This is a property that you rent out to others? I would do NOTHING. This is a lovely kitchen for a rental unit. If YOU are renting it for yourself to use, then….again, nothing. Why? The kitchen appears to have adequate storage. I am unclear why you feel you need to do anything to this space.

If you're renting out the unit, the kitchen looks good. Pretty much standard for most rental units. If you live there, put a collection of items above the cabinets. As long as the size is right, it doesn't matter if they are your star wars collectible figures, your grandmother's teapots, or whatever.

I spent a week at my son's rental apartment with a kitchen with similar cabs and similar counters and fridge. I don't remember if he cabs go to the ceiling. Probably not, but I didn't notice. Don't waste money on something that you're only noticing because you're looking for flaws.

I feel the same as @ptreckel that there does not appear a need for this expense (and cabinets are quite expensive), unless you provide us some reason we cannot see.

However, if you are determined to make this change, then before we can advise you, please say how tall the kitchen ceiling is, and how tall are the existing upper cabinets. Not sure why you excluded installing taller upper cabinets - that would be the best solution both in appearance and to provide more storage space. I cannot imagine going to the expense of replacing the kitchen cabinets yet keeping the same old-style-height uppers.

Also explain what you will be doing with the counters and backsplash. It can be difficult to save them when you are removing all cabinets.

"If you live there, put a collection of items above the cabinets. As long as the size is right, it doesn't matter if they are your star wars collectible figures, your grandmother's teapots, or whatever."

Do NOT do this.

Agree with @M Miller, no tchotchkes on top of the cabinets! Almost nothing makes a kitchen look more tacky, than that.

Declutter. Kitchen looks fine.

Thanks for the feedback! Storage is the main reason for my upgrade thoughts...and to increase the value of the house. We plan on selling the house in 5-7 years and my opportunity to update the kitchen is now before the next tenant comes in.

"Storage is the main reason for my upgrade thoughts"

Then, as I said above, the best solution is upper cabinets to the ceiling. It gives you the additional storage you need, and is a more current look. Also, cabinets to the ceiling give the illusion of a taller ceiling. So, asking again, how tall is your ceiling and how tall are the existing uppers? If you are going to the expense of changing the cabinets, I do not see why you would keep the old-style upper cabinet height.

By the time you sell the home, in 5-7 years, styles will change. Color preferences will change. What you put into the house now will be tired by then. I would wait. And count on the fact that a potential buyer will renovate it, or dislike your choices, or claim that what you have done is “out of date!” Sad but true. Clean it well, repair anything that needs to be repaired. Replace appliances that require replacement. Good luck!

Absolutely agree with @ptreckel - if you think you may put the house on the market don’t touch the kitchen. It’s clean and more than presentable. In fact, it’s pretty!

If you need more storage, buy a free standing pantry you can take to the next house. When I was a renter, I had one I managed to squeeze into every place we lived in.

Save your money for your next kitchen.

It’s a great kitchen for a rental. I don’t think it would be worth doing anything to it.

Nothing above cabinets. Leave as is, and evaluate what you store in the kitchen vs what you actually use on a daily basis. Example, I store my big roaster in a bin in the basemant because I only use it 1x a year. So declutter, maybe paint the walls and add sime under cabinet lighting to freshen the space. New buyers will most likely redo to their liking.

Some things placed above the cabinets can make a kitchen look tacky, but others can look great. Your place is much shorter than this image, so maybe be careful and don't put too many things up there. Good luck!

Of course, these are above a window!