Changing Lighting, Wall Paint, Backsplash would be the easiest choices. Would need to see images to advise...

Adding overhead fixtures, painting walls near white and installing new light backsplash....

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I have multiple can lights and three pendants. When they are on the room is bright. It's just the appearance when you enter during the day. This room is part of a very open floor plan. To change the wall color means to change the entire kitchen, dining room great room color I think. Could you use a white glass tile for a back splash?

Lighting is the key as mentioned above. Look at some examples of indirect lighting that may help: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Image+up+light+crown+molding&qpvt=Image+up+light+crown+molding&FORM=IGRE
with the changes in the last 6 months in 120 volt LED emitter chips many of these older examples would provide a substantial brighter back lighting.

Do you already have under-cabinet lighting? If not, something as simple as these kind of plug-in, fluorescent lights are super easy to install and provide nice task lighting directly onto the counter top.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_283501-1390-GU9712L-T5-WHI_4294690586__?productId=1240639&Ns=p_product_avg_rating|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_avg_rating%7C1&facetInfo=

I don't recommend incandescent, halogen or xenon lights as they all get too hot to use under the cabinets. There are all kinds of new LED plug-in lighting you could use also. Most big-box stores have excellent displays available so you can see what kind of light each fixture provides.

Without pictures of your space it is difficult to recommend, but I'm sure you could find all kinds of white glass tiles at any tile store or even the big box stores.

If you have florescent lighting change to LED replacement tubes.

Your expression of regret makes me assume that the cabinets and counter were fairly recent updates to your kitchen. If you are concerned how it feels dark in the daytime, how about just adding a very high gloss finish (glass look/effect) on the cabinet doors so it can catch and reflect some daylight coming in?

On your question on white glass tile for back splash, I think a patterned/mosaic stone and glass tile will add interest to your kitchen and keep the eye away from dark cabinets. Just make sure the mosaic colors match existing colors in your room. The image below is a sample tile from Home Depot ( Merola Tile Tessera Piano York 11-3/4 in. x 11-3/4 in. Stone & Glass Mosaic Wall Tile
Store SO SKU # 467127)

If budget is tight, there is a series of ideas from Better Homes and Gardens about cabinet door updates that I saw recently and may help you with some more ideas. I'm not sure how long they will have this up on their website - so try to take a look soon.

http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/makeovers/easy-kitchen-cabinet-updates-from-kitchen-makeovers-magazine/

Hope this helps.

Are you able to add a skylight? Then the room would be bright even when the lights are off.

The house was new construction so I have no one but myself to blame for the color selection. I do not have under the counter lights and I think that is my next step followed by the back splash. Thanks to everyone for your input

The kitchen sounds very lovely.You say the kitchen looks fine with the lights on. Keep the lights on during the day, too. This will help brighten the kitchen and how you relate to it.

This may be along shot - how about positioning a decorative mirror somewhere in your great room that catches a good light (maybe from a big window) and can reflect that light towards your kitchen in the daytime? The answer to your dilemma may not be in the kitchen ;)

When doing cherry and dark granite, good lighting is important to bringing out the richness of the materials. Since you are addressing that already, my only other thought is changing out some of the cabinets to glass fronts to break it up a bit.

LED uncabinet lights could be left on during the day, will stay cool and use little electricity. Good luck!