Backsplash-has to go

It’s refreshing to hear someone say that the ”flow” works for you, why reinvent the wheel? The kitchen doesn’t look dark to me, actually quite light. I agree with you re changing the backsplash & new pendant lights ( but I wouldn’t go for a ”clear bulb”light look, can be a little glaring & a PITA to keep clean ). Good luck.

Your Dilemma and responses are all over the place and so are all the visual fields. You need a space remodel, not a kitchen remodel. Here's how to simplify all those colors blocks when you get a new backsplash.

--Get plain backsplash tile the same background cream color in your countertops. It seems to be a light cream. Looks as if that's the paint color you have in living room area. Paint all the walls that cream as well as the base of the island. No blue walls. No adjacent dark walls. Why? Because I'm suggesting you keep the wood cabinets as they are with just the island base painted same as walls and new backsplash. That's plenty.

--Stop with the chair madness! Do you really need three counter chairs at the overhang facing the living room plus three different ones at the island, plus dining chairs, plus those leather chairs at the end of the room, plus another one I see facing sink area? Instead of spending big bucks on painting the cabinets, use your budget to get a great family dining table for your large family with new lower chairs. Lose the current black counter chairs, and the ones in the dining area. Instead do something like this with a mix of more adult dining chairs

KINGSWOOD TABLE / HARWICHPORT · More Info

Or all of a kind with wood legs that match your wood cabinets.

With a more informal kitchen/dining/family table and more adult chairs, get more informal lighting over your family table. Make sure finishes and style harmonize.

Black and White and Neutral All Over · More Info

--You seem to have a huge double sink. Drop your dishrack, or get a small one--into one side of the sink and let overflow dishes dry there. Everything else goes into the dishwasher. You'll gain a couple feet of counter space, and the kitchen will look more streamlined from every angle.

To sum up:

--cream/ivory plain backsplash. Match all wall paint in kitchen and adjacent spaces to backsplash--no color blocks. Paint island base same ivory color.

--Lose nearly all the counter stools. Keep the light colored ones at the breakfast bar but put one or two where your 10 year old does homework. Get some great upholstered chairs, not countertop level, to place around a big family dining table. Guests can pull the upholstered chairs wherever during gatherings.

--Get a new sturdy family style very long dining table with assorted low chairs or all of a kind cream upholstered low backed chairs with legs that match cabinets.

--Informal pendants.

--Keep dish drying inside your large sink.

We already know you don't want to change kitchen layout, Got it. But be as open as you say you are to changing out some of your furnishings and paint choices.

there are a couple plus features. It looks like 1. glorious light coming in the windows...you have 2. generous space to work with... and 3.hardwood floor grounds everything .To a great degree you have interior design issues....i might think about enlisting an interior designer and then subsequent kitchen plans can flow from " all over " suggestions. it could be worth it. You may discover more things to do, but easy in a sense, with execution happening in stages.

Good advice already - if it were me I’d really work to simplify: I‘d do all one paint color in the space (living room color) and remove the textured ceiling. I’d get much simpler updated pendants (i don’t like clear fixtures bc of the glare and they are a b*tch to keep clean) and update the backsplash to a simple ceramic tile that matches the wall color. I’d also do some streamlinging on all the chairs - remove what’s not needed and coordinate the rest, lighter tones would be nice

1. The most important decision is whether you will be redoing the floors and picking a stain that will work in the entire space. Have you looked into the cost and considered the huge disruption?

2. When looking at inspiration pictures, keep in mind your counter and odd layout - be realistic in what is achievable.

3. Once cabinets are painted, then access how the island looks and decide if leaving, stained to match flooring, or painted for an uninterrupted flow.

4. When choosing the cabinet and wall colors, consider your counter, but also the big picture as adjoining spaces will need to be painted as well. Test lots of tiles before choosing.

5. It’s at this point that stools, lighting and hardware would be chosen and you may find updates will be needed in the dining area.

Thanks for the helpful thorough advice!! Yes it’s a large space that flows into whole first floor as far as textured ceiling and floor goes..first floor is also large sq ft wise…lots to keep in mind.

I’d start by really analyzing what your budget is. Do you HAVE TO refinish the floors everywhere? I find the textured ceiling to be harder to live with than the floors. You could easily spend a lot of money on just those two items. Once you establish a budget then set a priorities list.

