Love the sleekness of it; looks very low maintenance (right in my wheelhouse!) You're right; the backsplash is terrible. It might be more modern than you want, but consider a back painted glass splash or use glass tiles.

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You can find translucent film in varying patterns, including "stained glass". Some are cling films, so easy to remove. That might tone down the modernness of the cabs.

You can also use accessories --- baskets, old-fashioned mortar and pestle, etc.

The most "modern" thing about the backsplash is the stripes. If you replaced that with a solid, it would have a different look.

I agree some glass tile I would do some glass subway in the 3 x6 size .I do not see the blue working with those counters Can you post a pic of a close up of the counters thta would be ahuge help.

IMO, the problem is that the major elements--the cabinets, the counter tops and the backsplash--aren't cohesive. Cabinets being the most expensive thing to change, I would embrace modern and change the counters and splash. Backpainted glass for the splash and a solid or near solid color counter. Add runners--either distinctly modern/ geometric or slightly rustic Moroccan.

Here's the tile, @Patricia Colwell Consulting. I tend to prefer natural and neutral colors, and the kitchen is small - I already think the dark cabinets make it look smaller and more closed in.

@decoenthusiaste that's a great point regarding the sleekness. I do like minimalist, so that's a point in the cabinet's favor. Maybe just focusing on how clean it looks will help me like it.

Is it possible to change the upper cabinet doors? As you've mentioned, the backsplash should be replaced. This might be the right kind of kitchen for just a glass backsplash behind the range and sink. You could also look at changing the pulls, adding a rug that ties in with the decor in adjoining rooms, and adding accessories you like that suit the style you want the kitchen to have.

For a new backsplash, bring home several tile samples in light, neutral colors and see which one is closest to the light colors in the countertop. Use matching grout and then you'll have something quiet and functional.

You are right the backsplash is a whole lot of too much going on (esp with the translucent uppers). Do a back painted glass tile in a stacked pattern. Solid color. Something like a 2x12 or similar size. That will complement the cabinets but can warm it up and not clash with the granite. My brother / SIL have a similar look in their kitchen in more of a warm modern look using a khaki type tile.

I think you have the kitchen cabinets I am saving to buy. No joke! Are you sure you don't like them?

I'm definitely not a designer, so do not trust me. But FWIW your instinct to experiment with tile seems like a good idea. Maybe tape a couple square feet of subway tile up and stand back. See if it adds the traditional touch you are wishing for? Especially paired with those granite tops.

Not sure what you want to budget, but if you like ceramic tile, Fireclay Tile has a lot of different white/light colors and allows sample orders. There'a a white called calcite that is a super bright warm white (it kind of glows, almost). I can't tell if it would work with your granite, but it might have the "feeling" you are wanting.

The rest of the space looks pretty contemporary to me. So the slab doors don't seem out of place.

I think that you definitely need to change the backsplash to something more plain as that odd stripey design is not right. I do not love the upper cabinet doors either… I would need to change those too. Those doors show some of the cabinet contents which looks very untidy.

@Danielle Gottwig im trying to see them in a more favorable light! What are the cabinets your saving for?? im not sure what these are, we dont close for another few weeks. i do know theyre great quality - which makes me hesitant to do anything drastic to them. thank you for the fireclay recommendation!

@maddie260 what would you use instead of glass tile?

I don't have one, particular company in mind -- I just really like your door style/color.

Once you are in the house a few weeks, it will probably get easier to figure out what you like / don't like.

I am not a fon of glass tiles, for some reason. I think a plain creamy white tile would look best.

It is hard for me to tell, but are the upper cabinet doors with the frosted glass made out of metal or are they painted white?

Some things inexpensive that would be first on my list to change is:

Remove the yellow lantern patterned wall paper behind the couch.

Change out any lightbulbs that cast a yellow tint like the undercabinet lights and the stripe of can lights above the raised countertop.

Definite yes to that backsplash going buh-bye! 😂

Look at tons of pictures of kitchens that look similar to yours with your style of cabinetry. See what backsplashes they pair with that modern style.

I would pick a nice light, fresh, and clean paint color for the walls that compliments the color of the floor tile and granite. I would need to at least paint any of the yellow walls near the kitchen so it doesn’t throw off picking backsplash colors. I would keep it pretty light since the cabinets are so dark.

