Thank you. The island top shouldn’t be a big deal to change. Any suggestions....especially if we were to make other changes in the future?

Floors look beautiful. Start with more/better lighting before any other changes. All those ceiling fans may provide a nice breeze but they are doing nothing to update the look or provide good lighting. After that, I echo all that artist said re: adding filler & crown (if keeping cabinets), removing backsplash and adding under cabinet lighting. If you’re keeping cabinets but updating counters, update all of them. The blue/green isn’t helping bring the room into 2018 as you would like.

The changes look good, mustard colour accessories would look beaut with those coloured walls and in the kitchen but not with your floral sofas which may date the area

Seems like future changes could include new cabinets and a new island, new tops and new splash, so changing the existing island is maybe a waste of effort and money. Your whole space has a homey retro vibe. I'd just go with until you're ready to remodel.

Ooooooh I love the mustard or canary yellow accents. Pretty.... My first thought is keep your beautiful kitchen as is. But then I thought, maybe you want ideas to go with that pretty teal blue.

I just posted some ideas to update cabinets to create some depth. Check out this link.

Cabinets

Add some trim molding to the top of your cabinets. from Remodelaholic. Maybe some lighting to really make your teal colors shine.

More ideas, lovely big bright artwork

If you were just going to do the island and intended to redo everything later, a butcher block top would be nice.

There is only a single ceiling fixture and an over-sink light in the kitchen. One ceiling fixture over the dining table. Both ceiling fixtures concentrate their light directly below, and there is no general lighting. That's one reason it is dark in there. The other reason is the dark paint and counters which don't reflect the light. You can improve the lighting with different fixtures and light-colored counters, backsplash and walls.

I’m just repeating what everyone else said...dark room that needs better light. Yes, you took the picture at night, but thats when you need your light fixtures to do their work. Hopefully your kitchen is light enough during the day that they’re not absolutely required. A dim work area was the thing I was most happy to get rid of in my old kitchen.

Your cabinets and counter look to be in good shape. New floors look great...the color works well with the cabinets. Your colors work well with the decor seen in your living room, and the styles match too. I wouldnt bother changing any of them.

What I *would* change is overhead fixture, look into the cost of adding some recessed lights, and put in some under cabinet lights too. They’re all things that you would want anyway if you ever do change the cabinets. Maybe paint your stools a lighter color since they’re the only dark finish in the room. Maybe a yellow as recommended uptrhread but it’s hard to know for sure without a truer representation of your blue.

jhmarie, Your kitchen is beautiful! So light and airy. Yes, it is hard to know what I truly like when it is deemed “dated”. I hesitate to make changes now if we were to sell in 5 years and then have to do it all over again.

Wow! A lot of great advice has been given. I will only echo what people have said: I agree lighter cabinets, either paint what you have or get new ones as budget allows. Yes, take the cabinets up to the ceiling with a soffit and crown molding. Yes to lighter counters to reflect the light. I love the mustard as a kick of color in accent pieces. Lastly, better lighting starting with removing the ceiling fan nearest the kitchen. You are well on your way! Bravo!

P.S. Eventually, when you can get to it I would add some killer drapery in a fantastic designer fabric. They would really bring the room together as well as soften the room.

Here is a kitchen I recently did where we took the cabinetry up to the ceiling and added crown molding. I think the firefly pendant shown would look great in your space. Its from CB2 and affordable.

Thank you! I love the firefly pendant.

Here are pictures during the day. I like the idea of butcher block for island. Here is my desk area. ( I’ve heard that kitchen desks are “dated”. Lol)

Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to respond. There are a lot of great ideas to think about.

Wow colour certainly different in your daytime pics. Lovely

Oh wow - the daylight makes a HUGE difference! I think if you just paint to break up the "wall of blue effect" that is created by the same wall/counter color it would freshen it up nicely. The cabinets look to be in really good condition so if you wanted to go a bit further and put butcher block on the island (I've read here that Ikea makes a good one for a good price) and update some of the lighting it would perk it up nicely without spending a ton.

