I agree a waste. Paint the walls a light cream from the granite

How about trying some under cabinet lighting?

I would keep the granite and paint the dark cabinets. White, light gray cream or sage green or what ever you like.

Painting is a cheapest way to update.

I agree with the above a an off white paint would look great.

You could leave all the base cabinets dark and paint only the overhead cabinets and the walls ... perhaps a pale gray from the granite.

If this is a single story home where the kitchen is located, you might consider adding a skylight or a pair of them.

Noticed the window. If the wall behind the microwave is an exterior wall (open to the outdoors rather than with a garage behind it) perhaps you could add a pair of small windows in the arc/vaulted ceiling over that row of cabinets, however, if that is the north side of the house (in the northern hemisphere), that might not help much .

Using the same electrical circuit as the microwave, you could add lighting to the room over that row of cabinets. You could create a backlit faux window with a dimmer/on/off switch for the light in the cabinet above the microwave -- a light you'd have the option to leave on all the time.

If you want to create a focal point other than the dark color of the cabinets, you could add a 6" wide "accent wall" within the door way between kitchen and bar, painting only the narrow arc/door cased opening your favorite bold bright color -- and/or paint your picture frames and/or bar stools the same color -- or otherwise add those colors to your kitchen and/or extended kitchen/bar area. Or make your stove/microwave wall an accent wall, including the overhead cabinets as well as the backsplash and the wall above the cabinets.

If you're wanting to add more color, you could change your pendant lights to something larger and with Tiffany style stained glass.

If symmetry matters to you, you could add a trim board above your window or lower your photo grouping so the top is the same height as the window frame.

Paint the uppers white, paint the walls a lighter shade, and assess your lighting situation.

Nice kitchen! Your pendant light(s) look like they might be a little wimpy. Could you take another picture looking into the kitchen from the peninsula?

I think your kitchen is lovely. A whiter cream will make the room more current. I have dark cabinets presently and even with light marble counters the room was dark until I added under Cabinet lights and I too have cabinets that do not reach the ceiling so I also placed string Christmas lights on top but out of sight of my cabinets. I actually think the above cabinet lights made the biggest difference in my kitchen.

Agree with everyone here, paint the walls a light cream/white and add a bigger rug/runner in that space between the island and the sink. Will cover some of the tile and add a stylized pop of color.

It’s recommended that bulbs should be 4000K. I would start there.

Second, I agree that the walls can go creamy, although what you selected was a good choice.

You have a lovely kitchen. In my opinion the granite isn’t busy, but this can be very personal.

Please make peace with with your kitchen.

I’m new to this site and overwhelmed by the feedback. Thank you all so much. I think I should start with the paint also.

This is a view from the peninsula