what you want to do is avoid throwing spit on a fire---the above suggestions ARE great ones, but you may want to consider re-tiling the backsplash. If cost is a concern there are great tiles even at the Home depot for less than $8 a sq foot and that would really brighten it up best of luck!

The problem is that the only contrast in your kitchen is above the upper cabinets. Ideally when you design a kitchen you have some lighter elements to highlight some darker ones. In your kitchen the floor is the same colour as the cabinets as the counter and as the backsplash. I agree with Jessy that changing your backsplash is your best bet. For a quick fix change the chairs around the island to something lighter so they start to provide some contrast.

Jessy, great suggestion. I was considering doing that for my own kitchen. It is a costly mistake but is better to fix the problem than to keep throwing good money after bad.

I think there is just not enough contrast. I agree with retiling the backsplash because its all too much of the same brown tone and just blends in with the countertop and upper cabinets. I would most definitely add some color in a window treatment, rugs and lighter colored bar chairs.

Thanks much! Good ideas -- some of which I hadn't considered. What color for backsplash / pendant lights and/or pantry door?

What if you increase the contrast by going dark? Here's an option that involves some paint, slipcovers, two $20 Ikea pendants and a throw rug. I would even suggest painting the window trim a dark tone as well (BM Wrought Iron is one of my favorites). Whatever pendants you choose, I would recommend something with an opaque shade, like these, to direct the light down onto the island work area. The ambient glow of the lights you have is washing out any contrast that currently exists. Bounce the light off your countertops.

First, install undercabinet lighting. Then, a new backsplash if it's still draining the life out of the kitchen. Pick the lightest colors of the granite and bring home some samples of subway tile. Get a rug(s) that are clear and lively. No muddy colors on the floor.

Paint ceiling off white.

Put things on top of the cabinets, bright plates, plants etc. also if you are up to it, redo the black splash a bit brighter, not to much work and not to costly

Painting ceiling and under cabinet walls a lighter color would help. The chairs definitely should be a light color. Otherwise really beautiful kitchen.

Get under cabinet lighting. Paint the island.

Change the backsplash to a lighter color
Under cabinet lighting..
Consider changing the granite on the island.

I have a few blog posts that you may enjoy

www.timothyriversinterions.com/blog

Just read another suggestion--- a skylight woulf provide needed daylight.

Just read another suggestion--- a skylight woulf provide needed daylight.

Just read another suggestion--- a skylight woulf provide needed daylight.

I think the pendant lights should go. Something light and airy or bright. Plus, ever since we put new Reveal LED bulbs in our pot lights, incandescent bulbs seem dingy to me. They take some getting use to but the brighter light would help in this dark room. Changing the stools around the island seems like an easy way to bring in some bright color. And add a few accent pieces in the same color around the counter area and on the island. Is there a brighter color that you would like and could imagine living with? Maybe a light coral or a pale green?

is there a second floor above it?

i think changing out the pendants and adding undercounter lighting would make a big difference. i'd pick pendants a bit larger and less smooth and more colorful and hung a tad higher.

between the sink mat, the pendants, and altering your chairs, you have 3 places to add a new (same) color. like hoffman and swinburn's suggestion, just not white. you need a color.

Thanks all. Yes, there is a floor above it, so can't do skylights. I like the under cabinet lighting & backsplash ideas, plus adding color. Maybe change pendant lights too. Would you put color in pendants or not? Any pics of ideas? Light green & coral were mentioned. Any additional other color thoughts? Need to coordinate with great room living area which is taupey gray / dark turquoise / gold / deep orange.
I love the look of white cabinets & subway tile coupled with dark island. Wondering whether we should just wait a few years & do that. Thoughts? Not sure how crazy costly that would be.
We love the functionality of our kitchen, but obviously took some poor design advice when we chose colors. Was tough to choose colors of a whole house based on small swatches (first world "problems").

Ok no skylights. Can some cabinets be removed to install a window?

Ok no skylights. Can some cabinets be removed to install a window?

