I would run the same wood vinyl throughout your home. Installing the same flooring throughout the entire house will make the home feel/look larger. Plus, it makes it easier when selecting wall paint colors when the same flooring runs continuously from room †o room.

You do not need to install the lighter 24x48 tile in the kitchen in order to make the room lighter/brighter - that is really a function of installing the correct lighting in your kitchen.

I would look up some examples of where people replaced their fluorescent light boxes - there are some creative ways to DIY that project. It will really help update the look of your kitchen.

I would keep the tile, it looks to be in decent condition, an d remove the light box, and install lighting in your kitchen. paint and tile wont help it look lighter, only lighting will do that. And also look to install led lights that are daylight type at 3500, to 4000k light bulbs. I use 4000, but, some others like the 3500 better.

Thanks for the comments. We actually have to change the tile because of a water leak.we’re dealing with right now. Also, my daughter is in a wheelchair and this area will be hight traffic . Therefore we are forced to do two types of flooring even tho our preference would be to do just one. Any other comments are syuper welcome!

Floating vinyl floors are not to be used with wheelchairs. They will be torn up in no time. Tile everywhere, so why not wood look tile?

You 100% need an electrician in there to improve the lighting before you do much of anything. That's what will make the home "light". Not using white everywhere. That atrocious 'light cloud" thing inflicts a lot of homes, and it's the worst possible lighting that exists. Fix the lighting before you get off on a tangent about a 14K cabinet finishing job.