Under cabinet lighting (UCL's) will help the kitchen feel brighter without having to make any major changes.

I would paint the walls- I tend to favor light green-blues, but I can't really see the counter color. Maybe a creamy warm white or off-white would work with it. Or a pale green that is similar to your pillows on the sofa.

A cheap thing might be to put in glass uppers with some lighting inside them. That is what we were considering before we decided to just tear out all the dark cabs. And, different lighting. I think those pendants don't put off much light. And, as said, under cabinet lighting sure would help too.

lighting suggestions above and glass in uppers will help.. you could even paint the insides of cabinets you put glass in to lighten even more.

If this is a single story house, what about a skylights over the breakfast table with recessed cans in the middle of the two skylights? Also, add a wall sconce to the side of each window. This then eliminates the need for a light hanging down over the table and will make it appear more open. Also, all that natural light will visually expand your breakfast area.

Ditto all the suggestions already made for your kitchen. I would also add lighting to the top of your cabinets. I know all that lighting sounds like overkill and can be pricey. However, lighting up perimeters of a space makes it appear larger and adds drama. By the way, all of the suggestions I've made here, plus many the others made, were implemented when remodeling my small home. Layers of lighting is the secret.

By the way, you have great taste. I love the decor and the outside views.

In addition to comments made above, I would slipcover those stools in off white cotton duck (Ikea might have some that would fit your stools). I'd definitely look at brighter, whiter paint altho I know with open concept like that, it can be a major prospect.

I had the same issue with our place feeling too beige. We've just painted everything Ben Moore AF 15 (a warm white) and everything feels open and bright.

You might try a rug under your breakfast table to help define the space. Just make sure it's the right size.

I'd paint the island base a sage green. Add crown moulding and that will make the ceiling feel taller.

Put a patterned runner down between the sectional and the counter, just to the end of the counter base, and a rug under the dining table.

Are your canned ceiling lights on all the way? When mine are, it is darn near blinding. Maybe you just need stronger bulbs? Otherwise it looks great!

Your kitchen looks great. Maybe just some clear or lighter glass globes for your pendant lights along with brighter bulbs.

Thank you for your suggestions. We just brought the house so these decor is from previous owner. There is a backslash, it's off white color tile? It doesn't reflect light as far as I can tell. The kitchen is in the south side of the house with living room facing east. I will def take on the suggestion on light under cabinets first. Rug under breakfast table in beige color? lol I will also add the white molding on the window frame and put in cellular shades in white. Also crown molding as well. Changing out recessed lighting to LED? For painting it white, I'm not sure where should we start and end since it is open to living room and there are not much walls.. When we have more funds , I want to paint the cabinet off-white? What do

If you have any questions regarding Under Cabinet Lighting, please let us know! We offer free design services and would love to help with your project! Also think about adding some accent lighting around the island like this:

Ditch the pendants over the bar and replace with low voltage halogen track lights. They make bendable track you can shape to match the path of your bar. That would free up a LOT of visual space and remove a LOT of repetition. Then light up under the cabinets. Give yourself some big bright drawer pulls too. You have too many repeating small things. You could add a sense of drama/pull it all together by putting a single fancy pendant light in the middle of the kitchen area.

Soft greyed green walls, new oriental rug with antique wash for under the table and in the middle of the floor - great way to get color without chopping up the kitchen with color. Undercounted lights (I prefer Xenon to LED but that's just my personal preference).

Also - look at the can lights. We just switched our lights to retrofitting LEDs - OMG they light up the place. We have to clean! A few hundred bucks and an hour dragging the ladder around. Literally night and day.

Hi everyone,

We got a decent quote to repaint the cabinets. it's very old already and inside the drawers are not very clean. Can you all suggest a good color? and the brand for paint as well? Pls.

I'm afraid white will not go over well with the brownish tone granite and dark hardwood. can light cream color work?