I would look into painting the walls green or blue with the wood tones you have.

If part of what you don't care for is that "nothing grabs your attention" are you sure a neutral paint color is what you want? Your space is defined enough that you don't have to carry one color throughout, as long as the chosen colors all relate to one another since they are visible room to room. But if you do want to do neutral walls, then get your 'attention grabber' from color in other ways. Possibilities are a colorful runner in front of your sink, a colorful bowl with fruit on your island, placemats or a runner for your table, something with color for your corner piece, maybe a piece of art between the door and the cabinets(hard to tell what kind of space is there) or a colorful tray or two to prop up against the wall in lieu of a backsplash.

Is the room with the dark paint (brick red?) a dining room? You didn't ask, but it appears that room has little to no natural light so I'm wondering if you're happy with that dark color?

I think that your biggest enemy is the yellow paint. Changing that color will make a huge difference....if you do not choose gray. I do not prefer gray with your cabinet and floor tones. Our tones are very similar to yours with the walls painted SW Practical Beige ( sounds exciting, huh? :) ). It is a nice neutral that allows you to incorporate other accent colors.

I cannot tell what finish your hardware is. I think ORB or black would be nice. Perhaps a light could be hung over the island. Then add some pretty colorful rugs. You are fortunate because you can make some BIG changes for little time and money. Replace your window treatment ( no blind if possible) with a pretty curtain. I would remove the baker's rack and add art to that corner.

That looks great with the oak Kim, what brand and name is that shade of blue?

I would paint everything blue including the decoration above the uppers & the backsplash area.

Then decide if you want a backsplash after you do that. If you plan on updating your counters soon then I would not do a backsplash until after you do that.

Change up your lighting, curtains, and cabinet pulls and it will feel like a brand new place.

Botanical Bliss by Valspar

Are you at all interested in painting the cabinetry? That would create the most dramatic change! If not, my preference would be to modernize your space and paint the walls a warm white and paint the island the same warm white (Perhaps Benjamin Moore's "White Wisp" OC-54 which has a hint of gray in it or "White Dove" OC-17 ). I wouldn't add a backsplash until you replace the countertops and/or take down the 3" laminate backsplash. I would replace your window valance with a roman shade in a charcoal color. I would change out your chandelier! Perhaps something in this style: https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/quoizel-vyr5006ml-voyager-malaga-six-light-chandelier-1709609.htm I would also remove the baker's rack -- perhaps a tall house plant/tree could go in its place. Lastly, it will be fun to update the space with new accessories! You could create a vignette where you prop up a pretty tray, add a cake stand in front, and a small potted plant. You can add a ceramic utensil holder in a color you like as well, and fill it with wooden spoons. (I would take down the decorations on top of your cabinets for a more modern look.) Pretty cookbooks would warm up the space, too. This blog post from Studio McGee has great tips for styling your kitchen! https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2017/4/10/minimalist-kitchen-styling and this one as well: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2016/8/23/new-webisode-how-to-style-your-kitchen You could also consider taking down the upper cabinets to the right of your kitchen sink window and even replace them with open shelving or leave that wall space open and airy!

And this kitchen is inspiring! https://www.houzz.com/projects/338192/rustic-reclaimed-chestnut

I think Betsy's ideas are nice, but to me a budget remodel would probably not be open to $500 for a chandlier.

Thank-you everyone for taking time to comment. I was leaning more towards a neutral wall color since my cabinets and floors bring in so much color and also was going to bring in an accent color in other ways (rug, curtains). I love the light fixture. I'm sure I could find something along those lines in my budget. And yes, I love that kitchen inspiration Betsy.

I'd go with a creamy white, like SW Creamy or BM Simply White or Capitol White, and then accessorize, accessorize!

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-to-go-with-oak-wood/

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/tips-ideas-update-oak-wood-cabinets/

Also, search for oak kitchenupdate and you'll find lots of threads here.

I have a wood kitchens idea book that has both newer and older, refreshed kitchens and most are warm tone woods. The second kitchen is mine and there are more pics in my "my pics" idea book. I have a creamy beige on my walls.

Wood kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

I have a friend making a couple of yearly updates to her similar kitchen. This year she added a new stainless range vent, under cabinet lighting and neutral light paint. Her kitchen already looks much fresher. Do not underestimate the effect of under cabinet lighting. It brightens the space and it is wonderful to have the extra light when cooking. I also added under cabint lighting and it is my most functional change - I love it.

Your over the range microwave looks newer, but if it is not or you find it awkward to use, then consider replacing with a hood. If you think you might do that down the road, take the micro down when you tile the backsplash, tile that area and put the microwave back, or reserve enough tile to fill in the space. A hood would be pretty and function better - important in an open kitchen.

Oak cabinets look best with simple backsplash, so consider a simple subway tile or similar - see if you can come close to one of the lighter colors in your countertop that also works with the cabinets. For my kitchen, this turned out to be a cream rather than a white - but that depends on your wood tone. Bead board is an option too. If you just want to try the bead board look out for a while, the textured, paintable bead board wallpaper is easy to apply and inexpensive (about $20 a roll at Lowes). I do not usually like faux products, but I have this in a few places in my home and people go up to touch it to believe it is not real. I also have real bead board, so it is not a matter of not appreciating the real thing. The wallpaper is certainly not as durable as the real thing, but in a backsplash situation, that isn't an issue.

Beadboard Wallpaper:

You might end up painting your window trim white, but you can try it with the wood.

For my window, I replaced my valance with a faux roman shade. It is an easy sew project if you sew.

I would not go gray with the island unless it is a blue or green with a gray undertone. Cool true grays and warm wood tones do not bring out the best in each other and can look drab together.

If you consider painting the cabinets, do some research on how painted over previously finished cabinets hold up.

Here is a blog post that shows some wear after three years. The person does not regret painting the cabinets, but it does show that they will need occasional touch ups.

https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/painted-kitchen-cabinets-three-years-later/

Blue: Benjamin Moore In your eyes, or Woodlawn Blue