Those are not 50s cabinets but if they are solid wood why not just clean them really well and then see if they look okay I think to have them painted will be as expensive as new and to DIY I hate to say but most often it looks bad and does not stand up well . Since you are using this as a rental wood cabinets are much more forgiving than pain that chips. Get some new knobs or pulls and leave it .

agree w Patricia. I'd install an Ikea shelf under the paper towel holder as that cabinet looks at least 30 inches up. I'd put in a nice new faucet and hardware on cabs. Get a cushion mat [can be wiped down between renters]... due to hardness of tile. I would put a shade or something at window for a little privacy.

Painted finishes get dinged up fast, especially those that were not done in a factory. What parts of the kitchen are worn out? Will this be an economy, mid-range or luxury vacation rental?

Thank you for the great suggestions. This will be a mid range vacation rental. Nothing is worn out I just feel it looks dated. And wanted to update it a little and I’ll make it look more modern we are cutting the bottom left of the cabinetry out to install a dishwasher. Thanks for the advice on the painting what are your thoughts on tile backsplash? The counter is speckled granite.

I think your cabinets are oak from the 1990's from the style and drawer guides. I'd keep them. And, yes, the wall cabinet is wierdly high. Do put a shelf or two under there. If you paint the room and door moldings and even replace the two oak doors, it would tone down the oak a bit. I like Swiss Coffee, but you might want to reconsider if you keep the oak cabinets.

Does “aloha” indicate the location of the cabin? Different style vs "Aye yup”, north woods Maine.

Have you thought about how you want to present it for rental? You could have a lot of fun with 1950’s retro getaway.

Those are great ideas. I think the cabin was remodeled in the 90s you’re right. We are having the kitchen walls painted Swiss coffee but I really wanted to do something to the cabinets

Judy - aloha is because we live in Hawaii. The cabin also has a 1950s style bathroom with the tile going halfway up the wall in retro pink and maroon!

If you really want to paint the cabinets, my husband painted oak cabinets in one of our (lightly used) bathrooms and they look fine. Use really good quality paint. The nice thing abount painted cabinets is that chips and mars can be touched up.

Hear you!

My daughter’s cottage (Cape Cod), small kitchen is in very good shape as is yours, but she wanted to paint the cabinets. Her walls are S W Grecian Ivory….she painted the cabinets this week, Grecian Ivory gloss converted to B.M.. Kitchen looks bigger, brighter.

So, what if, you use Swiss Coffee on the walls, eggshell, and paint the cabinets in Swiss Coffee high gloss.

Daughter’s method: she is looking over my shoulder as I type:

Sand with 320 grit paper, just to rough it up, prime with B.M. INSL-X, water borne primer, let it dry and do again. Paint one coat B.M. Advantage in Swiss Coffee; lightly sand again with 320 grit, apply second coat of Advantage Swiss Coffee. . Allow 24 hours between each paint application. When you paint, do the Advantage Swiss Coffee in a thin coat.

She said the results are like the oil paint of old, yeah, but is water based.

I would paint the pantry all Swiss Coffee in what ever finish you choose for the cabinets.

What are you doing with the ceiling?

Thank you that’s a great idea I have a painter who is working on the rest of the house right now I didn’t think about doing Swiss coffee on everything that would really make it look bigger. There is just so much wood in that kitchen!

What are your recommendations on a backsplash to go with the brown and black granite tile countertop?

Curious is the high gloss paint more durable then regular paint? This will be a vacation home and rental property.

No…it isn’t the gloss (that’s what daughter wanted for the sheen). You can choose any sheen you feel works. It is the products she used and the number of applications to make the finish last.

Actually, you have a backsplash already. Adding more is redundant. I would just paint that area the same Swiss Coffee, eggshell finish. You rent and that part f the wall can’t be cleaned? Repaint it. Easy and cheaper than adding $$$$ tile.

Good advice. Thank you so much. Appprexiate it.