Before doing one more thing get some good lighting in there then you can choose colors , that backsplash has to go and the monster fridge changed to counter depth, the curvy thing over the window can be removed and I would do a nice white for the cabinets but they should be done by a cabinet refinisher . It won’t be cheap but a much nicer look when done.

Do you have any inspiration photos? For quick changes, brighter lighting and brutal editing of the small decorative items and kitchen clutter will make the space look more fresh. Your fridge is fine but you need to find storage for the clutter on top.

A patterned indoor outdoor rug in front of the sink will add color and interest.

Tan/brown and white/gray are hard to match so make sure any colors you choose work with your floors, counters and backsplash.

Successful painting of the cabinets takes a tremendous amount of work and should be done by a professional if possible. Home shows make it look easy but they never show close ups of the finished product.

Are your counters granite or formica? If they aren't granite, a new quieter formica in a light cream/tan will be an inexpensive change and make a big difference. A new, more modern light fixture will make a big difference as well.

Here is a synopsis of all my rambling :)

1. Take out ALL your small decorative items and only put back the things that you love. Store all of your kitchen clutter.

2. Get new brighter light bulbs and a more modern fixture for over the table.

3. Get a bright indoor outdoor rug for in front of the sink.

4. Price out painting the cabinets or replacing the counters.

I don't have any inspirational photos because the countertops have to stay (it's not worth the fight with my husband who installed them and thinks they are fantastic) and I can't figure out what would go with them. I've pained cabinets before and know how to make it look professional :)

Great idea with the rug. Any suggestions for what type of lighting fixture would be an improvement?

Undercabinet lighting (check ikea).

Track lighting is probably your easiest/affordable ceiling light improvement.

If you want to paint your cabinets, I think yours are a great candidate for a two-toned situation. Pull a dark color from your backsplash for the base cabinets and paint the the uppers something similar to the soffit color to de-emphasize the fact that they don't go to the ceiling.

I agree with benjesbride, LED undercabinet lighting makes quite a difference, while also being economically sound and relatively affordable. Brighter lighting overall will help brighten the atmosphere.

Though you want to stray from brown, we suggest re-imagining brown in a modern way. Since you have brown tones in your countertops, the color scheme could be embraced in an all-new, bold way. Consider this attached photo.

Our designers combined white, cream, dark brown, and gray for a complete look. Sometimes with kitchen updates, it can be beneficial to embrace and work with the elements you already have :)

You need as much light as you can get in the space. I would replace your flush mount with tract lighting and the breakfast room fixture with a simple lantern.

MR Direct - you are right. It is not exactly the brown I am opposed to - just that it is all the same I think.

Kim - absolutely understandable. I think some other commenters have made great points. Something as simple as an accent rug could break up that space/color nicely.

I’m dealing with the same issue - brown everywhere!! After months of debating, I just finally painted all my trim white dove and staining my stair railings. I figured, if I end up having to replace them, then there is no harm in giving painting a try!! Best decision I made - I love them!! Cabinets are next!! Same thought process - I got a quote to have them resurfaced. So, might as well try painting and if it doesn’t work, I can resurface. My kitchen colors are very close to yours, but a little lighter. Overall, I have no advise but, I’m curious to read what people advice you to do!! Good luck!!

Here is my list of smaller things to do:

Replace the dining area set with something less country looking;

Remove the curved wood area over the sink;

Replace dining room chandelier and kitchen light;

Declutter - remove the tchotchkes from above the frig and the cabinets in dining area and elsewhere;

Bright teal blue area rug in kitchen;

Add under-cabinet lighting;

Add fresh window treatment above sink.

Benjesbride, I love your idea. If I were to do gray on lowers and a light cream on uppers, What color would you paint the walls?

There's so much going on in your counter and backsplash--- I'd probably just do an off-white or a light beige on the wall pulled from your counter/backsplash.

proceed with caution regarding choosing a dark gray. It looks like you might have a gray with a green undertone? So hard to tell. I'd avoid any grays that have blue or purple undertones.

Maybe Urbane Bronze? The uppers in this photo are Alabaster (Sherwin Williams?)

I was thinking very light for the walls as well but will it be weird for them to be so close to the same as the cabinets?

I would call the gray color in the backsplash a brown/gray, which should tie in nicely will all the other brown :)

Our daughter just had her cabinets painted BM Simply White. Her counters and bs are similar colors to yours. She used BM Muslin on the walls. It looks so much brighter, they love the "new" kitchen. Btw do remove the wood valance over the sink and follow advice of others to find another spot for some of the visible items. Our own eyes get so used to seeing them but when you look through a camera lens it helps to spotlight them. Good luck and be sure to share photos, even if you don't paint cabinets and just make the smaller changes.

I love BM Muslin (as prairiemom61 mentioned) and I think it might play nicely with the beiges in your counter/backsplash. Definitely sample that for your walls.