Lots of people use busy counters -- as long as you keep your other finishes simple (e.g., a solid-colored backsplash), it's just fine.

However, if you'd rather focus attention elsewhere, you could always go for a solid color and put the Carnival just on the island.

Here are a few kitchens with similar looks (in stone or whatever) so you can see the options...

I like the idea of a busy periphery and a solid island, or vice versa. Either should be lovely.

Thanks for your help ACM. I'm also considering Autumn Carnival or Bianco Romano

I love Formica 180 FX

why don't you consider how much more it would cost to put granite on the island and a coordinating laminate on the perimeter. it might feel nice and luxe. you may even find a remnant, can't tell how large your island is.

(do you have a plan for changing the counter top with the appliance garage on it? know before you order anything)

I'm a fan of coordinating FLOORING with COUNTER TOPS. You have a white kitchen so this is pretty easy to do. I would (personally) decide on what colour/tone of floor you want (reds, orange, gold, brown, black, gray, etc) and then pick a counter top that will help you purchase your sought-after flooring in the future.

Of course, it is easier to find a laminate counter top that works with a floor than it is a floor that works with a counter top. The flooring can be the hardest piece of the puzzle. Which is why you coordinate them at the same time.

I think that your kitchen looks great. The hardwood floor is a good idea. I don't like pre finished floors. It has been my experience that they are not as durable as floors finished on site. I would do the hardwood floors. That's a big upgrade for buyers, and definitely keep the butcher block because you can sit hot pots on it. It looks like it needs to be oiled though! Your countertops don't look bad at all to me. I would consider keeping them, and add a great glass backsplash. It would all look terrific together. Buyers won't really appreciate any laminate countertop, so you could be wasting your $. If you just want new counters, don't go with Formoca Brand high definition granite look counters. I put those in when we remodeled 13 yrs ago. They lost their shine immediately and Formica would not help me at all with them. I will never purchase a Formica product again. Good luck. Your kitchen will be even better. The hardwood floor will net some $, new laminate counters won't. Don't waste your $!

I love my light stained hardwood floors. They make my kitchen look light and bright ....a happy place to be!

I agree with K. Sissy I think the counter tops look fine. Changing out the flooring to hardwood will be great. Adding a glass backsplash would be pretty.

What dates your countertop to me is the 4" built in backsplash. Agree completely don't throw money away with granite or Quartz countertops.

We love our Wilsonart Luna Shadow countertops, about $20 SF. Regardless of color would get it without the post-formed 4" backsplash. Then, for a DIY friendly backsplash, use Aspect glass subway tiles from Backsplashideas (on Houzz). No thinset, no grout.

It looks to me like you have no soffits above your cabinets, why not install some crown molding on top of them, and then consider a light rail on the bottom. The light rail will hide your under cabinet lighting, and that, along with the crown molding will give your cabinets a high end look. All of the things together will make you not want to leave after all. Good luck. It's going to be great!

The other thing that I noticed was the way some of the doors open near your oven. Two of the doors at the bottom near your stove, esp to the far left of it, are opening the wrong way. Switch the door to the far left of the stove by the sink so that it opens the other way, and switch the door to the right of the stove so that it opens to the left. That will also make things look more put together and planned. These little details together make a big difference!

Thanks for all the great feedback. We are most definitely getting Wilsonart countertops and I have decided on Autumn Carnival. We are not as focused on the resale value as a reason for replacing the counters, we just want something different. We are removing the butcher block for now. It was made by my husband's grandfather and we are taking it out for a break and also plan to take it with us and put it in our next house, which we hope to build. KSissy - thanks for the tip on the crown molding, I suggested that to my husband and he was lukewarm but now I am even more convinced we should do that now, so thx. Regarding the doors, the one to the far left of the stove is a lazy susan so there's not much we can do with that. We are not going to order the countertop until the wood floor is picked out as well. Thx again everyone I hope to post updated photos when it all comes together!

I had laminate counter tops in my house that we built in 1989 and they were in the same condition as when new..just as long as you take care of them...in fact we just replaced them with Wilson Art laminate in Typhoon Ice and our old ones were taken by a non profit for one of their projects...so everything takes some effort.

We just decided to do Wilsonart Bianco Romano. Ordering tomorrow! We have picked our flooring - Maple in Butterscotch stain.

Why is this picture relevant?

It's the countertop we picked out- Bianco Romano.

Wilsonart has such great imaging that people often mistake our laminate sample tops for quartz in our showroom. The Autumn Carnival that you selected will have the AEON finish that makes it much more durable than standard laminate. Pair it with a great edge like a crescent, you'll have a granite/quartz look alike for a lot less money!

Hey Fabricators Unlimited...where would I buy a small piece of Wilsonart Laminate to match my counter tops...the guy who did our countertops said it was not possible for me to purchase ... I would love to have a piece as a backsplash behind my sink..thanks.