IF you like the counter color, you could paint the cabinets the same color in a gloss paint and then add the new (hope LARGER) door knobs.

I don't think white cabinets clash with black appliances at all. You could paint your cabinets white & do a back splash with whites, grays & blacks in them to pull it all together.

You cabinets look nice. I think your new knobs will help refresh the look. Also, it doesn’t look like you have a big backsplash area so if you decide to leave the color of your cabinets I would look for something light and colorful In tiles. Also a colorful rug and hand towels. Nothing on top of the cabinets.

We think keeping the cabinets and updating the countertops and appliances to SS are probably the best way to update this kitchen.

Artistic Urban Remodel · More Info

Don't paint the cabinets. .

Kitchens · More Info

Nothing above the cabinets. SS appliances if you're replacing them; light nickel hardware.

Your cabinets look fine. Is upgrading to stainless appliances an option? If so, it would make a world of difference. Black appliances can pull a lot of focus to them.

I like your cabinets as is. I can see a little bit of red but I don't think they look RED if you know what I mean. I think the addition of under cabinet lighting will be nice and I like the satin nickel. I think that's a nice choice with the color of your counters. Replacing the black with stainless would be a nice change since black can seem heavy. I wouldn't paint the cabinet and I really wouldn't gel stain. Your cabinets are already a darker tone and in order to get the gel stain so that it doesn't look streaky you need a few coats. I think yours will end up opaque before you get all the streaks out. And if you're going that dark you might as well painted them dark and saved yourself a lot of work. --I've done a lot of painting and painting cabinets is a lot of work to do them right but I gel stained my cabinets (General Finishes brand) and it was way more work than painting.

It's a nice kitchen.

ETA - I like that your backsplash is just painted but they make paintable outlet covers. We have a beadboard splash and way too many outlets and using them helped eliminate some visual clutter in the splash area. I would also paint the backplates of whatever else is there so it blends.

I bought mine at Home Depot (way cheaper) but you can buy them other places too. Make sure to prime first and you can also prime and paint the screws on any of the plates. I use a tiny artist brush.

..just to say that I really like your kitchen and its colors. The cabintets seem so alive..the color and texture remind me some animal's fur. And the counter is not non-descriptive to me, at all. I look at your kitchen-and I see something I'd like to pet. It's warm and has character. It's like forest in the fall. I didn't want to write all these silly things, but I've been looking at your kitchen all day. And today when I woke up-I started looking at it again. So here goes. It's pleasant to look at..

Of course it's not about me liking your kitchen, but you' liking your kitchen. But you said you liked it, or at least do not dislike it, you just want it to feel newer.

So change of hardware is a a good thing then, and of course you can decide to change counters, add backsplash, etc. If so you wish. Appliances, in some foreseaable future..

But the easiest thing would be to change your perception of it, and since it's a kitchen open to other space(living? family?), even if you change something there, your perception of your kitchen will be diffrent. Say you decide you want to put curtains on windows (have no idea whether you want to-just an example). As you'll see them from the kitchen-the overall perception of space will change. And will feel newer, (it can be light fixture, new art added, many things).

You can also put some crock you really like, in the kitchen, or any accessory like that that will be both functional but will uplift your mood.

I agree you don't need anything on the top of your cabinets. Unless you are, say, an avid collector of teapots, and ran out of space, and ..along these lines:) But no, they look good empty. They don't really need anything, these cabinets.

Sorry for the typos..my laptop is misbehaving more than usual today.

I agree with those who recommend not painting your cabinets, but updating the hardware. Re the space above the cabinets -- many people will advise you to leave it empty, but I understand feeling like it needs something up there. I use the space atop my cabinets to display a collection of large-scaled Native American baskets and pueblo pottery. I believe scale is the key; don't put a lot of small pieces up there, but opt for fewer large pieces that make an impact. That said, if you don't already have items you'd like to use up there, don't rush out and buy things. Decide what you love, then give yourself time to collect a few pieces.