What's your limitation around flooring, just curious? If you're concerned about the kitchen being dark, then I think going with a lighter cabinet would be a good choice. You could go to the ceiling and have the top, say third, of the cabinets doors with glass. That way you get more storage and it will have a lighter feel. For that matter you could paint the back of the cabinets a bright, cheery color to bring in some warmth & color that way. We are also doing white cabs offset by wood floors and soapstone countertops. We also have a light issue and so are adding windows. If I were you, I'd replace your black back splash and that will help. Good luck.

If you like creamy painted cabinets, and your cabinets are in good condition, you could save a ton of money by having new doors made for your existing cabinets and having them professionally painted. With new modern hinges and new hard ware, they will look like new. I did cream cabinets with granite and stainless steel and black appliances. It doesn't look cold at all.

There are 2 reasons for not putting hardwood in our kitchen. The adjoining dining room has hardwood and it would just be impossible to get a match. Also, I would prefer a laminate since I don't want to worry about the new floor getting ruined.

Lisapico, the glass idea for the top cabinets is an idea that may work. Just to clarify, my range has a black glass cooktop as well as black glass backsplash. It's not a slide-in.

fran1523, the main reason for getting new cabinets is because cabinets are now 23.5" deep, 2" deeper than mine. I want to get a new counter depth fridge and with the old cabinets, it will still stick out. With new ones, it will be nice and flush.

I just read the thread "Are oak cabinets totally outdated?" I actually also don't hate my oak cabinets. I just don't like the fact that they are not as deep and therefore a number of problems have arisen.

You could probably save money by having new, standard depth cabinet boxes made and painted and then paint and re-use your old doors. Doors are the most expensive thing on most cabinets.

I think that you need not worry about the black on your range "clashing" with your light backsplash. First of all, if your granite has any black at all in it, it will marry the cream and the black tones. Second, consider all the kitchens on the FKB that have white cabinets and black counters. Do they clash? Are they eyesores to you? You say you have the same stainless & black combo on your dishwasher, which will tie in with your range colors, too. Finally, if you are still worried, you can make the black even more harmonious by bringing in black touches here and there - say a stone mosaic design on your backsplash with some black onyx or glass tiles worked in, or perhaps some other black touches around the room, like lighting with black metal parts or a black utensil crock on the counter near the cooktop.

Welcome to the "E-ticket ride!"

Thanks, mollyred, I feel I can take a deep breath again after reading your response. You've put me more at ease with my range concern. As I mentioned, I haven't even started yet and there are so many questions whirling around in my head, I can just imagine what some of you (with the beautiful finished kitchens) have gone through. I take an awful long time to decide on anything, my poor hubby is going crazy.

So basically, I must decide between cream or light wood cabinets. Hubby prefers wood so.......?