SFGate

Granite Transformations Hi Dawn,

I like the idea of possibly opening up that wall between the laundry room and kitchen. However, you'd need to talk with an engineer first before trying something like that out. They need to let you know whether that wall is load bearing or not. Than you'd also have to consider what to do with your top cabinetry on that wall.

If you're going that route, I'd consider a 3x3 cutout with a stained glass. I don't know that you want to look from the kitchen into the laundry room, but it would let in some of that light you're looking for.

My suggestion though, consider paint, new hardware and under-mount lighting. If this were my kitchen, I'd install a nice mosaic backsplash- something like this (http://bit.ly/H9DFTP) from the counters to the cabinetry throughout the kitchen. Then, I'd change your hardware to brushed nickel. After that I'd have an electrician or someone handy that you know come in and install under-mount lights to brighten your counters. Try removing some of the clutter on the counters too. Finally, I might also consider painting the walls to a light green or blue.

I think my suggestion would help you save money and you could probably complete the job in a weekend.

Hope this helped, good luck!

Aggie Purvinska Do you have the budget to expand or are you looking to work with the existing?

A quick solution to the existing, is to paint the cabinets a really light gray, swap out the hinges to satin nickel and change all the knobs and pulls to a contemporary satin nickel. Install new back splash, maybe a glass mosaic that would have some of the warmer tones of the floor as well as the lighter gray, install a new overhead light fixture and under cabinet lights.

[houzz=Italian Designs Classic Pull]

[houzz=Tempo Squares Glass Mosaic Tile]

There is a GRAY Version of this
[houzz=Saturnia Semi-Flushmount]

Reico Kitchen & Bath Some great suggestions above. Definitely would need to find out what walls are load bearing before doing anything. If you are limited, consider checking out this article on Houzz on making small kitchens bigger!

Dee Porter I'd paint the walls a light color, possibly dove grey. I'd also paint the cabinetry white and replace the hardware with stainless to match your appliances. I don't know what is on the other side of the wall where the sink is, but I'd open it up and either put in a window (if its an outside wall) or make it a "pass through". If that is not possible, I'd put up a stained glass piece with lighting behind it. I'd also put in a narrow island in the middle of the kitchen

Deborah Butler, Brickwood Builders The suggestions above are excellent. Lighter cabinets and wall color and different hardware will brighten the room. Do you have the ability to have additional wiring run and change out lighting in the room to recessed lights and add under cabinet lights?

Susan Jablon Mosaics Adding under cabinet lighting would help brighten up some of those dark areas. Also, if you want a traditional style, an iridescent tile backsplash in a subtle color scheme (first picture) will reflect that light all over the place! Stainless steel or mirror tiles (more colors and shapes!) will bounce light beautifully and add a modern touch.

olldbobbi If I were you I would start slowly, make one change at a time. First paint that raspberry wall the same color as your countertop, then change the knobs and handles, if that's not enough paint the cabinets and add a 'wow' backsplash. These are all DIY projects that will save $$$$.

I don't think it's the worst kitchen ever, your floor and appliances are great!

ksw711 I'd start out by painting the backsplash a light color- or put up a light backsplash or beadboard. That raspberry is so dark. Second, if you have the $$ I'd add a window between the microwave and the fridge- either just in the backsplash area- you could even frost the glass jut to let light in, or take down the upper cabinets if you can and put in a large window with some small floating shelves. (I'd do this if you had a bright white clean and tidy laundry room). I am assuming you don't have the budget to take down the whole wall and reconfigure the kitchen. Third thing I would do- paint the cabinets and replace the hardware. I'd go really light on the cabinets. Not sure what the lighting is, but something with some sparkle might add something to the space. If you did have the $$ I would replace the cabinet doors, but that is about $50 a door. Finally, new sink and counter. Looks like you have good appliances and great floors. Light paint will go a long way in your dark space. Good luck!

Shakúff A simple start to a brighter, and fresher looking kitchen is having the right light bulbs. Some bulbs can either be the wrong coloring (too cool), or too dim, and can turn a decent looking room into a dull and scary place. If using fluorescents or LEDs, definitely try to stick to the ones with "warm" coloring. It will help make your place more inviting.

