We painted dark oak cabinets and We have been pleased but we do have to touch ups about once a year.

It will show wear like any other surface, but the good news is that paint can always be touched up.

I would keep them the same color and just update the floor and maybe a new backsplash. They look great!

professionally painted cabinets will last a very long time it's all in the prep and the quality of the products used

Before you paint them, check into "ReFacing" cabinets on youtube. It's an amazing procedure and gives you completely new cabinets without the cost. I thought I might paint my cabinets until I came across this procedure. Amazing!

As Christine Smith and Rockin' said, product and technique are everything. Depending on your state, painters may be able to use Lacquer. If so, don't let them touch your cabinets! Lacquer is the best friend of the builder because it is cheap and dries fast so work in the home can continue. It is not water-resistant however, and it is very brittle. It has done the service here in Oklahoma of keeping me in business for a long time! We have refinished more kitchens than most people have walked through - mostly because of lacquer.

The tips to creating a durable finish are:
1) Clean everything with TSP to remove grease and oils.
2) Sand. Then sand some more. No deglossers or Peso - those are short cuts. Vacuum dust off.
3) Prime
4) Sand again. Vacuum again.
5) If spraying (which is best), use Sherwin Williams Proclassic Waterborne
5a) If brushing, use Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo - put it on the door with a small roller to get a lot of paint on the surface quickly, then brush it out to lay down.

Also make sure that the rest of the area is protected and/or closed off! Here is what we did on one to control our mist and dust - this kitchen sat right next to a huge vaulted ceiling Living Room. We literally built a wall to contain our dust and evacuate it out of the home.

Best of luck in your projects! Robert

I used SW Proclassic Antique White in semi gloss for wipe-able finish. I used all the steps listed above and used an airless sprayer. I painted my uppers, and had to replace my lowers which were just delivered to my house 20 mins ago :)