Personally, the area that seems "dated" to me is the floor. It reminds me of the tile we removed when we updated our kitchen. Try the lighter paint first. I can't see the proximity of the dining room table, but I do feel like some beautiful clear glass pendants over the island would change the overall "feel" of the space. I'm sure some of the experts will chime in and provide more useful feedback. I also find the oven hood to be a bit imposing.

Even trying a daylight LED bulb in 1000 or higher lumens can make some significant changes. I don't know if it's the computer monitor, but the lighting seems to have a yellowish cast to me.

The kitchen does not look dated, but it does seem very neutral. Is the wall color by the pantry the same as the color by the microwave? Pendants over the island would be a nice way to freshen things up, just make sure they coordinate with the chandelier.

I think that "pantry door" is actually the fridge.

Thank you for your suggestions. Here's a picture including the dining table. I'm refinishing the table, so it's not done. Would two pendants over the island and a chandelier not be too much? I'm going to replace the one over the dining table. I'm also concerned because the attached family room also has a hanging light. (I'm also replacing that.) What kind of lights would you recommend?

The paint in the kitchen is green and the paint in the family room/dining room is beige.

As far as the floor, I would love to change it all to a hardwood. I hate the choppy look of the dark wood and light tile. I'm just trying to convince my husband.

I don't think your kitchen is dated at all. Do you have a picture of the chandelier you'll be using over the dining room table? I think pendants in the same styling would probably be ok, but it depends on how "heavy" the chandelier is.

If you're thinking of running the same hardwoods into the kitchen I think that would make the whole area feel incredibly heavy.

I think Cyndy's comment about the pantry (white) door is spot on. Do the chandelier and pendants and change that door to something that coordinates with the kitchen better. Then paint and lastly the flooring.

I haven't decided on lighting yet. Any suggestions? And how do I change the door to fit in better? Paint it the same color as the walls? Change it all together to a different door?

LOL, now I see the pantry door! Thanks Susan. Paint, lighting, new lights: these are much less expensive than new floors. Agree that doing the hardwood into the kitchen would make it feel "heavy."

Also, do you like the ceiling effect swirls?

Thanks Anna. I guess I never thought about the ceiling swirls. They don't really bother me. Should they?

If I changed the hardwood floors, they would definitely be a lighter color, not the same dark as the family room floors.

No. If they don't bother you, then they don't bother you.

The floors make it look dated.

It's not outdated, however, it is a specific style. Mediterranean which is classic. However, I do think the table and chairs is too heavy for your kitchen and would be better used in a dining room. IMO the light fixture is not the same level of quality as the kitchen.

A round table with chairs that are not fully upholstered would work better in this space.

I hadn't thought of that Beverly. I just really need a large dining table because we're a family of six plus my parents who live with us and we don't have a separate dining room. I do think a round table would look great though!

I am not normally a fan of stained wood cabinets or this much warm, neutral colour, but...I actually think your kitchen is quite lovely and it looks like good, quality, construction. The colour scheme may not be totally on trend and I do think it feels very traditional, but I would not label this kitchen as 'dated'. I can see wanting to change the floor, but I would not match it to your hardwood floor personally. As others have said, I think it would make everything feel too heavy, too dark and, frankly, I feel (no matter how gorgeous the wood is) it would not provide enough contrast with your cabinets, and would become wood overload. Seeing as you are not planning to change out your counters/backsplash, I think you should to stick to a similarly coloured tile. Given that, I am not sure a new floor would look so significantly different as to be worth the trouble of changing it, but that is something only you can decide. Apart from painting, I would recommend some new cabinet hardware and possibly a new faucet, something in a more transitional style. I agree that you could use a nicer pantry door, or at the very least, I would paint the current one out (match it to your walls) so that it does not call so much attention to itself. I like the idea of some pendant lights above your island. I don't know what exactly you have decided on for the dining room, but if you are concerned about them being 'too much', then I would look at pendants with clear glass shades that won't take up too much visual space. I love your dining set, but I would suggest putting a rug under it. Not only would that help to break up the tile, but it would be an opportunity to bring some 'life' (ie:colour and pattern) to your neutral palette. I think something with muted blues, greens and/or oranges would look lovely. You could use a colour from the rug to accessorize in the kitchen, via tea towels, canisters or a kettle?

