I would either change the floors or change the counters. So the question is do you want a black and white kitchen, or do you want a blue kitchen? If you want black and white I think you could swap out the counters for a soapstone-look laminate. You might also repaint, as the walls look light blue on my monitor, though that may be entirely a photography/computer issue, rather than the actual color. (edited to add - Renov8or beat me too it - that's the look I was thinking!)

If you want a blue kitchen I would paint or replace the floors (vinyl click-together tile might be an option within your budget) and redo the backsplash.

Either way, if space allows a freestanding island could be a nice addition. IKEA can be a great source for this.

I would leave the floor, paint the laminate counter white or a gray, with special laminate paint. Move the cabinets up and add shelving and lighting. And source some nice subway tile for a backslash. You should be able to do that for 500.00. You could still paint the floor for that budget likely. But then do the countertop a nice pebble grey with texture laminate paint.

Paint goes a long way for not much money when you can do it yourself. We did a really nice facelift and everyone thinks it was a full replace and redo..nope, painted cabinets and in the bathroom, painted tile..

I might paint the floor. Houzzer ilikefriday did an outstanding job on her bathroom floor and it has lasted perfectly for years. But a rug might suffice. I would remove the wallpaper "extra" backsplash and simply paint the walls. That is it. No more money spent on fixing it,no fake stick on tiles. Also,looks like there is a bump out in the wall that precludes raising cabs easily.

Hmm. I'd either go with a solid color backsplash or replace the counter top. Those B&W floor tiles will fight the Spanish tiles you have in mind.

I would leave everything as is and spend $500 on more important things. These are standard size cabinets unless you are 7ft tall.

I would get rid of the backsplash wallpaper but leave most of what you have alone. I would embrace the color scheme. Bring a black and white vase to the table with flowers the color of the countertop. I would then put a few black and white pieces on the countertop to pull it together. Put a small blue (close to the color of the countertop) and black rug in front of the sink.

I like your kitchen. Get a quote for changing the countertop. I agree that laminate may just go over the blue. If the quote is too much, paint it. Lots of people do. And call it quits for a few years.

I would install bar height slab of butcher block or something left of window and find good swivel stools. How many inches there? Then get a plant stand in front of window and grow stuff in pots w your light streaming in . I'd leave everything .... the space is very fun and light. you will redo it one day.....fuss w things then.

I second PTreckel's advice. Will fun accessories, artwork and removal of the wallpaper, this could be a great, cozy room.

How about a print like this:

Hi Danielle Thompson, do any of these ideas appeal to you ? Do you have any other thoughts ?

I think i'd paint the blue counters a dark charcoal & live with everything else. Moving the cabinets up & adding some shelving is a great idea, but I wouldn't spend a ton of $$ if you're just going to over-haul the whole thing in a few years....

You've received alot of advice, and I don't have anything substantial to add except that the cabinet doors look alot like the old IKEA Adel Birch. If so, moving the cabinets up would be dictated by the instructions to uninstall IKEA Akurum wall cabinets.

I had a similar situation with my counters a couple years ago (Laminate was pink and stained) and used Giani Granite Countertop Paint in White Diamond. It took about a day to paint my counters, and 2 years later has held up really well. I don't have any photos right now, but if you are interested, I can take some when I get home.

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I must be unusual as I really like this kitchen as is except for the wallpaper backsplash. To me, I see so many possibilities that don't require doing anything to the floor or counter. I adore bright colors though. I am currently struggling with a red paint color for a small half bath. One day when I sell, someone will be chomping at the bit to tear it out!

OP, please come back to show us pictures when you are moved in.

Paint the counters and remove the wall paper.

The more I think about it, your funky blue wallpaper idea sounds like the key. “Kill it with kindness”, as one local (now deceased) decorating legend would say about oddities (as did Coco Chanel, advising women to proudly display their worst feature and wear that big nose proudly). The blue backsplash, some blue and red artwork and accessories, blue window coverings, that sort of thing. The counter will balance out (and really, that’s all that’s troublesome presently—your floor is quite attractive).

Home Depot and Lowe’s have affordable tiles and laminate wood floors that are under a dollar a square foot that will be beautiful if you have some DIY skills

Thank you everyone!!
I love Renov8or’s ideas, which are things I never would have thought of. I’m so glad I posted.
Once we’re moved in, We’re going to just “live” while we decide if moving the cabinets up is a good life choice for us (besides it looking way better like that). Space over cabinets is one of my kitchen pet peeves and moving them up fixes that. Such a great idea. The labour would be free- my husband would move them, he’s handy. If he runs into problems, my dad was a cabinet installer for a few years- so he could offer advice or save the day.
We’ll first try painting the laminate- if it doesn’t hold up we’ll replace it. My initial choice would have been white, but I really like how the black looks in Renov8or’s mock up.
I agree with commenter who suggested a cheap white subway tile for the backsplash. I priced it out and it’s affordable.

