Love the cabinets. Would change back splash and floor. Paint window trim was someone else’s great idea. Then regroup about wall paint color pending what back splash tile you choose. You have a lot hanging from the ceiling. I agree the pot rack needs to go, and if you can find pendants you love, replace what you have. Nice kitchen! You have so many options, it’s great as is, but if you don’t smile when you walk in the room, you need to tweak it, but not gut.

Put some simple pretty things in your glass fronted cabinets.

What wonderful windows and glass cabinets. Can you go with that "theme" and change out some of the so,I'd inset panels with frosted or translucent glass, where you might not want to see the contents?

Gahhh....what I wouldn't give for that kitchen!!

If you do the backsplash and paint, would that do it for you? Next would be new counters...it will brighten things up...

Some suggestions - make sure you have LED lights in all of your pot lights, get under cabinet lighting by utilizing LED strip lights. Next change out the floor, backsplash and counters to something LIGHT. Repaint and change out the cabinet hardware.

The cabinets are gorgeous but the counter changed to a cream quartz and a brighter backspash and paint job will really wow the kitchen.....your kitchen is beautiful unique and looks like it is really fun to cook in.....

Please do not paint your beautiful cabinets! Do as others have suggested....new floor, countertop , and backsplash will do the trick. I feel so sad when I see another homeowner fall into the gray/white trap!

I agree with the comments that your kitchen is beautiful. I would switch out the glass panels in the cabinets for frosted glass, and remove the pot rack and paint the trim.

Your kitchen is beautiful. I like your cabinets and I think your counters are fine too. I do like the idea of removing the pot rack. Put in the brightest bulbs you can. Create brightness with the brightest bulbs. Paint the trim white but keep those cabinets as the wood quality is really nice. I love the idea of putting in items to accent in those tall glass tops. Do they have lighting in them? If they do add small mirrors to reflect back into the room. And backsplash? Update that backsplash to something white or light. A color and tile that you love. Maybe even paint the walls a pretty color. Something pulled from those countertops.

Here are some kitchens like yours with white painted window trims.. See the difference? Pretty.

And here is a bit of blue that goes nicely with similar wood.

Thanks all! Yes, even though I adore white, the cabinets are beautiful and I agree I’d like to find other alternatives to brighten it up. Thank you for all the suggestions, I’ll paint the trim, walls and most like update the back splash. The kitchen wraps around to the living room which is dark as well (getting rid of that sectional!) so if I get that trim done I’m hoping it will be clean and bright!

Beautiful house!

That fireplace is genius....

I love the granite and the cabinets. Maybe change the floor and paint. I also love wood stained trim. Have you been in the house long?

@debvanatl
4 years! We purchased knowing we needed to make some changes but so far we’ve only painted over some hideous faux marble on the walls :)

@pennydesign
Thank you, it’s my favorite place in the house ❤️

The cabinets are beautiful. As others have suggested, floor and backsplash could be replaced. Paint your window trim. Do you actually use the pot rack? If not, get rid of it an replace with different lights. Add under cabinet lighting too.

So here is the pot rack from another angle. I don’t like it but I do like the light it provides. I would have no idea what I would put there instead?

Put just a simple can light there. That's the problem - too much clutter there.

Different pendant lights. Either matching or complementary to your current pendants, or perhaps replace the pendants and rack for different brighter/lighter pendants.

we had planned to have pendants alongside our island hood..... once the hood went in we changed our mind. luckily their light wasnt necessary, there were cans to pick up the slack.

what i find interesting: your cabinets bug you but you can live with the pot rack. for me, the pot rack would have been gone the day i moved in, and the cabinets are more than fine.

different strokes, for different folks!

I think I’m overwhelmed with it all, which is why I’m grateful for this thread. I never would have thought of the pot rack cluttering the kitchen, I don’t even realize it’s there most of the time. I hate the huge hood for sure.

Of course it's dark, the lights are off!

I love a pot rack...I can just imagine it filled with luscious copper pots...

Just...maybe not that particular pot rack..

Don't be overwhelmed. Just (as I said earlier) prioritize....will you be okay with a new counter? Let's start with that..take a look at what's available and start an ideabook...what you love will let itself known pretty quickly as repeats of the same in the pictures you save.

I think you will get a lot of improvement from painting the trim and changing the backsplash. We just painted the trim around a large window white and it made a big difference in the appearance of the room.

I agree with BeesNeeds that different pendants would brighten the look. Simple translucent,or glass pendants would brighten up the area without creating a cluttered feel. By the way your living room windows and view are amazing!

