I would install LED lighting under the upper cabinets, remove the cinnamon blinds, paint walls a warm white with no pink in it so you don't emphasize the "salmon" you don't like. If your installed lighting is not 4000K LED, change it throughout before you decide on final paint colors. Updating hardware on the cabinetry will make a big difference. If you have the budget to replace the granite. sink and faucets, that would be the place to do a bigger renovation. I like the cabinetry and wood is making a comeback in the kitchen. If your DW is in good shape, see about adding a stainless front to it so the appliances match better.

Budget-friendly options:

--Since you say you have a lot of storage space, would you consider removing the cabinets that flank the window? That would open up the space quite a bit. You could do open shelves for attractive daily dishes and glassware as in the thumbnail below left. Or put art there.

Alternatively, reface the window-side cabinets with glass fronts as below.

Hillsdale kitchen · More Info

Do add a Roman shade at the window and find a creamier white for the walls.

So it sounds like blue or green wall paint won't make a difference... Find a white. I know white will be better than what's there--i forgot that the ceiling also matches the walls too! I can go for white I guess. It would definitely be less offensive. We did change the lighting after moving in, that helped. Can't change the sink size without getting a larger cabinet, so a lot of things will be lived with until we remodel.

I'm not really looking to spend on anything besides paint. My kids are teenage+tweenage boys who are learning to cook and they're hard on the kitchen. These cathedral style cabinets are my least favorite door style... Have been my least favorite for as long as I can remember--I like slab doors. I've considered replacing the upper doors but everything is serviceable and well-kept so it feels wasteful. If I replaced the doors on the uppers I'd go with frosted/patterned glass inserts, painted frames, and have the box exteriors painted to match. Kind of a cottage look I guess, which would fit the house which is 1960s cottage/ranch of some kind. This is the entry light fixture and I don't know the style but it's kind of offbeat so keeping it:

Interesting idea to remove the cabinets by the window. I had considered that after we closed on the house, but this kitchen doesn't have a hood, it has a microwave. I've since discovered the vent that doesn't do much so things not behind doors get oily and dusty. And we've thought about putting in a hood but then we have to find a home for the microwave.

Maybe what it comes down to is that this kitchen has a strong personality that isn't easily changed with just paint.

I would not remove cabinets. If you can't change the countertops, I would just paint the room a warm white and remove the wood blinds. You can replace them with a simple white roller shade if needed, but maybe you don't need anything there. I would also get a runner for the floor to incorporate the colors from your living room. Removing the blinds and using a rug will both help break up all the brown tones.

I agree with picking an off white to paint the walls, along with adding a stainless panel to the dishwasher.

As far as tile grout, have you checked to see if it needs to be recolored or just requires a good cleaning? I know mine needed a cleaning when I moved in.

If you don't want to spend the money on a roller blind, you can simply spray the wood blind in a color that matches the new wall color.

Leave everything else as is until you're ready for a re-do.

Hi Melle. You’re reacting to a lack balance in your space. It’s the backsplash. Combined with the cabinets it’s too much of a ..... cinnamon thing? Removing the slab and replacing it with either a 2” counter bs or tile will give you some much needed balance.

I would find the counters much more bearable if it weren't for the matching backsplash--which was probably an upgrade at the time. eam44 thanks for the helpful mock-up. I'm afraid there will be gaps etc at the back of the counter, plus the window has granite sill so that would need fixed, and we have other projects that need addressed before I do too much in the kitchen.

Can I paint the backsplash? I'd happily paint it white to match the walls!

And yes to spraying the blind. I prefer Roman shades and we ordered custom shades for many other windows. But the wood blinds are very practical for the kitchen and he when the sun goes down they are needed to block the light; I like the privacy they offer so even though they aren't trendy right now I think they're the best choice.

Oh the grout--the original grout near the toe kick is similar to the tile color, but someone painted a large portion of the grout dark brown. Not all the grout is painted, but I think painting over the dark brown is the best option for now.

I was inspired to try painting the kitchen dark blue. I don't really like it. Much easier and faster to see this in a mock up than to keep pining about it!

I do have a blue runner in the kitchen, but it's not really in keeping with how I'm decorating so I'll look for a new runner. And I'm going to start out with painting the ceiling white, then work my way down to the backsplash and the blinds.

Here's mock-ups with green. I do like this better, less contrast. But it's pretty drab; not moody and dramatic, more like camo and fatigues LOL!