I think you can "update" your kitchen without spending tons of money. Not sure how much you want to spend or how much you can do yourselves. Consider changing the backsplash to a standard subway tile, or glass subway tile or larger.

Change your hardware to stainless. Change your pantry door to add interest.
and add a light over your island. You'll need re-center your chandelier over your table. Good luck!

Your wood is really beautiful. This is classic you can twist into current for sure. I would paint warm white or light blue-gray walls, replace cabinet hardware with modern, chunky silver & a modern, large island faucet to match. Yes to the rectangle fixture above table. The light & fan are the only things I can't live with. Gl!

A few ideas....

What I am envisioning colour wise.....

I like the look of painting just the island cabinetry to something paler. I really like the countertops and backsplash tones. Adding color with counter stools would be fun as long as they aren’t too clunky. And definitely camouflage that pantry door!

Some rug ideas....

The floors are the problem.

Your cabinets are a great style.

The counters and back splash are well done.

If you're not in the mood to change the flooring try adding some rugs that break up the expanse of tile. Under the dining table is a good place to start.

Center the light fixture over the table or remove it.

I would also remove the frilly glass lights from the ceiling fan.

Could anybody recommend some lighting fixtures for all three spaces? I like the idea of glass pendants over the island but I'm at a loss as far as the chandelier over the dining table and light for the family room? Thank you in advance!

change out the pantry door possibly with some kind of glass insert. The kitchen does not look dated. If you ever do change out the flooring i would not go with a wood tone. Otherwise if you do I would do a very light counter top.

The bright white pantry door breaks up your lovely kitchen. I'd paint the kitchen the same color as the adjacent family room, and paint the pantry door and its trim the same color as the walls.

This lighting arrangement is not busy and their dining and kitchen are about the same proximity as yours.

If the chandelier has a decent amount of glass and the pendants are almost all glass I think a chandelier and pendants will be fine. I would match any metal on the chandeliers and pendants to your cabinet hardware. And if you're going with a truly rectangular chandelier I'd make sure the pendants followed its shape. Two examples of different light pairings.

I agree a rug under your table may break up the expanse of tile and help you ignore the tile.

Thank you everyone! You've given me some great ideas. I'm excited to start working on it.

Many people dislike the light that the Edison bulbs give off, because they change the colors in the room. Be sure you are OK with that before you buy fixtures that only look good with them.

I think the only thing that looks "dated" are the countertops, however it's a lovely kitchen. I think I'd skip the island pendents.

I think your kitchen is classic and beautiful. If you paint a light color on the walls, hang pendants over the island and get a light rug for under your dinner table you will be set. Someone suggested new hardware that would help change the look as well. I’m not a huge fan of the tile but adding the rug will really help.

Hi! A nice rug under the dining table would help a lot. Also, think about painting the island (and maybe even the hood) a color in the backsplash.
Break up all that wood.

How about a rug under the dining table....to add color and break up all the beige tile?

I don't think it's outdated at all. You have a beautiful home and have the right idea to change the light fixture over the dining table to match it's length. If you find some in the same line I don't think having one over the island it a bad idea.
I'd think about changing the pantry door to something stained to match your cabinets. Leaving the trim painted will be enough to keep it in line with the rest of your homes trim.
This is a quick mock up to show what I mean.

Looks like a really nice quality kitchen. The floors are the stinger.

Just noticed the light switch cover at the end near the door. If you like, you could switch that for a wood one. Even go as far as replacing the switches for brown too.

I would paint both areas in the same color. There isn't much wall space showing in the kitchen and the green looks like a mistake, a missed spot. I think the kitchen is beautiful and would leave the cabinets, counters and floors alone. Change the lighting and the pantry door to the wood one Sewciable shows above. Rugs and accent pieces would be great.

Your kitchen is not dated at all, it looks beautiful and a bit rustic which makes it full of charm. If you want to make it more modern, consider changing the island countertop that seems like a granite with a lighter, simpler, more neutral quartz variety. I believe Frosty Carrina from Caesarstone would look beautiful and give you a more modern and edgier look.