How would you decorate this beautiful, but DARK, contractor kitchen?

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hey folks! I am nowhere in you guys' league when it comes to decorating. I need your help! We moved into this kitchen a year ago, and I want to make it beautiful.

A few problems I need to solve while decorating:

1. A single dish in the sink makes the kitchen look dirty. I was thinking maybe I should add a narrow planter behind the sink to hide dishes?

2. It's so DARK. Some ideas I had 1) add a lighter backsplash (would that look odd?) 2) paint the walls white (would that help at all?) 3) just add a brighter tile backsplash behind the stove?

3. I was thinking about what accent color to choose. Maybe watery blue or turquoise, with a small painting on the wall over the knives to pull it all together? If I went with that, where else would you add those pops of color?

Here are more pics. Please help!

Featured Answer

Brandi Nash Hicks

11 years ago

Also possibly painting the island base a lighter color could help lighten it

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Brandi Nash Hicks
11 years ago
I think your table is way too big, for the space and is also too dark, look at SW rain washed for paint color.maybe adding a lower shelf to the backside of the island wide enough for a plate you could then use the island with barstools
Related Professionals
Baltimore Interior Designers & Decorators · Poplar Bluff Interior Designers & Decorators · Houston Interior Designers & Decorators · Alexandria Interior Designers & Decorators · Tallahassee Architects & Building Designers · Clarksville Architects & Building Designers · Davenport Architects & Building Designers · Albany Architects & Building Designers · Poughkeepsie Architects & Building Designers · Boise Architects & Building Designers · Charleston Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Plainfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Minneapolis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rochester Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Reno Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
smit2380
11 years ago
Do you have under cabinet lighting?
caitylady321
Original Author
11 years ago
No, I don't! That would help brighten the space, wouldn't it? Is there anything that would be easy to install myself?
caitylady321
Original Author
11 years ago

???
susan2494
11 years ago
Take out the table and chairs. It is too big and too dark. The kitchen will look muh better an not so dark id you do that. Just adding lighter colored chairs or bar stools won't help. I think you can get under cabinet lights at HD that you just stick on. Ask them.

Why do you have table butted against counter?
PRO
Kelly Turner - REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
11 years ago
Change wall color, backsplash color, paint island lighter...add some pendant lighting above island....table and chairs too dark. And, if in budget take out flooring and replace with something lighter....just some ideas!
MarleneM
11 years ago
I definitely think you should change backsplash tile. It looks like the builder had leftover floor told and decided to use it there. Agree about the table, it's too big and its placed oddly. It needs to be separate from island and centre under light.
caitylady321
Original Author
11 years ago
The table is like it is because of a measuring mistake. We thought that it would fit under the chandelier with room for chairs, but it turned out not to once we got it into the space. We had bought it on sale so no returns, and it matched the cabinetry and counter height so well that we kept it. People do tend to gravitate to it whenever we entertain...
But you're right, it doesn't fit the space perfectly and darkens the whole thing. =/

Those of you advocating painting the island a different color, what color would you choose?

Marlene - I know what you mean about the tile looking leftover. It is actually a smaller size than the floor tile, but matching in all other respects. What would you change the backsplash to look like?

So here's an idea spurred by Susan's table pics. What if I were to paint the bottom part of the table a lighter color, leaving the dark surface, and also paint the bottom part of the island the same color, and use the same color in tile for the backsplash? Would that help?
susan2494
11 years ago
That would help a lot. I would paint them a lighter color in the counter tops a light beigey color. I would at least replace the chairs at the table also. You can get sets of 2 for under $150. Do you need counter height or just reg? These come in both and lots of colors.