You don't say what color your oak is. Light or dark? If you will have trouble painting over oak--don't do it! If you are happy with the wood look--keep it. If you want a decorating change--update and change everything around the oak wood!

Hi Pat! I am like you....I love wood. It all depends on what you really would like though! Perhaps you can find some answers after looking at these links... I've listed different ideas for you in case you don't want to paint your wood.

https://www.remodelaholic.com/ideas-to-update-oak-kitchen-cabinets/

https://www.pinterest.com.au/efwlr519/country-hutch/?lp=true

http://themillennialhousewife.blogspot.com/2014/04/kitchen-color-schemes-with-oak-cabinets.html

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/painted-hutch/

https://www.remodelaholic.com/painting-oak-cabinets-white-and-gray/

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/tips-ideas-update-oak-wood-cabinets/

GK has the right idea! Clean them well and possibly change out the knobs and pulls. Then change accessories or even repaint the walls, which is far less tedious than painting the cabinets. You might fall in love all over again.

I agree with all of the above. Beyond that you don't say if your rooms are small or large, dark or light. And even more important which is your favorite color? You're decorating your home so it should be to your taste not someone else. Also note that once you start painting cabinets and furniture you have to keep up with it just like the wood finishes. I painted my trim white to lighten the rooms and make them look bigger but I left the cabinets and furniture wood and just changed the handles. Love it and it didn't require as much time and money. Happy redecorating :)

I also have a kitchen with golden oak cupboards that needed help. I first washed them well with Murphy’s Oil Soap, then wiped on a product from Home Depot called Rejuvinate for Hardwood Floors. It brought out the best in the wood. I am very pleased & would do it again.

WHY WOULD YOU EVEN WANT TO PAINT THEM? Let them be and love it. So many people have to paint over beautiful wood and lose the warmness of the wood. Be glad you have it. Try what Arleen said she did. Sounds like a better idea.

Switch out your door knobs and handles for something in black or white, for contrast, rather than painting the cabinets. Update your light fixtures to LED, if you haven't done so, already, to brighten these areas.

Purchase a table cloth or place mats with white or black accents, to repeat the pigments.

I love whitewashed oak. You still see the grain, but, it makes it so much lighter and brighter. Good luck!

https://www.hometalk.com/29298143/kitchen-table-makeover

Kitchen Table Makeover