And I tried white. It's crisp and I can bring in blues with a runner and some of my plant pots. It's pretty refreshing, actually. I do think white will probably be best:

So about hardware -- yes I would love to change the kitchen over to all pulls, but not really sure it would have enough impact to be worth making a change...though I do prefer using pulls for the doors and drawers. Any of these -- going for either over-the-top (to me) decorative or else masculine:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amerock-Wells-3-3-4-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Rectangular-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000059089

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Amerock-Essential-Z-3-3-4-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Matte-Rectangular-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000535571

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Residential-Essentials-4-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Rectangular-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000686568

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Stone-Mill-Hardware-Hawthorne-3-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Arch-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000728664

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Stone-Mill-Hardware-Rope-3-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Arch-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000727894

https://www.lowes.com/pd/MNG-Hardware-Laguna-5-1-16-in-Center-to-Center-Satin-Nickel-Rectangular-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000761922

These seem like a fun alternative to the knobs:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Residential-Essentials-Satin-Nickel-Cylindrical-Handle-Cabinet-Door-Pull/1000683724

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sumner-Street-Home-Hardware-Belmont-Satin-Nickel-Oval-Ring-Cabinet-Door-Pull/50434434

The more I think about these rings, I kind of just want to go for it and have rings, they actually seem more suitable for the gaudy cathedral doors. I'm not sure what style of cabinets would have originally had ring pulls, but I'm imagining it would have been something ornate.

have you thought about taking a hammer to the backsplash granite and removing it? that way you could at least redo it w/simple subway tile to brighten it up a bit.

demoing that granite isn't difficult. you'd protect the countertop w/heavy tarp, and break up the portion above it. shouldn't even damage the wall if you go slowly.

you could also just try using a pry bar first to see if you can pry it away from the wall. hopefully they didn't use a lot of adhesive

otherwise, i'd lose that heavy wood blind and get a soft shade of some type. bring in a sisal rug to put down over the tiles. paint the walls a lighter tone, or gold bold and do a black or deep charcoal

I'm not sure about demoing the bs; it's almost 1" thick. Maybe that is normal but it seems excessive to me.

I'll mock up charcoal walls... The counters definitely have black in them.

Can a soft shade still block the harsh western sun? It's consistently bright and glaring around the evening when it's dinner prep/cleanup and the blinds absolutely must be closed.

If the blinds work for you then keep them. Painting gray on the wall will look terrible with both the countertops and the floors. Stick to a warm white.

Thanks for all the input! I might go ahead and spring for the new hardware and a faucet as well; when we first moved in I wanted to change the hardware/faucet, just because what's in there isn't even comfortable to use (to me); I've gotten used to it . Paint and hardware, faucet if I can find a good one I like that works with the pre-existing layout, and otherwise it is what it is -- a very functional, durable, compact space that is getting the job done while we tackle other more pressing projects.

ETA -- > I'd love recommendations for sites that sell hardware, especially anything with rings AND pulls that are part of the same collection. I'm actually feeling excited about this mini kitchen refresh.

But the style, the overall color, the flesh-toned walls, the sheer quantity of coppery/salmon granite going up the walls...it's pretty overbearing and not in keeping with how I am decorating the rest of the house.

I'm not sure about demoing the bs; it's almost 1" thick. Maybe that is normal but it seems excessive to me.

These were you words. demo'ing that backsplash is the cure for your complaint.

try the other options if you like. But the only way to rid yourself of the 'sheer quantity' of that granite, is to remove it from the backsplash area.

Yes you're right; I wasn't very clear though. I meant I wasn't sure about DIY-ing the demo of 1" thick backsplash -- I can see what I typed didn't really explain that at all -- I meant that I thought having a 1" slab of granite on the wall all around the entire kitchen seemed excessive! I completely agree with you otherwise, it's a very bossy element. I guess I was hoping that it wasn't as overbearing as I felt it was, and that a different wall color would be all it needed.

Hi melle. I’ve just read through your post again. The mockup by eam44 (two days ago) and note about balance sums it all up. That mockup convinced me that you can really make difference in this kitchen! I agree with you 100% on saying no to a dyi job. I would only hire a pro to remove the backsplash. I encourage you to get some quotes!

I also agree with all who have recommended white paint, but I would not have a clue as to which. Seems that would be worth having a SW designer come to help you choose. This alone would make a major difference in your kitchen, and you could get blinds to match. Home Depot cuts to size for a reasonable cost.

Replacing the hardware and faucet would be good idea, too. ORB comes to mind, given the color of your wood (which is beautifully warm.) Would cup pulls for your lower cabinets line up with the existing holes?

Cosmas 4310ORB Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Cup Pull · More Info

Cosmas 7712FB Cabinet Bin Cup Pull, 3" Hole Centers, Set of 5, Flat Black · More Info

Maybe this is not possible, but could you reverse your cabinet and drawer fronts so that the flat back becomes the front? You'd probably need a different hinge.

I wish. The backs are also cathedral but without the extra frou frou. I don't think it's worth the effort, although I do prefer the simplicity of the inside.

I'll think about the backsplash more. I'm not sure my DH will consider it money well spent to remove it, especially as we both know the whole space will be gutted at some point in the future. The cabinets and counters are all in good condition, which was why we decided even though this kitchen isn't to my taste and is so very brown, it would be okay for a while.

Rather than removing the backsplash, I would probably rather try to paint over it first when I repaint the walls and ceiling.

https://happyhautehome.com/2018/01/22/is-it-possible-to-paint-a-granite-surface/