There is way insufficient lighting. Get an electrician and remedy that.

sounds good. What do you suggest for keeping the area looking bright during the day?

Can you change the bulbs in the pendants and recessed lights? Maybe add another pendant over the sink and under cabinet lights.

I can change the bulbs and add more lighting, but I really would like to not depend on having the lights on all day to keep it bright. Any other design ideas?

Regarding daylight, changing out the backsplash would help a bit, but I think it's more about windows.

The valance and upper cabinets around the sink window kind of create a tunnel effect. You'd probably see an improvement during the day if you can remove the two cabs and valance.

If you replace the backsplash, it might be a good situation for subway from counter to ceiling around the window. Maybe a slightly glossy tile would help reflect light around as well.

those ideas makes sense to me! Thanks so much, benjensbride

You need more light, period. You could remove those two cabs flanking the window above the sink and actually enlarge the window, or add a skylight, but even doing one of those won’t necessarily help if the sun is on the other side of the house.

Taking the scalloped thing off between the cabinets will help a little too.

Remove valance above sink and maybe install a small glass/glittery chandelier over the sink that can reflect any sun that shines in through the kitchen window.

Oh, and switch to daylight LEDs

When all is said and done, the cabinets are very dark and that does make a considerable difference. Painting them off-white would be a consideration and would look good with your dark countertops, which now don't make that much of a statement. Off-white subway tile would look very good for the backsplash.

I wouldn't remove the 2 cabinets, I'd turn the lights on before I'd lose the cupboard space.

My kitchen has a slider on the north end and one west-facing window. I painted the dark cabinets a shade of white, the floor was a white tile, I painted the laminate counters to look similar to zinc. It was better but still dim, because of its orientation to the sun.

Because of Harvey, we're changing some things around and one of them is better overhead lighting, like a LOT. Zones are switched separately and on dimmers. I removed several uppers and those that will remain have been wired for ucl. The cabinets won't be dark but both them and the floor are browns. Oh, and I put in an 8 ft slider but that is more for moving furniture in and out.

Unless you can change how much sunlight gets to a room, like installing Sola-tubes or similar, lighting will have the biggest effect.

Sophie- I’ve been griping about this dark kitchen for a bit now... why stop now? LOL. Sue, Ingrid, Sammy and Anna, great ideas. Thanks bunches!

Ooooooh. That makes a big difference too. What you do you think if we just changed the island counter tops? We would look weird?

I would incrementally do the following, stopping when I was happy

1) remove the valance over the sink

2) add more overhead lighting

3) add under cabinet lighing

4) replace the backsplash

5) replace the island countertop

Removing the cabinets around the sink is a good idea but I am function over form person, so I would have to know how much 'stuff' you have to weigh in on that. Personally I have 0 wall cabinets and I would never go back, I find it freeing.

The light countertops do make an enormous difference, but the pictures housegal posted have LOTS of lights on. You need lighting.

I personally have dark cabinets, and I would never paint yours they are gorgeous. I have light countertops and i have TONS of natural light. In the morning I pull down the solar shades and it is still bright.

If you have the budget to fix the lighting and still do the countertops go for it, but if you dont fix the lighting first.

Also, remove the brown blind.

Undercabinet LED lighting could really help and is not very expensive.

Add two LED panel lights that look like skylights. https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-panel-light/

The counters will make the most difference. The kitchen I just gutted had medium stained cabinets with very dark green counters and backsplash. The new kitchen has darker stained cabinets, but the counters a off-white and the backsplash will be similar. The counters changed the whole feel of the space.

lighting will make the most difference, followed by replacing the dark granite.

Try the lighting first. you need more recessed lights, LED's. I also have a dark kitchen. The one window in there faces north and it's under a covered front entry. luckily light spilling in from the other rooms keeps it from looking too much like a cave. I still have about 10 LED lights in the kitchen. And I keep on under cabinet lighting, in one section, 24-7. that's probably the 2nd thing you should do. get some LED under cab lights and stick them under the bank of cabs next to fridge and to the right of the window. That alone should help out a lot. (remove the valance too)

there are many diff kinds to choose from

if you decide to replace your splash, take off the 4" granite piece and replace w/tile down to the counter. it's one or the other, not both. and I wouldn't do a bright white as it would be too much of a contrast w/all that dark.

Paint the cabinets.

Beth, , thank you for all the good information and pics

I agree it's a very nice kitchen and the components look to be of very nice quality. that said, definitely add under cabinet lighting. I do think changing the countertops would make a huge difference but can understand not wanting to rip out perfectly good... I think I can see that adding the under cab lighting, and then perhaps changing the backsplash can go a long way. And yes if you want to just change the island countertop that might do well and give good bang for the buck.

Remove the black granite backsplash trim.

Keep the dark horizontal line flat & prevent it from visually creeping up wall.

There some things that people mentioned that will help some.

However,

Dark cabinets = darker space & needs sunshine

Light does not reflect well off dark surfaces.

This is why the space sunlight should be determined before choosing colors.

I avoid using dark cabinets unless there is a lot of natural sunlight in the room, because this is what happens.