Agree-the whole upstairs is textured and my double foyer ceiling so honestly I was not considering doing the ceiling as the house is over 6000 sq ft. The ceiling doesn’t bother me, I’m used to it, it’s quite common to see around here. I’d rather spend the money on the surfaces in the kitchen. I’d consider refinishing the floors.

I've been following along. I think the idea of changing the backsplash for a simple cream color from your countertops is going to make a big difference in how the kitchen looks. Changing out the pendants for something simpler and cleaner will also help, as will painting the aqua to match the rest of the space. Would you consider a pretty light fixture over the table as opposed to the fan? How may people are usually in the kitchen at one time? Which of the barstools are used on a daily basis and by how many people at once?

Well I definitely want stools at the counters, I can’t see having nothing which I think someone mentioned above. We are a family of 5 so we use the stools throughout the day and eat dinner at the table. I work at the table throughout the day..it’s nice to have the fan when it’s warm out as the windows bring in a ton of sun…so I guess that would be negative to get rid of it. This “first floor” is on the second floor since my basement is above ground/walk out so it’s a warm room. Agree w everything else you said-thanks for the input!

I could paint the blue and get rid of it and swap the lights ourselves and then assess…?

I'd make the backsplash your first consideration and then paint the blue. Look for lights after that is finished. The barstools by the refrigerator seem to protrude into the traffic area. Perhaps look for something with no back and straighter legs that will tuck completely under. That might help with the visual clutter. I also think that removing the calendar and the pictures from the refrigerator might help a bit. Perhaps a day planner over at the desk area and a digital picture frame?

Yes the backsplash is definitely first priority. I only say the paint because that’s something I can do immediately/I have the paint. My contractor is on a 6 month wait so I need to have a plan by then and all materials ready.

For a 4000 sq ft house, your kitchen looks undersized. Could you expand it for your large family?
Before you refinish the floors, consider moving the island and/or enlarging it. It could have a cream quartz top, etc. (I removed all my kitchen cabinets, reconfigured them , added an island, and then had them all painted. )
Your cabinets are dark but your eating area is light and airy/beachy. I would choose one of those two vibes and make both rooms complement each other.
My motto: don’t work around a design element you dislike!! You’ll still dislike it when the new project is done.
As mentioned above, set your budget and then do the pricier items. A 5-year plan? But do them in order. Talk to a good kitchen designer and contractor. They can make the most of your budget and help you avoid costly mistakes. Good luck!

This is a lakehouse. I found cabinets that matched the existing ones and expanded the layout. Once painted, you couldn’t tell. I saved $$$$ not buying all new cabinets!

I had the floors refinished and stained to complement the wood of my furniture. Easy to maintain and allowed the K to flow into the eating area and LR.

I would do end panels on all the exposed end cabinets. On the base cabinets it would eliminate the cove mouldings on the floor and elevate your style. I would enclose the refridgerator with a panel on the exposed side and pull the cabinet over the fridge flush with the panel. It would make the cabinet more accessible and streamline that area.

I would elimate the shelves over the peninsula or at least make it so they dont extend pass the wall.

If you decide to paint the cabinets I would pull the color from your countertops. I would swap out the outlet and plate cover to blend in on the island.

Wayfair carries gray, black and brown ones.

I would keep the backsplash simple. I‘d use stacked subway tiles with texture in one color.

I am not a designer but I just wanted to share my experience with you. My kitchen also had the dark cabinets and appears to be of similar age. We planned to change all surfaces including painting cabinets and changing floors. After we got new countertops (it was a must for us) and changing the backsplash, we were so happy that we decided not to touch the floors or paint the wood cabinets. Just a thought.

I am so glad the function of your kitchen works good! I would paint the cabinets the same color as the wall, they will mellow out, soft color back splash. I painted my own kitchen cabs, using the best paint at the time, 12 years ago. 2 primer coats and 2 coats paint, over wood, with plenty of drying time inbetween. They look amazing. This year Im going to scrub them and refresh the paint, with pets, kids, and an avid homecook, they get ALOT of use.Yes, when asked, I would still repaint them and do it again. The island i would extend with a book shelf (for cook books and display) it doesnt seem that it would get in anyones way. Then paint, a charcole or pickle stain, whatever you want. My husband added two book cases(one on each end) to my closet island and i totally love it! I think that will make your countertops shine beautifully. Have fun and good luck!

