A larger space might be fine with dark colors, but don't necessarily embrace the current trend toward dark cabinetry, flooring and wall colors. Light and bright will be more cheerful than the somewhat gloomy color palettes prevalent in larger homes. A couple of other things, if not too late: electrical outlet in the floor of your dining and living spaces really helps when you are trying to add lighting. Also, a skylight in the middle of the house, if possible with the roof line, would really brighten and lighten but be sure it is facing the right way. It's unfortunate that so much of the kitchen is a traffic path, because with an entry shifted over would give you a larger mudroom with laundry, more kitchen counter space an so forth. It looks as if you are modifying an existing home, though, so no doubt your designer made the best decisions with the existing footprint.

We are remodelling an older home. The back entrance is existing and we have added the small mud room on an existing cement platform. I don't like darker colours and was thinking a beige on walls. Would you do an accent wall or something on the partial wall between dining/ living rooms. It's only about 4' high.