The best way to add "light" to this space would be to change out the dark counters and backsplash.

You have white trim, so you could also paint out the beverage area in the same white and that would really lighten up the space.

Add way more recessed lights.

Change out the dark chairs and table and stools.

I like the countertops and backsplash with your cabinets.
I would find out if you can get the countertops leathered.
I’d remove those pieces under the countertops. On the peninsula.
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I’d do a new dinette set.
Take pictures of the space.
But I’d probably do a rectangular table if it can fit.
With a light rug underneath.

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Update lighting throughout

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And change the hardware to something more wow.

I like your kitchen. The easiest wsy to brighten it a bit is to change the chairs counterstools to something lighter. A new fixture over the table, hung a little lower, would make a big difference. I also think that the kitchen reads more modern, and the table, chairs and counter stools feel too traditinal.

A lighter, warm white on the walls, and you can chalk paint your chairs and stools in a lighter color if you don't want to replace them. I think your table is fine.

your kitchen looks great! not loving the furniture though. update the table, chairs and barstools and you'll get an instant improvement. also not a fan of the blue pendants, so maybe upgrade those as well.

if you had it in your budget, consider replacing the black countertops with something much lighter. swapping any horizontal surface from black to white will bounce light and massively improve the brightness. (edit: just realized you don't want to change counters, so ignore that!)

Larger, brighter pendant lights over counter. Lighter color backsplash. Lighter color chairs.

First thing…you need more recessed lighting, with brighter LED bulbs. Also, those pendants are strictly down lights, with a narrow stream of light.. Find pendants that provide both uplighting, and downlighting…with a broader beam…something either open on top, or glass.

Secondly, I have no problem with the black counters. After all, I have soapstone in my wood kitchen. However, the black backsplash is a major problem. If you would change that out for a light colored tile, you’d see a huge difference in the feel of the kitchen. Perhaps repaint the dark grey bar area in a similar shade of the new backsplash.

Here’s my kitchen…wood cabs, soapstone, celadon green backspash, and lots of lighting…including two halophane glass semi-flush pendants. You’ll have to enlarge the first pic, to see the semi-flush fixture.

Do you have undecabinet lights? If not, think about getting them…they make a huge difference in a kitchen’s brightness. You can see in the pics above, mine are on.

Get a big rug for under the table, and pull a fun color from it to paint the chairs. Recessed lighting and a new backsplash.

If new is not in the works for the island and table, perhaps painting the tabletop and island top white or covering with contact paper or epoxy. Switching out the table chairs and barstools for a something less 'heavy' in appearance.

Also, those pendants are strictly down lights, with a narrow stream of light.

yep. pendants with white frosted glass shades will scatter the light around more. avoid clear glass with edison bulbs, you won't be able to turn them to full brightness w/o blinding everybody.

LEDs under the upper cabinets will lighten up the dark countertops.