own website (and are on FB - and maybe Instagram?) - they are located in Kansas and have been on Etsy for over nine years (over 2,200 sales - 510 reviews; 4.9 stars).

I don't know the owners (it's a small family business) - I've just heard good things about Nick (the main person) + their product looks nice. I'm going to order replacement doors/drawer fronts from Raile for the kitchen at my lake house. I was surprised at how affordable it will be to update my lake house kitchen with new doors/drawer fronts/new drawer boxes + prefab countertops (I don't have an island there = I just need perimeter countertops.

These shaker doors/drawer fronts are $12 per SF for unfinished and $34 per SF for finished doors (additional $22 per SF) - with a professional SW cabinets finish - in any SW color). They will also do the hinge boring for you (I think it's $2 per hinge).

For a replacement door that is 15" x 33" (estimating the height you'd need to take them to the ceiling - if your ceiling is 8 ft and your current cabinets are 30" tall) - $116.88 ($41.25 for the door if you have someone who can spray them with a professional 1k or 2k cabinet finishing product).

Here are a couple photos posted directly by customers in the review section on Etsy:

You do have to take your own measurements (that's the same for all of the replacement door/drawer front places that I've researched - there aren't any local suppliers near my lake house). It's pretty simple if you are ordering the same size doors/drawer fronts as currently installed. However, I'm changing my partial overlay doors into full overlay ones = it adds a little bit of math.

In the above photo, the "panels" on the sides appears to not have been measured correctly (there's a gap at the top of the left side and another one at the bottom of the right side - too bad the left panel wasn't installed the same way as the right one).

Raile offers a few different door styles - however, they also can do custom ones also (one of my friends asked them add another detail to the shaker style ones).

These slim shaker doors are $14 per SF (unfinished) and $36 per SF (professionally finished).

There are also many other sellers on Etsy + Barker Doors and Scherr's also have been used by people on Houzz.

Here are some kitchens I have redone. You might consider something like the one I did where I left the original cabinets on the top and replaced the bottom cabinets with black new cabinets. Those were too far gone because of water damage. I had to replace them.

Pease please please do not EVER try Beth's version of two tone kitchen. It looks like you ran out of money and couldn't afford to fix all the kitchen! It maybe works in large kitchens where you don't see the two colors side by side or on top of each other, and even then it is not a look that will last more than a year or two. You want this fix to last a good long time!!

I once had an old house and I painted the cabinets the color of the wall but a shade lighter and it really went very well I think with best idea doesn't look too bad but you could paint the uppers the shade of the wall and leave the bottom the dark color because it goes well with the appliances in that pic and it would work with your floors

Your cabinets look to be in good shape, but you say that some of the finish is showing wear, I have a good quality Oak bathroom vanity that had some worn places on the finish. I did a simple fine sanding all over (not just the worn places) to take the original gloss down and applied a coat of satin polyurethane. It turned out great…..looks just like the original finish. It was an easy DIY job. That could be a solution for you.

You could also put a large rug down in the kitchen of your choice it could be black if you want it or a tan to go with the floor or just pick some colors that you would like to add to the kitchen if it's green?