I don't see a window in the kitchen. Since you have those random black cabinets, it looks like painting or refacing is the best option. I'd go with a creamy white. Then I'd replace the hardware with chrome, satin nickel or stainless (change orientation of upper handles) and install under cabinet LED strips on a dimmer. Even light up the glass door cabinets. Arrange your most colorful accessories at eye level. Big project and not easy to DIY cabinets. Good luck.

HI -- Your kitchen is very rich looking . So before getting the paint out maybe up grade the lighting first . Put in some L.E.D. task lighting under the upper cabinets and that will light up the counters . Either re-place the pot lights with new L.E.D 's or add a track light system down the center of the ceiling . Then see what that does with the look of the cabinets etc. You could also add some light color backsplash tiles . If you do then re-move the 4 inch back piece that is there now , first .

Add a tin ceiling for reflection.

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We currently have under the cabinet lighting and LED lights for pot lights but it is still quite dark. We are thinking of painting the cabinets a light grey/white to lighten things up. Big project indeed! No there is no window there is a french door behind me in the second picture but there is not enough natural light coming in, I find the cabinets soak it all in. Our counter top is good quality quartz that is still found in stores so I don't want to invest in replacing that just now but eventually will to something muchlighter. Do lighter cabinets and a dark counter top work?

Of course they work together, I'd caution you about grey, though. You'll likely be in the same boat about absorbimg the light. Gray is uber popular now. How long will it last?

lovely kitchen as a starting point! Perhaps replacing the existing backsplash with colored glass/similar between countertops and upper cabinets throughout (especially behind stove)- you could change colors fairly easily if you get tired of one? (something as shown here behind sink?)

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or this green is pretty fun, no?

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it would be simple and to backlight the glass panels with led lighting as well...

Adding can lights would the the fastest/least expensive way to make it more lively- a few gimbal spotlights would help to highlight and add interest imho.

Changing out the cabinetry handles to a different finish might help- but is not inexpensive and could be tricky depending on your decorating style and preference?

Does the floor continue to a connecting room? Would it be within the realm of changing flooring or refinishing it?

keep us posted!

I agree with the suggestion to lighten up the cabinets, but would also suggest removing the dark granite backsplash and replacing it with a lighter colored subway tile backsplash up the whole wall to the cabinets. I would look for something with a gloss finish to create a little reflective shine, but I would wait to decide what color the cabinet is before buying a tile.

your floor would not go well with gray cabinets. gray is of the moment however your current look is more timeless. that said, it seems to be a small space for those dark cabinets. i think if you painted the cabinets which are currently dark cherry to a white color, you can keep the black ones black, the existing granite and that one dark backsplash area. definitely have a professional do it for you.

Yes, that is a good inspiration for what yours can look like, except you don't have the window.