If it were me i would remove some of the the doors on the upper cabinets and then paint only the tops in a lighter version of the tile/back splash. Use the open shelves for beautiful dishes that could inspire your color scheme.

This will give you contrast in the room and deflect from the galley look. Then paint the walls SeaSalt by Sherwin Williams which is a pale blue green paint that has a great vibe; or a color that you like.

Then decide on pulls, a runner for the floor, check out Ballard Designs for this on line, and fun dishes that will look dramatic on the open shelves in the doorless cabinets.

Here are some two tone kitchens with stained base cabinets cabinets and painted upper cabinets.

Try not to get fixated on the counters; they are a natural organic element in the room and look and give off an artisanal feel to the kitchen. Work on everything else and then when every detail is done decide if the counter need to go and then save and have it done professionally......

Thank you!! A few more things I'd LOVE feedback on.

The kitchen itself has a useless half wall (see picture) that looks into the living room. I didn't choose yellow for the living room, it was like that when I moved in.

Note that I bought this condo five years after I first started renting it, so I am just now able to move stuff around / update the decor. There's also stuff in the living room that belongs back on the also just repainted bedroom walls/in storage/in the dumpster.

Also, the hallway has been repainted the 'On the Rocks' color from SW.

That all being said, would the Sea Salt color that was mentioned clash/look odd with the On the Rocks color in the hallway? Also, I was thinking of doing the living room a shade darker than the On The Rocks color, but don't know if that's a good idea or not. In my world, paint shades come first and then I change the decor so, again, please ignore the chaos.

Forgot to include hallway, too. Sorry about the darkness, I'm replacing my light fixtures and so it's darker than normal.

I would continue the same wall color throughout...add color with rugs...art and pillows..it gives a nice open feel to smaller spaces..and so much easier de decorate!

this is a perfect wall color that you have....

My entire home is painted SW Worldly Gray and Love it!

Painting with the neutral palette will give you more options to use color in art, rugs and accessories. That being said I was going to suggest the kitchen cabinets being painted black as mentioned above to give you that eclectic look that instantly modernizes without breaking the bank. Hardware is also an inexpensive way to update, Good luck and congratulations on your new purchase.

I'd paint the cabinets white and install a new countertop. What countertop materials did you get estimates for?

Thank you so much! I can't afford a new countertops yet as the estimates I've been getting for even the lower grade materials range from 1-3K and that's not possible. Maybe next year, but we'll see. :)

I promise I'll stop asking questions soon but I have a few more regarding painting the cabinets:

- Will the tiny space feel smaller if I paint the cabinets black? I'm assuming yes but there are different opinions out there.

- If I go black, which shade? I was thinking SW greenblack or midnight oil, but thoughts would be great.

- If I go neutral, are the cabinets going to show everything? I don't have kiddos yet but my husband isnt what you'd call neat :)

- I'm not sure I can get down with the dual painted cabinets, so if I repaint them all (removing the doors from the top highest), am I just trading one variety of bland for another?

Thank you all again. I've been blown away by this community's thoughtful responses - you all are amazing humans! :)

Black cabinets show everything...fingerprints..water spots..they are not the best with kids and a busy family...I would not reccomended them for your very small kitchen:(.....

Paint it all white and replace counter with butcher block it is very inexpensive and looks great!

Since the floor and counters are staying for now, the cabinet color has to go with them. Anything from white to buff will be fine. Sand the heck out of them, shellac prime, then two coats of oil. Lots of people also seem to like chalk paint though it's not my thing.

Thank you all so much! Going with SW Sea Salt for walls and a SW linen (their cabinet paint) for cabinets with rubbed bronze hardware to tie it all in. I'll post pics in a few weeks to show the difference!

I wouldn't bother with trying to remove the front of the counter. It's not offensive. Give the grout a good bleachy scrub and then see what color it really is. You can recolor the grout yourself, though I've never done it.

As far as cabinet colors go....whatever color they are, the dirt will still be there...I liked my white cabinets as I HAD to keep them wiped down....I wouldn't do black in there.

I tried Sea Salt in my kitchen and it was a no-go for me...It was too pastel. I'm going to use it in the bathroom, though as it's a lovely color.

Agree with the butcher block counter. Cheap and, when sealed correctly, looks lovely. Ikea has it....

Your kitchen doesnt look that big. You might be able to find a good deal on leftover remnant pieces of Granite at a granite distributor or surplus home store in your area.

Laminate counters are inexpensive and practically indestructible. I hate grout and can't imagine it on the counters. :/