Kitchen update ideas / tiles, worktop!!

[Gimmesomeskin]

We are wanting to improve the look of this kitchen. It is too dark and not to our taste. I like the wood but the tiles and work surface don't work. We'd be looking at lighter colours as the kitchen doesn't get much sun.
We can't change the whole kitchen but are looking for a refresh. Possibly in five years we may look at doing a refit.
What do you think we could do for under £1 k if we did most of it ourselves?

I would change the flooring for something light and this will make a huge difference

Thanks I hadn't thought of changing the floor but you're right it would make a big difference!

It may take most of your budget. But I think it would make a huge difference. The wood cabinets aren’t too dark and I like the worktops. I have black worktops and I love them. You could always get one of the books of vinyl samples from a local carpet store and see what looks ok. Maybe at a later stage, budget allowing, you could change the tiles for something lighter. I really don’t think you need a new kitchen though.
Good luck.

Hi
I just took a closer look at the photo of your kitchen. I would also paint the piece of wood panelling above the cooker hood white. This would look better (imo) as it would flow better with the ceiling line. Wouldn’t cost much either.

PS: I’d also change the door handles. Stainless steel is a good upgrade. Just have to make sure that you buy the same size so fixing holes marry up.
Hope you can upgrade your kitchen and enjoy it more. It’s a lovely big size.

The splash back is the thing that will make the most difference for your money.
First you could use special paint and paint the tiles white, similar to walls, and see if that works wonders. Try painting the odd tile bright yellow and putting up a bright blind. The paint might be all that needs doing but you might still want to replace the tiles depending on how it looks.

It would be a waste to change the floors if they are in good order as you will need to do that again if you remodel.

If anyone has painted tiles could they tell me if it looks good? I wouldn't mind trying that for an interim solution as not sure how much new tiling would cost.

Replace the floor tiles with a light coloured flooring. Get rid of the wall tiles and paint the walls a light colour (or light tiles if you prefer). It would make an enormous difference.

I painted our horrible dark brown/black kitchen tiles during a lockdown project 😁 I’m happy with it, it’s a good short term fix until we can completely redo the kitchen.
I also hate our worktop, but having tried a paint made for the purpose, I didn’t like the way it looked so that will have to wait. Same with kitchen cabinet painting - life is too short for that. We’ll just wait.

I like the tiles, but I'm a weirdo who likes brown.
I'd be tempted to lighten the floor and get rid of the wall units either side if the cooker. They look clumpy. I'd replace with open shelves m, with some nice glass/crockery that reflects light. Maybe some plants to add a little colour, but possibly along the brown spectrum, so I guess purple oxalis, some dried grasses/twigs. Lean into a more country feel. Some nice worn pale wood chopping boards, a couple of creamy coloured jugs etc. A tonal picture... basically, go with what ya got