Yes to under cabinet lighting, a light backsplash would also add another reflective surface

I might even be tempted to mirror the back wall in the coffee bar area... with under cabinet lighting there too

I have cabinets that are about the same color, and I would not paint them because they are much easier to maintain not painted. The finish on your cabinets is much more luxe than paint would be. It would be difficult to put a tile backspash around your kitchen because the upper cabinets end before the counter does, but I would definitely put something up just behind the cooktop. There is also the issue of the corner where the dishwasher is - where would the backsplash stop? I would also put some towel racks inside the doors below the sink.

I like the idea of the first kitchen jhmarie posted...lighter countertops and leaving your cabinets. And jhmarie: I clicked on the link to your kitchen and it is very pretty.

The kitchen is beautiful. The table and chairs are DARK and I would consider something different. Maybe almond appliances would make it seem homier--SS is so cold and industrial. Before I touched those beautiful cabinets I would really look at less permanent elements.

I'd start with different paint color (BW Capitol White) , more light (and no shutters), some colorful runner. Another option would be to replace some of the upper solid doors with glass doors.

I think a glossy back splash, under cabinet lighting and lighter wall color will help.

What about Stonington gray?

I love your cabs. I'd look at gray mirage, a beautiful green shade. Oriental runner, better lighting.

2 options.. white with on bottom photo and antique white on top - both shown with wood floors

What about Stonington gray?

No.

Adding a cold gray to a kitchen that already needs brightening will not help.

And it may bring out the orange in the cabinets and flooring.

ITA with becky. Plus mixing warm counters and floors and cool paint is very hard to pull off. Try BM accessible beige - it nice clean greige that works well with warm and cool elements. If you want to add lighter (but not too white) counters it should work well with the cabinets and counters.

Under cabinet lighting!

What everyone else said about painting a light color. Curious if you are attached to dining room set and to your kitchen and dining room light fixtures?

I would paint the walls a cream color, then change your lighting fixtures and dining room furniture including stools to something other than black. I'd also get bigger pendents that are a really eye catching focal point and have some reflective surface to them. I'd change the counters before painting the cabinets.

Didn't read all comments, so I may be repeating myself. I think your cabinets are really lovely and I would avoid painting them. What I find makes the space a bit drab, it the wall color. Would go with something much lighter, but not a stark white. Either the current color but lighter, or an off-white.

Also add lights under the cabinets.

I saw on top someone posted stonignton grey. If it's for the walls, then I think it's too dark.

At above, this is more the type of wall color that I was thinking of.

Also maybe a window treatment for the kitchen and dining area will make the space look more finished overall. As well as adding some art on the walls.

There was an earlier suggestion of Accessible Beige, to which someone else replied:

Accessible Beige is a nice color and might be lighter than the existing wall color, but I think it would still be too beige.

And then I wrote:

This. Do not add any more shades of brown or beige.

I still agree.

A professional consultation on site can do wonders! It's hard to tell from photos and as you can see, everyone has an option! That being said, if cost is a factor and you do not want to replace cabinets, new counters, with a full height backsplash can change the look dramatically. Going lighter on paint, obviously. Some Sherwin Williams locations have designers that do complimentary color consultations if you need help. Take your cabinet door with you when picking materials and paint.

They are beautiful cabinets. I agree change the wall color. But personally I would also change a few cabinet doors out to glass doors. I would make sure the cabinets were lit from inside.. it's just a bit too much brown even though they're beautiful.

I lightened the picture a little...I think.this is a bit more accurate

Mary, I think if you take a few baby steps and try to add some color with rugs, curtain panels and a few accessories that you might be happy without making any expensive changes.

Becky, if Mary wants to paint, I think a sample pot of AB is worth a try because it is such a clean color. It's not muddy and it doesn't suck light like many beige/greys. And the best thing going for it is that it works nicely with warm and cool tones which leaves lots of options for other decorating choices.

I agree, this is a beautiful custom kitchen, very nicely done. Paint the ceiling designer white flat. Paint the walls a soft linen white eggshell, change the pendants and the kitchen light fixture to something more modern. Use colorful art glass pendants with either white or brushed steel escutcheons and white wire. Take the wood off the windows and replace with a fabric that draws your eye to that area. This should be a really inexpensive transition. This room is screaming for splashes of color. You could also consider tiling above the granite backsplash or replacing the 6" backsplash and tile up to the cabinets and hood.

