Software
Houzz Logo Print
mishav01

Need help with my kitchen.

12 years ago
Our kitchen is too dark. After 5 years of living in our home, my husband and I are now willing to replace one thing in the kitchen to make it look brighter. Which should we replace, the wood floors, the granite counter, or paint the cabinets? The wood floors are Brazilian cherry with a dark mahogany stain (the whole house has the same wood flooring). Please recommend the type of material or color to use. Our current kitchen counter is uba tuba. The back splash is travertine glass tiles with beige, taupe and dark brown colors. The kitchen shares an open design with the family room and a breakfast nook at the far end.

Thank you.

Comments (29)

  • 12 years ago
    Wow - think it's a lovely kitchen and I wouldn't want to change a thing about floors, cabinets counter, but that's me and prob a thousand others. What I would want to change is the vent over the stove, but that's not possible.
    Take down the valance over the window it's dated. Remove that bit of backsplash far right.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    For the money I would change out the countertops and add under cabinet lights.
    Painted cabinets inevitably chip & and the floor is to nice and goes into other parts of the house too costly for what your trying to achieve.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    We have several choices for under cabinet lights. If you need assistance, send us an email at stacie@statewidelighting.com Thank you!

    http://shop.statewidelighting.com/undercabinet?ut=W
  • 12 years ago
    What a beautiful kitchen. I would replace the countertops for a lighter color granite. I think that and under the cab lights would really make the kitchen sparkle!
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you for everyone's comments.
    Please suggest a color for granite counter. Thank you.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I love your floors and your cabinets! I would change the granite to a lighter one, with light tans and netural tones. I would add lighting under the cabinets and remove the balance over the window. Declutter all the counter tops and Island and add minimal decorations, such as 3 glass vases in 3 different sizes and fill them with green apples to bring in some brightness. I would also replace the bar stools you have to something that has lighter fabric back and seating with the dark legs as well as the bench under your counter. I would put a dining chair in there. I hope this was helpful and was able to express correctly.
  • 12 years ago
    I think your kitchen is gorgeous! I love all the colors. I agree with all the others to change out the counter top and that dated valance. I am having a house built and want to go with that color of cabinets myself. My confusion is what color counter top to go with too? So, will be really interested to see what is suggested and what your end up going with. Good luck.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Painting your cabinets a light color will have the most impact and open up your dark kitchen. You didn't say what the main and accent colors are for the adjoining space. White cream, beige or light grey is a good choice for most spaces, the contrast with the dark flooring and countertop would be stunning. The same flooring in the adjoining living spaces unified and creates an uncluttered and clean look. The island can be left in the present wood finish adding variety and texture to the color scheme matching the brown tiles in the present backsplash. I would install a roman shade at the window. I agree with the previous commentator and remove the overlapping "wrap" of backsplash tile.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Here are more examples of painted finishes for kitchen cabinets:
  • 12 years ago
    Agree, changing cabinet color gets another vote. Instead of painting, though, consider having your cabs refaced to classic colors above. I have seen kitchens where this is done well. More to think about. :)
  • 12 years ago
    First!! I think it's a beautiful kitchen:) if I were to change things it would be the color on the wall, take down the hood, they have ventless. Change the color and hardware of island and the bar stools pick up a color that u have on the wall.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Some examples of kitchen cabinets painted grey:
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I would only take the valance.
  • 12 years ago
    I would remove the valance,change the cabinets to white and add chrome or stainless steel pulls and knobs.
  • 12 years ago
    It really is a beautiful kitchen. I love the cabinets and floors, please don't change them! :)

    Before you make any expensive changes, de-clutter first! Remove everything off the counters (especially the computer), take down the valence, and take away the bar stools. Your kitchen might already feel lighter and brighter, and you might also rediscover what you loved about it in the first place. Then I would move to the wall colour -- an off-white will really bring out the beautiful wood cabinets and brighten the space. I think new stools in a lighter colour will help too.

    Only at this point if you're still unhappy, consider changing out expensive items like the countertops and backsplash. Try making the simple cosmetic changes first before you begin renovating because it really is a beautiful space.
  • 12 years ago
    Another thought after looking at picture again. Just change the granite on the island only
    to a lighter color. It's such a large piece, you may even be able to sell it and recoup some $$. Before doing anything, add the under counter lighting, you'd be amazed at what a difference it will make.
  • 12 years ago
    I think that's a great idea, Angel18432. I agree, change out just the island counter top. I think that may be enough, along with the under-counter lights.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I agree the valance has to go.. But also there's seems to be a lot of unorganized clutter.. which takes away from any focal point.. Have a wonderful sculpture or a vase in red
  • 12 years ago
    Easily, have the cabinets painted white. Everyone likes BM White Dove, but I don't. It's too dingy looking. Keep your beautiful floors and the counter will look great with white cabinets. If you want more feedback, if suggest doing a Poll on Houzz, it lets everyone vote and then you can see the majority vote. :)
  • 12 years ago
    Either lighten up the counters or lighten up the cabinets. I have uba tuba but with white cabinets and my kitchen is small. I have had white for 7 years with no problems. For the first time in 7 years touched them up a little a little.
  • 12 years ago
    I think even just changing out the island counters and or painting cabinets on island might brighten it up also. It is a very pretty space.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I agree-- painting or refacing the cabinets would certainly brighten up the space-- I like the antiqued look-- these would even look nice with your existing countertops.
    Keswick House · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    What a great space!

    I agree with most people above: don't change your fabulous floors, add undercabinet lighting, declutter, get rid of the curtain over the sink.

    You have a couple options:
    1. Change all counters - to a light cream granite, quartz or corian (that coordinates with your backsplash)
    2. Paint your cabinets to a light cream, or off white. Have it professionally done so they don't chip and last a long time. Or, think about refacing your doors.

    What a great project:)
  • 12 years ago
    I am a kitchen designer in NH. Change the countertops to a lighter color. Don't make the island that weird shape...maybe on the far end start and "arch" for a nice radius to the end closest to us...you may need to add a bracket or leg....
    Keep the cabinets, flooring.....change decorative hardware. Doing the tile as new would be good too....those small tiles fight with the traditional look of the cabinets.

    Just my opinion with 12 years of experience ...and LOTS of happy customers.
  • 12 years ago
    A custom home builder did that backsplash - same as counter - Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to busy, I get a headache looking at it.
  • 12 years ago
    Beautiful kitchen. I'd just change the countertop to a lighter color.
  • 12 years ago
    Repaint the walls a fresher crisp color and de-clutter. I would not paint the cabinets they are beautiful. I think the dark granite is rich with the cabinets but changing the island granite and the black stools would brighten up the kitchen as well.
  • 12 years ago
    Do not change your floors. Please! If you do, I will happily give you my address for shipping to my house! ;-)