I think LED's under the uppers and a new pendant above the sink will make all the difference. While I don't care for fans blowing dust in cooking/eating areas, they look new and you may not want to change them until you get ready to put the home on the market. Yes, desks are dated but coffee bars are not. Consider changing the purpose and it should be fine. Think about new stools for the island; those look cheap and worn. Otherwise, the floral sofas and the ceiling treatment are the most dated items I see. You might try slipcovers for the seating and add pattern with a rug under the dining table.

Agree with everyone who suggests more and different lighting,including under cabinet lights. Even if keeping the counters,I would do a glossy tiled backsplash ...to add dimension,to bounce light, and to break up the colour a bit. That said, your kitchen is quite pretty. And while I don't ascribe to trying to make anything look on trend,I do think that freshening up our spaces from time to time is fun and smart. (if I didn't, I would not be reading Houzz ;-)

Since the cabinets are in great shape.

A bright creme or white countertop & backsplash would be quite an update & brighter.

Also add crown to ceiling by lining soffit with thin wood liner then crown.

quick sketch above. hopefully someone with better software can do a better render.

hope that helps you make the best decision for you.

;)

I think you can make small changes that would really update your space. A simple white subway tile backsplash would brighten up your kitchen. I think you could also find an off white slipcover and matching linen curtains for you windows. I like the idea of colorful artwork for your walls like someone else mentioned. I love your wall color! Good luck!

Under cabinet lights & recess ones. Pendent over sink.

Like block island.

Thank you all for your awesome ideas! Here is the entire space in the daylight.

I believe the word update is over used. My house was built in 1951. Kitchen redone in 2001. And except for some fresh paint and hardware it’s going to stay that way till I die.
Your kitchen is nice, clean and large. It doesn’t need updating. Do what makes you happy.

Thank you, Jan. I do believe in updating if it is an improvement, but having a home like 99% of the population is not my idea of improvement. I like uniqueness, individuality, and a personal reflection. I love color and don’t want to live in a “neutral “ home even if it is “up to date”. It’s impossible to find a sofa that is not beige.

I disagree about being able to find only beige sofas. I could show you tons of rooms with bright, bold colorful sofas. I do think people tend to go more neutral on the big ticket items because its safer for future change up with decor. And mostly the print fabrics are going on accent and dining chairs. I really like the shape of your sofas. I would love to see a great area rug and some mixed up pillows in that room.

JackJess2, YOu have a great space! The color goes perfect with your floors. I love the buckets of light flowing into the space making it so happy.

Following...

Beautiful kitchen! My only thought is IF you decide to put a new top on the island, could you live without the stool on the end and add some shelves to house your microwave in that same spot?

Good idea! I wanted to have the microwave over the stove, but I guess they don’t do that anymore, lol.

suzyq53, I would love to add some pillows to the sofa. Any ideas for color? Also, I did want an area rug, but we did the floors two years ago and I was afraid of having the floors discolor and leave a spot where the rug was. Some areas of the floor have discoored already. Does anyone have a solution for that? It’s funny, I don’t know why, but the cabinets never discolored and they are much older than the floors.

Personally I feel this space looks dated, and there are lots of good ideas here. But for all those who are saying “do what makes you happy, never mind keeping current “, while I agree to a point I suspect this homeowner wouldn’t even be taking the time to ask and post pictures if he/she wasn’t wondering about a little freshening up....

You can really mix it up on the pillows. Anything goes. I'd look at some bold ones to balance out the floral sofas. And try to add some black. An over dyed rug in a rich jewel tone and then repeat in the pillows?

I think the blue paint over the cabinets creates a strange stripe. The soft color of the cabinets should go to the ceiling, as others have suggested.
I think you can find a sofa in colors other than beige. There are lots of grey ones, but I’d look at something colorful, and only one. Then add chairs where your second sofa is. They are more dated than your kitchen.

If you want to spend a little money, I’d think about changing the backsplash.

