I'd be tempted to try painting the walls man cave first. I think it could look stunning with your cabinets and go a long way toward making your kitchen look sleek. If you have the $$ for it, I'd consider changing out your countertops to something less yellow. If you find a laminate you like in stock at a big box store you can change out the counter yourself for just a couple hundred dollars - and it's easier than painting the cabinets. While you have the countertop off, maybe put up a new backsplash behind the sink - something high contrast with both lights and darks in it. And ... voila! New kitchen!

Is there a reason to buy the hardware before cabinets and counters are installed... then you can buy a sample of orb and nickel (... or, and chrome) hardware you like, and hold them up to your cabinets in your kitchen to select the finish you like best with your other choices? we spent a week or two at the very end of our remodel opening the drawers and doors from the edges (without handles/knobs/hardware), while we ordered samples, picked our final hardware from the samples, then waited for the whole kitchen hardware order to be delivered. It was not a big deal to use the kitchen with bare doors for that time...

The first thing to do is get proper lighting. Change bulbs to LEDs in dayligh color which is 3500- 5000K before choosing colors . As for painting the cabinets unless you have done lots of other cabinet painting having them painted by an actual cabinet refinisher will be worth the money as long as you love the kitchen the way it is. Mt advice woulf be to wait 3-6 months and see how it functions before spending money.

I have another related question that is giving me pause. Any input would be greatly appreciated. My ceiling height is 8ft and I had originally planned to go with 36" bottoms, 18" backsplash, and 42" uppers but my new cabinet person doesn't make 42" height cabinets in flats panels, they only make 36" cabinets. Is this a reason for concern? What should I do with the addition 6 inches add backsplash or a time to the top? The new cabinets are white lacquer. Here is a picture of my new cabinet person's product: Although this is not the design of my kitchen, the photo that I found online has 36" cabinets on top and bottom and a big crown molding so I know that it's feasible but my questions is whether it is a mistake for my home that's leaning modern/contemporary.