I think a new counter would be great! Thinking I’ll go from the top down. New lights, pot rack gone and reassess. In my mind molding is a huge project! Lots of wood wrapped windows and french doors and super tall ceilings. I think it would look funny if I just did the kitchen but it will all eventually get done, because I hate it.

I love white cabinets, but I would not touch yours....they are beautiful. Three adjustments would completely change the feel of the room....redo the tile floor (it’s extremely dark and makes the kitchen feel gloomy), redo the backsplash (same problem as the floor), and paint the trim.

I agree with removing the pot rack and adding under cabinet lights. And I'd get rid of the stainless pendants and go for glass instead.
I'd also recommend you buy some window tint cling to install in your upper cabinets. Having them a slightly reflective frosted white will make the room feel much bigger than the current black holes they create. The tint is super cheap and completely removable, so it's about as risk free as you can get. It looks like the front of your glass is textured so you'll need to put it on the back.
Frosted Privacy Window Film Treatment: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X3XDQQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OerpBb6TZS1MK

Ro, I agree about the hood - it would have been gone long ago. But I don't know what other options you have with a range in the middle of the kitchen like that. I've just never been a fan of the big massive range hoods that so many others seem to love.

Here is a whole thread about going without it.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/any-concerns-about-the-cooktop-without-ventilation-dsvw-vd~290738

I rather like pot racks too- just not that one where it is, particularly since it's an unused item. Just makes more clutter up in the air that could be better.

I'm glad Ro said she does not like the hood- nor do I. If it's possible to raise that thing up or something so it's not all huge dangling down that would be delightful. If it's not possible... hey at least if you replace those pendants with something like what Seldens has shown, the stainless steel can act as a reflector of sorts and help recast some of that new pendant lighting around more :)

First of all, your kitchen is gorgeous, and I love all the wood trim. The paint color is totally wrong for that room, and turns it all sort of blah. I love pot racks, but, I dont like that one very much, and I do think it makes for a heavier oppressive look in that area. I would remove it and since you have a lot of cabinetry, find a place for pots and pans in the cabinet. The room needs color, and some personality.

Truly beautiful kitchen as is.

Your cabinets look far too good to ruin with paint. Instead, replace that dark counter top and back splash with a white counter top -- solid or nearly white.

Consider repainting the ceiling a brighter white.

Change out the dark tiny pendant lights: add some Tiffany style stained glass to brighten the space with cheerful colors.

Also consider adding some cheerful colors via Tiffany style stained glass at the windows.

A clear shelf above your kitchen window above your sink could be a place for a small planter with some English ivy -- live plants can make a place more cheerful.

Totally off topic but ... if you "feel" "dark" only in your kitchen, hope the changes you decide to make help. If you "feel" "dark" elsewhere, too, consider talking about it with someone you trust.

Many great ideas! I agree with painting trim and walls, not cabinetry. Lighter backsplash and floor would make a huge difference but will cost $$. The clear glass pendants will also have a great impact. Is the granite staying long term??

And just random.. right now there may be something you can do about the lights Ro. What light bulbs are you using?

If you are using a softer white bulb, consider switching to a daylight bulb or the like to bring more bright in. It's not always about the wattage or whatever, sometimes the light spectrum can make a big difference too.

And another light idea.. you can add lights to the insides of those top glass fronted cabinets too.

I would also paint the ceiling FLAT with no sheen whatsoever.

As others have noted, you need more light. Turn on the lights and leave them on. In a dark room, it is a huge help. With LED bulbs, it is economical and you can use higher lumens brightness. Big yes to adding undercabinet light, even if the plug-in type. The backsplash is really dark. Pick a subway tile in the lightest counter color. it is simple and will reflect light without clashing with the counters or cabinets. Worth the labor to do that much.

I've done facelifts on 3 houses in 10 years. On tight budgets. Your kitchen is great. Just needs strategic help. And no pot racks.. Such a distraction.

Just avoid spending an unnecessary amount of money. My current kitchen was depressing. I started with new paint, and new lights. I finally swapped the horrible mud-colored counter for white quartz and white subway tile. Looks like a different room. Didn't cost a fortune to do that.

Hey Ro,

You have a beautiful house! Fortunately I don't think you need to make a lot of expensive changes to get the brightness you want.

I think you're experiencing wood overload. You've got a lot of it, which isn't a bad thing, but I think painting all the trim white will make a huge difference. A friend of mine paid to have it done a few years ago...wasn't cheap, but it made a world of difference in her house.

Next, it looks like you have a wood paneled refrigerator across from the sink. I would probably switch it out for stainless. I had white appliances and my kitchen looked so might brighter once I put stainless in.

Pot rack - gone. Never liked them. They look like dust traps.