Ok no skylights. Can some cabinets be removed to install a window?

Yes, white slipcovers for your chairs. A lighter backsplash would make a huge difference, too. I always try to caution Houzzers against using a dark backsplash.

I think it's all too same color...I agree that the backsplash in a lighter color or colors would make a huge difference. The pendants should be larger and more airy or a marvelous bright color. The rug, the backsplash and the pendants could be a good way to toss some color into the kitchen and make it perky.

Slipcovers on dinette chairs? I have seen this before, but that looks as if you are covering up chairs that either do not match or need repair. Maybe painting the chairs and putting bright cushions would be better.

Like the others, I agree that there isn't enough contrast! The backsplash will be your best way to fix that problem since it is so dark. I also agree that under cabinet light will help.

The other thing I would do is replace the small pendants with a bigger statement light fixture or pendants. Because light is an issue I wouldn't necessarily go with a color, as that will darken it but perhaps a super reflective glass chandelier of some kind/or pendants. You have such a beautiful kitchen I wouldn't plan to paint it so soon but if you do some of these smaller adjustments I'm sure you'll love it!

hi there! The first thing I thought when I saw your kitchen was to change the backsplash and a brighter rug. Best of Luck!

Maybe cream colored tiles for backspace and intro that color in rugs, chairs etc

The orange from the other room would work! I quickly found this-
http://www.desigfx.com/benefits-of-having-slipcovers-for-dining-room-chairs-with-arms/orange-slipcover-for-dining-room-chairs-counter-height-bar-stools-with-arms/

Are the counter stools leather? Vinyl? They don't look like fabric. You can paint leather you know. And I'd sure try it on vinyl too.

No, can't install another window (garage is behind stove). (Would love to if we could.)

Love the ideas of cream backsplash & brighter pendants / rug / chairs. Barstools are leather. Hesitant to replace them as they weren't cheap, but now you have me thinking with paint/slipcovers. I like the orange pattern idea, and no, I had no idea you could paint leather! Hmmm...

Thanks all!

Did not know your chairs were leather! Sorry....

Paint the cabinets.

Since the barstool seats and backs are leather, maybe you can paint the legs a light color, say cream? I would live to see you had a cheery color on the walls above the cabinets. Lime green would be fun, or coral, yellow, turquoise...something to add some liveliness. Maybe find a bright rug first then pull a color out of that. Hope you will post some pics once you tweak things!

Oops ! I meant would "like" to see you paint... Sure hope I live to see whatever you decide!!

My recommendation is to improve the existing lighting. Add under cabinet lights, replace pendants with brighter pieces either a color or metal. Changing the stools will also help. Not sure how you would maintain white slipcovers, but maybe consider a bright metal stool. Hope this helps! Sashya

http://m.crateandbarrel.com/felix-24-white-counter-stool/s501363

http://m.crateandbarrel.com/folio-oyster-bonded-leather-bar-stools/f12355

http://www.westelm.com/m/products/8433252/?catalogId=57&sku=8433252&bnrid=3918508&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Furniture&cm_pla=Bar_+_Counter_Stools&cm_ite=West_Elm_Scoop-Back_Bar_Stool,_Chocolate&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=36-39269136-2

http://www.overstock.com/#/7213083/product.html

If you go into houses from the 1940s, you will see all their cabinets sre painted.

I think the poster said they don't want to do major remodeling, so I would say adding a window would be pretty costly. Definitely agree with changing backsplash to something lighter and adding lighting under the cabinets. I think hat alone will transform your kitchen.

The kitchen looks pretty new.

It was carefully coordinated although with very restrained color.

I would not do anything drastic as it is obviously new and quality.

But what if an accent color was introduced, like orange perhaps.

Orange glass shades on the pendant lights, an oversized orange ceramic bowl in the center of the island and a few more orange touches around the room.

Maybe an orange canister or orange glass jar.

If not orange, then maybe some shade of blue, robin egg blue perhaps.