Along with what others have suggested, I would want to eliminate the overhanging counters that protrude in to the eat in space on both the family room wall and the sink area of the kitchen.

Keep the 3 stools! You have 3 kids who use them, they work.

I agree with one of the comments about getting an designer in to help with your vision and make suggestions on what you need to do to accomplish it. It would be money well spent.

I don't think I've seen this mentioned, is it possible to pop off that upper shelf cabinet that looks like it protrudes over the peninsula? There is a lot going on there visually and one less bulky item with decor could help freshen up that spot.

I see that Lisa's rendering closed up the upper cabinet that caught my eye, it looks better.

lisedv...I like your suggestions! We had friends with similar colored cabinets and counter tops. They put in whitish counter tops with natural colored grains and also ran it up as their backsplash. Totally changed the look of their kitchen and adjacent areas. Bit brought out the richness of their cabinetry. You have beautiful wood cabinets, so why paint over them with a trendy color that you will regret later (or that you have to touch up all the time). Don't replace them either (unless you hate them)..,why take perfectly good cabinets and have gave them go to a landfill. 🥺 I like the new dining chairs and neutal colors through out in lisdiv's option. You can do ALOT with a few minor changes wo gutting what you have or changing the DNA of the kitchen! All the best!

@ lisedv really nailed a great approach to improving your kitchen and the adjacent dining space. It's affordable with minimal hassle really opens up the space new lighting, chair covers (or light colored dining chairs), keeping light floors, and changing the window treatments in view of the kitchen/dining area. Hope you try out her suggestions to see how they work.

Thanks for the ideas-not sure I want to downsize countertops and cabinets underneath by cutting that off next to dishwasher...I’m not feeling the window treatments as we live on a beautiful wooded lot that you can see when you walk in along the windows and visually I like that open. I do like the idea of keeping the cherry wood. I think the backsplash would make a huge difference. Cloth chairs aren’t the best options w 3 kids..I have cloth chairs in my formal dining room. This is my kitchen table, need something I can wipe. We have tons of traffic area so not concerned with layout even though countertops have large overhangs. More concerned about feedback with cabinets, countertops, flooring, backsplash ideas. I used to have small pendants on a track lighting I removed. I’d like to replace with something more updated though. I did not pick up the kitchen before posting so not concerned about clutter, easy fix 😂.

The island and the peninsula are too much. Do one larger island with stools on one side.

Since you're going to change the backsplash I'll share with you what a designer had me do -- I painted my backsplash tiles! This might help you decide on the color of the new tiles you want to install. I used Stix then paint. Took a couple coats, but it's a vast improvement for a temporary solution and very cost effective! The old tiles were really an eyesore and so dated. Your countertop quartz looks very nice, so hopefully you can coordinate with it. The suggestions about a creamy wall color everywhere seems spot-on. Good luck!

OP ~ you have a clearer vision of your wants than any of us. You know what works for you.

You love your layout, hardwoods & counters & stuff on the fridge. Its almost like you want a home instead of a magazine spread. Like you want your family to fully live in & enjoy it versus impress others. Imagine!!

You just need a little refresh - lose the pendants (they'd be fun in a bathroom), pull out a shade from the quartz counters to paint the island /aqua walls & for the backsplash (or pull out another light hue from the quartz that complements both the island & walls) and you're done. Save money, preserve whats important.

Vici-Exactly spot on! In reality, we can’t keep the countertops perfectly clear in this extremely busy household 😂 I am going to explore some cabinet stuff by getting estimates and then I’ll decide if it’s worth it and making the island mdf look more custom with wood etc. The floor will probably need to be refinished in the near future as well. Was curious what people would say about the cherry cabinets on here..

The cabinets are fine, dark & rich & very traditional but the aqua wall adjacent is practically coastal creating visual discord. New warmer beigey paint in both kitchen & nook with lighter backsplash will make a more harmonious blend. I think you’ll be happy with the results. 👍🏼

Ok, thank you! The color is like a blue green pulled from the backsplash but yes that is an easy fix. That paint color runs across the ceiling there so when you sit at the table, you can see it on those 3 walls spaces (both ends and top middle connecting space). It has been like that for a long time when that color was really popular so I’m all for lightening it up and doing the same neutral there that I have on the other walls.

