A kitchen can look worn even when its cabinet framework remains serviceable. Peeling paint, darkened oak, loose hinges, and a drawer that rubs against its neighbor often draw attention before any serious structural fault is visible. Begin with the boxes, not the color.
Open and close each door, inspect the cabinet beneath the sink, and look for swelling, soft particleboard, loose joints, or signs of repeated moisture exposure.
Check whether the boxes sit securely against the wall and whether the layout still suits the way the household stores and prepares food. A surface treatment makes sense only when the underlying cabinetry is sound enough to support it.