Rio Brewster Tearing out the wall will probably mean tearing out your whole kitchen -although you can keep the appliances.

If you have the money to tear out a wall and replace all your cabinets, hire a professional kitchen designer first. If you don't want to spend the money, think about cabinet refacing. Painting oak cabinets will give you a shabby-chic look unless you do the dark espresso thing. And part of what is dating your kitchen is the partial overlay on the cabinets (the gaps between the doors.)

Dawn Calhoun These are all GREAT suggestions! I hadn't even thought about lighting under the cabinets. I think I'll start with painting the cabinets, changing the hardware and installing a nice mosaic tile backsplash. Should I tile the walls up to the cabinets or just paint the wall up to the cabinets? Thank you all so much :)

eztia I would start by painting the raspberry wall the same color as the countertop, in a semigloss paint. Semigloss is easy to wash. That is the least expensive, quickest change. Covering any red paint is tricky, so use a primer first. You may need two coats of paint on top of the primer.

See how you like it while deciding if you want to tile the wall.

Is there a possibility of adding a solar tube skylight in the kitchen?
The under mount lighting idea for the cabinets is excellent. You can purchase "warm" LED strip lighting. Just cut to length! Look online for specifics, and do get the "warm" LED option.

Updating the cabinet hardware to brushed nickel to compliment your stainless appliances will make a bigger difference than you think! (personal experience)

As always, clearing the clutter is a good idea. If clearing clutter is especially difficult for you, I suggest FlyLady.net for good ideas and daily encouragement.

anitajoyce Nice appliances.I would paint all the cabinets white and add round brushed nickel handles to the upper cabinets and nickel pulls to the drawers. . Paint the walls in a mustard color for more added brightness because you don't have a window. The floor is nice and I would add a nice colorful rug to it. Can you add a window above the sink?

Susan Jablon Mosaics Hi Dawn, it might be good as others have said to paint the wall first in a color similar to what you think you want your backsplash to be. Then you will know before committing to tile if the color is light enough, too light, warm enough, cool enough, etc. Do you have a close up photo of your counter or any color(s) in mind for the backsplash? We specialize in matching backsplashes to counter surfaces and would love to help you find your perfect match!

COConsultants Hi,
Let,s start at the floor, I would sand it and stain it with a little darker color and being two colors the one it is and some ebony. Look in Lumber Liquidators they have some of the colors I am talking about.
I love the light and handles chosen and would go that way, but I would do a backsplash with a little more depth. The backsplash can be found at www.akdo.com and you should hit mosaic you will find some with black, emperador marble comes with black or brown veins.
And finally, I would paint it a dove grey and the ceiling the same dove grey just cut 25%.
Over the sink, I would put a mirror surrounded by my backsplash material with a black frame.
I like black and the color of your cabinets together a lot.
My suggestion is to go to Home Depot and pick up a piece of silver, black white and there are some glass and black back splashes there. Stop in the paint dept, the floor is simple I have done my own. And back splashes are easy since they now have a paper you put up and then the tile. And with tile clippers it is simple. You do want to put the backsplash throughout the back of the sink area with the mirror almost as large as the opening over it. I am not sure what the white thing in the right is, but if it is toaster or micro I would get a black one. haier at Home depot is small sweet works well and is 131.00.
First get samples, then go from there. Enjoy.

Dawn Calhoun @anitajoyce, on the other side of the wall with the sink is a bathroom. So a window wouldn't be possible there :( I would love a window for some natural light! @tipi, a skylight is a great idea! I think getting samples is a good way to see what I like. I will start with that. Thanks everyone, these are good ideas and VERY helpful!

chrissieh0101 Your cupboards look exactly like the ones in my old house. I almost painted them but decided to sand them down and refinish natural. I added long stainless door pulls. They were incredibly beautiful, lightened up the kitchen and the grain of the wood had wonderful movement. I kept colors simple but modern. I like the idea of a stain glass window between the rooms to bring in light.

jjayesmith Try looking at the Cote de Texas blog. Enter kitchens into the search there. I think you'll be amazed at what painting the cabinets and installing new hardware can do. Definitely not ugliest ever!