Just wanted to comment on the ceilings. Many people on here have issues with stomped ceilings and mention removing them often. You said you were fine with them and so am I! They are common where we live also and even pricey new builds do not have smooth ceilings. This is such a regional thing.

I do like what Lisa did up thread. When you have lived with something for any period of time, it can be hard to see it with fresh eyes. Take some time to read all the comments and see if they have value. I am thinking of updating our 35 yo kitchen and I know it is hard for me to come up with a different layout.

Good luck with your project!

I have always hated those countertops as you cannot see crumbs or tea spills, etc. and makes eyes feel funny looking at the counter tops - just totally undesirable! A solid light color is much better. Even horrid old-fashioned melamine would be better if it was a solid light color.

The microwave needs to be moved to counter top. Not sure who ever came up with the stupid idea of putting a microwave over a stove like that to where dragging a hot bowl out into the air instead of onto a counter top ends up being the way to get a bowl out, and not easy! It is dangerous besides stupid to have a microwave up in the air like that!

Paint all the cabinets and go from there. Pick a white like Behr Decorator White - it is almost white, but not stark.

Get some nice white appliances and ditch the ugly stainless. UGH!

Get rid of the plastic fake-wood floors and go with real wood, or with a linoleum or VCT - real wood or real vinyl, not fake - wood - that is just disgusting!

And scrape the popcorn ceilings!!! It is easy and can be done DIY in a few hours. Spray with water and scrape the goo into a bucket.

Terribl962 - are you having a bad day? It'll get better.

Hahahaha sounds like it was a terrible day 😂 I replaced the white w stainless so not swapping those…the ceilings aren’t popcorn, they’re textured and no one is doing this in a few hour job as it spans the entire house as all ceiling runs together in this layout. The floors are hardwood, not fake fyi.

I haven’t read all the comments, but the original prompt, what would you change in this kitchen, invites a highly opinionated, well well-informed group of people to go nuts on your space. You have released the kraken! Could you possibly summarize where you are with various components (I gather the ceilings are staying 😂) thus far? I’d love to help you find a great backsplash for the space.

apparently wood cabinets are coming back, I think they look good. If they are in good shape and a good quality, I would consider keeping them, then money saved could be used for refinishing your hardwood. I like your countertop, agree with your opinion of the backsplash. I believe if the layout works for you and your family, keep it, but replacing the lights and backsplash may be all you need. Ignore the nasty comments, do what works for you and the family.

I love wood cabinets but when the kitchen is open and smallish I like to have the upper cabinets whitish to open up the feeling of light and space. Additionally, the angled island feels wrong somehow. I don’t see a floor plan but would create clean lines and a fresh look of simplicity. That area to the left of the refrigerator is a bit confusing. And needs some streamlining

Wow, you have a lot of comments and lots of varied ideas. I will chime in as a cabinet refinisher/finisher. Your cabinets, countertops, and flooring are the most important choices -- the most expensive, the most visual, and the most disruption if you change/refinish. Figure those out first! Everything else is jewelry, so to speak. Your countertops are keepers. You have several colors as I can tell -- white/soft white, a soft greeny gray, a light greige, and perhaps a navy blue. You said that you would like to lighten the cabinets if you could. In order to do so, you have two choices -- strip to bare wood and select a new stain color (most beautiful stains the people see are a base stain with a glaze that is virtually imperceptible to the eye), or paint. You can also reface (replace doors and drawer fronts) but that is a huge can of worms and another discussion. If you paint, knowing that your kitchen has been well-used for years, you have to select a finisher (not a paint company that does walls, etc.) that will clean and prep properly, seal that with an isolator, then do the prime/sand a couple of times, and then either CV (what factory/custom cabinet companies use) or a 2k poly. Gallery, Advance, Cabinet Coat, etc. are NOT cabinet paints despite their marketing. If those are used, they will chip, crack, etc. I do a lot of kitchens where the island is one color and the perimeter cabinets are another. I can see painting your entire kitchen with a soft white on the perimeter and greige or navy on the island. I also love a wood island. Regarding dressing up the islands to look more like furniture, that is also something I routinely do. I do not like just 3" poplar boards that look like shaker style -- your cabinet style needs something more formal. In this case, the 3-4" boards placed apart on the sides and back of island but with moulding inside of the squares. I love doing base so that it creates "legs" at the sides of the islands. All this to say, since you know you want to keep your countertops, move on to what you want to do with your cabinets and floors. I have tons of photos of my work, but this is an island that I did recently. The sides and back were drywall. Those sides went to the floor with that 4" space cut out on the front ends (that always looks terrible). I added new wood to the sides and back, added panel moulding and then created "legs." This finish would likely fit your countertop -- It is Egret White with a very sheer pinstripe grayish/green glaze in the recesses. I am not typically a fan of pinstriping but this looked really nice. They had their floors redone first and left the perimeter cabinet darker brown.

