I bet if you snapped a close-up of counter, you could "paint match" at a store, and see what complementing paint colors they recommend.

What's your flooring like?

Some more pictures would be helpful. That is a pretty traditional door style and as I'm sure others will chime in, a quality paint job is going to cost you as much or more than new counters. And the cabinets look to be in pretty good shape right now. New hardware, light fixtures etc, might be better $ spent. Do you like the layout? Do you plan on a full-scale remodel in the future?

Here's a photo of our floor under sunshine.

I completely agree with mnmamax3. I have seen so many bad paint jobs ruin perfectly good cabinets. From what I can see, I love what you have. Several more pictures, some from a distance, would be helpful.

Thanks all. To be clear this is a photo I found online but pretty much identical to what we have - color, condition, style, tile backsplash, etc. ours is covered with moving boxes so can't take a clear picture.

We are happy with the layout and all other things for now. We "may" want to do a full-remodel in 3-5 years if we stay in this place for that long.

we considered about changing the countertop but learned that we will have to change the cabinet all together, which is a larger investment that we can't afford now.

We are thinking maybe change to a different shade of grey would help - maybe slightly darker? Any thought?

What is already grey, if that picture is just an example?

our cabinet is already light grey, identical to the picture

If that were my kitchen and I was doing an update (not choosing a brand new kitchen), I would paint at least the lowers something like BM Cheating heart or a navy blue. Stay away from espresso etc if you want an updated look.

I agree that a darker grey, like a charcoal, would add drama to the lower cabinets, and would work nicely with that great footing you have. Or a darker blue. But if you are not in a hurry to change it and acquire added costs, you may just end up liking what you currently have.

Consider playing around with a pop of color in accessories around the kitchen, in textiles, chair upholstery, curtains etc., and that may give you the boost of added interest you’re looking for.

I like the navy blue as well. Also, you could change the hardware. Taupe cabinets might be nice too.

I also have this granite with espresso cabinets- don’t do that! We are currently looking to refresh as well.

Why don’t you change the hardware . With the color cabs you have and new hardware , lighting , and accesories .....will take iT quite far. The light color suits the door style and flatters it really.....dark doesn’t look so good . Do other things....

Not exactly what you asked, but if you dislike the stone that much, there or some amazing options with epoxy. Granite is a perfect substrate for it. Google “epoxy over old granite.”

Hi tdtray, thanks and do you mind to share a photo of your new kitchen? What you described sounds lovely!

Hi Spencer, just searched and looks really interesting. do you have any experience with epoxy? Thanks!

Would keep the white color cabinets you have.

Anna, I’ve never done it but have seen a friend do it with great results. I would recommend practicing first by getting the materials and going to a granite store to ask for some pieces from the dumpster. There may be contractors in your area who do it as well.

Got a photo from unit next door - we have same countertop, same light grey cabinet paint color, and identical kitchen layout. But our neighbor has green tile backsplash and black hardware. While ours is with white tile backsplash and brushed nickel hardware.

Anna C - Check out this blog spot from Vancouver colour expert Maria Killam . . . .

https://mariakillam.com/how-to-update-90s-granite-and-make-it-disappear/

Dark lowers with creamy white uppers. But since you installed the white subway tile already, your color selection is probably limited. We need to see a photo of your actual kitchen to advise.

This deep green would look really nice with your counter and floor:

Loft Apartment Notting Hill · More Info

I would consider adding lighting or replacing hardware to something more modern and slick. Painting cabinets is just so expensive, but if you have a professional who can do a geat job, I would paint only base cabinets into dark gray and leave upper cabinets white as they are. Two-tone-kitchens are so popular right now.

Thanks for the clarification Anna. The original picture you posted looked to be a creamy white, not gray, so I was confused.

If the counters and hardware were different, would you like the grey? Maybe a crisp white counter would be better to coordinate with your new backsplash and bring in the lightness.

I would not go dark because it appears to be a galley kitchen with very little lighting. Definitely add under cabinet lighting.

I'm in agreement with @mnmamax3, particularly after seeing the galley layout. Dark grey lowers might be ok with upgraded lighting (a must, and choose the right bulbs for a natural bright daylight light)

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and updated handles/pulls to a brushed brass. Like this...

Or just handles in brushed brass will pull in that color from the granite, until you can redo the entire kitchen the way you'd like. A small change could help, and allow you to live with it for a while.

Dawn, those champagne handles make a huge difference. Love!

If your neighbor’s kitchen is the same as yours, you may be able to get leftover pieces from a stone yard and actually redo the countertop. Those counters are not large. Barring that idea, looking into epoxy over the granite sounds like the least expensive idea. If you’re going to do a major remodel in a few years, take the minimalist approach and change hardware, fixtures etc.

Hey Anna C ,

i would recommend changing out your cabinet hardware to something with more of a modern look. I would recommend Century Hardware's Modern Geo or Metro collections. A good quality hardware choice can really do wonders in updating the look of a kitchen.

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Modern Geo · More Info

I agree changing the hardware would update the look quickly. However, think twice about any handle that extends past the post. Lots of things get caught on those and can create a disaster.

Thanks all! Another friend told me that perhaps I can have the granite countertop honed - meaning turning the polish surface to a matte finish, and that will change the color too. Does anyone have experience with that?

I have similar granite. Painted cabinets BM simply white and changed the hardware to brass.

Tdtray do you have any photos to show your before and after? I have that granite and cherry cabinets and can’t convince my husband paint could really make a different

Tdtray or ajfgemrich - do you have a recent picture of your kitchen? we hve the same cherry cabinets that we are looking to paint.

I have the same granite and just had my cabinetry painted BM White Dove and added black hardware. Now I’m looking for backsplash suggestions…

@Pam Bolli Start a dilemma. Backsplashes are THE MOST asked question on this website. It's definitely the trickiest part of a kitchen job.

@RedRyder @Pam Bolli @linhandbob I have these venetian gold granite counters and am looking for cabinet colors. Would LOVE to see photos of your final project. I had not planned to paint the cabinets BUT I just painted the walls (SW Sanctuary trimmed with SW Pure white) and now i HAVE to paint the cabinets. Thanks in advance!

White on top, greige on bottom, new hardware, new faucet and a nice fixture.

Thank you for posting these! @Maureen

Tanya, what did you end up doing?

Nothing yet! I am slowly painting the whole house. I want to be sure I can finish once I start. My dining room is black with white wainscoting so I have to be sure it flows. I like the grey idea but think white may be a better choice. I am concerned it’s too much white. I LOVE my kitchens wall though!

Thanks for asking!!! It’s a big lonely job. Lol

Did you pick a color yet? I'm going through the same now...😊