The best way to start is by picking our your counters. These are usually a big investment, and you should choose something you really love (or find a scrap of that you can get a deal on). The use the counter as the inspiration for the whole room. We are experts at matching backsplashes to counters, and would be glad to help you find the perfect backsplash to suit your taste and complement your counter once you choose it!

Susan Jablon Mosaics is right--choose your countertops first, & then make the rest of your renovation design decisions based on that. I'm not sure what style you had in mind (based off of your current kitchen, I'm assuming that you're more on the traditional side), but here are some granite colors that would like nice with your cabinets: Giallo Ornamental, New Venetian Light, River White, Kashmir Gold, Colonial Gold, & Colonial Cream.

If you would like to look at more slabs to get some ideas, check out this website:
http://www.ohmintl.com/live-inventory/search/Monroe+NJ.html
They have wonderful pictures.

Quartz countertops would also look nice in your space, & they are practically maintenance free.

Consider Kashmir White granite for counter top: http://builper.com/collections/kitchen-products/products/pre-fab-kashmir-white-granite-counter-top
We have them pre-fab with different edge details to choose from. all at factory prices.

I agree - countertops first IF you are replacing these. Some other simple do-overs would be just to order some new cabinet doors which are glass - to open up the space and add some light. For the cabinets where you display your dishes - be sure to include lighting INSIDE the cabinets?
Change ALL the hardware? And, the single thing I have most noticed is your lighting fixtures and window treatment. For ideas and MORE cabinet hardware than you can imagine - check out VanDykes.com - and get their catalogue - they also sell faucets, etc. On a recent trip to Home depot I was impressed by all the new lighting kits they have for lighting cabinets and task areas of a Kitchen. You could also order a new window treatment for your window in their design center?

For ligthing fixtures (the overhead in your kitchen) perhaps try a Lighting Design Center - etc.

One last thing I always like to do, is paint the ceiling. It can certainly help focus the eye into the space in which you work. And adds dimension to your room.

Keep us posted.

I would conisder having the cabinets painted (see attached photos...this was done four years ago and is as fresh today as then, but it was done professionally!) and adding new hardware, perhaps iron. Remove the lace curtain and do a simple swag in fabric. You can use the simplest backsplash, no need to go high-end...and if you're remotely handy perhaps do it yourself. Create a corkboard down the side of the pantry cabinet and remove the stuff from the refrigerator and from the top of the refrigerator. Add two nice pendant fixtures over the island and definitely remove the central ceiling fixture...maybe do a run of track with small, white heads around the perimeter so that you can direct light on the worksurfaces, into the dishwasher, into the over, etc (the center light creates shadows on the counters while you're working...add undercabinet lighting if you don't have it). Counter options are many, from solid surface to the real thing, so find something you like and coordinate, as those above have said. If you paint the base cabinets somewhat darker than the upper, you create a horizontal line which tends to expand a space. The first picture is "before" and the second after a very inexpensive refreshment of the space.

Hello

Several people have given you excellent ideas regarding paint and countertops. Our cabinets are identical to yours and I have included a few pictures to show you what we did. You can decide what you like and do not like based upon your personal preferences.

On some of our cabinet doors we had glass inserts installed with lighting for our glassware display.
The cabinets by the fridge, we simply removed the cabinet doors to display our chinese ware. (It cost us nothing to do this and gave a new look to the area.)
We installed new granite countertops and have an off-white floor and backsplash.
Our wall paint color is Martha Stewart's "Stone" which gives a classic look. (This particular paint is no longer available in her line but many paint manufacturer's have similar colors.)

One very important thing to remember when choosing your countertop and paint color is to choose a classic color and pattern...not a fad.

Your floors are very nice, as well as your kitchen layout.
Have fun!

Hi M! Congrats on your updates! I would consider a color granite like the one in this link if keeping your countertop the same. It work with rather than against the color in your cabinets. Your hardware choices are pretty open, but the ones in the photo would work as well. I would replace your lighting

I think since you are not replacing the appliances, you should be careful not to go too light or dark with the countertops.