SW Simple white is a great white with Requisite gray..it is the top color on the SW sample fan above Requisite gray

White!

It doesn't look like you need to paint your cabinets. Adding hardware might make all the difference. We've included some inspiration below for you.

Contemporary Kitchen Remodel · More Info

Transitional Kitchen · More Info

Elegant Restoration and Update - Kitchen · More Info

I would start with adding hardware. I think it will make a big difference and it's inexpensive!

I would paint the cabinets no question...will really change the look of your space.

Having cabinets painted professionally is with every penny! To replace all the cabinets would cost anywhere between 40-60 thousand dollars...

Cabinets at IKEA would not cost 40k. DIY painting is time consuming. Having cabs professionally painted may be worthwhile, though it can be pricey. I’d change our hardware and paint first. Do you have undercabinet lighting?

If buying new cabinets would not replace with IKEA cabinets the cabinets you have most likely are higher quality and worth having painted.

These are pretty standard cabinets. Unless this is a forever home and this kitchen is getting a redesign 40 thousand dollars worth of cabinetry is likely overkill.

Cabinets and labor easy 40 thousand...granite would have to be replaced unlikely it could be saved....most budget friendly that will change the entire look is paint...adding hardware will not really make a noticeable difference:(

My mock-up with white cabinets

Average kitchen is 30,000 does not include install...or new granite...just a reface on cabinets can run around $15,000-$20,000 on a average size kitchen....of course if you are handy and can do it yourself sure can be lower and with IKEA you have to put them all together before they can be installed...Paint Them...your home looks to have a nice transitional style..fireplace has a white mantle...it will look very nice...IMO:)

good luck

Aaah yes, a new kitchen would easily be 30k+. I thought you meant the cabinets only would be 40-60K. This is a lovely kitchen that may need a little love versus a complete do-over. :)

I just wanted to say that I really like your cabinets and I would not paint them. I think adding hardware will go a long way to helping them have a little more visual interest. I also moved into a house with no cabinet hardware and have been struggling to figure out what to use.

I don't feel that the cabinets look better in white. With good-looking hardware your cabinets will look great, just as they are.

Totally disagree...that kitchen looks so cheerful and open...you can not go wrong with white cabinets..they have been around forever and will continue to be a classic look....a warm white is best nothing stark white like on the mock up..

You have very few cabinets. The numbers being suggested are INSANE, given your situation. Your kitchen is an island of warmth in what appears to be a sea of whites, other than the brick on the fireplace. It really begs to be a show stopper. I don't think painting them white is going to get you away from the BORING. Keep gathering ideas, I don't think you have found the answer yet.

I agree that your cabinets look to be good quality- and although I think white is nice and I do very much like the photos from Nancy, recognize that she added molding and other details to the cabinets.

I think in your case, some accessorizing -particularly on the long counter on the left, along with a few other touches such as hardware and lighting will go a long way. I think a nice orb or black pull would be great.

following...

We are on our third house and I have painted oak cabinets in all of them! I have painted white in my first house, gray in the second, and my current ones are dark navy blue (I would have done white cabinets except the existing counters are already white). It always makes such a difference. In one house I thought the granite counters and backsplash were very boring until I painted the golden oak cabinets and added under cabinet lighting. It looked much more high end. Your adjoining space looks very nice but doesn’t coordinate with the orange tones in the cabinets.

Maybe adding in some glass front cabinets on the top would look interesting. Hardware and lighting too

I would add some crown molding, get rid of the greenery on top of the cabinets, and get accessories and kitchen rug in my favorite color, maybe lime green, turquoise, cobalt. Also consider hardware.

Then reevaluate. I'm all for painting cabinets, but it's a lot of work to achieve decent results.

I like the oak. The way you have it now, you have oak and gray. If you paint them white, they won't tie in to anything else, which means your house will have a chunk of gray, a chunk of oak, and a chunk of white.....Breaking this up further by painting the cabinets is just going to make it look choppy....

