Kitchen improvement
+29
My kitchen is great except for me! The house is all wood/ post and beam but I need to inject some light/ white elements in the kitchen. Cabinets are alder and pine. Don't want to paint cabinets but kitchen is too dark for me. See picture and help me!! Thanks
Kitchen area
28 answers
-
I agree. Keeping your wood cabinets is wise. It keeps the warmth and country appeal of your kitchen intact. There are always white canisters and white collections above your counters. My suggestion is to add more light. I would think under and over counter and cabinets lighting will provide the white you may be looking for.
Sally
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Sally, I have a lot of pot lights and under and over cabinet lights. I prefer natural light so I'm looking into skylights. Thinking of painting/staining the beams ( not the inset) in my ceiling. Walls are yellowish and tried to brighten by using brushed silver. Keep sending ideas. Thanx
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Susan, natural light adds warmth you can't find elsewhere. If you have the option of skylights, I am VERY jealous! My DIY knowledge come directly from the DIY channels. However, there are so many new options which don't look like the 70's! You already have stainless appliances, white backsplash, your countertop bright so you've hit the big ones. Your picture may not show it but under cabinets sure could help. The light over your stove must be there but I can't see it. I may be looking at things that aren't there but consider light antiquing of the molding only. I see gold in your countertop so consider antique gold? That would bring attention to your beautiful beams. Susan, I have given so many suggestions because I could only dream of having a kitchen as beautiful as yours. Good luck. I would love to see your final decor.
Sally
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Until the whole skylight thing can happen, I would change the wall color to a 'light' seafoam green as yellow is thought to brighten, but in fact adds to the warmth factor. Maybe put little LED lights under the cabinets as they shine much brighter than traditional pot lights. Then on the beams I would use a true vanilla color to play off the walls. A skylight is an excellent idea..maybe two, one over the island and one over the actual kitchen part.
Therese C
on Jun 21, 2014
-
I think the skylight idea could work brilliantly and I agree with Sally that white accessories could lighten the space. I have painted my very dark kitchen in a paint called Light and Space by Dulux which reflects any available light, I'm sure you will have a similar product in the US as you get a lot more choice than we have here in the UK! I also painted my beam as it lowered the ceiling which wasn't helping. I chose a shade very close to white which goes well with the oak door and work tops but isn't as stark as pure white. Is the kitchen island wood as well? Mirrors work wonders too, people who visit probably think I'm incredibly vain as my house is full of them but I actually rarely look in them, it's all about trying to bounce some light round my 300 year old house ;-)
GR
on Jun 21, 2014
- See 2 previous
-
Perhaps, where the yellow paint is, wallpaper or fabric with a white background and large bright poppies or other flowers with reds, greens and maybe yellows? Then, tomato red canisters and other accents. I'm not a big red fan, but, I think it would look good in your kitchen. Also, lighter, brighter yellows will brighten it up more.
Beverly
on Jun 21, 2014
-
I would paint the walls a lighter or different color. The walls, counters, an cabinets all have the same yellow brown color tone in them. Also I would take off a couple key cabinet doors and mirror the back. Put the shelves back in an let the light bounce around. One last top it's expensive bug it works. Change your pot light bulbs out to ones that are LED pure white light.
Rustic & Refined
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Sorry about the typos I'm on my phone. Tip not top. But not bug. Lol
Rustic & Refined
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Beverly, my floor is slate tales- blue, grey rust, tan. Have tried red and haven't found any patterns I like.
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 21, 2014
-
Lol I call it fat fingers!
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 21, 2014
-
I agree that changing that yellow to a color to contrast with the wood would help. Maybe an off white...one with a hint of gray...??? then change out your bulbs to bright white...it really makes a difference. PS...your kitchen is beautiful...it would be a shame to paint out any of that wood. And keep in mind that paint gets dirty and dull VERY QUICKLY!
Jeanette S
on Jun 22, 2014
-
Jeannette- I'm changing wall color for sure. Will get bulbs- wattage?? I have many ceiling lights and I can dim them too . I know if I paint any cupboards I'll regret it since I'm forever changing things. The only paint would be beams in ceiling.
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 22, 2014
-
What about some sterling silver or copper accents? I have picked up a few at Goodwill, they had to be polished and have a few dings, but they do bring some brightness to a room for very little investment. Also, some potted plants and a bowl of lemons , real not fake do add life to a room. These are small inexpensive items. Have you consider a green for your walls. My girlfriend, used Wasabi Green in her dark hallway with fantastic results. When you look at the paint chip you will probably think no way. She is a real estate agent who knows what she is doing and has told me that saturated color is often better than light color when we want to brighten up a room. One of the best pIeces of advice I was ever given was NOT to pick paint from a CHIP. Get a full deck at Ben Moore ,get some sample paint and paint LARGE sections on your wall before deciding. I have done this ,been very happy, but often surprised as to what paint I actually end up with. You have a lovely kitchen, enjoy!
Sharon Kavanagh
on Jun 22, 2014
-
The yellow still adds the same warmth as the wood does. It's pretty, but I think you should change the color. White valances and white accent pieces, also a small pop of color that you like.
