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yavrig1217

brightening up a kitchen/greatroom

8 years ago
Help! Just bought a house and I need ideas on how to brighten up this kitchen/great room without changing the espresso cabinets and granite countertops. I’m not feeling the mint green color scheme. Also, the floors are cream tiles and the furniture will go with the sellers.

Comments (18)

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Paint the walls and mint is gone. Nobody can answer as to your paint selection, I am sure you have some furniture, some rug, and we have no crystal ball but will pray it isn't brown leather.

    That said? Turn on the lights. If there is no under cabinet lighting, add it. Because with this much dark cabinetry, that shall be your answer, until you are ready for larger changes. If you can live without the cabinetry in the breakfast area REMOVE it or paint it. That is a major light drain and a ton of bulk as well making that space feel dark and crowded.. Also, take all the shutters off the windows, and unless you MUST have daytime privacy, get something you can drop down only in the evening. It is what it is! A nice house with very dark cabinetry...in an interior kitchen.

  • 8 years ago

    What a classic kitchen. I agree with the above - just changing the backsplash will make a huge difference. And painting over the blue/green will instantly make it more cohesive.

  • 8 years ago

    I think you should wait to paint until you put your own furniture in there and you can make a better decision about what will suit.

    I disagree about removing the cabinetry from the great room. Isn't that your dining room as well? Don't you need those cabinets for dishes, etc? Do you have a separate pantry? If not, those cabinets will serve that function, as well as hold the board games the family will play.

  • 8 years ago
    Yes the cabinets in the dining area serves as the pantry so I can’t really remove them. But I will consider painting them!

    I the idea of changing the backsplash!
  • 8 years ago

    I would go with a light beige or a light greige paint color. Also take off the granite backsplash & replace it with a light subway tile.

  • 8 years ago

    Just say NO to subway tile!

  • 8 years ago
    Why NO to subway tile?
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I would save ALL my money to painting ALL the cabinetry ... If truth be known. Espresso is a very cool and very dark stain. Needs a lot of light and white to not make a room dim and heavy

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Well, now that you said it first, I agree with painting the cabinetry! You can take home paint chips of Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, Ivory White, and Cotton Balls, and lots more. With lighter cabinets you won't have to take out the backsplash at all.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Simplify the backsplash because it clashes with the countertops. Paint over that awful wall color, I agree with you that it's not the best. Paint the cabinets a lighter color, like ivory.


    Use a bold traditional Oriental rug in the living area to soften it up and bring some timeless warmth, like [this one[(https://www.houzz.com/products/red-persian-rug-105x112-prvw-vr~110577169). Oriental rugs are very versatile and will go well with many different types of decor.

    Light-hued couches (maybe taupe?) would be great, as well as painting the entertainment center a lighter shade if you have the will to do that. Having such a large, dark piece on the wall really darkens up the room and also makes it look a bit outdated. Other than the coloring, it really does look like a nice home. Congrats!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I would paint your walls a warm white you like and see how you feel once this is done. Don't do anything radical to the cabinets and countertops until you have lived in the house for a considerable amount of time. That's a huge and expensive commitment to change the cabinets/countertops. I hope you will be very happy in your new home!

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Why not try painting the walls another color, getting stools with white or cream cushions, adding modern pendants, under cabinet lighting, adding hardware to the cabinets, and if nothing else getting a new backsplash in a lighter color.

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  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Ida Kay Bee, I say YES to subway tile! I would think about using the very lightest color in your granite for a simple subway backsplash. Huge improvement to the current granite backsplash. You don't need that much pattern in the counters and backsplash.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    ..................paint the cabinetry. THE shortest distance between where you are and where you WANT to be. Which is in the light.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    The cabinets are beautiful. I'd bring in light by changing the backsplash.

  • PRO
    8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Cabinets are very nice and I would not hastily paint them. I would change the back-splash, add under cabinet lights, and change wall color- simply as that. Then you can play with some decor: change rug, change seat cover to something lighter in color, you can change chandeliers above the island. Look at the picture I found, it's a nice looking traditional kitchen. Good luck!

  • 8 years ago

    I agree that changing the backsplash would be a big help if that's an option. You could also consider using light colored leather or upholstered stools at the island, adding chunky brushed nickel hardware to the cabinets and keeping any countertop accessories such as utensil holders, etc. light and bright as well.