We are definitely going to do an update to grout. Got a quote to clean it and seal it a lighter color. I moved cabinet and trash/recycling bins. Still need new counter tops. I like the idea of new lighting that will be more centered over table. What about adding small shelves to base cabinet next to dishwasher? And floating shelves on both sides of window.

can't you just move the light canopy over a few inches?

shouldn't be too difficult to move and patch, and paint.

trying to swag it 3 inches might look weird because it's so short.

You could try getting a light w/a larger base. This way you can fudge centering the table:

Otherwise, try moving the table an inch or two. hopefully it will be enough so that it won't be too noticeable.

a table and light like this would work w/your cabs. no problem.

This swag isn't too bad looking.

this isnt too bad either

those old oak tables I mentioned? put in the leaf, paint (chalk paint is easy to do) and get some lighter chairs.

Also, this is what I meant for you do do on that one wall where you had that other cab. this is a shallow cab so won't stick out too far. open shelving is nice. make it a coffee bar or kid bar for snacks.

you could also do your corkboard w/the pictures and stuff above it instead of using the other wall and fridge.

if you did want a longer island, copy this look.

Overview- back a few weeks I wanted a fresh set of eyes on my kitchen. Cannot afford any updates to cabinets and still debating of changing wall color. I still like the green, it’s supposed to tone down the cabinet stain. Not completely against a light cream, but dread the thought of painting. Here are a few pics from updates I’ve made. Thank you all who provided feedback!!

I removed the table all together and made an island that will fit 5-6 stools (3 are on order). I selected the stools because I liked the low profile so they slide under island, freeing valuable space to move around, and I liked the cream leather for easy clean up.

I purchased a $55 8ft sheet of laminate to put on the old island and table to see how larger island would look. I intend to make island 6+ inches smaller but don’t want to cut laminate yet. I’m so nervous about spending so much on new countertops. I may leave this laminate until I’m darn sick of it to actually make a final decision.

I am leaning on a light colored Corian, that matches the back splash. Given the older cabinets I can’t see spending so much on stone. I feel it would look out of place.

I would love to put a lower cabinet next to dishwasher. Perhaps an open shelf base cabinet, since it will be difficult to match the older doors fronts. For now, to balance room, I placed plants under the floating shelves to left of window. Oh and floating shelves will be stained color of cabinets? at some point.

Electrician is stopping by next week to price out recessed lights, he will remove ceiling fan and other light. To keep things simple was going to only do recessed and no pendant lights. I put in under cabinet lights and they make a huge difference!!! (Thank you for tip!). I have to drill holes to hide wires but you get the idea.

We have a formal dining room so not concerned about table. I know ppl have real concerns when removing a kitchen table, but I feel the island allows for more overall space and achieves an inviting area for friends and family to visit. (Island is still moveable, wheels under cabinets, so I can still go back with little recourse).

Thoughts???? Your advice and time are always appreciated!!!

I replaced plants under shelves with a small cabinet I had. Not sure how I feel about this change but I’ll live with it for a bit.

I replaced plants under shelves with a small freestanding cabinet I had. Not crazy about this look but until new countertop decision is made I’ll continue to play with the area.

Rose, I’d recommend you lose the window treatments…they look a bit silly and dated. I’d you must have some, get something more neutral and simple, perhaps. Start any new treatments (if you need them) higher above the window and only have them cover the actual window a tiny bit…you’ll get much more light.

The room is looking quite charming! You’ve made some changes that make a huge difference. I love the long island and those stools look very comfortable. Thanks for posting this update. Nice work!

Actually, with the line of your upper cabs it might not look great to hang window treatments higher, so I’d just lose them altogether.

Thank you!! Coray- No window treatments at all?? just leave the windows ‘naked’ lol I would have never thought to go without.

The curtain colors tied in with dishes, wall paint, flower artwork, etc. But with them gone I’d get rid of art (maybe replace with mirror, make room look bigger) and maybe a new wall color paint would call out to me??! Any suggestions?

Here are pics from entrance. The foyer/hall is a light color and living/dining are supposed to be gray but look more blue in person. My attempt at jumping on the gray bandwagon was not successful :/

Oh we just had grout refinished so the tile looks way better/ clean. This is where the yellow cabinet was… I have plants there now.

