Are you planning to replace the counter and the backsplash? Or just paint the cabinets? I don't think that white appliances will be a problem with painted cabinets but the countertop and the backsplash tile will look out of place.

You could find a creamy beige that coordinates with the back splash, and update the hardware. If at all possible, use oil based paint ( it’s getting hard to find, but it is a MUCH more durable finish).

I think the counter and backsplash will continue to look fine, because they tie in with the floor. White appliances are even more at home with white cabinets than with brown, as they blend in a bit.

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What about the oak trim on the counter? Would that stay as is? How about the window and the trim around it?

How about just painting the uppers and leaving the bottom cabinets as they are?

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The look is affected by your fluorescent lights. Change the fluorescent tubes in the light fixture to the LED strips designed to replace them- they fit right into the slots.

Our daughter had hers painted this past fall. They used BM Simply White in Advance in a pearl sheen. . It finishes to a hard finish. She plans to change the UC lighting and paint the darker backsplash tiles a lighter color to blend better. New counters not in the cards right now but she loves her white cabinets. she has since installed a dark brown bamboo shade that looks great. I'll try to find more pics.

Are you painting the cabinets yourself or will you have them painted? It is an arduous task to do it right and expensive to have them painted for you. Do it wrong and you will have paint chipping and need to replace the cabinets. If you think you may do a total remodel in 10 years, your cabinets, if done right, might hold up to give you time to save up.

Are you planning and can you afford to change the overall color tone of your home - with the gray wall color and white cabinets, it looks like you are leaning that way. The white alone is neutral, but start bringing in cool tones in paint or other surfaces, your floors will need to b changed - one thing follows another. You need to think of the big picture and the long term plan.

I kept my cabinets, but changed counters, backsplash and sink. My cabinets are oak, but not the exact same style as yours:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

I would consider changing the ceiling light and installing under cabinet lighting before spending money elsewhere. New lighting will affect the way the wood looks - you may or may not like it better. The present lighting is not helping the wall paint of cabinets.

I have a "wood kitchens" idea book and some (not all) of the kitchens are refreshed oak kitchens which may give you some other inspiration.

There is no "should" in how you do your kitchen - there is what would get you to your vision in your budget. Sometimes, painting older cabinets does that, other times it is a disappointment because it is older cabinets painted white with still older light fixture, counters and backsplash. There is noting wrong with an older kitchen either, but white paint will not change that it is an older kitchen. You can make it prettier than it is without painting the cabinets.

What would bug me more in your kitchen is that Industrial looking light fixture overhead. I would sooner update the lighting with canister down lights overhead and under counter lights. I hate the heavy shadows under those cabinets, which will still exist even if you paint the cabinets white. I assume there is a sink light?

If you want to splurge on appliances, get rid of the stark white ones and go with the stainless that is so popular. Change out the cabinet knobs to pewter too.

If you do decide to paint, why must it be a stark white? A toned down creamier white would tie into your existing counters and floor much better.

Now that you have decided to paint, I have two things for you to remember:

a) Prep is everything. They need to be de-greased thoroughly, especially every horizontal edge that looks up to the ceiling. Old gummy/softened finish has to be removed.

b) If you paint the oak as is, the grain will show through. Some people like the look. If you want a smooth grain-free appearance, the grain can be filled several ways. Numerous coats of heavy-bodied enamel undercoater primer sanded between coats with 220, or application of swedish putty which is basically like 3 coats of primer all at once and sanded only once. But more money.

We think a cream might look great in your kitchen, however you might want to remove the scalloping over the sink area.

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A white or cream seems like it would look great with your countertop, backsplash, and flooring. This design of ours can give you an idea of what it could look like with some other updates as well though.

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Funny I had thought about mentioning that scallope over the sink, but I'm not sure it is totally out of character with the cabinet style. Were it mine however, I would probably take it out.