I want to paint my kitchen. It is small. There is much more cabinet space than wall space. Both the cabinets and walls are this kind of ugly off-white or navajo white with a yellowish tone . I want to liven up the kitchen, but I don't know if I should paint the cabinets or the walls.

And when I decide what to paint, what color will look good with that ugly off white color?

Is there a reason why you can only paint one or the other and not both?

I agree, I'd paint both. The cabinets will require a lot more prep work and a harder paint but everything could be painted. If you are shooting for quick and inexpensive paint the walls and maybe install new hardware on the cabinets.

The only reason I wanted to paint one or the other is to steer away from a big one color kitchen.

If I were to paint the wall (as sugested above) and put new hardware on the cabinets, I am still at a loss for what color would look good with the other paint!:eek:

You do not have to paint the walls and the cabinets the same color, that would look pretty plain. If you go to the paint store and look at their color charts they often group the colors that compliment each other. I would paint the walls light and cabinets a darker complimentary color.