I love this kitchen! But then I'm a cave dweller LOL. I think this looks so much better than those gray on gray on gray on white kitchens. More personality. Seriously, it doesn't look all that dark to me.

replacing the backsplash tiles to lighter ones will definitely brighten up the room. i would start there and then evaluate if you need to do anything with the cabinets. painting or staining them is not cheap. are your perimeter counterop the same as the one on the island?

Yes, all counters are black - perimeter and our giant island. My concern with that is if I chose a tile, then it might not look good with a new cabinet color should we choose to change it later.

I liked the look of a very neutral herringbone pattern I saw yesterday, but maybe that would be too busy..?!

Not a Pro.

Your kitchen is beautiful! I think it is more of a lighting issue. I would not change a thing.

kiwi_liv: i totally get your dilemma... i had the same problem with my kitchen... i love the herringbone tile you chose. if you think it might be too busy, have you checked to see if they have bigger sizes? Let say you decide to go with that tile, and then you decide to change the cabinet color, which color would you choose? Are there any colors/shades in the tile that you would be happy to see in your cabinets?

What’s your budget for this? I wouldn’t paint the cabinets, it will look cheap and they will chip, and will cost a lot. Your cheapest option is replacing that backsplash. Biggest impact would be to replace the backsplash and the counters for something light.

I like the character of your kitchen and love your backsplash.

@Bri Bosh - I would like to keep it under 5k, but I've had quotes to paint the cabinets and that alone would cost 5k, so if we did both, it would obviously cost a bit more. New counters would be 10k+ and I just dont want to spend that much.

i looked at the photo of your kitchen again, and i think switching out the backsplash might just do the trick. and maybe put a light colored rug by the foot of the sink. there's a pro on Houzz who is amazing with tile. I think her name is Beth. I hope she sees this thread. She would be able to give you some great suggestions for the backsplash. You can also find her if you look through old threads dealing with tile questions.

@ St561 W I have no set color scheme in mind - I just feel like its SO dark. Everyone that comes in the house always comments how dark the kitchen is. You cant quite tell from the picture, but sitting here looking at it, you almost want to grab a flashlight to go to the back corner (bare in mind I do have the skylight curtain closed to keep the heat out).

Perhaps @njmomma is onto something and its more about the lighting.... the lighting in my house is nothing short of atrocious.

Now I am well confused lol :)

Your cabinets -frosted glass - have introduced gray into the kitchen with nothing to "second the motion" in support. The tile you've chosen will add that dimension. Nice.

In all honesty, my first thought at your proposed tile was "gray?" However, as the frosted glass has a gray cast, so? Take pics with sample tiles propped up

Add elements that add toward the goal kitchen you really want. Baby steps will get you there in time.

I'd start with more lighting before changing anything else. The proposed herringbone backsplash would be an improvement, but I think the kitchen will still look dark without more lighting, so I'd start there, and only move on to the backsplash if the lighting doesn't do the trick.

following, will if I can get Beth to pop over here.

What cpartist said!

“New counters would be 10k+“

That seems like a lot. What kind of counters? Have you looked at counters, and gotten quotes? I would have thought it would cost half that, but it looks like I am wrong. Are you sure?

new backsplash (back painted glass) and new island counters

@ Shannon_WI I did an online calculator for ceaserstone from Home Depot and it came out at 11k?! I wasnt set on any type, but just know that I would have wanted something uniform (and not granite).

New tile! Have you thought about a glass tile?

Be sure you bring home samples of any tile you're considering, so you can see them in context. E.g., I like the herringbone you show, but it could end up feeling cool in the space. A pale bottle green might be really nice here.

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A tile that reflects light will help a lot. The glass tile would reflect light more than the matte finish of the tile you selected.

It also looks as if more/better/different lighting. You have under cabinet lighting, but it doesn’t look very effective.

@ teddytoo yes! Our current tile is glass and I like the look (but obviously prefer it to be lighter).

That is a beautiful kitchen. In order to visualize the change to a light backsplash, I used Sherwin Williams ColorSnap. Other folks here do it better, but this gives you an idea, and it does open up the look. I left your original backsplash in place behind the stove as an accent. This is just one idea.

@ mainenell yes, I am seeing quite a theme here about the lighting so I will have to look into that aspect more and see what my options are. I thought all under cabinet lights were fairly equal, but then again, I've never really looked.

Are there lighting specialists? I dont even know where to start for improving the lighting! I do know the placement of lights throughout our house is terrible, but I wouldnt know where to start to fix it.

