This is what happens when someone tries to "update" their house immediately before putting it on the market. They heard cool colors were "in" (they aren't anymore) so they painted everything a cool white and probably replaced the countertop and backsplash as well, trying to pretend the ivory windows and warm wood kitchen cabinets weren't there. Your instincts are right, the wall color is the wrong white, and so is the backsplash. While you can certainly paint and even replacing the backsplash isn't that bad (not as much as counters anyway), I am concerned about getting the blue-gray countertops to look right with everything else. I'm sure you weren't thinking you would have to replace them. The cost of replacing all the windows would be prohibitive also. How open is the kitchen to other rooms? If it really isn't, I would look into replacing the one window in the kitchen and using a different wall color in the living and dining rooms. Are you planning on remodeling the kitchen at some point in the relatively near future?

What does your furniture look like? Do you lean toward warm or cool colors?

@kandrewspa, I believe the Abby Joy is the new owner.

There is absolutely no rule that says white trim is a must. (Actually, I am sick of my white trim).

So, AbbyJoy, I would repaint all the trim to match the vinyl windows. It will look wonderful with the white walls. (If the walls need to be repainted, roll over with B.M. Chantilly Lace in eggshell finsih).

I think the counters are fine. Pull in the blue tone with art and hang it on the wall to the right of the laundry room color...smart.

Frame the art in black to work with the appliances; it will look perfect against the white walls (btw, the black side of the 'fridge looks fine).

Can't quite see the color of the vinyl...maybe one of these colors?

Or, do the blue/gray of the granite on the trim...

Really pick a color you like I’ve seen where the wall with the cabinets & the ceiling are one color & the other two just a shade or two different, and the cabinets however you like, or matching the wall they are on’ then something like bold wallpaper on that fat wall. Have fun!

Far wall

I am another one, that is tired of looking at white woodwork. I would paint the woodwork the same color as the windows, and just leave the walls the color they are.

Do you have any flexibility in not painting all four rooms the same color, as it doesn’t look like you have an open concept? Pick a color for instance that is complementary to your living room and dining room on their own as it’s important for a color to pull a room together.

The kitchen counter is prominent and rather than fighting, work with it so if budget allows, highly recommend changing the backsplash. It will have a huge impact and then look for a paint color similar to window, as now the counter is working with something else.

Unless it is historical, beautiful wood trim that contributes to the overall look of the place, I like painting it the same color as the walls, just in a higher sheen. I'd paint the ceilings and calls the same color. And, see if all the rooms need to be the same color or if you can put some different shades or tones in different rooms.

You will want to work with and around the window. Still going with painting the trim the same as the windows.

I think wall color is big deal and I see issues with lighting that IMO are more imprtant than doing walls efore move in . I also think a counter depth fridge is a must and one with stainless sides for sure . The kitchen looks dated but in good shape so until ready to do the whole thing I would leave the wallcolor in there . I see nothing screaming the backspalsh needs replacing. As for wall color for the rest I need to see the window color and also understand window coveringss being planned . I dislike beige walls always I do not think beige is a neutral. Post pics of the windows please . Post here in a comment DO NOT start another post . Some clue as to your decor is what drives wall color so we need to see that. I just noticed that window color you are in for a bit of a battle those areally awful I think in most spaces I would cover those as much as possible maybe even a simple valance and matching simple drapes to hide as much as possible .

Hi, thank you so much for your thoughts. I apologize for the delay in following up, we've been busy with travel and I work part-time. I love the ideas!

Our budget is limited, this is our forever home (we're in our 70's), I'm patient and like projects.

Some ideas I'm considering and welcome your feedback. I'm keeping the countertop for now. I'd love to paint the cabinets blue but don't see that happening anytime soon. So for now I have to work with the warm cabinets and flooring and the cool counters.

The backsplash - maybe paint or cover with another material? All windows are the same color so will have to work with that in other rooms but I'm thinking about painting the vinyl kitchen window to go with new wall color. I'm open to a complementary off white or a color. Blue trim on the window is interesting. I'm open to extending kitchen wall color into laundry, or use another color, and painting that door too.

I'm adding photos so you can see room flow. Wait until you see living room! I'm happy to start a new post for the other rooms.

The dining area connects to kitchen, so same wall color? (We're replacing the plate glass with 2 double hungs higher in that wall.)

Since the dining area is visible to the living room, I'm not sure how to coordinate those wall colors, since the living room color will probably be warm off white to go with the windows.

I like to use Behr and would love to hear specific colors!

I apologize for the length of this post. There seems like a lot of decisions! We close in 3 days and will move in over November. I plan to have the kitchen, dining room and living room walls painted before we furnish those rooms. I so appreciate your input. You folks are incredibly design- savvy and generous. Thank you!

Oh! I'm so sorry about the extra spaces! 🙃

This looks very spacious! I have similar cabinets and have been trying to choose backsplash - thought I wanted white subway but kept thinking a bit "harsh" against the cabinets so have tabled the issue for awhile. You mentioned Behr paint, so you might look at Sandstone Cliff. It definitely feels neutral but has a cozy feel to it. It is a warm color but with its green undertone it worked with some of my grays too. Of course, the direction of natural light will affect it, but it is worth a look.

I believe I would find a warm creamy white (SW Westhighland White or Ivory White possibly) and paint the entire space in one color. I’d probably even remove or beef up the molding in the living room, since it looks a little skimpy right now. It is especially highlighted since the walls are different color. Use the furnishings and accessories/rugs to bring in color. I think a creamy white backsplash tile would look nice and still coordinate with the counter or the blue tile Maureen suggested is nice too. Hope this helps.

I like everything as it is except the gray room, which should also be white. Why are you in a rush to paint? They say to live in a new space for a while to see how the light affects each room.

I can understand wanting not to paint after you move in.

What would you think of this blue for the walls? It's pretty dynamic, so I'm showing you how it looks in several lightings

so most of the time it's going to read a kind of soggy blue but it some lights it's going to read much more silvery blue

These pictures are Farrow Ball Oval Room Blue but the Behr match would be Provence Blue

https://www.matchmypaintcolor.com/behr/provence-blue-hdc-ac-23

Here is the Behr Provence Blue in a room that contains most of your elements -- gray, black, bright white and wood

You might try a sample of Sherwin Williams Greek Villa. It is one of those nice soft whites which doesn't lean too warm or too cool. Hope your closing has gone smoothly.

I'm in the midst of packing etc. I haven't forgotten about this thread or your wonderful ideas. I've decided to wait until we're moved in to paint. I love Greek Villa! And liking Provence Blue for the primary bedroom. I'll be back when things settle down. Thank you all.