Butcher block would be a great option for the counter top and for the shelf (if it has to stay). Then, a nice woven blind for the window treatment would marry the butcher block and window treatment and be compatible with the flooring as well. Are you going to DIY or have a handyman?

Yeah I figured the butcher block would look good but the countertop would have to match something else and can't change the blinds they're Brand new. I'm doing it all myself, I'm pretty handy.

But the thing is butcher block is usually pretty thick and it will raise above the sink, can't have that. Without changing the blinds I guess I'll have to go with bright white Formica....

Butcher block can be expensive, and if you're renting it's not worth it. I would just replace with a newer laminate.

When you say laminate, you mean for mica right? Not the nasty laminate type seen on the corner shelf in the picture?

Formica is actually just a brand of laminate countertops but its name has become synonymous with the product (like Kleenex and tissue).

You can certainly get Formica, but there are other brands out there too that have some nice looking laminate now so don't limit yourself to that brand.

That's such a small area, ask your landlord to pay for some good materials and just replace it. Ask if you can remove the shelf as well. Speaking as a landlord, it's a win if you do the work and it just costs materials.

Yeah that's what I said, countertops are easy, the shelf is probably more headache thanks the countertops. I think he wants me to pay for the materials but Im not stupid I know I shouldn't have to

Oooh what about a concrete countertop with a slate floor?

Well the floor has to stay it's brand new, but the concrete countertop looks great, I'll have to look into that and ask

You can really customize the color of the concrete as well!

That's a huge undertaking, and the resulting counter will have maintenance issues that aren't a good fit with a rental property. I'd stay with a decent laminate.

Floor and Decor has 8' butcher blocks for as little as 170 bucks. I'd look into one of those. they shouldn't be too thick. Builder grade oak is 170 and 1 1/2" thick.

https://www.flooranddecor.com/butcher-blocks-decoratives

as for the concrete, you can do your own w/Ardex feather coat. you will need a base,,,some new plywood should work. plenty of how-to's online for that.

and heck, if you're handy, you can make you own with specific size wood thickness

for really cheap, you could use Doug Fir boards. just look up DIY wood countertops

as for your little counter triangle, just look for a remnant granite piece. hell that small, they usually throw them out. go to a stone fabricators shop and ask them for a throwaway piece. support it w/metal brackets and a cleat.

You have a rental. Save your money and your effort for something you actually own.

I don’t agree I think you need to make a rental as much as possible your home. BTW butcher block from Ikea is very affordable just make sure you get the solid one not the one with just a layer of wood on top I think the oak one is called Hammarp

The butcher block from Ikea requires a saw and ascrew driver to no special skill required other than you know how to measure and cut a straight line, You remove the old top and replace with the butcher block oil really well around the sink and do that fairly often The counters in this kitchen are Ikea and are now 15 yrs old and still look awesome and were the cheapest counter we could get.We installed them all in one day