Would someone mind photoshopping lighter light fixtures? I actually just replaced my old ones with these :( Thinking I need to return them

Quickie. You might also consider changing the chairs.

You could stencil a pattern on the floor, drawing the eye towards the floor and introducing a lighter color that you could mirror on the walls and an accent color(s),. I would use creamy white, red and/or green as accents, I think both go well with the brown of your oak floors and cabs. If you google "stenciled wooden floors", you get tons of images and ideas.

I agree that a backsplash would jazz things up a little, but plain white subway, boo, so boring, there has to be something else out there that speaks to you and works with your granite.

You could paint your current light fixtures if they are new and not returnable.

I'm still within the return period. My husband might kill me...but it's okay. haha.

We are going to paint this weekend, and see if that changes things. If not, we will replace the fixtures!

I agree that a little color might be helpful. I have some art on my walls and a faux roman shade over the window. The style (floral art and floral fabrics) may not be your style, but the addition of the color helps my kitchen not look too brown.

This pic shows the window treatment and one piece of art and there are two more similar rose pieces on another wall - I've got one foot in shabby chic - probably not your style, but the addition of even just a little color, especially if it is an art / decor piece that makes you smile can help make your kitchen your own cozy place.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~109854052

I don't dislike your countertop. A cream backsplash pulled from the lightest color of your counter might reflect a little light, especially the under cabinet lighting. It is not too expensive, though remove the 4" granite piece first if you do that.

I don’t see anything wrong with your current light fixtures.

I wanted to suggest colored pendants but was too shy..knowing also I'm not subjective-I love colors in lights. Make sure they correspond nicely with your dining light, if you decide to switch..I mean in terms of sight lines

I'd leave the current shade on the window btw(I realize my opinion differs from some others here)-it's very nice..color/texture can be brought in other ways, very easily. Ceramics, chair uphosltery, even small things like plants and bowls with fruits etc. Different runner on the table for example. A rug/runner. I just like your shade too much..with lighter paint, and some accents introduced, it'll work just great. It's like your cabinets to me-looks too well made to change. But that is of course just a matter of preference.

It's a very nice kitchen.

Looking at your kitchen again in the lightened photo and to change my mind - do not touch the cabinets.. they are really nice.. i think what you feel is wood on wood on wood and by bringing the cabinets around the corner instead of just having a wall it is more than you expected... options: can you put in a new floor? I am planning my kitchen reno and we are going to do our floors as well but am thinking a light cream porcelain tile with the darker wood cabinets.. change your table with something lighter in color and style; add some more pops of color in your kitchen with accessories - pick one color - my kitchen now has red accents.. the canisters, toaster, some trays, etc. you need plants.. put an easy to clean rug under the table - light color - to break up the wood floor.. change the blinds to lighter ones and add a valance or curtains to match the color scheme you choose for the accessories.. the light fixtures - switch them if you can with something lighter than black iron.. and last can you maybe just paint the cabinets that are around the corner so they are not in your face floor to ceiling? and like another poster said add some glass to the doors with the lights behind them..

Curious, how old are the countertops? I like the idea of adding rugs and other colors to break up the floor, cabinet and wall colors. Overall I really love your space. But if I had to comment on one thing it would be the countertops..the granite makes it look dated when your space is not.

We just bought the house in November. I think they are about 10-15 years old.

@fifamom- You hit the nail on the head with the cabinets...we NEED the cabinets because we don't have a pantry, but they are just SO overwhelming. Would it look weird to paint them though?

I'm going to buy an area rug for the table and see how that goes. I removed the blinds (which were there when we moved in) Right now the window is bare, and I might not do anything until we paint.

@maryherbie - can you change the granite out for a lighter color? a light cream and don't have them do the trim up the wall and then glass tiles for backsplash? for the other cabinets i cannot tell you if it will look good as that is personal opinion and you have alot of them.. may change doors out with glass? start with accessories and the rug and a curtain add some plants.. then see how you feel..

