please post pictures

Pictures will help a lot! Here are some thoughts though...

1. Install under cabinet lighting and leave them on.

2. Remove the screen from the kitchen window and keep the windows sparkling.

3. Add rope lighting above the kitchen cabinets.

4. Is there recessed ceiling lights? You can also splurge and install a skylight.

5. This may sound nuts, but you can install a mirrored backsplash.

Photos?

You have a lovely kitchen and it doesn't look too dark! I think if you add some color, you'll like it better. Just accessories or reupholster the dining chairs and bar stools. A pretty roman shade for the window. For fun, here's a photo of mirrored subway tile...(Which would look fabulous in your kitchen).

Under cabinet lighting would definitely help. I never thought about reupholstering the stools and that is an easy thing to do to make a difference. Thanks! The day we installed the counters I panicked... Had not realized that the darkness would be reflected so much throughout the room. I wouldn't now what to put in though if I were to change them now.

I agree, it doesn't look that dark in these pictures. The only things I can suggest that will make a difference is Under the cabinet lighting and converting a pot light to a 3-light ceiling light in either flush or semi-flush light. Frankly, the most used lighting in my kitchen is the under the cab lighting and the one above my oven, even with the ceiling light. I recommend a neutral temp for your under cab lighting, like 3000K.

Funny how in these pics it's not too bad. Standing in there in the middle of the day though you can really tell a difference in the darkness. I wonder if a mirrored/stainless backsplash might help in reflecting light. I'm also considering painting the walls a lighter neutral, but as you can see in the pics the kitchen doesn't have a lot of wall space, it's mostly wood, so not sure if that would make a difference.

I think you feel "dark" because we see so many white kitchens these days. It's a very nice kitchen. The backslash may not be on trend, but a nice kitchen!!

beautiful kitchen, you will be surprised at what under cabinet lighting can do, I'd start with that

I love my under cabinet lighting. I only have it in my major work area and it makes such a difference, especially now that the days are getting shorter. At this time of year I am preparing dinner at dusk and without the sunlight coming in, it just feels dark - and my kitchen is on the light side.

Initially, I ran some strips of DIY LED strip lights under my cabinets and plugged them in. When I got new counters I had an electrician wire the DIY to a switch and it looks great.

I do not know if you want to change out new counters, but I do love my new quartz and backsplash:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~57088087

Jhmarie, I am definitely thinking of changing the counters (depending on if I can make a difference first with just the lighting and paint/accessories). Your counters work with your backsplash. I am having trouble determining what counters I would select. And as someone mentioned, my backsplash isn't exactly on trend.

It would take a small fortune to be forever on trend:) Your kitchen looks fine as it is - quite pretty, but I do understand if it feels dark or not just your style. The least expensive fix may be to get the under cabinet lighting and stop watching HGTV which makes people dislike their kitchens:)

I found a quartz with some warmer tones to it that worked well with my wood cabinets but was also on the lighter side. It seems that black or browns are often recommended with wood, but I have seen some pretty warm but lighter quartz. There are several out there and I've also seen some lighter granites, but I don't know their names. If you do go for new counters, keep in mind that many of the granites and quartz have lots of movement to them, so they pair up better with a more subtle and less busy backsplash like subway tile or glass subway tile rather than a mosaic.

Your cabinets look to be maple maybe? Maple does paint well, but a hand painted surface usually does not wear as well as a factory finish. If you are not generally hard on your kitchen it could be fine if professionally done. Personally, I like wood cabinets and their warmth, but I understand the appeal of a bright white kitchen. Your wood floor would help keep a white kitchen warm, but you would probably need to change the backsplash - I am not sure how the present one would go with white cabinets.

Your kitchen is very nice, and I like many of the suggestions so far. My only addition would be to eliminate the window treatment altogether, unless you really need it for privacy. I'm not a fan of window treatments in kitchens anyway, and if you want to make it feel brighter you will be surprised what a difference it will make. Ditch the blinds, clean the window, and enjoy the view while you're washing dishes.

Ha, ha! Yes I need to stop watching HGTV! Unfortunately I cannot get rid of the blinds in the kitchen. But, I do have them up during the day. The thought of a nice bright white kitchen would be awesome, especially since I have a lot of white trim in the house and I think it would flow better. But, I am afraid of painting the cabinets, even if it was done professionally. My husband isn't exactly loving that idea based on the durability of the cabinets/paint over time. I found this counter backsplash combination. What do you guys think of this?

Do you think that color backsplash would just make it dark all over again, just in a different way?

Taking into consideration the present counter tops and cabinets, I will suggest you paint the cabinets off-white...the color of the backsplass, in a semi-gloss finish. It will help blend in the tiles. Do that before you decide to replace counters, (expensive). I like cream and black.

