I want to update my 30 year old kitchen cabinets. They are in great shape just very dark and dated. I want to lighten them as there is little natural light in the kitchen, but I can't decide on just paint or if I should try a paint/glaze approach. Another problem is that the doors are a flat surface...no trim or indentations. Is it possible to sand oak to the bare bones and change the stain? Any suggestions welcome!!

my wife wants to paint over our 25 y/o custom made oak cabinets as well ...she can do that after im dead and buried lol ... it is probably not possible to sand the stain from the cabinets ... you might could clean them with murphy's oil soap or another mild agent ...personally i like the patina of old wood as it ages ..it has character ... if you truly aren't happy with them painting seems to be the only option ... i know on all the remodeling shows the trend is painted cabinets and as we all know we must all bow to the "herd mentality" of the designers