Wow I can’t believe the difference taking down curtains makes. I love the under counter lighting and taking down curtains. I wonder if a small valance with material I have would work for some color?

As another poster said - the golden oak cabinets are going to keep your kitchen looking dated no matter what else you do. So, addressing them is a must. I've stripped and painted cabinets and, yes, it is a big job but it is doable. Instead of painting them you could consider pickling them. This would lighten and update them while still allowing the wood grain to show thru.

Never heard of pickling?? If painted what color? I’m not a fan of white bc it dirties too easily.

Rose: you go, girl! I don’t know about you, but I’m liking the kitchen without window treatments. (And removing them does not mean you need to replace all your decorations, i.e. wall art etc.) Yes, Norwood is right, those cabs (we had those in our first townhouse 30+ years ago) are not “the thing” anymore, but neither are pickled cabs….our house #2, almost 30 years ago. If you plan on keeping these cabs for years, I’d paint them. Yes, it’s a big job, but there are tons of tutorials on YouTube (or here!), and once it’s done you’ll be so much happier and can be proud of yourself for having tackled it. If you don’t mind an imperfect look for a bit just take your time, don’t try to get it all done in a week…you’ll get there. I had never, ever painted before becoming a homeowner, and in the beginning hubby did all that, saying oh, it’s so easy, no big deal! After a while I realized that I could do better than he did, so I took over….it’s quite fun, and the results are worth it. As far as colors go, search Houzz for kitchen photos with painted cabinets…..you can get lost for days in those, but I bet it’ll help you find your colors. If you’re worried about white, maybe choose a darker color for your base cabs, keep the uppers white. Use good paint, it’ll pay off and you’ll be able to clean your cabs easily. The plus of having light cabinets: you can always tell when they’re dirty and need a wipe! (I’d rather do that than have my dirt “hidden”.) Yes, your living room looks a bit blue; this is the thing with colors: a slightly cool color will look much cooler if up against a much warmer color, and that’s what’s happening with your living/dining area and entry. Good luck!

JMO….. I think your kitchen looks great. Golden oak cabinets need not be painted or stripped. Take down the little cornice above the window and add a light above or find a sheer Roman shade for the window. Keep it light and airy.
Change out your cabinet hardware. Love the light countertop!

Wood kitchen cabinets are making a comeback. If yours are still in good condition, I would keep them. The wall color is making them look ”sour”. Much easier to paint the walls than the cabinets!

Thank you!! Any suggestions on a new wall color?? Paint guy just happens to be stopping by tomorrow to quote another room. I thought the green muted some of the yellow. A lite cream may work but our entrance hallway is similar. I don’t want to do the same color.

Would anyone recommend doing a board and batten in the powder room or foyer hall?? I was obsessed with having board and batten done a month ago.

Once you’ve chosen the island countertop, choosing a paint to coordinate with everything will be much easier. I’d start bringing home sample cards from the paint store to get a better sense of the direction you want to take.

Another option….You can also take a piece of your new countertop and have the paint place color match it for wall paint.

A suggestion for your glass table - paint the underside of the glass black.

Try SW Sagey, a very pale green.

This article has lots of ideas:

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-to-go-with-oak-wood/

PS: wanted to add your kitchen is looking great!

Love what you have done on a budget! Not everyone has the desire to rip out perfectly functional cabinets and replace them. Glad you are working with what you have. Proof that it can be done. I especially enjoy seeing your naked windows! They bring a lot of light into the space. What ever color you choose for your walls, keep it light! Advice: Go to your local Habitat for Humanity store and scope out oak book cases. I could see a glass fronted bankers book case under that window in your kitchen. It will add storage AND some character to that space. And will be a good space to place your plants. Yes to oak shelves left of the window. No to a mirror anywhere in the kitchen. Reflecting what? It won’t open the space up, merely reflect things you don’t want reflected! Good job!

