The problem is your floor. It is driving the other choices in here. It is cool and drab. The counters and backsplash look great with it. While your cabinets could take a warmer looking countertop and splash, they would then clash with the floor and look really off.

Have you played around with brighter light bulbs and different temp light bulbs? Do you have under cabinet lights? I'd consider adding lights to the center of the room too.

Solution to a dim kitchen is lighting. Far cheaper than counter/backsplash and far far more effective. I agree with Kendrah, your counters and cabinets look nice!

the pics show different kitchens. is that before and after? or your desired outcome? judging from table/chair set up you have an eat in kitchen..some modern features and cabinets of transitional sort ......ready to decorate and/or swap a few things for more details in the space....keeping it light ???? if you lean modern I'd consider 1. glass tile backsplash...2. float a shelf or two above buffet area 3. upgrade lighting including something over table /sink too 4. leave the counter unless you dislike it..it seems okay to work with 5. floor mat/runner/ maybe rug under table. it almost looks like the staged pic from realtor listing... figure out where you would add "zing " elements if modern is your desire...the space is big enough.

glass tiles....or bold color tile choices....note floating shelf for your buffet side...textiles are very modern and add so much....runner / rug ?? the art on the walls is washed out....try something with some oomph...I'm thinking add life to the space.....confusion about bright vs injection of life / more dynamic. cherry stain like that can handle interest in the adjacent choices. .

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Thanks so much for the insight! We weren’t planning to change the floors initially, but we are adding under-cabinet lighting soon. I hadn’t considered adding lighting to the center of the room, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind moving forward. I guess changing the floors might be on the table if we want the kitchen to feel warmer.

I was really hoping to find a way to brighten the space more naturally—without needing to have the lights on all day. Not sure if that’s actually possible though, haha.

yes, the pictures are of the same kitchen. The brighter ones are from the listing (with all the staging), and the darker one is from when we took it after everything was cleared out. Love the kitchen with the blue tile!

Your counters and backsplash are already white or nearly so. How are you thinking different counters and splash are going to brighten up the kitchen?

It’s not like the counters are going to produce sunlight, or direct sunlight onto the lower cabinets.

The listing photo exposure has been played with. It does not reflect reality.

I suggest an experiment. Go buy a roll of pure white paper, tape it over the counters and cabinets, see what difference it makes. Will cost you $20 and save you thousands.

Ahh that’s such a good idea—thank you! I’ll grab a roll of white paper today and see what it does. That’ll give me a better sense of direction.

herbflavor, thanks so much for all your ideas! I appreciate your suggestions. It’s given me a lot to think about as I plan how to brighten and add personality to the space.

Dimness is corrected by Light. Not Paint, or other surfaces. You still have to see after dark, even in an all white kitchen. It won't glow in the dark on it's own.

Thanks! I now understand that paint and surfaces can’t create light, definitely not expecting the kitchen to glow in the dark on its own. I was just hoping to find ways to help the space feel brighter during the day. I’ve realized that to brighten it, I’ll need to add more lighting and not just rely on finishes.

I really don’t know much about design (or whatever this whole process is 😅), so I’m here to learn and I appreciate all the kind and constructive suggestions! Soaking it all in.

You have electrical in the ceiling at the right locations, so easy enough to add track lighting, LED lightbars, larger cans. Won't need to open the ceiling. Might start with installing the brightest bulbs that will fit in the current cans and seeing what difference that makes.

Natural light is not enough for many times day and night. Undercab leds with the closer spacing of the leds will help. Task lighting for work zones and ambient lighting for the overall space are two layers to improve the brightness.

Lighting plus finishes are important to me. You can have all the natural light or added artificial light to make a room lovely and bright but if a hint of cool paint or ice cold floors and counters, I feel seasonal affect disorder rapid landing upon me! For me it is a combo of the two.

I agree! We haven’t moved in yet, but when we visited on a cloudy day, the kitchen felt off and I couldn’t figure out why. You’re right.. it’s the floors, which tie in with the counters and backsplash. Our current home actually feels brighter and warmer on cloudy days even without the lights on, so that’s kind of why I came here to ask what can be done. I’ll definitely start by adding warmer lighting for now.

How about a bright/warm throw rug on the kitchen floor? Easy to shake out, save a dropped glass from breaking, no cold feet, and visually helpful.