Looks like the paint colors were "updated" during the Gray Trend. Looks like the ceilings are gray too?

I would repaint the walls in a warm off-white. Paint the ceilings the same white as the trim, but in a flat finish.

I agree with @la_la Girl, the cabinets are quite nice. Consider painting the kitchen/living area the same color that you already have in the adjacent area below. And consider painting that 18-pane door a soft fun color for a nice pop there. Will be lovely!

For pendant ideas you want to post a photo of any other lighting in the adjacent areas so Pros can better recommend ideas. (That's a pretty chandelier in the living room)

How long have you lived there? It can take a while to get used to a new place.

Just at 4 years. 😁

Love your cabinets--it's the speckly granite counter tops and the gray walls that are the problem. If you dislike the pendant lights then change them to something simpler. Replace the granite with a white quartz or marble, or a black granite. Then paint the walls in an off-white, and you're done.

I like the cabinets, but, hate the chandeliers. They really need to go. The paint doesnt go with anything in your kitchen, so that needs to be changed. White would work, but, I would pick a light shade of color. Your kitchen needs some life and interest. It isnt the cabinets that is causing it to be dull and boring.

Here is a picture of the chandelier in the living room.

I like all of the ideas! Any advice on paint color names?

What paint color do you have in that back room with the cubbies?

I'd RIP IT. if at all possible. I'd rip the mantel too.

NONE of it suits the style of the house, the windows. ....nothing in picture, that much is certain,

Failing that ? Paint, I suppose........ But.........at some point you realize it just isn't your style. : )

The whole wall looks clunky , heavy, and dated. Start a piggy bank. My bet is you don't love the counters, either, Do you have a pantry? Is there storage.? Does it FUNCTION for how you live?

If answer is hate it all, no it doesn't ? Don't mess with lipstick on a pig.

Post an inspo for your dream kitchen: )

I have a great pantry and I agree it doesn’t match the style of the house. I want the kitchen and living to feel airy and cozy!

So show the DREAM kitchen?! What you have can not in any way.......be called " AIRY : )

The chandeliers have to go so start there and I mean all of them. Light and airy starts with good lighting and a wall color that is light . I like the counters and the cabinets they work together . Try to show what you have for lighting in the kitchen I am not seeing any pot lights . I do not see clutter so thats good. The LR looks tiny but that is another space .

Four years is long enough to live with something you don't like. Do you have a budget range in mind for current changes?

Does the photo below from your ideabooks show the style of kitchen you really want?

Southlake Transitional · More Info

Here's the kitchen with the walls painted in a creamy white (something like in the room on the right). Showing simpler rattan pendants.

Lisedv I like how those pendants pick up the pantry door tone. Budget will be the driver as to how far you go. Frankly, I’d hate replacing stone counters for quartz but that’s me.

Your wood cabinets are lovely and warm, but the wall color throughout the space, including the living is cold. The island lighting makes no design sense. Most budget friendly things to try:

--Repaint all the walls the same warm cream that matches the subway tile color over the stove, which harmonizes perfectly with the countertops.

--Change the island pendant lighting to something both elegant and modern, two round/oval/square wood and metal pendants since you already have two electric fixtures over the island. The black bulb holders echo the black candlestick holders in living room fixture.

Fedelmid Black Natural Wood 24" Round Pendant Lamp · More Info

P.S. I just saw your closeup of the living room chandelier--also too ornate. Go for something elegant but simpler like this in the living room, then two modern wood and iron pendants as suggested in earlier photo I posted.

English Tudor · More Info

The question is how much are you willing to do NOW to get what you want? With the wood beams in the family room as well as wood mantel and wood pantry door how much are you wanting to change and what is the feeling you are trying to create? From the little I can see there is a touch of french and spanish colonial.

Second the cabinets do look to be in excellent shape. Do you like the style of them and just not the wood finish?

A photo standing at the back windows of your family room facing the kitchen would be helpful. so that we can see the entire kitchen looking across the island to get the full vision of the lighting etc.

Start with what you do like

is it the chandelier in the family room?

the beams?

the fireplace mantel?

the pantry door?

just playing with some options

painting the walls and hood and changing out your counters to a light quartzite and your hardware to a polished nickel

painting all the cabinets except island a creamy white and bringing in the color of what I am assuming are your mud room cabinets in that back room on the hood (it looks light blue to me but maybe another color). changing out the island lights to compliment the family room light changing your counters to a lighter quartzite

Here are your oak cabinets in a walnut stain to work with the countertops. You can call in a company to reface your cabinets or use a gel stain to achieve this appearance.

It seems the main consensus needs to be light changes for sure. Any idea about the island itself…ie, the island chairs?

I think before anything I'd paint over all the gray walls. It can have a tremendous effect. then go from there. as far as the island pendants...something graceful but not fussy to tie into the drop fixture in the living area. quite a few things would work. no comment on stools ..personal preference and willingness to spend if thats the case...dont see the need in that spot.

pendants: just browse at whats available ...tons !!!

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Lighting with architectural stone and antiques (Mediterranean Style) · More Info

Kitchens · More Info

The walls in more green shade like maybe Healing Aloe from BM cut 25%.. Yes those lights are a big no even the chandelier in the other space is not ideal. I do not think the cabinet color is bad and seems to work with the counters . I thi\nk the hood just painted like the walls .I see ahuge lack of pot lightis in thta kitchen so that is where I would spen money adding those will instantly make the kitchen brighter I love LED 4000K but 3500K works anythng lower will cast yellow on it all. Some pendants above the island thta actually light the island are always nice and maybe some nice stools in a color maye green leather and metal for a bit of relief from all the wood I would add tables and lamps much larger lamps in the sitting area and a ceiling hugger center light not a chandelier at all.

following along

Your cabinet wood tone is one of the nicest ones I have seen in a long time. The gray walls, as @la_la Girl says, is throwing me off, as well.

You can cover your existing range hood with stainless steel, and I suggest you do.

Pendants, simple and stainless to work with the appliances and the new hood cover.

Walls painted B.M. Acadia White. I have used it many times, and it is a winner.

The wood door, I would paint that a color to work with the Acadia White and the counter top. Both would work with the browns. Your last photo, looking into the living area, add throw pillows that go with the painted door.

Fabric on sale at PB.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1859279310/mocha-pattern-designer-pillow-chenille?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=blue%2C+brown%2C+green+throw+pillows&ref=sr_gallery-1-10&pro=1&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=78e10d60-405e-4635-a4e9-080ab9af57ff%253ALT4eeb8355750b364f9fca85bcb5fb92c84756caf9&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=78e10d60-405e-4635-a4e9-080ab9af57ff%3ALT4eeb8355750b364f9fca85bcb5fb92c84756caf9

As many have suggested, think about the wall color and pendants before the cabinets. The cabinets stand out because they don’t work with the current wall color. I wouldn’t be in hurry to paint cabinets or change bench tops, the mock-ups show that when teamed with a cream or off white wall, it works so much better. When it works together you might find that you don’t dislike the cabinetry as much as you do now. The grey trend didn’t help this kitchen work together. Your stools could stay for the moment until the larger elements are resolved.