Brightening up an east facing kitchen

[indiegrrl]

We're buying a semi-detached Edwardian house with a kitchen/diner. There are 2 windows that face north east and a set of French doors that face south east. It seems pretty light when you're in it at different times of day, but we're moving from a south-facing kitchen/diner which I know we'll miss. Does anyone have any ideas about how to maximise light please? It is below a bedroom so no chance of a skylight. The photo of a kitchen here www.mouseprice.com/property-for-sale/ref-11944881 is very similar except the place we're buying has French doors where the window is.