Easily a black tile or paint as it will make your kitchen pop with colour and texture!!

Duplicate post.

The wavy wood valance over the sink doesn't work with the modern cabinets.

All the decorations are from the previous owners so that will all be gone. But I love the ideas! As far as the black tile goes, adding more tile is not the route I want to do. I'm just thinking paint and removal of wall paper, but not sure which colors to use to compliment the blue and yellow countertops. The kitchen already has almost all the walls painted yellow (including one behind the stove that's almost entirely covered in yellow tile) and that just kinda drowns it out. I want to freshen it up, but also make the counters pop. I planned on painting the cabinets white, but I'm a first timer so I'm totally open to other ideas!

Paint the walls white and then you'll have soft blue tile on counters, soft yellow tile backsplash and white cabinets. That's 3 colors and that's enough. Very clean and fresh looking.

Those cabinets look like the laminate+wood type that were popular in the 80's. Not sure how paint will adhere to the laminate. Read up on-line before getting started. You might practice on an inconspicuous area. Seek professional help.

Add a simple Roman shade on the window. You might look for a fabric similar to this one.

Paint the walls a flat white and all the window trim baseboards, cabinets in a gloss white. looks like you have a nook where there could be bench seating with storage , maybe upholstered seat , a couple pillows . Using the blue and yellow as an accent color... spreading it around the kitchen, keeping your background neutral.

here's more.....play up the vintage. Some colored glass knobs and changing out the light fixtures would really bring it together. Also removing the curvy valance above the sink and maybe removing some upper cabinet doors to reveal pretty glasses and dishes. i think its a very cute kitchen.