Do you know what species of wood the floor is...it looks an older finish and quite yellow. I would really have it sanded and restained . The team you’d hire would test new stain shades for you. A lighter gray brown....or light (red browns) anything but yellow....wonders for the space and the cabinets would appear differently . id get A quote and do that first.

Your cabimnets are beautiful. I agree with aforementioned flooring refresh. Your kitchen feels dark because of the black granite and backsplash. Changing out the backsplash and brighter undercabinet lighting will help.

I can’t tell your backsplash or countertop colour with the blue light. Can you add another closeup pic of the two?

If it were my kitchen, just another opinion-not a pro. I think what bugs me is the floor for sure but are the top cabinets super long? like hanging down too far? If I didn't need storage, I'd consider removing some. Like near your coffee machine, and the whole section by the desk. Then paint the walls lighter and do a lighter backsplash. Lighting can really affect it too. That way if you're still leaning toward painting cabinets you'll be on your way there so choose colors that will go with your general goal. If you're not sure about the floor throw a rug down first to see how it changes things. Your blue lights are very modern. were you thinking of going more modern?

You said "I don't intend to change the black granite or back splash yet," Does that mean that you plan to change them relatively soon?

The reason that I ask is that those are two of the three things that I would change, based on your pictures. The third thing is the undercabinet lighting. The blue color throws me off.

If the wood floors in your kitchen run through the whole house, you will not want to change them (it looks like they run into the room behind the kitchen -- is that a pantry?) However, if they are in bad shape through the whole house, I would agree with my friend herbflavor above that you should consider that part of the project. Even if it means you have to wait and do the floors and kitchen at the same time when you can afford it all.

Painting or refacing the cabinets will be as expensive, or more expensive, than changing the countertop and backsplash. A lighter countertop and backsplash would brighten the space. A calm quartz or even Corian would be my choice.

To update you have to deal with the back splash and counters. Going lighter with them is what you NEED to lighten your kitchen. Your cupboards are actually what is IN, the up and coming desire of home owners--simple shape and WOOD tones. You will lose sooo much equity if you cheapen them with paint. If your home is like most the trim out in your ENTIRE HOUSE matches those cupboards. That is the norm..messing with it will not be wise. I am glad you love the layout. Less is more--go for smaller "updating"!!!

I agree with others. I wouldn't paint the cabinets. They appear to be nice quality cherry cabinets-perhaps custom given the angled cabinet and a few other things.

I'd wait until I could afford to change the countertops and backsplash and paint.

I also would look at getting rid of the soffits unless there is duct work going through them. I suspect that's adding to the darkness.

BTW--I laughed at the sign of the times, a mask hanging from the cabinet knob. :)

IMO the only way to paint is to have them done by a pro unless you have tones of experience with painting cabinets and also a space that is totally dust free to spray the doors and drawer fronts. IMO the 1 st step is to lose the blue lights they make no sense in that space. IMO those cabinets are a nice simple style not really dated at all so might be worth the $$$$$ to have the painted but make sure before choosing a color you change all the lighting to LEDs in 4000K that will help a lot with choosing colors for sure.. BTW IMO the backsplash is the dated thing in the space and can be changed quite easily

I absolutely would not touch those cabinets. They are beautiful, and wood is very on trend. What dates your kitchen, IMHO, is the backsplash and the countertops. The backsplash looks like a deep dark well. And that undercabinet lighting is in adequate. It would cost a true fortune to paint all those cabinets, and it would never look as good as it does now. Again, just my opinion. I would lighten up the splash on the countertops, and find a couple of beautiful, colorful runners to go on either side of your island. That would tone down the floor. Good luck!