Rose: The changes you’ve made look great. And I admire your willingness to try things you hadn’t considered. And to stick to your guns about things you felt strongly about — wooden cabinets, island instead of table. I would suggest (and you may already be on this track) that your wall color and island should compliment your backsplash. I’m not sure the brownish/cream of the backspash is going to tie into the yellow/cream of your hallway but resolving that is going to be worth it.

I am late to the party, but love the changes. The green on the walls contrasts with the cabs, so no “muting” or “toning down” is happening. Do you see how your eye is happier looking from the cabinets to the backsplash rather than the cabinets to the green walls? I think the cabinets will work fine with a quieter wall color, and you will LOVE the big counter workspace from the extended island. It’s a lovely, warm happy space.🙂

Your naked windows look great! How bright and clean they are.

Don’t worry about your wood cabinets. I have custom oak cabinets in my kitchen that are 15 years old. They are in wonderful condition and fit the home perfectly. I love them. Ignore those who say Paint them! Tear them out and throw them away! They’re outdated!

How wasteful and WTH cares what I have in my kitchen? Designers who want to sell me something new, that’s who.

Here’s a palette of Sherwin Williams paint colors that work with honey oak cabinets. I would get samples of the ones you like.

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I really appreciate all the feedback and suggestions.

Painter was just here for quotes. I wanted one small powder room done. Then asked for pricing on 3 ceilings, kitchen, bedroom and cabinets.

I wasn’t thinking about changing the kitchen wall color when this started. But now I feel like I have to lol. I want the oak muted. My husband always relates me to the mouse in When You Give a Mouse a Cookie book series- when you give Rose a protect- the project turns into 15 others :/

I am all about reusing what we have. I pushed back a wall in kitchen few years ago, to allow for built in refrigerator and new pantry. I used the base cabinets as the island and upper cabinets are flipped upside down and now they are to right of window. I’m bummed I never saved the 3rd upper cabinet. It would have been perfect for the left of the window :/

Now I’m just on a mission to get matching base cabinet/s with open shelves to place on left of window, to lengthen the kitchen into the old eat-in area. I may do other shelves or a small window seat to connect the two cabinets. But there is a vent I have to keep open under window. Ahhh so much to do so little time and money lol

I’m going to Benjamin Moore for a Pail Oak sample. I hope it works with the hall and den :/

You might think about just painting the kitchen white. It will work with the other colors you already have and would look very fresh.

White white???? To match the ceiling and crown molding??

Not white! It will become boring.

Colors, with pale oak.

Great kitchen!

Will the color in your family room work in the kitchen? If so, I would consider that color. Bring other colors in through decor.

I, too, love the naked window. So much brighter and cleaner looking.

Lol, Rose: yes, one project begets another!

I like Benjamin Moore White Dove or White Heron.

Another way to make your honey oak cabinets fit into your color scheme is to find artwork that has some of the cabinet color in it.

I looked up Pale Oak. It has warm gray undertones. I think it works with your other colors and your cabinets.

Thank you! The sample paint looks way too lite :( I then added half of my hallway paint and it made it too yellow. I think I need more tan :/ back to drawing board!

No yellow tones with those cabinets. It will bring out the yellow/orange in the cabinets.

I took some advice! New recessed lights, island stools, base cabinets (need stain and matching doors), shelves (need stain), and under cabinet lights (cords need to be hidden).

Looking at 15 inch beverage fridge under keurig (right of window) to make that a beverage station.

My goal was to make kitchen look bigger and into 1 room (not kitchen and separate area for table, hope that makes sense).

Thoughts? (Only good thoughts, I’m proud of myself lol)

Forgot to add, we are definitely getting new counter top and painting walls. Those are next big projects.

And not sure I want pendant lights, so for now recessed are there.

gee...not even done and looks like a good destination spot already. no need for pendant. lighter walls for sure. did you tint the floor grout? very nice.

Wow, I feel you have completely transformed your kitchen! It looks much roomier and more open now. The floors look great too.

Thank you!!! I know a new kitchen is not in cards now, but a few updates make this a happier space. I really appreciate the advice!!

I have another thread about my den that sits off the kitchen. I made some updates here as well. Much happier with this space too!

Still need to hang pics and hide cable cords, but feel like it flows better.

Love how the kitchen turned out!

Do you have an updated final picture of your kitchen?!