Flat panel cabinets are popular nowadays. You could hire a professional to paint them to an off white color and change the hardware. I would also update the backsplash to a lighter color, maybe light gray marble stone.

IMO if you are going to the expense of new doors I honestly would gut the whole space and start over. I disagree that those cabinets are vintage and someone will want them , the tiny sink when I first saw it I thought that was part of a bathroom. Mostly drawers for base cabinets is now the best option and painting what you have will just prolong the inevitable. You could have a ton of storage with pullout pantries on that fridge wall if that sink cabinet was goneand then the space to the left of the range could be counter space All in a ll just better storage and accessibility . A counter depth fridge on the pantry wall would make the space feel bigger. Better lighting is the place I would startwith LEDs in 3500- 5000K range that will have a huge impact on the colors of the floor and counter. Most of my clients like4000K .

I was going to say lighten up the counters, but then I read more carefully, and noted they are granite and you aren’t getting rid of them. I kind of feel the granite looks dated and off with the laminate cabs, it makes them look more formica like, they don’t jibe style wise. I would get rid of that weird extra sink and have floor to ceiling storage or something different there, I’d get rid of the over the range microwave, and get rid of the flourescent lighting. Your wall colour is nice but maybe if you changed it would lighten the room. I agree, it might be better to start again. I don’t know what to think of the walled in fridge.

Are you selling or just ready for a change? Full time residence or vacation home?

You can find the cabinet manufacturer name, usually on an inside of drawer, and contact them for info about replacing the cabinet doors. Natural wood is trending up. Flat panels are also trending up.

I think you should live with it or start over. Others have given really good advice. You will love drawers in the lower cabinets. So easy to get pots and pans.

@Patricia: there's a bar sink and a full size sink. The latter is hidden behind the flowers in the second photo.

I saw the sink I know its a bar sink it doesn’t make it look less like a bathroom vanity set up

For me, it's the fixture and the mirror that makes that 'bar sink' look like a bathroom vanity. That said, I agree that lighting needs to be addressed, but first I would want to raise that ceiling to get rid of the soffit. Get rid of the soffit (if possible) and raise the ceiling to the same height as the adjoining room, stop making it look so closed in/a bit cave-like. Then, as others have said, I would gut it and start fresh. I don't think painting laminate usually turns out well, and also disagree that these fall into the "vintage" category and/or that anyone will want them. These cabinets scream "80s" and I am not aware of anyone looking to recreate that time period design/style-wise.

If you can afford to start from beginning and gut your kitchen, that would be the best solution. If you do only a part of what needs to be done eventually, it will just require further updates and you will end up spending just as much money as you would in the first place. Only it's going to be harder to align the styles and finishes.

Since I am not in the business of selling new kitchens, I say get rid of the light box, change the paint color and call it a day. That is assuming it functions well for you as a kitchen.

I'm not in the business of selling new kitchens, either, but everything the pros above have said it absolutely spot on. It's a very, very dated looking kitchen with many problems.

I suggest that you paint all the wood that surrounds the cabinets the same color as the cabinets. That will go a long way to remove the '80s feel. Then replace the box light with something more updated. Yes, ditch the appliance garages as they add to the heaviness feel of the space. After that think about getting some real color in the room--perhaps where the extra sink and bar area is--perhaps a lively turquoise or green, something that goes with the brown.

After fixing the lighting, try painting the walls the color similar to the amond cabinets. The golden cinnamon walls seem to be making the space feel more brown.

I agree that you could hire a pro to paint your cabinet fronts and frames (maybe all the same lower and a different all the upper / or a single cohesive color for all). Replace the cabinet hardware (maybe, I can't tell if they are wood or some type of metal, they aren't showing up well on my screen). I'd ditch the light box, and go for a low profile, close to the ceiling mounted LED fixture. Switch the mirror above the prep sink and add some "kitcheny" shelving; dependent on how you use that space. i.e., if that would be a good coffee or tea/beverage station, maybe have coffee mugs, or nice jars with tea bags or such. If it is for prepping veg, maybe a bowl of fruit. Or, maybe just decorative items, I'm not sure what your overall "style" is. I'd lose the garages, but, if they work for you maybe paint them or just get rid of 1. Overall, I'd lighten the room's paint color to try to brighten it up. Maybe a rug or two (1 at the stove and 1 at the sink) to visually break up some of the tile. I don't see any need to gut the whole thing, it looks like you have a perfectly functional space.

Thanks for all the thoughts. The electrician and I decided on LED cans around the perimeter and finish the light box with more cans or uplighting strip. (The ceiling can't be raised because of duct work). I don't need more storage or counter space so starting over doesn't appeal to me. I really have loved the kitchen so it works for me, but agree that the next person could start from scratch. For this old lady, I love the forgiving tile as the house sits on a lake and the brown granite that enhanced the oak-trimmed mountain rustic home when gray and black was all that was available. The cabinets were high end CRYSTAL cabinets with real wood, so I'm okay with keeping them - probably better quality than many newer. It's the laminate doors and drawers with oak trim and oak wooden handles that I'd like to replace (not repaint). I have a local cabinet maker coming to bid a simple, flat panel door and drawer in light wood or taupe/gray paint. Appliance garages are history! Maybe glass doors or wood shelving instead of the uppers above the garages? Never gave much thought about the bar sink, but agree the mirror and faucet gives it a vanity feel. The coffee station that is housed in the appliance garage, could be relocated there.

And I'll be shopping for a paint color for a softer, modern look.

Any other thoughts?

To answer a question, it is my personal home and i am ready for a change - but within reason.

Try BM Revere Pewter on a sample board.

I like flat-faced cabinets, but to update they'd be great in walnut with almond solid color satin laminate countertops. Lighter wall paint and more effective lighting would help brighten the kitchen, too. I don't think it's necessary to gut it.

I love the layout. Especially knowing how old it is. Ahead of your time With the one level bar and prep sink.

The four cabinets with the appliance garages I would consider removing and replacing them with open shelving. We just redid our kitchen after 15 years and replaced three upper cabinets for maple open shelving. We love being able to access our everyday dishes and it really opened up the kitchen. The doors and mouldings were all replaced and soft close hinges put on them all. We painted the exposed ends the same colour as the doors. I would only recommend replacing your doors if the cabinetry is in good shape. I have attached a quick shot of the shelving below.

Thank you. your picture is lovely. I was actually considering the open shelving. I emptied the uppers on the right of the window to see if I could live without them. The coffee maker and old blender needs a home, however, so I’m working on that. The cabinets are in good shape - they were high-end Crystal cabinet in the day. I really don’t want to go through a full remodel at my age-just a refresh. Still looking for a cabinet style and color.

I actually started a new post called ”Ready to move on from the 80’s“ as I couldn’t figure out how to add to this post since I updated lights.