And i would do a new back splash- personal preference to me it seems pretty busy. A great size kitchen!

The counter and the backsplash do not work together she needs new much better lighting I hope she did a counter depth fridge.

The cabinets will need to stay as is. And we agree, the counters and backsplash are awful together. That's what I'm specifically looking for advice on, counter options. Patricia, yes she did counter depth. Helped tremendously!

I would change both the counter and the backsplash. The backsplash style and color aren't the best match for the cabinets.

The backsplash is making the brown darker because there's not enough contrast, and it's horizontal whereas the cabinet wood grain is vertical. The countertops are decent. A backsplash that's the palest color from the countertop would be a budget friendly solution.

Some people change out a couple cabinet doors to glass fronted if there are lovely dishes and glassware to display. That would also break up the brown.

The backsplash clashes with the countertops as well as the flooring. That's what I would change for sure .

The counter and backsplash are HORRIBLE together.
The counter is not bad with the floor, but the pinky-beige color does not work with the cabinets. Having the cabinets properly prepped and painted would be expensive.
If this was my kitchen, I would remove the flooring, counter and backsplash and replace them. If granite is in the budget, I would look for a stone with some oak color in it to speak to the cabinetry. Go to a real stone yard for the most choices. Take a pack of handiwipes with you to clean the dust/dirt from a hand-size area so you can see the true colors on each slab that looks interesting. Take complete measurements of the counters with you. I needed three slabs because I use matching granite for the backsplash, too. Two slabs may be necessary for counters only. You want to select slabs with consecutive ID numbers indicating they came from the same source and the same cut. The stone yard may have a fabricator they use regularly, or you can use a fabricator recommended by a friend.

I had a similar kitchen. It was depressing! Light cream backsplash, light creamy counters with a grain, rather than splotchy, and get the floors and grout professionally cleaned, it will brighten them up.

I would replace the back splash with something neutral and put granite counter tops in. Otherwise, nice kitchen

White(ish) paint next to wood can make the wood look plain—plain brown in this case. Color can bring out the highlights in the wood. An un-busy blue or green backsplash (and new counters) would do wonders with those cabinets.

If your daughter is bold, she might even consider painting the ceiling.

To my eye, none of the colors/patterns goes together: cabinet color & grain, backsplash, counter, or floor. If budget allows, I would replace everything but the cabinets. If you replace the counter with something light and solid, the existing backsplash would look a bit better, but it still won't go with the cabinets, plus the white outlets are jarring.

The backsplash is killing the room.introduce some colour by having six foot cushioned “rugs” in front of sink and stove areas.

Another vote to replace backsplash, hope a pro will jump in to guide you with that and counter choice. I wonder if new hardware will help, something in nickel to go along with SS appliances, to brighten look of cabinets. Nice space to work with , and what a thoughtful and generous Mom!

If it were my kitchen, I would replace in this order of priority (budget permitting):

1. Backsplash (this one absolutely must go -- it's what's killing your kitchen)

2. Floors (it's just kind of ugly and brown)

3. Countertops (not terrible, but not helping either).

If you guys hadn't already figured out that the backsplash is the big problem (sounds like your daughter actually likes it), then that tells me you should definitely hire or consult an design expert on these decisions! Some people just don't have a great eye for design (that's okay!), in which case they often end up with something just as bad when they start swapping certain elements in their kitchen. It stinks to spend a lot of money and end up with an ugly, *uncohesive* kitchen when you started with an ugly, *cohesive* kitchen!

My neighbor has Colonial Gold granite. Something along those lines might work paired with a very calm, light, neutral backsplash tile, maybe in a crackle finish.

Hard to tell what color your floor tile is. Maybe Taq Mahal Quartzite would work, also paired with a very calm backsplash.

If your daughter wants to keep the floor tiles, you need to bring some granite samples home to make sure they work together.

Also, if the lighting needs to be changed to bright LEDs, do that first so that you can judge the colors accurately.

So much helpful advice. Thank you! So, it looks like we will look at replacing both backsplash and countertops with something light. The flooring would be a huge job, according to a contractor, since the tiles were laid before the cabinets went in :( There is recessed LED lighting, maybe not apparent in the picture.

I also like the idea of adding rugs to break up the flooring and changing out the hardware. Some inexpensive fixes. This house has had a lot of issues from failed sump pump, to plumbing leaks, to tree removals, that have left little in the budget for cosmetic changes. Thanks again for the great suggestions.

A light quartz or granite would really help here. Still staying in the off white/beige family though. Do not put gray in this space. Then go with a simple off white/cream/white backsplash.

I would add black countertops and change the backsplash to something less busy. A cream or natural stone tile. If your fridge isn’t counter depth then bump out the cabinet overhead. Add some doors with glass also, not hard to do and it will add interest and sparkle to the kitchen. Change the hardware. Add a new black island in black. I don’t love the floors but do the other stuff first.

katgal, those are NICE examples from Irene, especially the second one. Would work beautifully for your daughter.

