I agree that replacing the current backsplash may improve the look of the kitchen, but a white backsplash would be too jarring next to the dark counters. Try this: turn on all of your kitchen lights during the day and examine the colors within the counter material. Is there a light color in it which would work with your cabinetry? There is a pinkish hue which would definitely NOT work. Is there a cream or silvery color? In a previous kitchen, I used a DunnEdwards paint color which I believe was called Silver Spoon, but my appliances are stainless steel. Once you identify a light tone in your counter, go to your paint store and bring home six color sample cards in that color range. A good paint store will also have folders with color combinations which may help you narrow down a choice.
It may help to take the smallest drawer with you so you can see the paint samples next to your cabinet color.

Does the tile floor continue under the island? I hope because simplifying the island shape would be the best move you could make.

Everything is sooo dark. Replace the pendant lights with clear glass lights and change out the counter stools. Agree with lighter floor tile grout and undercabinet lighting.
Can the HEAVY crown molding be changed to something more discreet and linear? A simple light color tile backsplash that compliments floor color and doesn’t fight with the counter would brighten and does not have to be subway. You may be able to get away with just painting the backsplash wall after removing the tile, or using larger tiles.

If you’re only doing one thing, I agree it’s the backsplash that should be changed. But whites and grays don’t match the other colors in there, I think something cream colored or beige but with variation, not just solid cream would be best. Go to a tile showroom, there are tons of options. I love your hood, not sure why others think the hood needs updating??

Also a lighter beige paint on the walls would brighten it up, after you’ve picked a backsplash

IMO the first thing is remove that hood and replace with a stainless one remove the backsplash patch the wall and I would stay away from a stark white backsplash with the floors so look at maybe a tile that is close to the floor color . Before doing any of that change all the bulbs in all the fixtures to LEDs in 4000K. Get some new stools in something a bit less pub and maybe in blue to pull the DR wall color into the kitchen. Also look at pendants that have never had Edison bulbs because even those replaced with LEDs are really not good enough lighting for an island.

You are going to get all kinds of opinions here. I assure you, crowd sourcing is really not the best way to design your kitchen.

You need to bring home some tile and see how it works in your actual kitchen. You are already wise enough to know that you cannot leave your floor out of the equation. In your kitchen, the backsplash tile not only has to work with the cabinets, but with the floor and counter. The Carrara marble that I suggested is a classic material and a classic look. And while it might be slightly cool with your cabinets, it could work with the floor and counter. And in your kitchen this is very important. Right now the backsplash that you have is a bit at odds with the floor.

Here is a rough view with a Carrara marble tile.

The marble works well enough with the cabinets - and your countertop helps to bridge the gap. And marble is classic.

I used the visualizer tool on Tile Bar and it runs the tile all the way up the walls. You would only have it on the backsplash, as you have it now - with paint on the rest of walls.

You can get 5 samples for 5 dollars from Tile Bar. Get some samples to try in your space. And as I mentioned in my previous comment, bring in under cabinet lighting if you don’t have it. This will update your kitchen. Your pendants are fine, btw.

Any tile in a creamy color would be worth bringing home. Something simple for sure. Don’t get worried about this - backsplash choices are hard. There are more dilemmas about this one item than anything else for this reason. Have patience but definitely do what Patricia said about the lighting FIRST. Did you like the two other ideas - painting or changing the range hood and removing a couple of cabinets for open shelving?

I’m open to all ideas. We have under cabinet lighting as well as recessed lighting so our kitchen is very well lit even with the pendants.
Thanks so much to everyone for all your opinions!

I think your island is giving me PTSD - shaped like the boot I wore when I broke my foot (he he):

Seriously though - stepping back for a moment - look at the big picture. Is this your forever home or is resale a concern? What is spurring on the feeling for a change? And do you like the storage and layout/function of your kitchen. If this is your forever home and you like the function then a new BS is relatively easy and painless. But will it be enough to 'modernize'? No. It will be an improvement but it will in no way be modernized. If you are at all concerned about resale then try to see the forest through the trees and definitely work w a designer to work with your budget to get the best improvements for your dollars. Your kitchen is perfect for a remodel done in stages which you can bite off in smaller chunks. I could see a new simple island top (great remnants at stone yards could be had for minimal dollars). The bulk of the island could be reused with the end opened up like this inspiration pic below.

The Warren Kitchen that housgal posted is a perfect example of a more modern look that you could try to replicate. That island style is perfect - or one like this:

Traditional Wyckoff · More Info

So don't be shy to talk to a local pro and find out how the dollars you do have to spend could be best spent.

