IMO- While I agree with 82mainstreet about painting cabinets white and not expresso, I also believe you won't be happy unless the color combo pleases you. - First, what do you want to accomplish? Are you intending to live in the home for a long time? Or are you painting for resale? - If you are painting for resale, then classic white for your cabinets is your best choice. It has wider appeal. A future owner will find it easier to change the wall color than the cabinets. - If you are planning to stay in the house, you can be more personal in your color choices. - But be wary of fads, especially when painting cabinets. It is much easier to paint walls. From your photo, it looks like your cabinets are nicely finished wood. Personally, I wouldn't change that unless they are damaged. I would just update the wall color, but that is just my opinion. If you do paint the cabinets, don't be swayed by fad colors. I would still recommend white or maybe a pale cream. That way, if you get tired of your color combo in the future, you only have to change the walls to update the room. - Unless you are changing your appliances and flooring, very dark cabinets will probably make your kitchen feel overwhelmingly dark and warm. - Consider your lighting and how you want your kitchen to feel. Does your kitchen feel too warm or too cool when your work in it? - White will give your room a light and airy feel especially if paired with cool blues and greens. If that seems to make the room feel too cold, white or cream can be warmed up with a bright wall color like apricot, lime green or turquoise. Try looking through magazines for color combos you like...or look inside your own closet for colors that make you feel good.

It would be very helpful if you posted something different. Your IKEA layout isn't enough. We need actual measurements of all walls. I suggest hand drawing your kitchen space without cabinets with each wall/window/door/doorway marked and labeled (including trim) as well as the distance between each wall/window/door/doorway. Label where rack l each door/doorway leads. Then, post a sketch of the entire floor so we can see how traffic flows in and around the kitchen. The Layout Help FAQ has a sample layout. (I'll see if I can find one on my phone but if I cannot find one see the FAQ below. How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include? http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information-should-i-include

I’d spend your time de-cluttering before your guests arrive, rather than rushing to get knobs replaced for them. They won’t notice the knobs in all that stuff. Get your knobs after shopping carefully and choosing ones you like. You’ll have to live with them for a while, and, with the number you need, it won’t be cheap, so again, don’t rush the decision. Edited to add: OP removed the photos of the rest of her kitchen, which showed quite a lot of clutter on every surface, which was what had prompted my reply about de-cluttering.

P, if I understand correctly, you want your nook to be as organized as your kitchen appears to be (I see nothing on your counters or table,) yet it should feel like your space to manage your household's organization and feel like a a space that welcomes you? I'd suggest you Google "home office kitchen" for some images of spaces that appeal to you, keeping in mind ways you can discreetly keep the paperwork and boxes that are probably visually distracting you. Also Google "children's home art gallery wall, as you may want to coordinate the wall behind your desk with your work nook. Are you crafty and do you have time with three small children to DIY any projects? Again, Google hacks for a high-end look that will need with your space, yet reflect your personality and inspire you to completeness necessary to run your home. Lots of good suggestions here, but you need to think about what this space needs to do in terms of function, how it should appeal to you aesthetically, and how you can make it work budget-wise. BTW, what you're doing is what teachers do every summer . Don't be afraid to look at some of their ideas, pictures, and blogs. Carol ETA: Post some pictures, even if they don't fit your budget. I'm sure you'll get some good ideas on how to get something similar less expensively.