Do you know (ballpark) what it would cost to professionally paint my cabinets?

Your kitchen does not look dark in the pictures.

Try a light colored table cloth. The black table and chairs create a dark space.

I can only see 3 or four potlights in a fairly large kitchen, with one pendant over the (very pretty) eating area.

If you don't have under cabinet lighting, I would add it. I would also look into adding several more general lighting pot lights, on another circuit, with a dimmer.

Your kitchen is quite lovely. Just poor lighting, I think.

Ballpark figure to professionally spray cabinets is between $2000 - $3000.

psaag, painting the cabinets and/or replacing the countertops is redoing the kitchen!! Because one thing leads to another to another and then before you know it, you are redoing the whole kitchen and spending $30K plus.

Evaluate what you truly want to do in your kitchen and what you want to spend. Electricians want ~$100 per light to add a pot light. Plus ~$30 per LED light. Undercabinet lighting can be more inexpensive if it is plugged into the outlets. That would add a lot of light to eliminate the darkness.

Thank you for all the comments! I appreciate it. I think what is bothering me most the more I thought about it this week is the color of the countertops. It just reflects dark to me. We are definitely going to add undercabinet lighting and go from there.

I think your kitchen looks great. What I think makes it look so dark is the black peninsula with black stools and black dining table. The actual kitchen doesn't look that dark.

I really like your countertops. I think Lisa makes a great point, though, everything you see as you enter the kitchen (chairs, table) is black. If you can lighten those, that might be all you need (well, that and under cab lighting, which is wonderful always)

Oh, and yes, I also agree that undercabinet lighting and more recessed lights would help. Your recessed lights seem too few for the size of the kitchen. If you haven't already, you can try LED bulbs in there (I like 2700k to 3000k) and see if that helps.

Great ideas here. If I were you I'd start with the least invasive of them:

1. Take darzy's idea to change out your chairs to add light and bright colors that fit your style, plus accessories to make it pop. Can you paint the chairs? Lots of products out there that are durable and adhere well, plus you can choose a color that makes you happy, and bring in pops of bright/light accessories- very little money for a big change.

2. Change out the backsplash. Trends move, but this is also another way to add light to the kitchen without a ton of $. darzy, again, offers a fun option.

3. Personally, I'd paint the walls/ceiling-first. A warm white or even a light, buttery yellow that plays into the warmth of your wood tones could really open the room, give it a contemporary feel, and is so much less permanent than painting those beautiful cabinets. More color/pop could be added with inexpensive, fun and colorful artwork that's kitchen/food oriented.

4. If you don't love the blinds, but need them to "block", consider a film. You can add designs , make it bright, still bring in light to the kitchen but also totally block a view. In my area, at least, this is a very affordable, fun option.

5. Changing out your countertops- take great care with this decision. As advice above tells us, once you do this sort of an update? You never know, then, how your older cabinets will look against it all. Could lead you into the never-ending desire to remodel, based on that.

Good luck!

UPDATE: Under cabinet lighting was added and made a difference! Yay! Now, with more lighting, it's the counter top/backsplash that is bothering me. Please give suggestions on the counter top/backsplash given I am keeping the cabinets. Want to update the look and make more modern. TIA.

light counters, light or no backsplash, the color of hte cabinet reminded me of yours

psaag, !!!!

You need a plan. Did I not say "One thing leads to another?"

Your kitchen spending will be $1K here, $1K there. New countertops, new backsplash.

You need an end plan before you try to piece meal this together and not end up with the kitchen of your dreams. If you are getting a new backsplash, then incorporated undercabinet lighting might have been a better answer.

Find a picture of a kitchen that takes your breath away. See if it has your cabinets. If not, then start saving. If it has your cabinets, then start a story board. Because a new countertop means a new sink and a new faucet etc. etc. etc.

Look for a light colored quartz or granite you like. I like the picture you posted earlier with the blue. Many would say to be more neutral, but I do like color and do not like kitchens that look like a black and white photo:)

I gave the link to my counter and backsplash above. If you like that look then look for a counter some creams and whites and maybe even some beiges. It can also have gray, but it should read more warm then cool. Then look for a cream backsplash that possibly pulls out some of the warmth of the countertop. If your countertop has movement, it is best to keep the backsplash simple.

You're kitchen is actually really nice! I'm currently planning my own kitchen remodel & noticing that the current cabinet trend is either very dark or very white cabinets. Considering you want to brighten it up & the color of your current countertop & floor, I think white cabinets (and changing the backsplash if budget allows) will make a huge impact to make it Moore modern. Refacing seems to be the cheapest way to go, Home Depot will give you a free estimate. My cabinets are medium colored, as in the picture you posted 9/11 @6:44am. By the way, which website did you find the picture? -I think it'll help me to get inspiration for my (boring light brown cabinet) kitchen!