@ NancyD oh wow - thank you! I was trying to find a tool to do this but gave up! This really helps to visualize things!

After the comment about your uncercabinet lighting looking insufficient, I had to look at your photos again - and I agree. They look like they're illuminating mainly the middle part of the backsplash and not the lower backsplash or counters. You can swap UC lighting by color temp, brightness, and direction (I spent an hour at my local lighting store today and wow there are so many great options!).

PS - to my eye, the dark tile behind the range and hood is the biggest light-suck in the room. Although someone above was kind enough to show a mockup of new backsplash that left the hood area as-is, I would be sure to change that area.

$11k seems VERY high for new counters, even quartz. Get a real bid, not online, so you can properly evaluate your options.

The backsplash is terribly busy, which is worse in a darker room. So I’d start with the backsplash and lighting as others here have said. I’d also aim for reflective surfaces—stainless steel behind the cooktop, for instance. Finally, a runner on the floor. Something lighter but patterned to hide dirt. I find the red floor really oppressive.

I would at least get a real quote for replacing the countertops with a solid white quartz. It could be that the rounded island is the biggest expense. Get a quote to replace all the counters, and another quote for just the perimeter counters. You should be able to get white countertops on the perimeter and a white subway backsplash for under your budget. The solid white would look nice with your frosted glass cabinets and really modernize and brighten the whole space, even if the island is still black.

With “stainless steel” (not magnetic, so probably not steel), you should give serious consideration to stainless steel. Given today’s adhesives, you could even apply it directly over the tile backsplash.

Just a view from the peanut gallery here but the photo doesn't scream 'too dark' as much as it does 'too busy.' The backplash plus the opaque glass doors plus the large shiny hardware is a lot. I'd vote for changing the backsplash but I'd also consider if there are ways to harmonize the other elements as well - less obtrusive handles? a different style of glass insert for the upper cabinets?

Are the lightbulbs in your fixtures the maximum that the fixture is rated for? If not, I would bump up the wattage. If that doesn’t work, what “color” are the bulbs you are using? Have you consulted your local lighting store’s specialist?

In order by $:

- light runner rug for floor

- lighter-colored bar stools

- improve lighting (consider hiring a pro consultant for this)

Live with it a bit, and if these aren’t enough:

- replace perimeter counters with something white with a gleam (glass flecks etc.) in it, and leave the undoubtedly more expensive island counter as is

I like the backsplash, but I share the concern that it might be too busy. I wouldn’t tear it out right away though.

I would do a mother of pearl backsplash since you already have milky glass cabinets. I would also suggest to lighten the flooring.

I would do a beautiful contemporary glass back splash - a solid piece would be awesome but large subway would work as well. I would also check your undercabinet lighting - can i be brighter?? It does look like you really just need more light in here. I would also invest in some LED lights inside the cabinets that are glass so they glow. Maybe some nice pendants over the island.

Your kitchen has a lot of great reflective surfaces but nothing appears to be located properly to facilitate that reflection.

Please do not paint those beautiful cabinets - they are stunning!

Best of luck and post some after pics!

You could change the stools to something lighter colored.

Not sure about that intense floor? A light color floor if not a huge deal would actually help to play up The cabinets . I'd consider something else and a new island counter. Leave cabinets and perimeter.

The elephant in the room is the obvious--the black countertops--which you will not replace. You might as well curse the darkness for all the good it will do.

New backsplashes won't do diddly to lighten the space; there just isn't enough wall area to have any effect.

But--your existing lights stink as lights go. They are beaming straight down on to black countertops, and since they all shine down from the top, you end up with deep shadows because there is no reflected light in the room and no light from any other direction. White frosted pendants over the island will help a lot, as will globes on the cans in the ceiling (just half-rounds made for such cans that will disperse the light).

I’d spend that $5K on a lighting designer, new lighting, and an electrician. That’s the real reason your kitchen is so dark. You need pendants over the island, and better under cabinet lighting. A good lighting store (not the big box hardware) can help.

painting the cabs/replacing splash would cost more than getting new countertops.

as mentioned, revisiting the lighting situation. looks like you could use a few more.

you have dark cabs and dark granite, darker flooring and no natural light (meaning a window) in the kitchen itself. Of course it's going to be dark! If you really want a change, you'll have to change the stone. You could try a lighter backsplash, but honestly, it's not going to do all that much. what you have there already is a type of reflective tile and it still doesn't do much.

Save up and get a new countertop. Shouldn't be more than 6K.

Make sure ur lighting have a cool white undertone. How about sparkle ceiling add glitter or craft sparkly sand to paint.