Not every kitchen on Houzz needs to be white and gray...

following ...

Following - would anyone share the exact color they used when they painted their cabinets? Looking to paint mine "white" as well.

White cabinets are classic, but so are stained wood cabinets. We've got white cabinets in our kitchen and master bath and stained wood in laundry room and other baths, and honestly, I sometimes wish I had stained wood throughout. Anything painted white is much less forgiving when it comes to showing imperfections, and almost all cabinets have them to some degree - or will gather them over time.

SW Shoji White cabinets and trim...SW Worldly Gray walls

I do not think your cabinets are oak - I don't see enough grain. They look maple to me - could just be the picture, but oak has more grain. Maple paints up much better than oak.

I don't think changing the color of your cabinets will change the feeling of lack of pizzaz you feel - that needs to come from your decor and special touches - pretty light fixtures, possibly a few glass paneled doors (panel can be removed from doors and replaced with glass) some well decorated shelves, pretty hood - etc. I looked at the two kitchens in your idea book and saw glass doors and a pretty hood, pretty pendent lights and an apron front sink - some of those you could add - some would be rather expensive. You are on the right track looking at hardware.

I would look at more pics of kitchens - build up your idea book and look at other image sites too. Many of the Houzz kitchens are large and high end that it can be hard to scale the look down for a smaller kitchen.

I did not paint my wood kitchen but I did change out my hood and add a plate rail a few years ago. I more recently changed out counters, backsplash and added an apron front sink. My kitchen has a more cottage / vintage vibe:

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

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854029

Note my cabinets are oak - see how much more grain they have than yours. The sink is a "short apron" apron front sink which can be installed on a standard sink base cabinet. That would be a little pricy to retrofit, but it can be done.

Here are some similar changes done by someone who painted:

Your microwave looks new, so you might not want a hood, but it is something to think about down the road.

I have a "wood kitchens" idea book which might have some useful ideas if you decide not to paint. Your kitchen looks fine right now, so consider doing more looking through pictures - look at the details and coming up with a plan and a budget. You want to determine your own personal style. Many of the elements of your decor are just fine, but some are a little generic - seen lots in home decor stores. You want your space to be individual and make you smile - which will come from finding your style and being able to bring it to your home.

jhmarie nice job on your kitchen.

Your light bulbs look like they're warm hue.

Try experimenting with new light bulbs to brighten the room. Try daylight bulbs or cool bulbs.

Different bulbs have different hues. it can make a difference.

Here's a photo of same wall color just different bulbs . amazing how much of a difference

Add more interest to the straight across top stove wall.

Easiest , just add crown.

There's a lot more options, too.

If you can find matching cabinets add stacked glass above then crown

Or stagger cabinets & raise area above stove

The below photo is a wider stove, just wanted to share conceptual reference. No microwave different vent.

or the exposed hood look, if do this be aware of where to stop tile due to high ceiling.

Glass on both sides with lighting on dimmer inside.

I love that with the glass on top and then crown. (but I think part of what makes it look so lovely is the lighting up there. not sure how practical it is but sure is pretty). Great examples to look through.

Here is my kitchen in a Shoji White and walls Worldly Gray...island is Dorian Gray.

Saddlebrook · More Info

keep the cabinets and change the countertop

You have seven off the shelf cabinets go to IKEA. They average about $300 a cabinet. You have to change everything else anyway. Cheaper and easier then painting. Its the access and surroundings not the cabinets.

Kelsey...any update on what you might do? Haven’t heard any input.

Would not invest money into a backsplash unless you love your cabinets.

That kitchen as is does not blend with your other space.....light gray and white...contemporary style...if you are leaving the cabinets as is don’t add dark hardware..try a modern or contemporary style in brushed or polished nickel...no knobs all handles gives a nice contemporary look that is very cohesive...

Your kitchen looks nice but white would look gorgeous. Don't go with stark white; off-white will look great. Don't do DIY, hire a professional. And I would remove the plant on the top of your cabinets.