The previous owner should not have done the granite countertops and just given you a credit. Sadly you will have to demo the counter tops in order to replace the cabinets. This looks like millenium creme granite, use this to search for inspiration. What is going on with the seams by your sink? Is it different heights or just really bad seams?

At this point just paint the cabinets white/beige and install a simple backsplash (subway) as it is cost effective.

Then save up $50K for a full remodel.

following

Looks like the previous owners put in granite countertops for resale value. Like previous poser said they should’ve given you a credit toward countertops cuz the entire kitchen needs to go. Sorry just live with it until you can afford a complete remodel. a quick fix would be to fix and paint walls a soft white or greige color. Make sure to get an expert painter because looks like you will need a lot of compound and plaster to smooth walls out judging by the pic you posted

Don't put any money into the kitchen until you have enough to re do the whole thing. The countertop was poorly done, and the cabinets need to be replaced. You could paint the walls for now in a color that coordinates with your adjoining rooms, and take your time with planning a new kitchen. After you've lived there awhile you will get to know what you like and don't like about the layout, also.

Remove backsplash tiles and paint same color as rest of walls- maybe a medium gray that goes with the granite. Paint the cabinets a much lighter gray or white. With the tone of your flooring, stick with warm grays rather than cool tones. In many kitchens, tiled backsplashes make it look too busy- which kitchens are prone to be anyway. Backsplash walls painted the same as the rest of the kitchen look sleek, more relaxed, and can make the kitchen look bigger. Subway tile is awfully common these days- in a few years it will seem very dated. Ditching the tile will save money as well. Sparingly use dark red utensils, holders, towels etc. to pick up on the red in the granite.

What posters said above.

The one thing I'd do, other than painting the walls and maybe the cabs, is to remove those handles that are centered in the middle of the doors. Fill the holes and add new ones where handles should be located. Hate handles in the middle of door panels. They drove me batty for just a couple of days 30 some years ago. They were the first thing to go in the old house.

Congrats on your new home! How exciting!

I’d rip out the backsplash and find a simple subway that works with the granite. It could be white, and paint your cabs white. Or it could be a light gray or white/ and paint your cabs a real light gray. Just be careful your cab pain color doesn’t move cream or yellow. Or it will look really warm and yellow all over.

I’d paint the wooden trim around the window white, and remove that decorative scrolling wood trim above it

Congrats again!!

Paint the yellow walls white, blue or green. Put out some flowers and live with the kitchen until you have saved enough to remodel. If you want to add knobs in the cabinet corners in the traditional location, you can fill the old holes with wood filler and paint over the filler with a little artistic creativity to match the wood pattern around them. Or take a photo of the wood, print it, tear off a small piece the size of a pea, and glue it over the filled hole (decoupage, in other words). Use a bit of compatible shellac or varnish to seal the paper patch. Experiment on an unobtrusive cabinet door first.

Your granite appears to be Kashmir White, probably one of the most stain-prone stones available. You need to keep it sealed and keep everything that could stain it off of it.

What's your budget? Will you replace this kitchen in the next 5 years or is it here to stay? Sometimes the cost of a new kitchen just can't be justified compared to the cost of the property. But updates like wall paint and accessories are inexpensive and can really improve your enjoyment of the space.

Here are some Kashmir White granite kitchens for wall color inspiration.

Lake House at Bethel, NY · More Info

Kashmir White Granite Kitchen · More Info

Kashmir White Granite (2) · More Info

For the record, I do not have the extreme hate for over the range microwaves. I have one, and it works well for me because I have no where else to put the microwave. With that being said, what in the hell is going on with your set-up? They should have never put that there, it sits wayyy too low. And why is the stove so far off-center.

I'm not trying to trash your house. My house had 1968 dark wood cabinets, black and green indoor/outdoor carpet and avocado green appliances when I bought it.

You can even paint the backsplash tile as a temporary fix -- others have posted here having done so. And I would paint the yellow walls a light off white that matches the counter. That counter is one that I always liked, but was wary of its reputation for staining and darkening so I didn't get it.

But I agree about saving your money until you can replace the cabinets and redesign the layout. Painting unfortunately won't make the cabinets look too much better -- just clean them really thoroughly.

