a thorough de cluttering to start.

Too much visual stimulation.

I would also remove the table cloth, use placemats when setting the table.

I would paint the island base.

the whole room could benefit from a paint color... although you haven't shared your interests, colors or style...

To brighten it up for the long term, you can start by getting estimates for professional cabinet painting. Then do short term improvements:

Increase the wattage in the light bulbs in your fixtures, if they will take higher wattage bulbs.

Replace all black accessories with lighter, brighter, more colorful things. Shop your cabinets to see what you already have.

A new summer tablecloth in a print with white or off white background will brighten up the table.

Check the black pulls and knobs: perhaps their original finish got painted black when the cabinets were painted.

I don’t have under cabinet lighting that would prob def help! I agree a different color cloth, thinking more of a light blue solid with an orchid???

Under counter lighting, brass fixture and hardware and whiter walls.

It seems the island was conceived for people to sit all around it on stools, although you don't use it that way. The shape and all those brackets are visual clutter.

I would paint the island and replace the countertop with a rectangular counter in a solid, light color. You should be able to get a remnant for a decent price. I think that would be a huge improvement.

I think more blues and lavenders just add to a colder feeling. This is where you need to add some contrasting warm tones, but of course that works best if there are some you like!

I’ve not got great color suggestions except things that have more warm in browns lighter, warmer wood tones , maybe something that Is partly like the warmer beige floor, or caramels, cognac or reds. Or if purple direction, a rich earthy purple. But I’m not able to see the exact colors in the counters , or undertones in the other finishes, so I could be wrong.

I would save up until you can do a more comprehensive update.

You can do an inexpensive fly by now that will keep you going until you can do a bigger reno. I agree with decluttering, you have way to much stuff. Nothing on the fridge. One item per counter area. No tablecloth. Put a rug with some color in it under thE table. 2-3 barstool with some color around the island. You can even do a runner between the counter area and island. I would not sink more than $1000 into it if you think you are going to do a whole kitchen reno in tHe future. It’s a great space, just a bit dated.

I agree with everyone else. NO tablecloth at all and you have too much stuff. Put away all the clutter on the countertops and take away all the $20/each decor pieces. Replace with no more than three $100+ pieces.

Get a couple of solid color runner rugs in a color you love (not gray for G*d’s sake - pick a color that goes with the beige floor) and use that color in your new decor pieces. Maybe a rug under the table and chairs too.

New wall paint would help too. I can’t tell what color that is but it’s clashing with the floor.

For fun, do the decluttering, tablecloth, photos and collections gone. Then post a picture.

I like the idea of a new countertop on the island, but also, I would love to see bar stools there. The room will intantly be more inviting when there is a place to hang out.

What bulbs are in your can fixtures? If they're A19 screw in standard or other PAR type with the same base you can try the 17.5w led regular A19 bulbs from Costco. Each is a 1500 lumen flood. After that under cabinet led lighting will help you get to the shadow free 450 lumens at the counter level minimally recommended. The function of your space will improve dramatically. When you accomplish this basic foundational requirement for a kitchen your feeling about the color should be different. No need to make everything light to get your space to be inviting for doing things. I'd paint the island to match the cabinets or redesign it as a longer term goal.

No, the problem isn't "dark and plain", the problem is cluttered /too much going on, and some of it is stuff you can't change.

- The upper cabinets are just a mess: snaggletoothed tops, open cabinets, glass-front cabinets, windows above. The high ceilings without a plan aren't doing you any favors. Too much going on. But this isn't realistic to change, so you've gotta change other things.

- The cabinets are a strong color -- they dominate the room. And the mismatched island looks like an afterthought. Paint it to match the cabinets, even though that means more dark. ALTERNATELY, paint the cabinets a lighter, more friendly color -- a pale blue or sage?

- The island looks unfinished without stools. But, at the same time, you don't need a table and stools within arm's reach. Add stools in a bright color ... and repeat that same bright around the kitchen. I'd learn towards something warm like red or deep orange.

- If you ever re-do the kitchen "for real", I'd say ditch the table and go with one looong island. It'd be a more simple item, and this kitchen cries out for something simple.

- The blue tablecloth doesn't work 1) because it has a pattern, and -- again -- you have too much going on. and 2) because blue just isn't a friend to all the dark cabinets.

- The two lights would look better if they matched.

- The backsplash and the floor match, but they aren't 'specially friends with the cabinets. If you change them, stay super simple ... the accent tiles are a misstep.

- You ask if you should bring in accessories, a centerpiece? No. You need to lose things /not bring in more. Ditch the word "cheers" and replace the clear glasses (which disappear in the black cabinets) with bright white dishes.

- Remove the clutter from the counter tops. You may keep three things "out". Make them colorful statement pieces.

- Remove everything from the refrigerator. It's located "front and center", so clutter on the doors really jumps out at you.

- The calendar on the wall under "home sweet home" may be a necessity, but what you have is messy. Search on Pinterest for ideas for keeping this neater -- make a plan. Consider some of those slip-in frames that allow you to switch out kids' artwork.

- You mention new cabinet handles. I say no. You have too much going on, especially with these uppers. Lighter colored handles that'd stand out might work in another spot, but not in this kitchen.

- I like the arches, but they're kinda lost in the whole scheme of things. Too many things here are competing to "be the boss". The arch could be quite lovely if it were accented with hand painted vines /flowers.

Wow lots of feedback. Lol thanks everyone. I will declutter which was the plan all along haha. I don’t have stools cause my toddler and baby are climbing everything and didn’t want to risk anyone getting hurt which is also why I have a tablecloth and not a runner, constant clean up and why I don’t have a rug too. Sigh so I added a cream table clothe with a flower centerpiece for now. I have a large open space behind the sink that looks funny. I got rid of the dish holder to the left of the sink and the knife set. I like the picture frame idea vs the hanging home thing so I’ll take that off. I think I’ll replace the handles for now. The arches are in the whole house, the neighborhood is called Tuscany so yea they are everywhere. I would love to do a full reno but not ready just yet. I’ll add some under cabinet lighting too for now. Also I loved the comment on adding more cream dish into the glass cabinets, good idea!

Great advice above - def agree with the decluttering,

if it were me, I would lean into the creams to lighten things up and wouldn’t add an additional color. For the counter accessories, think about fewer and larger items - a set of chunky cream ceramic cannisters for example for one entire counter run.

I would expirament on lightening up the backs of the glass cabs - would be interesting to cut foam board to size and paint them cream, or add grasscloth or not to busy wallpaper. Agree that would need chunky plates and bowels in there and not just glasses

I think you’d get way more bang for your buck changing out your lighting than changing hardware - that would be a big update

A way of lightening up the shelf and glass cabinets might be to either paint the back of them OR insert painted poster board on the backs of them. I would choose a paint that is cream colored. Then….I would add color to those shelves in the form of china, serving platters, etc. Don’t put lots of little stuff there; place pieces that will make a statement and draw the eye to their color, not the dark cabinets. I wouldn’t go with cool colors. Your backsplash and floor are warm. Maybe red, orange, green…