I love your cabinet colour and I think you can still get a good outcome without changing your counters. Next - ok don’t take offense - first step I would do is deep clean the floor tile grout. If I’m wrong and that’s your actual grout colour then proceed with the advice given above.
I think the contrasting grout is a problem. You could even lighten it if that’s the actual colour ( I think it’s something called grout renew). I say this from experience. I moved into a new to me place and the areas of tile that were under rugs look significantly different than the high traffic areas. I cleaned it with Krud Krutter after reading the advice given to someone else in another dilemma and even though it’s still ugly tile, it doesn’t stand out to me as much because the grout is no longer a contrast to the tile. Good luck!

I think you are misreading the island, thinkdesignlive. It is actually an "L" shape. The reflection from the window makes it seem complicated. I like the hood but agree that the tiles behind it are too yellow for the floor. Also don't like the Carrara. A creamy or warm toned shade would be best. Or perhaps a warm colour.

Also your tile is not ugly - mine is like grey and burgundy mixed- it seems like a neutral colour that could fade into the background if the grout was a closet match.

I may be beating a dead horse with this (because if your tile floor doesn't go under the island then my idea might not work)...but here is another example of combining elements similar to your kitchen - and you would agree this feels a bit more 'fresh' than what you have? You could borrow from this playbook and attack the kitchen in stages to get a similar feel (and no I'm not recommending a farmhouse sink - your perimeter is fine. Yes to a new hood and corner open shelves and a new BS similar to this. Really would not be that much more $ spent but would be loads more of an improvement). And the light fixture here is hideous so just focus on all else :) Good luck!

Ireland in CT · More Info

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lepstein I am not misreading the island :)

https://carlaaston.com/designed/odd-shape-kitchen-island-my-biggest-pet-peeve

I probably should’ve mentioned we also have this massive breakfast bar overlooking our family room. Soo much granite. I’d replace it if it and the floors if wouldn’t cost a fortune.
(Family room included just so you can see what we look into—and drapes are in “training” right now. I usually keep the blinds up!)

*replace it and the floors if it wouldn’t cost a fortune. 🙇🏼‍♀️

in that picture your floors look so much cooler. Probably best to get some backsplash samples and take pics of them with the floor & counter

Does the tile go under the small 'L' of your boot shaped island? If so, replacing that with a straight butcher block counter in the same shade as the cabinets and reworking the end cabinets and painting the lower island (that only - not the whole kitchen) - would not be a huge expense. It would visually open up the kitchen so much more. Your granite is fine, your wood color great - this kitchen has a counter that a lot of people here would chime in and say 'is dated' but with the right overall balance and styling it can look current. Your overall family room/ style would support a back splash like this with an updated island, new hood and open shelves in the corner - again, similar to this:

You have a lovely home. Too many large chairs in the kitchen.

Buy 3 stools that can go under the large counter and you can scoot one or two over to the island when needed. I doubt you ever have 6 people all sitting at the same time, and there wouldn't be room for 4 to sit anyway - too cramped.

You could always keep the chairs just in case - but elsewhere - or sell and use the $$ to buy stools.

I'd spend the $$ on a new stainless range hood; stain the floor grout to match the tiles; change out the stools for something lighter; change out the island pendants for something shinier (brushed chrome maybe); add roman shades in a light pattern to your window (lighter rug too!); and paint in a warm cream. Your room is all neutral and quite serious-looking - you can add in some life with accent colors (maybe blue and yellow, or ???) in your textiles and accessories.

It seems like a light grey backsplash could work- a color pulled from your flooring. I think your kitchen/home is beautiful.

Even if you won a million dollars, you shouldn't paint those cabinets. :) Lovely kitchen, so much cabinet and counter space! I agree that the backsplash is the worst thing in there and I personally am not a fan of dark granite - sucks all the light out of a room.

Why not try removing the current backsplash and adding under cabinet lighting?

Modern Napa · More Info

For goodness sake! Turn on the lights already. That's what they were put there for - to give light. Of course it's "dark" - you don't have any lights on! Sure it's daytime, but maybe your house is situated where the light doesn't come in through the windows, maybe you have a bunch of trees that filter the sunlight. Just turn on the lights already and save your money. I'd LOVE to have your kitchen just as it is.