Diane Arnold
on Jun 22, 2014
-
Diane- White/cream is what I'll use with probably green. I am painting the beams cream or white and that should get the ceiling lighter. Thanks! Isnt Klamath Falls off the main road going along the Gorge? My daughter lives in Hood River and I love Oregon...coming over in August!
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 22, 2014
-
I like the warmth of your kitchen, but I agree that the walls could be painted. Maybe the same white color that's in your back splash. Also, take down all those dark accessories and find larger, simpler ones. It's funny how a bunch of little accessories makes a room look cluttered.
Michele Eures
on Jun 23, 2014
-
With the yellow in your wood I would also change the wall color and honestly paint the ceiling a light white wash but leave the beams the way they are.
Silver Geras
on Jun 23, 2014
-
When I paint the ceiling beams cream/white should I use flat or eggshell paint after priming them?
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 23, 2014
-
@Susan Kenneally Here, I posted some before and after shots of how mine looked before I added white granite countertops, took the doors off my "Show" cabinet and added mirror backing and glass shelves. Opposite this cabinet is two widows so the sunlight pours in and bounces like I put in a skylight.
Rustic & Refined
on Jun 24, 2014
-
Rustic- I replaced my counter with a busy granite already thinking it would liven up the kitchen. It did but I should have had more cream in it.Instead it played to the wood in the cabinets instead of complimenting it. Your white dishes really spark it. I don't have a lot of upper cabinets to work with.Your glass shelves really help too. I'm scouring the house for all my white stuff to put over cabinets but I think painting the beams will help. Geez, my husband will say OMG not another makeover.
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 25, 2014
-
The ideas posted here are wonderful! I don't really see your floor color, maybe placing a few throw rugs in various colors will be an inexpensive way to show how the colors work in your room. Your kitchen is beautiful!
Elizabeth
on Jun 25, 2014
-
Thanks Elizabeth! The floor is dark slate tiles- blue,rust, grey,brown - and I've tried rust, green, tan rugs. I prefer braided rugs since they take the wear( have 2 big dogs) and I just steam them every few weeks.I need the contrast of cream/white higher up to brighten it I guess. I know I must seem too picky to some people with such a neat house, but I'm always rearranging- hutches, furniture! LOL Thanks!
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 25, 2014
-
Sorry! I don't mean to spark another makeover but my hubby knows it is never ending. I have him trained now. He knows either he does it....or I will hire someone. The kitchen is my work area and when it doesn't work....Buy some white placemats and setup the bar counter like your setting a tablescape and maybe replace those drop light shades with something clear glass...that will help too! Oh and I LOVE your countertops....they add great dimension and movement!
Rustic & Refined
on Jun 27, 2014
-
Great kitchen. Does need lightening up. Definitely would not paint cabinets. Would leave ceiling until I tried other things. Would paint the yellow a creamy white, and do something similar for the window frame. So much solid wood can close in the space. I would replace a few cabinet doors with frosted glass, especially by the window. This will draw the eye to the window and maybe what's outside. Would remove the pic above window. Buy an artificial ivy and put in an interesting pot for top of cabinet to soften the lines. (Easy to wash any grease or dust off.) Then I would reassess the sit.
Marion Nesbitt
on Jun 27, 2014
-
Thanks Marion! I just changed my sunroom from a green to cream and blue and what a difference! Have tons of greenery but want it not to look fake. Amazing how a bright color can look "dowdy" with lots of wood. (:
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 28, 2014
-
Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Susan Kenneally
on Jun 28, 2014
-
I looked the picture over and I think the main problem is the lighting. I might not be popular for this, but I've never been a fan of recessed lighting because it seems to me that with the bulb up 'into the ceiling', any of the light you're getting is just coming straight down, rather than reflecting around the room and up onto the ceiling. It just doesn't seem to be energy effecient. We recently put up a new light fixture from Lowe's, with 2 - two foot long, 17watt fluorescent bulbs, with a long white rounded globe covering them, and it lights up our 15' x 17' farm kitchen really nicely. I couldn't believe the difference. I didn't really want fluorescent lights anymore, but after using the swirly kind that are out now, (govt. forced), I'm really happy we went with the long bulbs. We had thought about putting a cedar ceiling up, with smaller beams, but I'm glad we didn't because even with the 8' ceiling, they do keep the light from reflecting around the room. I think I read above that someone suggested dropping the lights down, and I think it would make a world of difference, and give you light where you need it to brighten things up. and shouldn't cost much either. Probably another reason you aren't getting much brightness is because you just don't have much wall space, but you wouldn't want to give up any of the nice cupboard space either. I'd try new lighting even before painting anything. Also, you lose a lot of the light with globes which are thick glass like your 3 over the counter appear to be. You have a beautiful kitchen, so I hope whatever you do will brighten it up nicely for you. Let us see the transformation when you decide.
Gladys
on Jul 14, 2014
-
Thanks for all the thoughts Gladys! I'm not painting cabinets for sure but I did paint the walls a n asparagus green. I'm replacing the hanging pendants and I'm not a fan of the recessed lights either. I'm such. Natural light girl that still pushing for a skylight. Will post pic when done and thanks much!
Susan Kenneally
on Jul 15, 2014
Sign Up to Answer
