You will get more input if you post pictures of what you already have to work with. You will also get better information if you share what you mean by "remodel", and a budget.

You should be prepared to hear that gray is out, and that rooms are brightened by light, not by paint or furniture.

Yup…you’re posting words in a vacuum. First, post pics of your space. We have to see what’s there now, and the size of the space.

What’s your idea of a remodel? You’ve already stated you ”don’t want to touch the cabinets or island.” What about: Appliances? Countertops? Backsplash? Flooring?

As kempek01 insinuated, lighting is key to a bright room. Grey paint is not. Let’s see what you have now. Appropriately placed modern recessed lighting? Undercabinet lights? Are you willing to add, or change what you have?

None of this gets done without an idea of your budget. What is it?

Hi there. It sounds as though you want paint recommendations, is that right? A lighter paint will help bounce light around your space, but the bang for your buck is really in getting better lighting as others have pointed out. What I see is that you have no task lighting and very little ambient lighting. Have an electrician give you a quote for installing the wiring you need and fixtures for more recessed lighting in your ceiling throughout the space, and under cabinet lighting if you do not already have it.

As far as paint goes, what you really want are colors that are less yellow/brown. You can move into the greys but with your current warm finishes you would do best among the warmer greys and greiges. You have a backsplash and counters that will not change, and a fireplace surround that will not change, so work with those. Some samples you might want to consider are below. They are Sherwin Williams but you can find similar colors in any brand of paint.

It might be time to revisit those window coverings as well. The single panel with tie-back looks dated, blocks light without providing privacy, and gathers dust. I’m giving you an idea of what Greek Villa might look like in that space by using it as a drape color there

Good luck with the update!

Thank you so much! yes, we want to paint, get new furniture, window treatments, and light fixtures etc We don't want to touch the cabinets, island or backsplash as that is not in our

budget. We may redo the fireplace. Will definitely look into more lighting as we do not get much natural light in those rooms

Below is a visual of my suggestions.

- Paint all the walls (kitchen and family room) in BM Pale Oak or paint the kitchen the same colour as the family room

- Replace your dark counter stools with lighter ones (beige tones)

- Your pendants should have white glass not yellowish ones (hard to tell from your picture)

See how by simply replacing some accessories the room looks much brighter:

- Cream colour curtains (hung straight outside the window frame to let the light in)

- Lighter accent pillows to coordinate with your burgundy sofa

- Slimmer black picture frames with large white matting

- White/cream lamp shades

- Place a tray on your ottoman

- Replace the ceiling fan with a more contemporary style that's less bulky looking

- Remove some of the decorative items, all surfaces don't need to have so many items on them, less is more and makes the room more spacious

Thank you so much for these great suggestions!

Since you are getting new furniture, I would be removing that tv which doesnt look good above your fireplace, and is too high up for viewing anyway. See if you can get a nice cabinet to put it on, with your new furniture and new arrangement of furniture, and put a nice piece of artwork above the fireplace. The fireplace itself looks very nice. I wouldnt do anything to it. Take a good look at SW Alabaster for paint. It will lighten your rooms up a lot. I would also make sure all your light bulbs are LED and are daylight type. I prefer LED 4000k daylight, but, some like 3500k or 3700k led daylight. Some of your bulbs look very yellow, and that distorts the color of your walls, etc.