Bigger pendant lights will definitely help and here's your chance to go crazy. There are a lot of beautiful styles out there.

If all that doesn't work I would revisit getting new countertops. I think the current ones work with the warmth of the wood, but if they really bug you, I'd go with a lighter one, possibly one with a bit of sparkle or recycled glass in it.

There's technically nothing "wrong" with your kitchen but if you're not feeling it, start small.

Good luck!

Thank you! I’m liking the ideas and appreciate your thoughtfulness!

I agree with others who say to remove the pot rack, it doesn't work in your kitchen. I'd also change out your pendent lights for something softer. Lighten your counter top, it looks "heavy", dragging down your kitchen.

I really hope you'll consider keeping the wood trim and the wood cabinets. Your home is absolutely stunning and all the wood really adds to the beauty. I would do the following and then re-evaluate before making any changes.

• remove pot rack - too much clutter
• replace the backsplash with something light and simple
• replace pendant lights with something more open - maybe glass

I think part of the darkness is that gorgeous porch roof. It's blocking a lot of the daylight from coming into your living room. Can you add some lamps or maybe install some recessed lighting in the ceiling?

You might consider replacing your countertops with something lighter and with less movement, but I do think what you have now looks really nice. So that's really a personal choice.

Put the lights on. The wood is gorgeous. Dont touch it. Get rid of pot rack. It is a gorgeous room. FLIP THAT LIGHT SWITCH.

I haven't read all of the above. I'd suggest replacing floor and backsplash, to update the kitchen. I can photoshop painted trim, and what other backsplash and floor might look like in place later tonight or over the weekend. The wood is gorgeous and I hope you'll keep it. Best, oldbat2be

I've just skimmed comments and am only thinking cosmetic changes. (It would be nice to get the cooktop onto an exterior wall to get rid of the hood.) But cosmetically, I'd also think about removing one or both of the cabinets flanking the windows (right after the pot rack), new backsplash, white window trim.

I'm also eyeing those diagonal cabinets in the corner next to the wall ovens. That is kind of a heavy space but if you're keeping those cabinets, buy some battery powered puck lights with remote controls, put some pretty bowls on those empty shelves, and light 'em up!

Unless there is an upstairs room built above your porch roof, consider adding skylights or even change out the roofing for clear roofing.

I would go for a clean classic look. I love the cabinets and I think they will be great and can be given a whole new life! Remove pot hanger, change out the 3 pendent lights with larger clear updated domes ( as suggested above ) change paint color. ( in the white family ) And later on if your budget allows replace flooring to a warm wood look or warm tone tile and add canton lighting in ceiling. I think the counters will be fine .... however I myself personally would prefer lighter more neutral like solid white.

On second thought I think the counters and floors are fine - I would just remove pot rack, add canton recessed ceiling lights and change backsplash and paint

White trim:

Grey trim:

Well, yes, your kitchen has a dated quality to it. No, it doesn't look like what kitchens being done today look like. But the first question is .... what is your budget? If you're looking for a quick and easy fix without spending a lot of money, then I would just redo the back splash. The next thing in line I would do is paint the cabinets a light warm toned cream color (because that light wood is not my thing). I would NOT just paint the trim, that would look really bad. If you have more money, I'd replace the counter tops. I would also reconfigure the space so that the cook top could be on a wall and not on the island to remove that hood. And then regardless of anything else, I would remove the pot rack.

You have a beautiful house!

I agree with the people who said:

1) change the backsplash and floor for something lighter

2) keep the cabinets and counters the same. They go well together and are not the reason the kitchen is dark.

3) change the wood fronted fridge for a stainless steel one. It would brighten things up and provide a little sparkle in the wall of wood.

4) change the paint colour. The current paint colour does nothing for the room.

5) Get under cabinet lighting and put lights in the glass front cabinets (or frost the fronts) and leave your kitchen lights on.

It's dark mostly because of the floor. Lesser factors are the counters and wall paint.

If it was my kitchen, when the tiles gets ripped up, I would reconfigure the island. All one level. The armpit level sink looks a bit goofy. Replace with a larger, more useful sink or eliminate it.

Love the cabinets but, as mentioned, I would remove the wood panels on the refrigerator. SS or custom painted ones.

The cave corner bothers me because it's dark and because I'm a bit claustrophobic. Looks like there is an oven under the cooktop so I would think long and hard about eliminating the oven stack so there would be continuous counter from the sink to the corner.

Do NOT like the idea of painting the cabinet crown. Belongs to the cabinets and not the ceiling.

Perhaps a rail lighting system to replace the pendants and pot rack lighting?

I would paint the trim around windows, baseboards, but NOT molding on the cabinets.