You have a GORGEOUS space with some great bones! Make sure to pay attention to those passive pink undertones in your tile flooring and countertop as if they get ignored you can easily clash with them (ie: choosing a tile with a green or yellow undertone). I would try to find a tile that picks up on one of the lighter veins in the countertop, with a soft taupe undertone. Do small, 1/16th inch grout lines in a soft white for interest. I do have some great blog posts with kitchen update ideas (budget-friendly) that could be helpful to you! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/5-ideas-update-oak-cabinets-without-a-drop-of-paint/ 

Lovely kitchen.... start with removing upper cabinets by stove area. Remove the backsplash and paint all the walls a soft white. Definitely paint the hood vent black. The floors only look off because of the wall colour. Once you have your neutral zone picking a back splash will be easier. Just follow your heart.... it is always right.

Pulls: Replace with a lighter color (brushed chrome),

Cabinet Glass Doors: Replace the 1 and add 2 clear glass (no panels) doors.

Backsplash: Replace with a lighter, complimentary beige tile

Remove the hood & replace with a stainless steel hood

Pendants: Replace with clear globe pendants (brushed chrome finish)

Barstools: Change to something a brushed chrome finish

Floor: If you can replace it with a lighter floor color complementary to the backsplash that would be great

Don't paint the cabinets because they're beautiful. Change the scenery (lighter/brighter) around the cabinets. Too much black (handles, lights, chairs).

Lighter backsplash, remove cabs on both side of hood, take backsplash to ceiling behind hood, and change the hardware to brushed brass modern. Those three changes - upper cabs out by hood, new big backsplash and modern hardware - will transform the room.

Pembie gave you a great idea - remove the backsplash, repair the wall and just paint it. Now you have a neutral palette to work with. And if you like it painted, leave it. If not, it will be easier to pick something else.

Sherwin Williams "filmy green" wall paint, new backsplash (probably needed but maybe not!) and paint the range hood satin black.

I actually saw on a blog the other day a super cheap “wood floor” I belive it was from Home Depot and it was a one sheet woodlooking floor. It looked great!!!! I would recommend that and new backsplash

the cabinets could be improved by adding black...black range hood and black boxes for the lower cabinets might make a big difference.. I like a mellow grey green for the wall color like SW filmy green.

Idk where your thread is at right now, but I thought more to change lighting and the stools.

Your kitchen and living areas are beautiful! Your backsplash actually goes perfectly with your fireplace and ties the two areas together....earthy colors are always cozy! Eventually I’d put the same flooring throughout both areas but for now here are some ideas:

1. Wallpaper the breakfast bar wall with a neutral geometric peel and stick style or put up some cool reclaimed wood.

2. Paint your bar stools a fun color that makes you happy & only put 3 by the bar area.

3. Get some backless stools for by island.

4. Buy a fun runner rug that also goes with stools and put in kitchen to camouflage the floor.

5. Repain’t both areas a light neutral color - check out Balboa Mist possibly.

6. Removing the angled wall cabinet at end of kitchen and putting up some shelves with greenery or even leaving it open with some art would freshen it up as well :)

These things would distract from what seems outdated while keeping the overall warm feeling your house has!

If you absolutely hate the backsplash you could always paint over it! Lots of Pinterest ideas on that...happy decorating!

Beautiful.👍👍

Omg it really looks amazing. Totally transformed the space

It looks great!

Your walls are begging for a pale blue both because warm orange cabinets love their opposite on the color wheel and because your floor is really a cool color (especially when you clean and lighten grout). From the looks of the family room, you have been afraid to pick any accent colors, but the dining room tells me you do want some drama. Go with that! I am guessing there are flecks of blue in that black granite. Take off the beige Tuscan backsplash, patch the walls, and experiment with paint. It is super cheap and makes such a big difference. You will probably want to try paints that look almost grey on the chip. I have Rhino by Behr, but try a few! Don't even bother looking for a backsplash until you decide whether you like a lighter, cooler paint color. Then, start to add some accent colors into the kitchen and the family room that tie the space together. I think changing out the bar stools could move the overall feel in a much different direction. 'More modern' can mean so many different things.

So, totally didn't see the finished pictures. Doh! I think it looks great, and I am glad you are pleased.

What a difference - Looks great.

Amazing what small changes can do!

The element that still jumps out at me as “outdated” is the flooring. It has that pinkish undertone which just clashes...quietly clashes.

You can just put some nice runners down to ‘quiet’ the flooring even more

Nice!! I am glad you didn't remove any cabinets.

VERY well done! It looks so refreshed and new! Great choice on the backsplash. And it looks like you’ve got more, different or better lighting. Enjoy! Thanks for including us.

Wow. That made a huge difference.

I love this! What a great change!

It’s beautiful. Nicely done!