I wouldn't change anything. For a small space it is cohesive. Why don't you treat yourself to a french door fridge ...better use of funds. Then decorate the small dining alcove. Rug under table/wall art/upholstered chairs if you just want a project. Better than any result you would attain in kitchen .

I’m with herb and your parents. Your cabinets are classic and appear to be in good condition. The light flooring seems to also be just fine and will be more neutral than a grey color. Once you have your decor items where they will go in your space the kitchen will start to feel like home.

If that is wood floor keep it! What sticks out most to me is the outdated light and curtains.

I don't think white would work the best in your space

Agreed. The cabinets and flooring to me, are the best things you have here. Before changing any of that. I would do new lighting , new countertops and backsplash. New appliances. New hardware.
Start where you can with updating it. And I think you’ll come to love the cabinets.

I think if that is real wood flooring keep it . As for painting the cabinets it is expensive to have done and IMO unless you have lots of experience painting cabinets not a DIY job. IMO the fridge is way too big for the space and posting pices from further back to show the whole space is always a good idea.

Is this a new home, first home?

How long do you will stay in this home before moving up to a larger home?

Are the floors throughout the home or just in this space?

Countertops look like Formica/ Laminate. Is this assumption correct?

The reason I ask these questions is that there is a negative return on most renovations.

HGTV is not real, we don't get more than we invest when renovating spaces.

https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2020/

Your cabinets are beautiful and it would be a pure expense - you would not gain a dime in resale by painting and would most likely reduce the value.

Same with your flooring - no money to be gained by replacing.

Paint is inexpensive and worth the bang for the buck.

You can relaminate laminate countertops inexpensively. Easy DIY project.

The lighting fixture could be replaced, but it is a clean, simple look that works with your kitchen and is effective lighting.

The window coverings need to be upgraded. Again, not horribly expensive.

Replace the Refrigerator with one that fits the space if/when it dies.

Parents have an odd learning curve that isn't based on their age, but the age of their children. They are normal intelligent people until we turn into teenagers. Most know nothing by the time we are 16 - they are dumber than a rock. Slowly, over time they gain knowledge, and by the time we are 30 they know the right answer to virtually every question we have.

I agree with the above; I like the cabinets and flooring and would see no benefit to replacing or painting them.
I think new countertop, backsplash, hardware and lighting would help update. I personally like the lighter counters and backsplash in the below pics, but there are many lovely combinations depending on your taste.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll keep the cabinets based on all this feedback.

What about the flooring though? It's actually very cheap laminate.

@Melissa R The floor is actually cheap laminate, that's why I was thinking of replacing it with tile. I'm going to have hardwood throughout the rest of the home. I wasn't sure on the color of the kitchen tile.

@Jennifer Hogan Thanks. This is a new townhouse that I just purchased. I'm planning on living here for ~5 years before renting it out. The countertops are granite. The flooring you see in the pictures are just in the kitchen. They're a cheap laminate, which is why I wanted to replace them with tile. I just wasn't sure on the color. I'm going to have hardwood throughout the rest of the home - it's a medium brownish color.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting Thanks. Based on all the feedback, I'm going to keep the cabinets.

But the floor is actually cheap laminate, that's why I was thinking of replacing it with tile. I just wasn't sure on the color of the kitchen tile.

I'd remove the backsplash. paint that wall a color you truly love, and get a new refrigerator that fills the space. Tile the floor with a timeless updated hex pattern. if that lg window needs privacy, put in a custom bottom up shade. the shears date you.

If you are planning on renting it out I am not sure I would invest in hardwood unless you are renting high end luxury units.

I would talk to a local property management company and see what they recommend for rentals in your area and read a dozen articles on rental forums (not articles written by companies selling flooring). Tile is a good, durable choice. If you are in an area where it is warm year round tile could be a good choice throughout. If it is a 4 season climate tile is a bit too cold for many in the winter seasons.

I am a bit surprised that the counters are granite. Usually with granite you don't have the completely squared edge profile and most people use a full backsplash vs the 4" bottom splash.

I am kind of sorry to hear this because it is dark, drab and not the best color for with your cabinets.

I would price some options for replacing the counter. Does not need to be granite. Can be quartz. For a rental you will want something durable or something inexpensive to replace.

If you use wood floors in a rental I would make sure it’s solid hardwood because tenants are hell on hardwood floors, ask me how I know. You will most likely need to refinish the floors several times during your ownership. I know that some engineered woods can be refinished but solid wood will give you more depth of wood to refinish.

Have the hardwood floors continued throughout the home (apart from the bathroom, of course). You’re fortunate to have hardwood!