Good plan. With calmer counters and backsplash, the floor won't be a huge issue.

Also, I have never understood the obsession with so much brown in kitchens. Brown cabs I can understand if they are wood, of course, but when/why did people start doing brown everything in kitchens?? Was brown on brown (with brown on the side) the great trend before gray started? Was it intentional? Something designers actually planned for? I know people here are tired of gray, but at least gray kitchens are often kind of neutral and maybe a bit boring, but they aren't usually downright ugly.

**and no, I definitely would not be saying this if the OP or her daughter loved this look. It's only because they want to change it that I am comfortable questioning this color scheme**

@stillpitpat, I've also never understood why people want all the business with so many patterns going on. Yes, luckily katgal wants to help her daughter change things.

Just food for thought for down the road. If your daughter doesn't like the floor but doesn't want the expense of ripping the tile up - consider marmoleum click, you can lay it over the tile. It's relatively inexpensive, DIY job, I bought it at menards when they had the 11% rebate off everything. Just don't wear high heels on the floor!

I’d go with a creamish subway tile with the same color grout. Then large rugs with several colors she likes. Try ruggable they are washable but pretty. Lastly, paint just that small island a color that she loves. I would replace the top too! Then sprinkle around a few accessories in colors from the rug. It will look a lot less brown and more interesting.

Keep the backsplash. Do black granite, white walls and trim, area rugs to break up the flooring. Paint the dining room. The yellow paint is making the brown look “sour”.

Some people change out a couple cabinet doors to glass fronted. That would also break up the brown.

@stillpitpat ... I would guess the reason you see so many brown-on-brown kitchens is that it is hard to know what colors to put with brown (wood tones) to balance the warmth. I guess they just default to "more of what matches" because it is hard to know if you are creating contrast or clashing.

I am optimistic that as the pendulum swings from gray/white/cool back towards wood/warm tones we will have a time where we see cool and warm elements mixed effectively and it will give lots of us more examples to follow :)

The countertops and backsplash must go - horrid and they don't go together at all.

I would use Glacier White Corian for the countertops. She can then choose a backsplash tile - don't make a choice until countertops are installed.

An oriental rug for the floor would add a nice touch.

It's ok to not have any backsplash tile at all.

Sage green always looks very nice with oak. Of coarse you don’t need to add a backsplash right away; take your time!

For me black just makes it richer and easier to work with;)!

If you decide to add rugs check out FLOR tiles https://www.flor.com/ . We recently installed "Made you look" in game room ( in tetris pattern :) - love them. Now trying to find another spot where I can use them ... Thinking about adding some runs to the kitchen

Vanguard has a good point regarding glass cabinet fronts. We have oak cabinets...lots of them. Several have glass fronts and they do help.

I like lynartist idea and the reasoning behind it.

The ceiling is too low. Is there room to raise it?

Check out the washable runners at ruggables.com. Reviews sound good and there is a wide selection of styles/colors/patterns.

We will be going countertop shopping at our first opportunity. Some really great ideas here. To answer a few points, the dining room is not yellow. It is beige...maybe the lighting or your monitor making it look yellow. The ceiling is standard height for a 1980's colonial, probably the angle making it look lower. This house was previously owned by a single man with sons. We're sure they made the color choices on their own; hence, the brown and beige everywhere.

I'll be sharing this thread with my daughter, as well. The ideas for flooring are wonderful and all worth looking into. Thanks for the mock-ups, lynartist. The sage green looks really pretty and the idea of painting the island is something I wouldn't have thought of. The pictures Irene provided are very helpful as well, and I do really like the 2 stone colors rachel showed.

It might be awhile, but I'll share what we end up with. Thank you all so much!

I'm bringing this thread up to date now that the backsplash is finally done (long story). We are so appreciative of the suggestions. We wouldn't have thought to do white counters with the medium oak cabinets, but are very happy with the outcome. They are a white quartz with "greige" veining and the backsplash tiles are a very light "greige". The cabinet hardware was replaced with brushed nickel to match the new faucet. Next is new lighting and new paint color for the kitchen and adjoining family room. The floors no longer seem quite as offensive, although they probably will be replaced eventually.

Thank you again! We are loving the kitchen now.

Wow, that looks great! So much calmer!

Very nice job!! So much lighter & brighter!!

Looks great!

Looks great

What a difference the backsplash makes. I bet you smile everytime you go into your kitchen.

Have you considered painting the door and window frames white, the color of your tiles?

wow! what an improvement!

Counter and backsplash should go. Runners (oriental design or other) 6’-8’ should front the two counters for a colour lift and a more comfortable base to stand on.

Looks great!! Paint and new light fixture will look amazing.

Wow. Looks much brighter and a lot less chaotic. I hope everyone loves it.

Very nice. Now do the boob light.

Very nice! Reminds me of this recent post so if you like it you may want to take your cue for the remaining items to do. Do not paint your wood trim unless you plan to commit to doing it in the whole house.

https://mariakillam.com/design-rustic-kitchen-makeoever-before-after/