Waht are the floors in the rest of the home? A dark kitchen is dark because it has not enough light not because the floor is dark. Post pics of the space please you will get lots of free help. I understand your problem but I need pics of your space please .

We've got black countertops

Ideally your countertops will relate to your floors, so a touch of black would be a positive ... but all-black stone floors and black countertops are almost certainly too much.

But the kitchen is dark and we're desperate to lighten it up

Can you tell us about the natural light and the lighting? Pictures would be helpful.

whether I will regret going really light, in terms of upkeep.

You don't want solid white. Every crumb, every hair, every muddy dog footprint will show. But white with some black mixed it will work. What comes to mine first is something like this:

Is ceramic tile the best choice?

I don't favor ceramic tile. It's cold to the foot and hard (hard on the feet and knees, hard enough to break a plate when you drop it). It's also quite a chore to remove. In contrast, sheet linoleum is cheaper, softer, more waterproof and equally easy to keep clean.

Do light-colored tile floors stain?

All floors stain. Stains show more on light colors.

A dark kitchen is dark because it has not enough light not because the floor is dark.

Well, to be fair, dark countertops and dark floors do "suck up light" and make a room appear darker. Every piece of the room contributes to the whole.

you should show views of the kitchen. flooring is kind of a big deal because of "locking " things in. this is a new space to you ......so the faults arent known . do you have some pics? when I think of what you describe Id go more medium toned on the floor to align w the wood cabinets and be keen for lighter counters if its black formica or something like that right now. but mostly I'd wait for a bit.

Dark grout with a light tile will add a bossy element of pattern to the tile layout that may look too busy. I'd consider a wood floor that works with your cabinets and counters and protect the traffic areas with area rugs.

Will you share a photo of the kitchen?

Thanks everyone. To answer the questions, the floors outside the kitchen are wood. Here is a photo of how the current owner has it set up. I don't think we would do vinyl or linoleum, and I worry that wood will be tough with water sensitivity, right? There is also a ceiling light fixture that can't be seen in the photo. The window in the corner helps but is mostly in shade.

This is a white ceramic tile floor after 35 years. Originally it had gray grout but you can see it has turned black and the floor looks checkered. The floor gets mopped with water 6-7 evenings per week. White is not for everyone.

My kitchen floor is like Rho’s, probably the same age. I don’t mind that it’s white, makes it easy to see the spills. But, the ceramic tile is hard on the feet at holidays, and hard on anything that drops on it. It is easy to clean, though. But the grout: the edges of the tile curve down a bit, and the grout lines are as wide as Rho’s, and a pain to clean. The tile is easy to clean, the grout not so much. It was the PO’s floor, so I don’t know what the original grout color was, probably dark grey. I get down with a toothbrush every now and then and scrub a section of grout, especially in front of the main prep area. Ugh.

When I replace it (the 20-year-old dream) it will be a grey-and-white checkerboard linoleum or similar. The kitchen faces north with a 5’ porch so doesn’t get a lot of natural light, so I know I want a light floor.

Not a designer, but I don’t believe all the flooring on the main floor has to match, especially if it is not an open concept. Our traditional home has handsome slate in the foyer, and TWO types of hardwoods (both dark, just different styles, but probably because the formal spaces were probably originally carpet over the wood. The casual living space is a wider plank, with pegs, certainly in keeping with the home’s style.)

I really like the drama of the black flooring in your kitchen. Could you add more lighting to make the space more to your liking?

I've had tongue and grove floors in all my kitchens (44 years of home ownership). Two kitchens had maple flooring and the one I have now has hickory. I believe that wood floors are very practical in a kitchen. And I agree with bpath, if done right, I don't necessarily agree that you have to match all the flooring in a home.

Would never recommend white tile. Will show every speck of dust and every crub of food.

A terrazzo look would be perfect!

The kitchen area looks very open, do you have photos of the rest of the space? Ideally, you'd choose something that works well with the adjoining spaces. I'd spend the money on purchasing proper lighting for the kitchen before I did anything.

the floor looks interesting..Id leave it...the counters are fine. the beautiful full height wall cabinets are the standout feature..... the light sucking of the counters and floor you describe is minor if at all. not worth replacing either one. get an updated lighting plan. worth every penny.

As has been mentioned already, before you change the flooring be sure to install recessed lighting and remove the yellowish bulbs in current fixtures. Only after you have added the lighting should you decide on flooring. I have had hardwood floors in kitchens in every home we have owned and would not even consider anything else. Since the floors outside the kitchen are wood, do not use any kind of fake wood looking vinyl as it will look cheap and unsightly. Try to match your current hardwood in the kitchen as well.

Deal with the lighting. The pick a natural looking porcelain slate or terrazzo look. NOT white either.

How about an LVT in a light shade with a pattern? My kitchen floor is a Mannington Adura LVT in a pattern called White Iron...white with very subtle shadings of beige and grey. Goes great with chestnut stained maple cabinets, stainless appliances, and granite countertops (perimeter in African Ivory, island in leathered Absolute Black). Easy on the feet, very easy to keep clean with just a quick mop with water. All the other flooring on the first floor is oak and it blends beautifully into the tile. I'm sure there are multiple other similar LVTs out there that would provide some lighter tones for your kitchen, as well as changing lighting as others have said.

Make sure you use a lighting designer or post the lighting plan here for comments. Putting lights in the wrong place can create unhelpful shadows. Don’t just rely on a contractor for the design.

It seems porcelain tiles with a matte finish are more popular now than ceramic. I've never had any color porcelain tile that stained. Small tile will have so many grout lines to keep clean, and a bit larger tile still provides good grip when walking or running across the floor. I live in the woods with several big dogs who don't remove their feet in the house! And a husband who often runs inside, through the kitchen "just to grab something quick" without removing shoes. My experience says don't get anything with nooks, crannies or those tiny little holes in the surface. A smooth tile will clean up nicely and some kind of pattern helps to hide footprints, drips and stuff on the floor. The best advice I can give is that our last floor install was done using Custom Building Products Fusion Pro single component grout & has worked great for us. It's not the usual rough stuff, it feels like plastic. We have a gray and it looks great & cleans up beautifully. Don't pick white and resist the urge to pick a "dirt" color! Best wishes with your new home!

I have white matte porcelain with pale beige grout. I couldnt do hardwood, my preference, but i am happy with it. I'm not a big neatnik but when it gets dirty I clean it, it's easy. Then again, my kitchen is small and we are a no kids and no indoor shoes household so probably not as hard on it as others might be.

OP your kitchen is so pretty and I can see why you want to change the floors.