Wait at least 6 months. You’ll be so sick of playing ring around the rosy with that hip bruising island and not being able to see what you’re cutting with your knife that you’ll likely be ready to rip it all out and start over. The layout and lighting will not be improved by better cosmetics, and you’ll just have wasted your money.

I would not spend one penny right now you can remove the wall paper but thats it. You need to live with this for a while. I see things that would make me crazy but you need to see how it functions for you. That ceiling needs a complete redo but again not until you live there for a bit. When the time comes to do something post a to scale floor plan of the space showing windows, door ways etc. The thing I will mention is all those base cabinets should be drawers.

thank you so much for the information. We have actually lived here for about 1 year now, so I know the space pretty well. I do not like the low ceilings, but I didn't think that was something I could change. I am very comfortable with the island and spacing, it's a very comfortable size kitchen. I do need to get rid of wall paper ASAP, just need assistance in choosing an alternative or possible ideas. I appreciate your time, thank you!!

Anything is possible with enough money. I’m sure you could raise that ceiling.

All architects and builders who designed angled kitchens in the 80s and 90s should be shot. :-)

OK, now that I've got that out of my system, I'd say the first order of business is to eliminate all the fussy details, e.g. that curved trim piece, the recessed light well over the island, the mirrored backsplash, and yes, all the wall paper. The cabinets and granite look to be in good shape, But you could update the backsplash if you wanted to bring in some more color. I might go with something that feels more handcrafted and hand glazed than what you have now. LIke this, perhaps:

Saint Paul Craftsman · More Info

If you have the money to reface the doors, I'd go with a plain shaker style. And perhaps invest in some good LED under-cabinet lighting too, which will help with your dark stone counters.

Don't replace the wallpaper. Just remove it and have the painters patch/paint. Preferably in a very light or white color.

Here are corner kitchens similar to yours. I agree get rid of the wallpaper and figure out a way to address that rectangular hole in your ceiling. The backsplash is the least of this rooms issues.

These are some great suggestions thank you! I was thinking of a natural stacked stone in a light white or tan color as back splash, but I love the option you provided as well. I will look into the cost of updating the cabinet fronts, I already have LED lighting under cabinets, but I definitely need to do something with the weird lighting above the island. You are awesome, thanks again!!

Stacked stone as a back splash is hard to clean. I'd stick with tile.

Great advice! Thank you!

Stacked stone would be a grime collector. Go with a stone subway.

I love this stone subway look! Do you think this color scheme would look okay with the slate flooring?

If this was my kitchen ...i would spend and explore whatever it takes to raise the ceiling...the rest is fine really... and the backsplash is so small a change there would have minimal impact..

To give you an idea of all of the colors and textures together. This is with Marble tiles, like in the pictures. I think you could make it work with the right paint and floor rugs. It might be too busy with the granite and floors...depends on if you like it. Light floors and/or counters would be better, but I know how that goes, and lighting/wall paper removal will make a bigger impact for the $$.

A white handmade subway or tiles that look like white painted brick would look nice, I think.

I know it’s not a popular idea to alter natural stone but you could dye or limewash your slate floors, if you don’t love them, that is. I think you only live once and who gives a, do whatever you want. 😂

angie, that almost looked like my old kitchen!

I lived with it for almost 15 years, so I changed everything. I painted my cabs and had the doors refaced w/new shaker style. it wasn't that much more to do, on top of the painting. I redid the granite and the floors too.

First thing I'd do with yours is remove that wallpaper and paint. Then cover that huge hole in the ceiling where the florescent lighting used to be. just call in a dry wall guy to cover the hole w/sheetrock, skim coat it, and texture to match the rest of the ceiling. (or, have all of the ceiling skim coated to a smooth finish. your choice)

I used Light Pewter in my new space, but think any of these would also work w/your slate floors

Redo the recessed lighting in the ceiling with updated lights. Costco or HD have retro fit LED recessed lights that you can you use for yours. they use less energy and don't get hot.

BTW, I removed those 3 pendants on mine and just went to two. You could do a pendant over the island if you think you really need it ( if you do, please extend them so that the light is helpful for task lighting) or you could just do recessed after that hole is covered.

Please, please, remove that 4" piece before you do any backsplash update. do not put new tile on top of it. it should pry easily off the wall.

I think if you did more of a tumbled white marble, it would look better w/the slate (similar to my old backsplash)

this is a tumbled carrara.

I'm sure it comes in other shapes and sizes. But this would work w/your granite and the slate.
.

you could always do something like this in a solid color in glass if you like the thinner bar look

of course, you could also do a soft gray subway tile.

3x12 subway in a nice, silver gray color called Smoke. It would work w/cabs, granite and your flooring. Tilestoreonline.

or some darker tiles would look nice against the cabs.

you might also look into removing the scallop piece over the sink. it would be an immediate update

I'm not sure some of the stone-look backsplashes would work well with the floor. I'd either go with a solid, plain tile or a stone tile with similar texture and one of the colors from the floor. I'd avoid gray at all costs. And yeah, see if you can get someone to drywall that ceiling at some point. All in all, though, it's a lovely kitchen.

Impact of coating your floors...

Hey Angie, I just saw this photo...looks a lot like the coloring in your kitchen

Here’s the slate and cabs with lighter counters.

It does! looks very nice! so many choices!!

Avoid choosing tans, ecrus and browns for your walls and backsplash, or black for any other element. Your counter and floor add plenty of dark to the space. and the floors more than enough stone. I am not too sure that any grays would work all that well actually.

Go for very light colors that harmonize with the other elements without matching the browns and tans; for backsplash tile look for a polished or smoother finish that will reflect light somewhat (no, I don't mean mirrored LOL!) I would change the pulls and knobs to a brushed nickel.

Removing the 4" curb around the perimeter of the counter will also help to open up the space - it makes the space between the counter and uppers seem lower than it is and crowded.

all great suggestions, thank you!! I'm looking for stainless or brushed nickel hardware now, something more modern. I see what you mean on the curb, I'm still trying to find the right blacksplash to fit the color of the cabinets and flooring. I think you are right, very light, I'm thinking from other suggestions subway tile or something similar.

I generally don't like darker grout with tile, but I find AngieB's 2nd pic above very appealing. It really works with the floors - repeats a somewhat rustic look. Even the small strip of gray wall above the cabinets (and gray on the ceiling?) works there, but I don't think your lowered ceiling could pull it off.