Your kitchen is beautiful, but, very boring. It lacks color. No more beiges, or grays, or creams in there. How about a nice clear light colored aqua. Also put some bright colored throw rugs around. I would never paint your cabinets. They are gorgeous. Your granite is beautiful too, as are your floors. Its just so much same color that it sucks the life out of it. New paint in a light bright color, and throw rugs, would change the whole appearance. You also might want to make sure your light bulbs are daylight type.

Ignore the mess... I took down the window treatments...still need to take down the brackets. Added a white lamp. We already have under cabinet lighting, we just weren't using it. I bought new stools as well. Will post more photos once everything is done. Also, I plan to remove the window treatments from the other window as well.

Removing the blinds from the windows makes a huge difference, with the addition of all that white casing to the mix. A great improvement for not a lot of effort!

To help choose paint color for the walls, I found paint charts that matched my kitchen cabinets - being careful to make sure the paint colors had the same undertones too, which were kind of like dark yams, dark honey, very dark orange, etc. Hope I'm explaining this well... anyway, after finding paint colors like the various colors in our medium/dark oak cabinets, I searched for coordinating paint colors for paint choices. It really helped. I was surprised some coordinating colors were pale, buttery cream. This method might work for you too. Whether choosing paint, fabric for blinds, colorful canisters or vases, or anything else you'd like to include in your kitchen. You can choose complimentary colors for your accent pieces instead of coordinating colors to give you more contrast (like blue for instance).

We are finally going to start painting and I can't decide on color.

From left to right- Edgecomb Gray, Agreeable Gray, Revere Pewter, Edgecomb Gray again, and don't worry about the last one because we don't like it

I like the way Edgecomb Gray looks next to the cabinetry, which I think will be the key with a new paint color.

Revere Pewter and Agreeable Gray each seem too cool.

I think your kitchen is very pretty and warm! If you insist to do something, maybe a backsplash? That would be interesting, but not really necessary. This is nice as it is.

I'm not sure if anyone has commented that your dining table and chairs are darker and there might be a dissonance there with two different wood tones so close together. I would suggest large rugs in both places with lively colors and patterns to break up all that brown and make them stand out less. Rather than pale tones which won't make the wood tones less obvious I'd suggest Oriental rugs with reds, blues and cream colors to give the eye something else to focus on. I have a large and rather expensive rug in my 1980's kitchen which rather badly needs a redo, but people don't notice because of the rug.

If you're ever planning on changing your dining furniture and stools, go lighter to harmonize with your floors and cabinets. You could slipcover your chairs:

I have Revere Pewter & while I do like it & looks fine in my kitchen it skews a bit khaki sometimes so I vote for the Edgecomb ! Good luck!

Another vote for Edgecomb

I like the Accessible Beige color, don't know which of the colors you have painted that is the closest, but only you can tell what works based on being there in person. I would also consider adding crown molding to the dining area that matches the casement color of the window.

I like the Edgecomb Gray and also recommend the rug in the kitchen and dining room to balance out the wood a bit.

Your cabinets are beautiful and your granite too! It seems bright enough to me, but if you want it even more bright, try painting just the upper cabinets in a gentle off-white shade. This way you'll get a beautiful two-tone kitchen that still looks natural. And this option would look beautiful with that nice granite top.

As Anglophilia suggested, remove the 4 inch granite back piece and do a light tile backsplash. Solid white or cream, subway would work but doesn’t have to be subway.

Undercounter lighting.

Rugs for warmth and texture.

I just wanted to say I think it’s a lovely space.

I’d choose one of the lightest colours in the granite, which may be one if the colours you have (I can’t tell from the picture). You might try your samples next to the granite rather than the cabinets to help you decide.

Color. You need color. The paint samples are all nice but they won't do anything to cheer up/brighten up that kitchen. If you don't want color on the walls, then use your lightest Warm Neutral, brighten up the space with accessories and doodads in a bright cheerful color... and I myself would paint the dining set a matching bright cherry color. (Meant to say cheery, but Cherry sounds pretty good!)

I will show after pictures once I hang curtains, and get a rug. I ended up using accessible beige :)