Decide what will work best for you and your family. Hanging your pots and pans from a rack on the ceiling can make a so-so kitchen look more open and spacious, just be sure to hang them so the tallest person doesn't bump them, and so the shortest person can reach them. Take a look for wasted space, and utilize it to the utmost. The space between a refrigerator and a counter can frequently hold a narrow rolling shelf for boxes and cans, freeing up more cabinet space to clear your counters. If you have a window, take a look at the view, if it is attractive, then don't hang a curtain at all, put a few pots of herbs in the window and leave it.
Natural light does wonders for dark areas.
Consider the possibility of putting in under the cabinet lighting in. Many can be installed with just a dab of glue, battery powered they will light up the area where you are working. Best of all no electrician needed to wire them into the walls. Look at your kitchen, decide what will need to be done, and do it. Most kitchen problems can be solved with a little bit of imagination.