While we wait for someone with photoshop expertise, I have questions.

You have oak with a grain. This will be very labor intensive if you DIY. If you DYI the finish will not stand up the same as a factory finish.

There're ways to minimize the grain, but again labor intensive.

A professional can remove all fronts and paint in the factory. Then thru just paint the frames on site. A member Did this years ago and it looks great.

Just food for thought.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.practicallyspoiled.com%2F2015%2F07%2F22%2Ffrom-hate-to-great-a-tale-of-painting-oak-cabinets%2F&psig=AOvVaw1bpobMlska1FnrAwvUM6j5&ust=1597762908081000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCOjst-bAousCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I plan on outsourcing to a professional! So is a factory paint something a specific cabinet painting company would have access to, as opposed to a local contractor?

I really do want to do it as cost efficiently as possible but want it to hold up obviously

Good.

Refacing is another idea. You get all new door and drawer fronts. Many refacing companies are listed.

I guess start with a local contractor?

Do your research, so you know all questions to ask.

I would ask if I could see their work. I know we are in the mist of Covid, but they might have places that are not occupied that you can see.

There is nothing cost efficient about having cabinets painted properly. Is this a new to yo kitchen ? IMO the fact that almost all the lower cavinets are not drawers would keep me from spending money on this kitchen . I think the thing I would want to change first is that arched window ,

We purchased this home a year ago and will likely be here for 2-4 more years. I love the arched window!

I’m also confused why lower cabinets have to be drawers?

Cassidy, it’s what everyone always says because drawers are more efficient storage wise.

But, OP is not doing a total remodel. She is working with what she has.

That said, the OP seems to have a nice size kitchen with adequate storage and is asking how to do an upgrade.

I understand that but IMO if 2-4 yrs is the length of time in this space that money spent will probably not be recouped. I would just leave it for the next guy since I bet who ever buys will be redoing it anyway.

We have all of these cabinets too. Truly more storage than we need.

If you’re going to be there for four more years, you should probably leave the kitchen alone. Read up on painting oak, and you will see that to do it properly will cost almost as much as new cabinets. You’ll never get your money back in resale.

I am not a pro, but I like them much better as is than white. As my mom says, though, "Chaqun a son gout" (Everyone has his/her taste.).

I love the wood cabinets. Your kitchen is beautiful!

What would improve and lighten your kitchen at much less expense (given your 2-4 year timetable) is to remove the cabinets flanking the window you love to make it the focus of the kitchen. You mention you already have more storage than you need. Either leave those window walls blank or add open shelving in oak.

Ainsworth Kitchen · More Info

Also remove the oak cabinets above the refrigerator since they're pretty useless set so far back.

Is the rest of the space painted the same wall color? If not, consider a warm white for your kitchen or whatever the lightest background color is in your countertops.

I actually do think the white cabinets look better. however, I really feel like the cabinets as-is are nice and classic, and what you need are updated countertops and backsplash in a light color. combine that with a lighter wall color, and the room will feel instantly brighter.

also, is there any way you can bring in more natural light -- such as a skylight, solatube, or enlarge a window somewhere? just that one little change might be all you need.

I realize all the things I listed are more expensive than painting cabinets though.... just some food for thought!

lightening up the cabinets are a good idea, and check out some of the cabinet paint that provides an epoxy type coat for durable results. however replacing may be the way to go. you have a wonderful kitchen, and when I look at the pictures,, i feel it's just overwhelmed with cabinets. The cook top in the island could be moved to be placed along the back wall with a lovely range hood. It will break up that row of cabinets to add a focal point. Then, you have the opportunity to have a one level island for dining and prep. I love the arched window, but if there's ever a chance to center it and make it bigger I would. :-D

I would never have real quality wood cabinets painted.

For upgrades, how about looking at the countertop, backsplash, and lighting? Are they all in good shape? Someone has already noted that you may need more lighting - I tend to agree. Especially under- cabinet lighting.

If I were to spend money on that kitchen, it would 100% be to replace the counter and backsplash which look dated and dull, not on the wood cabinets which look fine. While you are at it, replace the sink with a single-bowl one, and that forest of faucet fixtures replace with a single-hole, single-handle faucet with an integrated sprayer.

And new knobs with some gleam and shine, not those older dull ones. Easy peasy change.

Just wanted to say that overall I really like your kitchen, including the oak cabinets and countertops and backsplash. Looking at the initial picture, I can understand your inclination to paint. There is a lot of oak between the floor and the cabinets. But after seeing the photo mock, I kind of like your kitchen as it is. Tough decision!

I'm not sure white cabinets would look good with your current counter and backsplash. Not a good pairing on my monitor, I mean. If you're tempted to paint your cabinets (and I wouldn't because I think they look fine), I would choose a colour rather than white. It also depends on your budget. You might want to price a new backsplash/new counter/lighting/hardware to see if any of those options might be less expensive and/or easier to do because they can certainly change the look and feel of a kitchen.

I really appreciate all of this feedback. I like the backsplash and I don’t love the counters by any means, but I also don’t know that I dislike them enough to invest in replacing them. I dislike the cabinets’ orange hue; my husband stands with many of you and likes them and thinks the counters and backsplash should be replaced if anything.

In regards to lighting, we have recessed lighting with 7 cans, two pendant lights over the peninsula, and another light fixture over the kitchen table next to the kitchen. I do love under cabinet lighting though so I will definitely consider that.

If I wanted to attempt a very cheap change and change out the hardware, what would you all suggest?

Again, remove the cabinets flanking the window to totally open up the window, which is boxed in right now. Remove the cabinets over the refrigerator, to lessen the number of oak cabinets you dislike. Get a great indoor-outdoor rug for the kitchen in a pattern to add interest at the floor level. Consider painting the walls a warm light color pulled from the countertops.

These small scale changes will make a big difference. If not, then do some of the other steps.

Indoor outdoor rugs that would work in your ktichen and add pattern to the room. They harmonize well with your oak cabinets:

Would you leave the corner cabinet, housegal200? Can you give a close up of the current hardware, CassidyZ? What you have seems fine but maybe too dull?

Great cost effective idea to remove the cabinets flanking the window and make that area a focal point. You love the window and have adequate storage. The one thing that would bug me is the oversized refrigerator. I’d prefer counter depth, but that’s another expense and cuts down a little on interior space.