White cabinets are classic. However, yours look in really good condition. Maybe consider switching out the hardware for a new look instead of painting the wood.

I also really love the wood.
If you had to change something I’d do white or blue uppers.
And change the hardware.
Maybe the backsplash.
I’d also get an accent hood Over the stove.
And possibly lighter surroundings countertops. But not necessary and neither is the painting the cabinets. Your kitchen is really nice as is.

You kitchen seems lovely and is coming back in style, but you could definitely modernize it.

1. Not sure of your ceiling height, but could you raise your uppers to the ceiling and give a bit more space between the counters?
2. Add undercounter lighting.
3. Update your hardware, maybe a black handle.
4. Update you pendant lights over the island.
5. Update your backsplash and countertop.
6. Add a new hood, if you are able to move your microwave somewhere else.
7. Paint your walls.
   Here are some photos for inspiration.
   
   

Are you planning any other changes? Counter tops? Backsplash? " Walls are intense white" ......

are you wanting a totally white kitchen?

Show more pictures of the entire space, and post a few inspo pictures of kitchens you love.

Paint on walls can change.....or not?

For white cabinets, Benjamin Moore Simply White is one option. Or BM White Dove. I like BM’s Natura line - or something similar. I would suggest having them professionally painted, and that will cost several thousand dollars, at least.

Personally, I would not paint them. The cabinets are nice, and look to be in good condition. Not to mention, wood is very much en vogue for cabinetry right now + it is classic.

I agree with @modpod on many points. I would go lighter and a bit warmer possibly for whites on backsplash and wall paint. Would also bring in undercabinet lighting and new pendants. And yes, maybe black on hardware - although I think your current hardware is ok, too, especially if you are keeping current counters. It works fine together.

I lightened your pic so as to see the space better.

Below, wiith whiter backsplash -

plus new pendant.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-euro-hamlin-10-inch-wide-bronze-mini-pendant__41r97.html

We all get itching for change for change's sake. Painting those beautiful cabinets is not where you want to go. Try lightening up your countertops that would do wonders.

new counters and backsplash is the way to go.......or at least change the island top. the perimeter counter could stay. Update the lights...maybe hardware too. I think you'd regret covering that beautiful wood.

Change the backsplash, hardware and pendant lighting. You have a fantastic base that can be pushed in a number of style directions with tile and finishing touches.

new counters will cost less than a pro paint job on cabinets.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I definitely am changing the counters and backsplash. We are getting a new stove and need to raise the cabinets. The cabinet under the sink have bad water damage and has to be replaced. I recently painted the whole house “intense white” so don’t really want to change that. I just thought because it is so dark and a lot of wood that we should get new cabinets.

"New cabinets"

You are talking about a kitchen remodel. It doesn't begin with the cabinet color. It begins with a review of your layout, are you happy with it, do you need storage? What about appliances? How old are they? Do you want something else.

In other words, your buggy is far far ahead of your horse.

IMO first change the lighting everywhere to LEDs 4000K then see if painting the cabinets needs to be done As for what color I would need to see the whole house not just a snippet . If a new kitchen is the plan then I agree with Jan your buggy is way to far ahead of the horse. Post a floor plan to scale , keep in mind any change n the layout witll involve flooring and that is c an of worms worth thinking about for sure. BTW wall color is the last choice usually made after a renovation.IMO a redo of the cabinets would be a good plan since most of the base ones should be drawers but we need some idea of budget too.

I painted last year because it was all brown and I thought paint would be the cheapest fix. I started a snowball effect. The cabinet draw faces fall off the island, the sink is falling and the cabinet is rotting underneath and we are getting a gas stove so we have to raise the uppers. I do like the cabinets but if we need to do all that I was thinking we should just get new. We can’t really change the floor plan layout too much because I don’t want to change the floor and we have limited space to work with..The first picture is taken from the front wall of my house. The kitchen is in the back of the house.

One other

If there are some rotting cabinets but you need to keep the layout, then you should consider a refacing job. All intact cabinet boxes can stay, lowers can be made into drawers and unusable cabinets can individually be replaced. Cheaper than a full rip out job. Plus the uppers can all be raised at that time. As for color, anything you like can be done since your wood boxes can be painted. That is what I did with my kitchen.
You need to give your Houzz helpers more of an idea of the color kitchen you like. Soft blue, sage green, dark navy, a combination of white and navy? The options are endless. But you will definitely save money doing a refacing job.
Here is my before and after. I increased the recessed light by a factor of three, so the old look is definitely darker. Your kitchen will need more lights as well.

Okay thanks. I love your reno!

Yes, you should get new. And before that, figure out a venting for gas stove, and a place for the microwave.

I would do not one thing, without a longer term plan, and certainly not counter tops or a any "cabinet" fix up.or new.

Unless your stay in the house is shorter than five years........do once and love it.. If that means a delay for budget? do delay and save

We plan on staying forever😊That is why I don’t want to do just little fixes and redo in another 5 years….. I started this idea 3 years ago and keep putting it off because I don’t know what to do and how to make it better so I don’t have to do it again. I keep going round in circles!😀That is why I thought I would get others options. Thanks for the advice.

Repair the sink cabinet. A good cabinet company could remove the face frame of the existing cabinet and reuse it as the front for a new cabinet. No need to replace all those lovely cabinets. Then new, lighter countertops and backsplash and you have a new, brighter look.

Sounds like you need to hire someone to come into your home, be in the space and advise. Three years of your own ideas hit and missing has proven this is a bigger job than a novice can bite off.

GET a kitchen designer. An independent, not just a cabinet seller. Take a hard look at all the appliances.

Floor? Infilling an oak in not a huge deal. The point is it's your "forever". To avoid things that go to the forever result? Try not to . .

Best bet is to get some LOCAL pro advice

If it’s your “forever house” please get an independent CKD as suggested. Take your time, save your money and do your absolute Dream Kitchen within your budget. Professional help will save you a ton of mistakes. Kitchens are not easy.

So you are doing a remodel? New cabinets counters, backsplash?? Get a kitchen designer. Benjamin Moore white Dove is a beautiful color.