I think the light fixture's yellow glass shade is probably contributing to the problem, so I would take it off and get a better read on the cabinets and countertops. The next thing I would do is remove the wall paper. Where the wallpaper is in front of the window to the left of the sink, what is that, some kind of valance? Can it be removed, it is blocking sunlight. Then remove the cabinet handles and give them a good cleaning with a degreasing product. In our last house they cleaned up and got about three shades lighter. You will need to thoroughly clean before painting anyway so this will not be wasted work. I have even had to scrap layers of built up grease off with a razor blade- ick. I kind of like the green color of the Iaminate. The full splash makes it a bit intense but it is probably just a thin sheet of the laminate glued to the wall and may come down very easily. It could also be covered it like nosoccermom suggested. Two full height stainless backsplash panels can be gotten pretty cheap at HD or Lowes. I don't know your storage needs, but you could remove all the uppers on the sink wall and the backsplash, You could do a small splash behind the sink to protect from water, it could be stainless, or tile, and then do open shelves on that wall. If you do decide to paint the cabinets, think a soft grey-green would look nice. If you can remove the backsplash, I think I might go with a chocolate brown on the lowers and a light off white on the top.

Congrats on your new home! It looks sweet with great bones. Also your art is intriguing. Hope this helps. 1) It's amazing what you can do with a can of paint. Definitely paint the kitchen cabinets white and add black hardware. They look in good shape and will lighten your kitchen significantly. Black hardware or oiled bronze looks fantastic on white cabinets. It looks like there has never been hardware on the cabinets, so make sure you get a hardware guide and level so that the holes are drilled straight and the same height. Paint the walls a brighter color. Don't try to match the countertop color. With white cabinets, a medium light blue/grey would be a good choice. What's your style? 2) Change out the ceiling fixture and add under counter lights. The ceiling light doesn't have to be flush mounted as it looks like you have some clearance. See below for some suggestions. I would mount two fixtures about 18" to 24" apart and do the finish oiled bronze or black or to match the hardware. Here are some from www.jossandmain.com and are reasonable in price. (the first fixture is $60.) 3) Love the herb garden suggestion - brilliant. 4) Agree to get a bright color kitchen runner or rag rug for the kitchen. 5) I know natural wood is all the thing, but I just painted all my natural wood trim and doors Benjamin Moore decorators white in an eggshell finish and I am so happy. It lightened everything up and now I can breathe! I was so nervous to do it, now I wish I did it sooner. (Now I have to run for the hills because everyone is going to come after me for suggesting that! ) 6) Consider wrapping your seating on that far wall to under the pass thru and having your tv under the windows. I know, I know, the cable is on that wall. You can get more cable and run it around the room. Visually it will look better and eventually you might want to run low cabinets under the window almost wall to wall to streamline the room more and use for the tv. https://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/nina-1-light-semi-flush-mount-bchh4899.html?piid=27681839 https://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/sudbury-semi-flush-mount-bl10012.html https://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/lunt-3-light-semi-flush-mount-trpt1663.html Have two mounted about 18" to 24" aparthttps://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/kendall-1-light-foyer-pendant-trpt2388.html

it would look better centered, obviously, but it's really not difficult to move the hole. you'd use the same wiring you have, just thread it through the ceiling another foot or so, make a new hole. The old hole get's patched, skimmed, primed/painted. (or, you could use it as a small recessed light fixture. maybe put in another one opposite so it looks intentional) But patching up the hole can be done in a jiffy. If you remove the old fixutre yourself, hiring someone to do the new hole, patch the old hole, shouldn't be more than a few hundred. I gave you a few links that walk you through the process. it's really simple

Although your kitchen is dated, it is in very good condition. First you can’t replace the cabinets for $10k You could have the cabinets painted a creamy white and change out the doors fronts as the arches are dated. Luckily the lowers aren’t arched. You already have a 4 inch backsplash. It’s not really recommended to add tile above it. Putting a microwave over the range will not be an update. So many here are clearly against it. I feel that that is sometimes the only place for it. We don’t all have large kitchens.