I would paint the ceiling and all the trim white or a light color to coordinate with the new cabinets. I would paint the bead board and the surrounding trim the same color as the walls so it blends in. You could also replace with drywall. You can bring in wood with cooking utensils, cutting boards, etc.

I would paint the ceiling all white including the beams or drywall all over it and install flat beams.

You need a lot more lighting than what you have. Your lighting design needs to be part of your decision making about the ceiling. The part that is covered to hide the current wiring is not a very pleasing solution. If you keep the beams exposed, here are some other ideas. Notice thoug, that one has a pitched ceiling, one has beams spaced quite far apart, and the last one has white between the beams, which might be a good option for you.

We painted our bathroom drop cloth. It changes color *a lot*. All of your colors will change significantly depending on what color the ceiling is and how it bounces the light around.

Are you keeping the floors their current color? What other wood will be used in here?

I'd try taping white poster board in sections of your ceiling between the joists and see what you think about it. Remember, yours are close together, and deep.

Will suggest pickling the joists and the ceiling or Pickling the joist and painting the ceiling (which I assume is the bottom of the floor decking). Pickling will change the color and lighten without loosing the wood grain.

Taupe or any variation is not an enlightening color, whether in paint, hosiery, make-up, etc.🤪. Go with white or warm whites that work with your wood and floor.

Please show the entire space to get the best suggestions:

Is your goal a lighter space? If so, there are a number of things you can do. Not sure why painting the ceiling is your only choice. Here are some other things to try first.

--Paint the walls a warm white. Here's an article about colors that go with wood:https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-terrific-paint-color-matches-for-wood-details-stsetivw-vs~9025200

--Paint upper cabinets same warm white as walls.

Doheny Penthouse Renovation · More Info

Since this is a cabin--is it a second home where daily life is more casual--then remove some cabinets and replace with open shelves so people can easily grab glasses and plates:

Washington DC - Midcentury - Kitchen · More Info

The photo below has some features you could try even though it doesn't look like your rustic cabin kitchen.

--change countertops to a lightly patterned ivory finish. You don't have a lot of countertop, so this might not cost as much as you think. Light countertops in any kitchen bounce light upwards.

--Install small spotlights across all wood ceiling--such an inexpensive solution. Also install undercabinet lighting.

--Get a new dining set with white chairs or paint the ones you have along with the table legs.

Modern Kitchen, Hingham MA · More Info

Other ideas:

--Add a bright indoor outdoor rug or cushion pad to your kitchen floor.

--Change undersink skirt to light color.

Thank you so much for all of your comments. The bead board is now white dove, and I have a photo with the floors (white oak, kind of a whitewash look--don't love it). Thanks again! I am not yet set on the cabinet color. I am not a fan of white cabinets---would really consider a warm white or cream.

Definitely not taupe for the cabinets. As you stated, you should consider a warm white or cream which would work better with your current ceiling.

Definitely no stark white but warm white for walls, upholstery, some furnishings you plan to change out.

We still haven't seen the entire space. This is important since often the "problem"--make the ceiling lighter/paint the cabinets--that someone identifies can be solved multiple ways by changing other features, fixing layout, add or substracting accents, decluttering. We can't make the best suggestions without seeing an entire space.

Curious: What don't you like about the flooring? It looks good in the photo you provided.

Check out Nesting With Grace's website. On it they have a beautiful home in Utah that the pickled the ceiling in the living room to tone down the orange wood. It turned out lovely.

Check out the links for some lovely cabins/homes done in a variety of ways:

Pickled Wood Ceilings

Creating a Home Color Palette for Cabin

White Painted Cabin

Are the walls remaining unpainted?

Can you show more pics of the entire room and any drawings of how it may change.

Is there a particular look you are going for?

Im not sure why eveyone is insisting on cream and white cabinets. I love it myself, but surely there are other options for this space.

Can you post a pic of the taupe you are considering?

Thank you, everyone. I am trying to get better photos to give a complete look--thanks Kendrah--I would like the walls to be painted. Emily and Norwood--I will look at the pickling option, that may make the floors look better. Housegal, I guess what I don't like with floors, they are more of a whitewashed white oak, different than the orange pine. Really what I would like is more of a coheisve look--the cabin was built in stages and it's very much, as the guy who helps paint it, done the Vermont way (kind of a joke about being done as it works for the time). Thank you again for all of the wonderful ideas --Kendrah and housegal, there were a lot of great photos, there.

Emily: Ilove thag design! and the cabinet colors are nice—more in line with what a lot of you have been saying. I think its a good reference point. thabks!

@lms_1209 what does your statement "probably drop cloth" mean? Someone else commented on paint their ceiling drop cloth. I never heard this term.

@Nova it’s a popular farrow and ball paint color