Agree with Annette. It's easier to see solutions once you have removed all the surface clutter including the cork board contents. Then measure and post a floor plan so others can help you with your kitchen.

The dark countertops and dark floor that you propose will show every drop of water.

Are you looking for a kitchen refresh or a new kitchen?

Can you post a measured plan? A quick idea is to make the peninsula an island, with a DW to the right of the sink. Without a floor plan with measurements, we won't know if that will work.

That is a dark kitchen to begin with that has little light. Yet you say you want darker cabinets, darker counters, darker walls, darker floor, and darker backsplash. This will be a gloomy kitchen to work in, and to come into first in the morning. I suggest you look online for inspiration pictures before you take one more step toward a kitchen reno. After you’ve determined what you like from a number of photos that appeal to you, then come back on this forum for suggestions on how to achieve the look, and you’ll need to post your inspiration pictures in your post. Also determine your budget. Is it $5k, $15k, or?

We need a floor plan and also some idea of your budget and are you thinking redoing the whole kitchen like new layout ? We need more info and that to scale floor plan

Will you be adding a dishwasher? A larger window over the sink would let in more light.

Sorry, I disagree with @User. For that size kitchen which is small, with careful shopping, and conservative choices, and including the floor, it can be done for $25-30k, assuming no structural changes like moving walls.

Obviously more storage space is needed. Is there space to add a pantry?

I definitely agree on the comments regarding adding a dark color. Don’t.

Remove the valance and replace it with Nothing. I can’t see your overhead light - perhaps a new, bigger one is needed? And pot lights and pendants over the peninsula.

HI -- Dark dark dark ...why ??? I think you need to go light ...that is a small kitchen and a small window . You really need a new kitchen with a better layout but I understand the cost might be a factor . Your kitchen I'm guessing is about 30 years or more old . Have you even gone out to any kitchen shops to see what is done now or even get some prices just to see what can be done . I can see you need full height upper cabinets and more counter space and more storage for sure . I detest U shaped kitchens because they never work unless they are much bigger . So I think you need to look and shop around and get some prices etc. and even have a kitchen designer or two in to see... just for some ideas ...no commitments . Your cabinets are applied boxes and could be re-arranged and painted etc . So re-think your plans so it can be done properly and it can work for you .

I would keep your cabinets and spend your money on replacing the hardware, flooring, countertops, and backsplash. Keep the backsplash and counters light. Your cabinets are I. Great shape and natural wood is making a comeback. I agree with the others who said to declutter and remove your valance. Good luck!

Spend the money on a good Kitchen Designer and an electrician. If you do dark, you’re going to need about 5-7K worth of lighting and good lighting design. You’ll need less lighting with a lighter choice, but you still need a good bit of expense for lighting.

If you are looking to gut/renovate the kitchen then everything should go. Will be too hard to save cabinets with new lay out. If you are looking to refresh, then declutter first. You may see your kitchen in a new light though key need better lighting! Right now you sent even see your backsplash but it looks fine. Or replace the counter and backsplash and add under cabinet lights. Bare window to start and then add a Roman shade or bamboo blind. Keep it simple

It appears that you need more or better lighting, particularly over the peninsula which is probably your main preparation zone. The cabinets seem to be in good condition. The laminate counter and backsplash could be replaced with granite or quartz in a light color...not dark. I suggest doing both the counter and backsplash in the same material. Paint the walls to match the lightest color in the new counters. I would change the flooring.

following

I haven't been on your discussion, but I'd like to say that next to a frig [and stove also] it's good to have counter space. From little photos I see, could move frig to the left [and more counter to right]. The narrow space at left could become tall cabinet -- for anything like broom closet, or easy-grab drink cups....

You'd like your kitchen to be warmer - it's already warm, albeit a bit dark. You have honey oak cabinetry (warm), what appears to be a warm goldish color on the walls, and a beige floor. You need to post some photos of the look you are going for so we can decipher what it is you like. Then we can address your kitchen redo better.

Try not to bring the upper cabinets right up to the window frame.

The layout of you kitchen is pretty good. The one appliance change I would make would be to get a dedicated vent hood and put the microwave elsewhere. Some kitchens work better with a peninsula and some with an island. That depends on the space you have which we cannot really tell without a measured drawing of the space. I have an L shaped kitchen with a smallish island. It works for me, but could be tight for multiple cooks.

This is my wood kitchens idea book which has both new and older, refreshed kitchens. You might see something that appeals to you.

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

My only concern with maple cabinets is that natural maple tends to yellow over time.

Your other trim looks white - go ahead and paint the window trim too:)

HI -- Can you show us more views of the room ? ...please !

What does the floors look like in the adjacent rooms?