I feel like the former owners might have been a married couple where one loved modern-sleek and the other loved formal-traditional. Neither was willing to budge on their style, so it came out looking incohesive like you said.

Congrats on the new house! Please don’t be in a mad dash to pick the backsplash either. Live with it a few months just to make sure you don’t want to change anything else at the same time.

Well , I'd be inclined to change both counter tops AND splash. Why? Because I'd lower that counter at sink to counter height and cut that dry wall down,

Both materials , counter and splash fight the flooring which is cooler in tone and temperature. Hardware is easy to change.

But all of this with the caveat that you aren't going to make the kitchen or the house itself into a farmhouse. So don't try: )

Wise advice is to live in the house 6 months to see what doesn’t function for you throughout the house, then prioritize a list of functional changes, and the aesthetics that still irk you, and develop an affordable budget. Is your goal to make the kitchen look less sleek and feel more like your style? The easiest is to move your personal countertop items with you to make the kitchen feel like it is yours. The kitchen’s simple style probably will not fight, and be a pleasant juxtaposition with the furniture you move in from the old house. Some other ideas to pick from - fully embrace the rich warm dark wood, paint all the walls, paint all the ceilings a warmer off-white, paint the LR beams in a dark wood tone unless the ceilings are 8’ or lower, add beams or coffered ceiling in kitchen, replace the ceiling light over the sink with a pendant, turn the upper cabs 90* so they hinge on the sides - or replace their top-hinged big door with pair of smaller side-hinged glass doors and lighting (photo below), replace the upper cab frosted glass doors with shaker style doors - and some with clear glass and muntins if you own displayable items, replace the simple style cabinet hardware, have a Pro add stained trim on the pantry slab doors and lower cabinets’ bottom drawers to mimic Shaker, add more flourish to the simple kitchen crown and window trim and baseboards throughout the house, add board and batten wall panelling in the DR area.

I hope the yellow backsplash makes it on the To Do list, and you will have a better feel for what to do with it after you move your stuff in and start making other changes

What about painting the frames of the glass doors? I can't determine whether the frames are metal or a painted something else.

I would experiment before committing to paint. Like cutting strips of foam core and painting the strips and taping/ Fun Tak them over the frames.

I'm thinking dark colors here, maybe dark metallic paint? Dark bronze, dark red bronze?? Maybe a really bad idea but won't cost much to experiment.

Oh, dark bronze is a great idea! I've been staring at this kitchen since yesterday, trying to think of what kind of contrasting door could work (assuming it's difficult to get doors that match the cabinets). Dark bronze would really tone down the contrast. Still modern but much less aggressively so.

After you move in, identify the manufacturer of the cabinets. Check to see if you could simply replace the glass fronted metal cabinets with cabinet fronts that match the wood that you have, or are wood with clear glass rather than frosted glass (if that is what they are.). I think your counter tops look fine. I would find a simple cream colored subway tile that picks up the creamy tones in your pretty granite. Then…accessories, a nice rug, etc. Your mixer, etc. Good luck!

I found this inspiration photo in Danielle Gottwig’s kitchen ideabook. The cabinets are similar to yours and I love the tiles.

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Although you don’t have white countertops, and I do think white is right for your kitchen, this side by side comparison shows that the tile color is compatible with your current countertop.

Here’s a closer look at the texture of the tile. If you can find this tile, I’d bring home samples to make sure it doesn’t fight with your countertop.

Oh man, my barely organized photo collection came in useful!

Kraftmaid's peppercorn stain on cherry does look a lot like your cabinets.

White subway tile or marble subway tile is classic. Can't tell enough about your counters to see if they would look good together. The metal framed cabinet doors have got to go. See if you can get new ones to match the other cabinet doors.

Those tall cabinets are phenominal. What great storage!

As mentioned by someone else, the colour of countertop doesn't really coordinate with the tile floor but since it didn't wound like you plan is to change the countertop, I'm suggesting something that will coordinate with it and the cabinets.

I would go with a subway tile (different dimensions available) in either white if you have some white in your countertop of with a very light beige glass tile.