While I agree with commenters who say playing up the contrast and colour would technically work and look nice, it is so far from my preferred style I would feel like I was living in someone else’s house.

I’m not trying to make my kitchen look like these pictures (it would be Impossible without a complete Reno and lots of $) but here are pics so you can better understand my style preferences. You’ll understand better why the high contrast colourful suggestions will not work for me.

Thank you again everyone!

I’ll post when we make some changes. We’re first going to update our daughters room and re-grade around our house, so it’ll be a while before we get started on the kitchen.

Thank you everyone!!
I love Renov8or’s ideas, which are things I never would have thought of. I’m so glad I posted.
Once we’re moved in, We’re going to just “live” while we decide if moving the cabinets up is a good life choice for us (besides it looking way better like that). Space over cabinets is one of my kitchen pet peeves and moving them up fixes that. Such a great idea. The labour would be free- my husband would move them, he’s handy. If he runs into problems, my dad was a cabinet installer for a few years- so he could offer advice or save the day.
We’ll first try painting the laminate- if it doesn’t hold up we’ll replace it. My initial choice would have been white, but I really like how the black looks in Renov8or’s mock up.
I agree with commenter who suggested a cheap white subway tile for the backsplash. I priced it out and it’s affordable.

While I agree with commenters who say playing up the contrast and colour would technically work and look nice, it is so far from my preferred style I would feel like I was living in someone else’s house.

I’m not trying to make my kitchen look like these pictures (it would be Impossible without a complete Reno and lots of $) but here are pics so you can better understand my style preferences. You’ll understand better why the high contrast colourful suggestions will not work for me.

Thank you again everyone!

I’ll post when we make some changes. We’re first going to update our daughters room and re-grade around our house, so it’ll be a while before we get started on the kitchen.

My last comment was broken up into paragraphs. It somehow turned into one giant paragraph it posted. Sorry about that!

I don't understand moving cabinets up? You'll have the same amount of cabinet space, you just won't be able to reach it without a stepladder...

FWIW, I love your kitchen as-is. I would change the wallpaper and paint...

Moving the cabinets up is to make it look better visually and you add a shelf on the bottom for all your pretty items you use daily so they are still within reach. Look at the pics posted in photos above for a visual. It looks way better than having a weird pointless gap at the top.

The floor is the best part! Don’t paint it, embrace it. Cool retro diner vibe or Alice in Wonderland vibe.

I am keeping the floor

Leave the floor alone .. get some new laminated work top it's not that expensive ..save the money for for your new kitchen

I agree with Suzyq! Live with it for five years as is. It’s actually quite charming and refreshing to see a kitchen with some personality!

Btw, I just saw a post with someone installing the same flooring as you have in their new kitchen renovation. They’re making a comeback!

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If you are short on storage cabinets or drawers, look at a variety of roll-around islands. One of these rolling carts can give you some storage space, a bit of counter space, and you can just put it out of the way when it is not needed.

I agree with the previous posters who said you should leave it be. It’s super cute, I love the checkerboard floor and unless you really know what you are doing, painting the floor can go very wrong.

I would take the $500 and put it into decor that will make the space feel more like your own. Cute towels, some art, and a fun canister for cooking utensils.

Your inspiration photos are quite beautiful. Saving your money to get your dream kitchen is a good idea. "Do it once -- do it right" is the best motto for any homeowner. Especially around the most important room in the house.

$500 is NOT going to make or break my kitchen Reno budget in the future, it is a very small sum of money.

If you move the cabinets to the ceiling, will your range hood be going along for the ride? That’s the most important thing to consider in this scenario.

Sammy’s point is a good one. Its easy to imagine the hood moving up but there’s all the ductwork behind it that has to follow.

Have you done anything w/the kitchen yet? Myself, I would take the backsplash out and repaint-I think it's a super cute room, and happen to dig the counters! Love the cabinets, they're very pretty.

The range hood isn’t the vented kind, it’s just an air filter.
Haven’t done Reno’s yet. We move in a few weeks and will live with it a bit before changing anything.

If the range hood can be vented, I would make that a priority. The grease and steam let alone smell, is ever ending with a filter fan. Especially if you’re a soup maker..