Best ways to refresh a dark 1980s ranch: paint, cabinets, lighting.

[Amelia.G]

We've been in our 1980s ranch-style home for five years now, and while it's functional, the interior feels dark and dated with its low popcorn ceilings, small windows, and honey-oak cabinets everywhere. We have a moderate budget for gradual improvements and are decently handy, but we're unsure where to start for the biggest visual impact. For others who have tackled similar whole-house refreshes, what were your most successful home improvement ideas that modernized the space without a full gut renovation? We're particularly interested in paint color strategies for opening up rooms, cabinet refinishing versus replacement experiences, and whether upgrading light fixtures and hardware throughout made a more significant difference than we might expect.