I won't bother to repeat what most say, the lay out is not prime for most. You seem to be leaning to the flash in the pan fad of a two tone kitchen. Other than the island (which would you choose) mixing cabinet wood/painted look has passed. Don't be the last to that party. I was very short lived. The counter with the black stools--there's no knee room. You explained about the homework counter but what would one do where there's no leg room?

I really prefer wood cabinets. I’m only thinking of painting some to break up the wood look because I think that it’s too many cabinets/too brown or wood like my current look. So I don’t really want painted cabinets, just enough so the wood isn’t overwhelming-if that makes sense. I just did my master bath and kids bath and I went with wood vanities. I like wood the best.

Also, arcy, there is plenty of room for knees at all the counters. We sit at all them daily. We eat breakfast and lunch at the 2 counters-the "breakfast bar" that overlooks the family room and the one with the darker stools you mentioned. Everyone is in and out all day and those are the places they go to, We only sit at the table to eat dinner but I sit there throughout the day to work as well.

Two-tone cabinetry is far from "over." Having an island a different color from the perimeter cabs remains a very important design element, particularly in larger kitchens. I am very in tune with what high-end designers are doing because I do work for them. What has changed is that medium-toned stained wood has really come back. But, mixing that with a paint remains a strong design element. And, it's your house so you should love it. Regarding floors, the super light colors are waning (just as light white oak cabinets are waning). A master finisher in the Colorado mountains said to me that he encourages his clients to match the floor to the dirt on their property. Most of the floors I've seen of his are medium toned and stunning.

...match the floor to the dirt on their property... ?

That may have some advantages...

People from all over the US post on this board. There are also posters and commenters here from other countries. So regional considerations definitely come into play. I am in NYC- and I have personally never heard of the “match your floors to the dirt on your property” concept... even when it’s a house that is involved (versus apartments, etc.)

Just in general though, this particular internet ”design board” is primarily a place where people show up to air their opinions. i.e.- “This is what I like, so this is what you should like, too” type of thing. The loudest one(s) often win. It’s basically mob rule.

I have not read through the comments and I do not know where the OP is- in terms of their situation. I just glanced at a couple of the most recent comments and the ‘property dirt’ thing caught my eye.

I’m not seeing a lot of all one color kitchens in my research, cabinet catalogs etc. so I wouldn’t say it is out to have some wood and some paint to balance or 2 colors etc. Love the warmth of wood. I’m not making any decisions until I get estimates and talk to professionals to educate me a little more. Just considering options right now. More concerned about cabinets, floors and countertops than clutter and lighting. Need to figure out big stuff first.

I just noticed what @lisedv did in her mockup featured at the top. Very nice ideas.

You are not changing the layout. I really think the existing cabinets, countertops and floor are fine. The backsplash I would change; I would remove it and just paint the wall area in an eggshell finish- which makes it cleanable/wipeable. Or you could bring in a new tile along the lines of what lisedv shows.

I would also definitely change out the pendants and paint the walls in a warm white. Plus, add some under cabinet lighting.

With that, you would have an updated kitchen. You could refinish the floor to another color, but imo, it’s discretionary.

You could make those simple and cost effective changes, and then see how you feel about it.

@freedomplace1 I hadn't heard this before, either. His point is that dogs, kids, etc., all play outside and bring in dirt. So, if your floors are too different from that of the dirt outside, it will show every little thing. I laughed, but I could tell that he was somewhat serious. The work he does is phenomenal and I know he knows what he's doing.