The cabinets do look in great shape. Are you planning a major reno down the line or not for a very long time?
Replacing the counter and adding a backsplash would help updae your kitchen.
If I knew I was going to be redoing but not for a while I would get the cheapest counter and the most inexpensive backsplash. It will look far better than what is there now, yet not a major investment.

And what was the reason your realtor friend gave you not to paint those "basic, builder-grade cabinets"?

They do look in great shape.
Why can't you have them professionally painted or refinished? A compromise? You can even change your door style if you wanted to. As much as full overlay, too. Leaving them as is will simply continue to read, "basic, builder-grade cabinets" as you fear.

If she gave you the idea that you can't paint wood? Have her join the 1990s. Yes, you can. And it can look beautiful.

Are you moving soon? Leaving builder grade will mean a kitchen that needs renovation. (Buyers would anyway, but this slaps them in the face.)

In the meanwhile, do your appliances first, adjust what you want, and if you want to paint them or reface them? Just do it.

I agree, they look like good cabinets worth keeping and they're a nice color for oak. Do some searches for oak kitchens and I think you'll find good inspiration pictures for what you could do to really freshen up your kitchen.

Thanks for the input, and the impetus to get moving! I've gotten such great ideas from from this forum, especially about painting my cabinets. I had originally wanted to paint them "Beach Sand" --a Martha Stewart light green color. It was actually the "green" that the realtor suggested not to do, although green can mean anything without actually seeing which green!

I had a kitchen designer "re-design" my kitchen, but the layout was pretty much the same--I couldn't justify the expense of a complete kitchen reno without much change, and for my tiny kitchen, it was waaaay more than I wanted to spend.

Thanks again! I will begin with the appliances as suggested.

My reason for not painting my cabinets is I like them the way they are! My cabinets are old, but all but 2 are in perfect shape. I would change the style, but NOT the color. I am doing what you are planning except I will be moving 2 sets of cabinets & buying cabinets for an island. I probably will be doing granite, but still have to call a laminate dealer. Almost nobody makes laminate here (counter places)except HD & Lowes. I may in the future do new doors, but the layout will stay the same and chances are I will never do another thing. Right now I want function & the money will be going into hardwood throughout the living area. That is our priority after living here 28 years. I know the price of cabinets would not give me enough satisfaction for the money spent & if I went cheap, they would not be as good as the ones I have. Do what YOU want, not what someone else says you should do. JMHO

[LOL]
I have painted my uppers Duron 'Rugged Trail' and the base cabinets Valspar's 'Colonial Beige'. Both are extremely gray greens and I am absolutely mesmerized by the finish.

Run through Houzz. After white and cream, green is a pretty popular color. I absolutely do agree, though that the hue and tone makes all the difference.

C.