Can you post a close up pic of the granite?

I believe this is what you have.

https://www.google.com/search?q=shivakashi+granite&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiujIqt2M3YAhWLYt8KHTBHBWkQsAQIJg&biw=1536&bih=734

Would paint the cabinets, change hardware and add a nice backsplash. Shivakashi granite works with creams

It's hard to tell the actual color of your countertops. When I first saw your kitchen though I felt like those cabinets were begging to be a deep navy with white uppers (same color as your future white trim). However, that really depends on that countertop cause it sounds like you may be doing a full remodel soon??

Here's an inspiration photo for a color scheme...

I think I'd rather live with the cabinets, just replacing the hardware, and save the $5-10k for my eventual kitchen remodel. They'll look nicer cream, but not so much nicer, as they're still a dated style. Maybe if your painter is willing to fill all the vertical lines in the doors with filler and sand them smooth before painting, then it could be worth it, but then the cost will go up too. I think you'd get more from new hardware (for looks) and replacing the light box in the ceiling (for function), and leave the rest for another day. Will make a nice starter for your Kitchen Project Fund...

I would save up rather than waste money painting old cabinets. Paint trim, change our knobs, and upgrade lighting but don't bother with bigger items until it can all be done at once.

I would paint trim only just because it is a ton of work to do yourself and expensive to hire the job out. Looks like you have wood paneled interior doors which have more value than white MDF doors. The current style is moving back towards warmer colors. You can stick with your neutral pallet, but unless you want to spend a ton of money turing a warm house to a cool house, consider that neutral pallet using warmer tones - many of the colors you mentioned will work with warm tones - just stay away from cold grays - stick with the warmer grays.

When it comes time to do your kitchen, you can have a white kitchen and it will still work well with your current interior doors. This is a 2016 This Old House project. Many of the warm wood elements remain, but painted trim and kitchen:

Paint trim and beadboard, and possibly the island.

Thanks for the responses, all. We are going to hold off on painting all the cabinets, though maybe we will do the island, and just live with them until we have the time to plan our actual remodel. I would also plan to stick with a warmer gray/greige paint on the walls.

I really do want to change out that light fixture above the island and get some new hardware. Any suggestions on what would work?

Definitely paint the trim. I’ll go against the grain and say paint the cabinets. I get why people say don’t waste the money, but if you don’t like them then change the color. It’s easy to tell someone to live with a kitchen they don’t like when you have an attractive kitchen.

Have you considered replacing the cabinet doors? There are online companies like Barker as well as local cabinet door fabricators that can offer affordable solutions. You may find the cost reasonable and worth the expense in the short run. You can always try painting the cabinets yourself. No they won’t look professional but plenty of people do a good job with proper prep. The bonus to new doors is if you buy them pre-primed a bulk of the prep is done and it will be easier to get the paint smooth. Or paint the boxes and have the doors sprayed. Since you know you’ll change them eventually, durability won’t be as big of an issue.

Not saying anyone on this forum gave you wrong advice, but I get that remodeling is not always an option right away, if at all, and everyone should be able to enjoy their homes.

Paint 'em. Clean, prep and clean some more. Before you move in is THE time to do it. It's a lot of work. Takes planning and once you start you have to finish. But you won't be sorry. I say color for your now because that remodel might be a year a way or might be 5 years away.

Use PPG's Break Through in Satin on cabinets, doors and trim. It dries and cures faster than any other product for cabinets/doors/trims - I personally think this is the only product DIYers should use because the ridiculously long dry and cure time for other products will kill you, e.g. Ben Moore's Advance.

Wipe up splatters and drips immediately because once Break Through dries, it doesn't come off. Use PPG's Delicate White. It's a color of white that will transition gracefully through many design iterations.

You can paint cabinets and trim and leave the doors stained. It will cut down on labor and it's pretty.

Not to hijack the thread, but what’s the difference between Break Through 50 and 250 Lori? And is it easier to work with than ProClassic?

50 and 250 difference is VOCs. One is lower. One is higher. Satin you have a choice between 50 or 250. Semi-gloss only comes in 250 (higher VOCs)

I've done both ProClassic and Advance. Have ProC in my master bath right now. I just couldn't take the dry/cure time - it's brutal. Advance in darker colors, like Chelsea Gray, adds even MORE time to Advance's long dry/cure - the label says 16 hours between coats. (shoot me)

Breakthrough in satin has a softer, more matte, velvet-like satin finish than ProC or Advance. But it's not trying to mimic the look of an oil based paint either.

We prepped doors day 1. Day 2 got two coats on doors during the day and hung them back up that evening. Because it also cures fast, the risk of chipping once back in service is lower in comparison to ProC and Advance as well.

If I knew for sure that cabinets only had to last until an impending remodel in 1 to 5 years, I wouldn't prime before Break Through. Just do super thorough sand and clean prep. It sprays and brushes like Aura (IMO), maybe a little more forgiving but you want to get it on right the first time, don't back roll/brush. Thin-ish, even coats are crucial especially in corners. You can afford to take the time to do as many thin-ish coats as you need to because it dries so fast. And no joke you have to wipe up spills, drips, etc. immediately because otherwise it takes a blade to get it off (if you're lucky it will come off with a blade).

Thanks Lori! You’re awesome!!!

We agree with just painting the trim in the house. The cabinets are very dated, so save your money for when you can do the full replacement of the cabinets.

I really appreciate the feedback. I am going to find out what the cost of painting them would be when the painters are out, but I am starting to agree that the very dated doors are the main issue in this kitchen, more so than even the granite. It sounds like quite a few of you think there's no point in throwing good money after bad, that we should just do what we can easily/relatively inexpensively.

Lori, I really like your suggestions and color advice, but we wouldn't be DIY-ing the cabinet painting this time. Ordinarily I'd be into it, and have done it before, but with a newborn, I'm just not up for it. Does your advice still stand even if I'm paying for a professional? Delicate White looks really lovely. Even though I live in Pittsburgh I don't have any experience with PPG products, would it be a good color to use for all the trim in the kitchen and house? Do you have a product recommendation for the trim, beadboard, built-ins, etc., or do you like Breakthrough for all?

Every painter I've introduced Break Through to has been hooked - it's the dry/cure time that's most attractive. With that said, many are quite set in their ways and they have to guarantee their work which is another reason why many are not open to new ideas or suggestions; they like to stick to what they know.

I'd use it everywhere. Trim, doors, cabinets, it's fabulous for the inside of closets because it's so durable. Delicate White is my all-time favorite white followed closely by SW's Extra White. You'll have to get samples and see what you think.

Don't throw good money after bad with those cabinets. I'm not even sure those cabinets are quality cabinets?

Wait, save up and then do the kitchen in a few years when you have a better idea of how you live in the kitchen and what you want. Paint the walls for now and add new knobs. Put in a nicer ceiling light.