What does on a budget mean? #1 priority is getting rid of the pixilated mosaic backsplash. The soffit is tiled for goodness sake--no wonder you go buggy in there!!! A cream or soft beige subway or 4x4 tile is probably the way to go, only to the bottom of the cabs with paint above.

The cabinets are kind of rad. I'd work with them, personally.

Agreed with others. Remove the mosaic below and above (!!!) the wall cabs and replace with a subway type tile in a creamy shade. Paint the walls the same creamy color. That should be enough, but if not I'd consider painting just the upper cabinets the same creamy wall color. I'd also remove the scrolly bit above the window and paint the window trim to match the walls. That will give a little more breathing room to the sink area.

ETA: With that crazy mosaic a few changes will go a long way. Lots of potential for improvement without a ton of expense!!

I agree with comments above; very consistent advice to remove the tile and replace with neutral tile/paint around the window wall and entire kitchen. Removal of the tile may mean new drywall (depending how it comes off).

Editing is the key to 'quiet down' this space. I would also suggest to remove the decorative piece from above the sink, and two wall cabinets to the left of the window (remaining will follow the soffit), which will give the kitchen some breathing room. I would also remove the light fixture/fan combo and replace it with one small fixture (not 1'x4' fluorescent surface mounted). Adding a pendant fixture over the sink will be a practical update. Good luck.

In tune with the above comments. We need to quite down the space. Removing the busy tiles will help tremendously. Perhaps paint only the uppers in an alabaster paint color, while leaving the base cabinets as is (budgeting purposes) . Also insist on replacing the fan to a more updated lighting fixture.

Posting link to my wood kitchen so you can see the difference cream subway tile would make and also an ordinary painted soffit.

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784356)

Also, can you reach your microwave, because I couldn't if it was there:)

Holy mosaic, Batman! The walls are moving!
Yeah, I get budget.

Things to remove: The mosaic tile, the squiggly scroll over the sink, the window blind, the fan, and the microhood. Also, get rid of all the papers on the wall.

The counters are actually gorgeous --they're a geologic find! I also like your dining room table. Overall, I'd have to say, you have a lot of brown wood. So let's lighten it up a bit. Over at Home Depot, they stock a 4"x12" subway by DalTile in white for the backsplash, which has a slightly more modern feel. I like this because it feels simple and clean. Grout to match. And because they've tiled up to the ceiling, you will too.

See if you can flip the doors if getting new ones isn't an option now. My neighbor did this, and was able to paint them, and got new hardware off Amazon. I know the tendency is to want to paint everything white --but look at these colors. I'm wondering about the color "Promotion 10D3: from Ace Hardware for the lower cabinets.

And how do you feel about a light blue grey color, like SW Misty for the uppers?

I know the microhood is functional. but maybe you can save for a proper stainless steel hood (to match your appliances) and just put a small microwave where the knives are? (I only use mine for heating up stuff, and I never spend more than $65 for one). I'm not sure where yours vents to, but if it doesn't vent outside, see that it does.

I do think your fridge needs to be traded for one that's counter depth. It's expensive, but it's really sticking out right now. Not a high priority, but think about it over the years.

Anyway, the possibilities are endless. I like finding my palettes in nature or the environment around me. Make sure you choose colors you love, and stick with your budget!

Agree with others. I would immediately put some white foam board on top of the seizure-inducing backsplash to give you some peace while you figure out its replacement. Also, the central position of the cabinet knobs would drive me nuts... I'd never know which way to open the door! Does it bother you?

Just remove the tile and replace with an inexpensive subway tile. It will look WORLDS better. Then, paint the cabinets and replace the floor. Eventually, maybe you could replace the countertops.

@Adam, You only have so much time. Hire professionals. Replace the tile, and hire someone to paint the cabinets. It will cost less time and money than doing a bad job with a material you're not familiar with and haven't worked with before, and then having to hire people to come in and redo it.

The first soluition would be to take all the little tile down...back spash and soffit. Then paint all a light color that goes with your granite. Failing that, is there any way you can paint over the little tile? When I looked at your kitchen I first thought it was wall paper and thought WOW. I think if you take care of the walls first, then think about your cupboards. I can see you taking off the center board and putting a pretty wooden madallion (stained) on the center and then putting the pulls in the lower corner....something pretty looking. Then if you still want to paint, then go ahead and do it.

If your budget does not allow for working on the kitchen at this time, you can use a tile paint kit to neutralize the headache inducing tile:) I've seen it done on an Ask This Old House video - you can do a search on their website if you want to view it. It is a stop gap measure till you can save for replacement. It is not a long term solution.