I like your home but I understand wanted to update.

RedRyder, That is a great idea with a colorful sofa. I think it would add some pop. Lots to think about. I think it’s harder to tweak than to do a complete make over.

All great ideas and I will definitely try to incorporate those that will fit into our budget. I guess why I am asking is I see mostly white kitchens in Houzz photos. And a lot of people are painting over their maple cabinets. I still like my maple cabinets and the brightness of my kitchen, but I am feeling self conscious that I don’t have a white kitchen. Is it possible to have a non white kitchen and still be up to date? I feel that we are too late for the white kitchen trend and something new is just around the corner. But what?

The cabinet color is nice as is.

The blue countertop I would change. I would also change the blue above cabinets to make the room feel taller. Decorate with pops of blue decor. I believe updating the countertop would add value if you ever decide to move.

Oh gosh.....white kitchens are really not something to be self conscious about not having. Maple cabinets are lovely and are a great neutral that would allow you to change almost everything else about the kitchen without tying you down.

I think it is the dark coloured paint and counters that are the things that jump out at me the most.

Are you open to repainting the whole area, including the living room? I know it is hard to know where to stop and start paint when you have open concept rooms.

I don't think you've mentioned what your budget is.

Your current counters are laminate of some sort, correct? If you don't have a really big budget, then consider new laminate counters (formica is a good brand). Have a look at some of the brands - places like Home Depot usually have some on display as well as a huge assortment of sample chips. I think you might be really pleased to see the newer designs and quality as well as edge options. I can't tell if your current counters have a built in backsplash, but stay away from that and just get flat counters. Then some nice coordinating backsplash tile, together with a fresh coat and paint and you'd have a whole new space.

Some have mentioned some new furniture for the family room too and I'd agree with that idea as well.

Also, if you like the over the stove microwave option, then do it and that frees up counter space. Its true that it isn't currently what many people do, but you can easily buy those micro/hood models and have them installed. Some say they don't extract as well as traditional hoods - you'd have to do some research to see what one is best for your needs and cooking style.

If your budget is a bit bigger then look at granite or quartz counters and see what jumps out at you. You could go with quite a few colours for counters and that can then point you in the right direction for backsplash and also paint colour.

The vast majority of people do not have kitchens that look like the photos on Houzz. They are mostly higher end designer kitchens, staged and professionally photographed. Eye candy. Great for getting ideas. So please don't judge yourself based on that. I predict white kitchens will remain popular, but with the popularity of great rooms and open concept, the newest kitchens are blending more with the family areas, having modern flat panel doors in wood.

The blue looks fine in living room. Just because it's open to kitchen doesn't have to be blue in kitchen.

Painting the ceiling & soffit a nice matte white would really be attractive.

We're seeing a lot of this in CA. Not so kitcheny.

Your home has a ‘country vibe’ to me. Is that a look you like?

I like your kitchen. Mine is very similar with maple cabinets and dark teal walls. I personally don’t care for white kitchens, and prefer the warmth of wood. What I would change out are the counters/backsplash. Get recessed lights and under cabinet lighting. If you don’t like the desk, take the chair away and turn it into a coffee bar or beverage center. I also used rugs for color and provided more of a more modern vibe. You also need to get lamps for your family room. I think with a couple of tweaks you’ll be fine. Here are a couple shots of my kitchen. And it’s not clean because I live here.

Wow! They are alike. I like the rug and light fixture.

I, too, disagree that it is that difficult to find a sofa that is not beige. We moved less than a year ago and, as we'd lost most of our ground-floor furniture due to flooding, bought quite a bit of new furniture, including a sofa. Here is a picture of our teal-colored sofa, which we found at Rooms to Go.

Thank you, all, for taking the time to give me gr feedback!

Just for fun, I wanted to show you what I did with the only wall in the kitchen that I could hang some art work. My thermostat was right smack in the middle of the wall. Problem

solved.

More and better lighting! That would be where I would start.