Start planning and dreaming now, and make notes as you work in the kitchen about what is good and what is bad about how it functions - not how it looks. Is the lighting adequate? is the space or placement of appliances awkward? Is there enough storage of the kind you need? Would you consider a smaller overall but single large basin sink? Is there ductwork or pipe in the soffits? Do you need a full size dishwasher or would an 18" do?

Look for the "Read Me First" thread in the Kitchens Forum, and search for threads about what people recommend in a kitchen remodel, and what they regret or would change.

Draw a floor plan as much to scale as you can, with good measurements of space windows, and door, and post here in a new thread for layout suggestions. Remodeling really can be fun, especially the planning and shopping, when you are well prepared!

Congratulations on your new home! So exciting!

I am not a pro, but do you have any more pictures of the rest of your kitchen.

There is a huge cost variation of painting yourself, hiring a painter and biting the billet to get a new kitchen. If you have the means to redo the kitchen now, then I would do it. If you have to wait a while, then don’t waste the money on hiring a painter to paint cabinets that you will be removing.

If you have to wait a while but want to freshen the appearance, paint the walls and plan your new dream kitchen.

PS you cannot simply tear off the backsplash and expect to have a paintable wall - it will be damaged, creating another project to do.

Good luck!

Agree with others who said not to spend a penny on this now, wait until you can save for a full redo. The sellers did you no favors installing piecemeal granite (and portly at that), clashing backsplash (also poorly installed) when they already had a backsplash (the 4” piece of granite is a backsplash) and shoving that microwave over the range where there is no room for it. Save, save and save some more and while you do that, make a list of issues you find and in the new plan/layout that you can get help with here and/or hire a good KD to help with, address any functional and storage issues you discover while you plan for a full gut remodel to fix this the right way and get a kitchen you love that works well.

Hi Sharee, I agree with living with it for awhile to save up for the bigger job. You could go ahead and just paint. Why the previous owners put in tile over that 4" backsplash is beyond me. I would just remove the tile and paint above the granite. I also agree a quick fix would be a light, neutral paint color.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! It stinks that it will be a full remodel. Guess I’ll just start saving! The microwave is definitely far too low, and the oven is dated as well. I cannot fathom living with every single wall this ugly yellow color anymore, so for now, I’m going to paint the walls a light color.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to paint the cabinets? Should I use a sprayer? If so, what kind? What color?

Thank you all! You have been so much help.

For DIY I would get a self leveling paint and brush it on after sanding.

I would just paint your walls. Your cabinets have an odd design, the handles are misplaced, and it has a heavy wood grain. Painting the cabinets would be a LOT of effort, and the end result likely won't be worth it. Your kitchen will look significantly better without the yellow walls.

I would clean the cabinets well, and leave the cabinets and the backsplash. Sand any rough spots on the walls, and fill in the nail holes. Prime the walls with a good quality primer and then paint it. Yellow should never have been used with those cabinets. Either paint white, or a light aqua color, or a light green (no yellow greens). Put two coats of paint on the walls, and I think you will be a lot happier. I wouldnt try to even use the stove with that microwave there so low. Have that removed and buy an inexpensive hood to replace it, and an inexpensive microwave to either set on a cabinet, or on a small stand of some type. You may be saving for a new kitchen, but, in the meantime, you need to make it usable. Congratulations on your new home.

If the countertops were a Home Depot job, you can also search Yukon White or Thunder White granite. They look very similar to your pic, especially the Yukon White sample at my local HD.

I agree with some of the others that simply updating the wall color would be the best first step, then live with it for a little bit and determine whether you want to do a full renovation or not. The current backsplash maybe isn't the prettiest, but it's not offensive by any means. Good luck!

Not a Pro.

Quick fix, for less.

1. Clean cabinets well.

2. Change out hardware to something in stainless Steel or nickle and to something more modern. 3. Take down cornice over sink.

4. Put up Window treatment

5. Change wall color

6. Add a colorful rug to the floor

Then save for your dream kitchen.

Inspiration for Cabinet Hardware:

Urban Loft – Storage Solutions · More Info

...Oh and for painting the cabinets, they're Oak right? Oak is very difficult to paint correctly, especially DIY. You'll still see the grain pattern and there's probably no way around that. Yes, they need to be sprayed with a quality sprayer unless you're ok with seeing brush strokes.

For color, definitely light & bright IMO. You could look at White Dove for the cabinets/trim and Pale Oak for the walls. They go very well together and should also go well with your countertops.