Having to turn the lights on in daytime everyday is what is needed to lighten up the dark area. Not ideal,by no means, but it is what it is.

Yes, a new backsplash, new light countertop would help a lot. But, if you really not liking dark cabinets, then I don't suggest investing too much into something you don't love.

So, with all that, if you want a nice bright kitchen in the day. More windows, new bright painted white, creme cabinets, light countertop, light backsplash, some glass cabinets to reflect sunlight.

Would NOT paint all of those cabinets, they are gorgeous!! I would however, paint the island in an off-white, remove the scallop over window, many more recessed lights in kitchen area and when/if budget allows, remove cabinets above sink and then get a bigger window!!

Our kitchen is dark and I have white cabinets. You need more lighting. I tend to keep the light on over the sink most of the day. Our house has southern exposure but we’re on a heavily wooded lot, so the trees block the natural light. Installing better lighting will do more for your kitchen than painting the cabinets.

UPDATE:

I've taken all of your advice to heart and it has really helped me! My husband and I have removed that nasty old cornice and trim piece above the window and also removed those brown blinds.

It looks so much brighter already!

Next up, calling an electrician, taking down the granite apron on the backsplash and putting white/cream subway tile on backsplash and above window wall.

much better. your cabinets are really very nice. getting a new backsplash will help a lot.

personally, I'd get new handles. the ones you have are a tad too small (they should be longer). so, since you already have the holes, and if you went longer they would show, you can get something a little thicker or heavier.

maybe do the bin pulls for your lower drawers.

you could also choose to put in glass on the cab near the sink. if you did a frosted or wavy glass, you wouldn't have to be as 'neat'. if you are neat and have cool glasses, then do a nice seed glass and paint the back of the cabinet in a brighter color or wallpaper

It's so fun to contribute to a thread and see someone post pictures of changes. Thank you for keeping us posted!

Paint the ceiling white? if it is not already.

Have you thought about getting a couple of Solatubes?

It won't get you more light in the evening, but it would make a lot of difference in the daytime.

Go to Costco and pick up one or more 4 packs of Feit 3000k dimmable 90+CRI 100w replacement 17.5w led A19(regular screw-in) bulbs. 15,000 hour life. With rebates they're only $4-6 or so/4. At 17w each you can turn them on when you're working during the day. Install them in your recessed cans. 1600 lumens each will light up your space including the work surfaces. Put them on dimmers your kitchen will be too bright.

Are you keeping the shorty cabinets or are you replacing them with a full height backsplash?

dan, 3000K is way too yellow for a kitchen. she needs a 4000K and up.

however, Costco does carry the retrofit recessed LED lighting. cans/trim kit, in a 4 or 6 pack, for super cheap.

Beth, you are a wealth of info. Thanks so much. What color pulls would you do? Black or brushed nickel? Benjesbride: I figure if you all are so sweet to take time and give me advice, I want you to know I'm listening! Not sure about the shorty cabs yet. I kind of need them but it sure would look amazing to have those gone and that entire wall a cream subway tile. hmmmmm

I have no clue what a sola tube is but I'll check it out. P.S. I want to be neat (glass doors on cabs) but being an artist by trade, that isn't I my cards. HA!

Any thoughts on either of these tiles for the backsplash? One is Vanilla, the other White. Tiles measure 3x12.

Re: Solatube

That's the name brand. Some others are ODL and Velux. Unless you have a 2nd story room over the kitchen, you're able to install a cover on the roof and the light travels down a tube in the attic that has reflective material. The opening in the ceiling can be round or square. It can make a huge difference in the amount of light in a room.

Some old threads

[what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-solatube-vs-velux-solar-tubes[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-solatube-vs-velux-solar-tubes-dsvw-vd~453951)

[solatube-installed-what-a-difference[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/solatube-installed-what-a-difference-dsvw-vd~2665168)

[solatube-or-sun-tunnel[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/solatube-or-sun-tunnel-dsvw-vd~2588576)

[solar-tube-owners-please-weigh-in[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/solar-tube-owners-please-weigh-in-dsvw-vd~2257657)

order samples of both. (tilebar has 5 for $5 and free shipping)

hard to tell which looks best until you place them up against your countertop. (but I think a softer white, rather than a bright white would work best)

they have this one too. byzantine bianco in a 2x9 (which i think is a perfect size for pitching. 2x9, 2x8, 3x9,,,all work well)

did you do the under cab lighting yet?

Alex, we have a second story above the entire span of the kitchen and eat-in area. I appreciate all the links and information, though.

Beth, I didn't put under cab lights in yet. Maybe I should hold off on tile color/choice until I install that. Never hear of tile bar so I'll check it out. Thanks bunches!

sash,,yes. they have some nice tiles. I just redid a bathroom for my neighbor and used two different tiles from them.

here's that last tile I showed you in a herringbone.

https://tilebar.com/byzantine-bianco-ceramic-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/loft-sand-beach-polished-2x8-glass-tile.html

if you like a frosted glass subway, these are a nice tone (comes in polished and other colors)

that's DIVINE, Beth!