3 Easy Ways to Brighten a Dark Kitchen (in a weekend)!

In one weekend and with a few projects, you can easily and affordably update and brighten a dark kitchen.

Don’t have time or the money to spend remodeling your dark kitchen? I completely understand!

Over 5 years I transformed my dark kitchen with both small and large projects. When I didn’t have the budget, I found affordable ways to bring in more light and make the kitchen feel more up to date.

We will focus on quick wins to transform your dark kitchen, so you can buy time and save up for larger remodeling projects like new counters.

Here are 3 easy ways to brighten your dark kitchen! In one weekend, with these beginner friendly DIY projects, you’ll add light and affordably update the the style too.

With a little bit of patience, some tools, and a few new home improvement items you can brighten up a dark kitchen.

Here is my kitchen before, when it looked dark and dated:

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Idea 1: Instantly brighten up a dark kitchen with new light fixtures above the island

Updating the light fixtures in your kitchen is the BEST way to add light in dark areas and reflect light.

Especially if natural light from windows doesn’t reach the center of the room.

Plus adding fixtures that reflect more light will make even dark wood cabinets appear brighter too!

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some tips for choosing the perfect fixtures for your space.

Tips for Choosing the Right Light Fixtures

• Consider the existing style of your kitchen. Is it modern, traditional or transitional? Find an option that works with your current style.
• Look for metallic finishes that will complement the items you currently have like your stainless steel refrigerator. Yes, you can mix finishes!
• Only choose designs that are open. They will let the most light shine into the kitchen and onto reflective surfaces.
• Avoid tightly woven lights or totally opaque shades that only shine light in a downward direction, like a metal cone shaped pendant.

Instead choose fixtures with exposed bulbs and or glass shades.

They will reflect the most light from the ceiling to the floor mimicking natural light.

Not sure what size pendant lights to choose over your kitchen island? 

Shop my Kitchen Finds

Just be sure to read the reviews before making your purchase and see how the light fixtures look in real life.

Shop for Kitchen Pendant Lighting

Upgrade to LED Light Bulbs to Brighten a Dark Kitchen

Look up at your recessed lighting! Want to light up your entire kitchen?Switch out to brighter bulbs for a quick fix to a dark kitchen.

Updating your ceiling lighting is the perfect option. New overhead lighting will instantly make your dark kitchen feel brighter.

Especially if you don’t have natural light from windows.

Switch out your old, energy-guzzling incandescent bulbs for new LED lights.

They give off a bright, even light that’s perfect for cooking and entertaining. Plus will save you money too!

LED lighting in the ceiling will make your kitchen feel so much brighter banishing dark areas.

In just a few minutes you can change out the recessed lighting bulbs and don’t forget LED lights for your kitchen island pendants too!

Shop for LED Lighting

install under cabinet lighting

For another weekend and for the more experienced DIYer: New under cabinet lighting will brighten up your countertops and make it easier to see when you are preparing a meal.

In one weekend I changed out my old halogen under cabinet lighting with new LED fixtures (click for the project).

New LED light bars under the upper cabinets brighten and give the illusion of more light to brighten up dark corners and illuminate the counters.

Plus the under cabinet lighting highlights the backsplash tile under the cabinets making the entire kitchen perimeter light and bright.

It’s a fairly easy DIY project. Just make sure you flip the circuit breaker BEFORE you pull out the old under cabinet lighting and install LED under cabinet lights.

You won’t believe how having extra task lighting on the counters will brighten up a dark kitchen.

Idea 2: Change out dark kitchen cabinet hardware to a lighter finish

One easy way to update your kitchen cabinets is to change out the hardware – especially if it is a dark metallic finish.

I am a bit of an expert when it comes to cabinet hardware and worked for a major cabinet hardware company.

Plus I installed ALL of the hardware in my home converting from knobs to pulls in many places.

It’s any easy DIY project you can tackle with a little guidance – I’ve got tutorials I’ll link for you!

If your cabinets have dark hardware, consider swapping it out for something in a lighter finish like brushed satin nickel or brushed gold.

Darker hardware finishes like black or oil-rubbed bronze will absorb the light vs. reflect it.

A lighter metallic finish will reflect more light naturally, so a lighter finish will lighten the look of your cabinets.

This simple change can instantly brighten up your kitchen and give it a fresh, new look.

Tips for Choosing kitchen cabinet Hardware

• Pay attention to your current style and find pulls that coordinate.
• Choose brushed satin nickel for the lightest look on your cabinets plus it goes with all finishes.
• If you have all knobs currently, think about changing of the cabinet doors to pulls.
• How-to measure for pulls can be found in this post.
• Choose pulls that work with your knobs – I should you how in this post.
• Use a mix of knobs, pulls and cup pulls for the most visual interest.

Don’t be scared of installing the pulls on your doors and drawers.

There are templates you can follow and use a power drill to create the holes.

You’ll be surprised at how different your kitchen cabinets will look with all new hardware!

Plus it can modernize an outdated kitchen fast!

Idea 3: Cover over a dark backsplash with peel and stick tile

If you are like me, you don’t have the tools or the patience to tackle a ceramic backsplash under your cabinets.

I’m here to tell you that peel and stick tiles are the way to go!

Not only do peel and stick tiles come in a wide variety of colors and designs, but they are also extremely easy to install.

All you have to do is measure, cut and apply.

I love them so much that I applied peel and stick tiles to an ENTIRE WALL in my garage and they look amazing.

A lighter colored tile will create the appearance of light between dark wood cabinets and darker countertops.

Tips for Choosing Peel and Stick Tile Options for a Backsplash

• Look for light colored designs that complement cabinets and counters.
• If you have white cabinets, try a pop of color to draw the eye.
• Make sure the tile coordinates with the paint color in the kitchen.
• If you don’t have under cabinet lights, pick a white glossy finish to reflect the most light.

So why wait? Get started on that kitchen makeover today by adding a peel and stick backsplash.

My hope is you feel ready and confident that in just one weekend and a few simple changes, you can make your dark kitchen look a WHOLE look brighter!

Check out: Ultimate Guide to Updating an Outdated Kitchen

Want to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Painting kitchen cabinets is a VERY affordable way to brighten up a dark kitchen – especially if you have wood stained cabinets.

A lighter paint color with more light reflecting value will instantly bounce light in a dark kitchen.

If you are willing to take the time and make the effort to paint your kitchen cabinets, it will not only make your kitchen look brighter but also increase the resale value by updating the look.

I’ve painted most of the cabinets in my home and truly a new paint color can change EVERYTHING making your dark kitchen feel lighter and brighter.

Find a long weekend and tackle painting those kitchen cabinets by following my NO-SAND Method to Painting Kitchen Cabinets.

The easiest way to paint cabinets is with a paint sprayer. Read this to see if it’s something you would like to invest in: When It’s Time to Buy a Paint Sprayer and Hand Painting or Spraying Cabinets: What is Better?

Not sure what color to paint your kitchen cabinets? Here are a few cabinet paint color posts to get you inspired:

• Best White and Neutral Paint Colors: Walls, Cabinets and Trim
• 20 Cabinet Paint Color Combos for the Kitchen
• 2023 Kitchen Cabinet Color Trends

You can also read all about how I changed out my granite counters for quartz: No Way I Was Using Marble in the Kitchen!

Other Helpful Posts for Updating Your Kitchen

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Until next time…

Porch Daydreamer

Tracey