Probably just some caps in the same wood on top with the same finish

Do you mean cover all those tops with same wood? That would be about $300 just for the wood, then I'd have to finish it as well. Any less expensive ideas?

If you are using wood for your counter tops, here are some ideas:

HI -- Any solution is going to cost money . If you don't want to pay for wood tops ( good one side plywood) which I think would look the best ... then perhaps some flooring sheet vinyl pieces or vinyl wallpaper or perhaps some enamel (washable ) paint . Or maybe just some drywall and then paint it .

I'd get matching plywood and make finished panels.

Are you staining the cabinetS? What does your cabinetmaker recommend for the unfinished tops? Your ceiling and cabinets are different tones and don't appear to go together well. What color will your flooring be? You have a sea of light beige colors, how about dark cabinets or dark floor for some contrast and interest?

Agree with apple_pie. You have come this far, now is not the time to be cheap. Finish your project so you will never cringe when you look at it, or worse, explain to everyone all the time, your reasoning for not finishing them off properly.

Thanks everyone. We will have the cabinet maker order us some matching plywood and will finish it with the clear poly like we did the cabinets. i donrealize that they don't match the ceiling. We have our biggest splurge coming next week. Very dark oak floors, wide long planks, oil finished, by earth works. Our gift to ourselves for our 10 year anniversary.

My cabinets I got top and bottom finished panels. Panels were continuous, preventing dust from falling between cabinets and from getting stuck in the cabinet cavity. Finished panel plus galley rail/molding cost the same as taller cabinets to the ceiling.