I think the cabinets are okay as they are and would concentrate on the counter and backsplash.

I agree with Sophie. Leave cabinets alone. Please please no gray. If you want a more minimalist look, choose a plain white quartz counter. There are many that have a marble "look", so it's up to you if you want that. I'd go as simple as possible for the quartz counter. For backsplash, I'd also go simple with Daltile Rittenhouse subway tiles. If it's in the budget, switch out fridge for a SS fridge that is cabinet depth. If it's not in the budget, then at least remove all the stuff on the fridge. One pic shows the fridge clean - hoping that's the most current pic.

Your cabinets look wonderfully sturdy and well maintained. Don't waste money on painting or staining only to be frustrated with the results. Instead, save your money and spend it on big impact items. Cabinet hardware, back splash, counter tops and light fixture.

You did not list appliances as one of the items you wanted to change. I am just curious. Is that a double oven next to your cooking range and DW? Is that just a cook top or is it a range? Do you cook often enough to need both ovens? What about moving MW over to that built in area where it appears there is an oven. It would give you more space around your cook top and might open up that area. If you do end up keeping the white appliances, they will look wonderful with a white counter top.

Some visuals from Houzz

A link from a similar kitchen on Houzz and they used gray granite to have a little bit of gray.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/slab-honey-oak-cabinetsany-advice-appreciated-dsvw-vd~5035418

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WOW I'm shocked there hasn't been a stampede of people saying "paint cabinets, subway tile, quarts top, dark floor, grey walls" over and over again. LOL.

Your cabinets do look in "like new" shape. Put a light quarts counter tops. Nicer backsplash. Add hardware to the doors and drawers. The floor would be great if the tiles were bigger. I personally don't like that many grout lines. Find a nice light and larger tile. Maybe add lighting over the island. Your done.

Stripping the tile and proper floor prep is a big undertaking. I suggest you price having the floor resurfaced with polyurea. (Yes, it can be changed to eliminate the outline of the tiles.)

http://www.garageforce.com/recent-projects/

Don't paint your cabinets, slab door Oak is very "current". Adding cabinet pulls will change the appearance in a big way.

I would look into ebony/limed finish. basically a ceruse treatment w/ebony stain and liming wax.

very chic.

or darken the stain a bit so it takes on more of a walnut color

another limed finish

Hi Kelly,

Congrats on your new house, first time, how exciting!

I LOVE grey, loved it before it became popular, use grey in your paint, grout, etc.

There are a couple different pics of your kitchen though, one has just a mixer and another has all sorts of stuff on it. Which one is the "real" one?

Do you need more outlets?

Really nice kitchen.

The only things I'd change would be to

unclutter the refrigerator (but what would be the fun in that)

change the window treatments: vertical blinds for the patio door ... and

IF there is a porch or deck on the back enabling the side/slide kitchen window to be used as a pass thru, vertical blinds on that as well. If not, mini-blinds and a full side length swag valance to hide the top of the mini blinds.

Could you please take a pic with you standing in front of your sink looking out? Like the island, etc?

Love the built in cutting board BTW.

I agree, I lived through the 1970’s and what I can remember, we never had cabinets that nice. I would focus on the floor, counters and backsplash. And do not screw up these cabinets with gray anything. I wish someone would go watch the movie Dorian Gray, it would end the fascination with this color or lack of it. (LOL) Nice kitchen with many great possibilities which the pro’s here should be able to help you with.

I agree, I've seen lots of '70s kitchens, and that doesn't look the part to me. Actually, though I'm pretty far from the decorator type (more the practical type), I think it's mostly pretty nice as is.

The backsplash doesn't do anything for me, but it's not obnoxious either. That could go either way.

I really like those cabinets a lot, and agree that some modest (not too bold) pulls would spruce them up. For goodness sake, don't paint them, you'll ruin them (IMO).

Unlike (probably) most here, I don't object at all to your counters, though I can't tell how worn them might be. If they're in good shape, I'd leave them alone.

I see nothing at all wrong with the refrigerator either. I just can't bring myself to replace one that works fine. When it quits working and the repair is too expensive, that's the time to regroup. I'm also not a fan of features like ice and water in the doors -- that's just more stuff to break. And spare us these bloody "smart" appliances. Ugh.

I don't know about the windows. Where there are no close neighbors, I like them with no blinds or curtains at all. I love natural light and outdoor views. They make kitchen chores easier, IMO.

Hmm, a skylight or two might be nice, or sun pipes.

I like the light well enough, but suspect it's probably nowhere near adequate in terms of total lumens. I'd try to match it with a few more of similar style.

Can lights are still popular, but I've never liked them where the ceilings are high. They're OK with low ceilings, where surface luminaires can make things feel too closed in. You need an annoyingly large number of them regardless.

I'm a big fan of indirect (bounce off ceiling) light for its evenness. Pendants that cast some light upward are good things. I can't tell if there's enough room, maybe not, but you might consider supplemental LED or even high CRI T5 fluorescent strips atop the cabinets. Definitely put LED lights under the cabinets, if you don't already have them.

I might change the flooring. That's ceramic tile, isn't it? Ceramic looks nice and lasts and lasts, but just about anything you drop on a ceramic tile floor breaks. I'd go for something a bit darker to anchor the room, but not too dark.

Again, though, I'm not a decorator. I am frugal, though. I want anything I do to a house that isn't basic maintenance to return the investment -- or better -- in resale value.

That sink is a little small. Great opportunity to change the counters and add a larger sink. No biggie. Though I agree with david above, a house should have nice granite, quartz, corian, or even marble counter tops. If it was an apartment or townhouse then its a different story.

In case your wondering about which counters to use. I've been at my house for 3 years. I have corian counters that I thought were new. I thought they were installed for sale of the house. I found the receipt and they were installed in 2003. wow, they still look brand new. So for durability, corian is unmatched. Next would be granite or quartz. Marble though the most beautiful, its the hardest to maintain if you actually use your kitchen. (I know theres gonna be people crying "I've had them for years blah blah blah", and all they do is cook hotdogs LOL.)

Actually, this is what David said

"Unlike (probably) most here, I don't object at all to your counters,
though I can't tell how worn them might be. If they're in good shape,
I'd leave them alone."

One thing you might consider doing is actually using the post for more than support of the ceiling. You could create shallow shelving with glass doors for a spice facing the kitchen and a curio cabinet facing the living/dining area.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/495958977685197142/