Your black countertops are great.

I wouldn't do a backsplash at all.

I would just get a sheet of stainless for the area over your stove.

Your paint color doesn't thrill me, but if it goes with the rest of the house, I suppose it's okay.

Looks great!! I would not change those countertops. Opt for a simple light colored backsplash to match your cabinetry.

It appears you have a small small piece of granite as your backsplash. If you want to add a tile backsplash then you need to remove that small black piece of granite.....you don't do both.

I would pop off that 4” granite splash and tile down to that gorgeouse stone with maybe an arabesque or geometric tile with a medium dark gray grout. Or google ”black and white tile“ and see if there’s something you like. Visually you need some interest on that wall, IMHO. Definitely keep the granite.

keep granite and eithe lose the 4” and tile entire backsplash, or leave 4” and paint with a high quality washable paint. No to the stainless steel backsplash behind the stove becaue you will be a slave to cleaning daily.

Spend money on better lighting.

You already have the granite backsplash. If you get rid of it, you can do tile. Do you have undercabinet lighting? That will do a lot to brighten the space.

Do you like the dark countertops? We had dark granite in our current house when we moved in and changed to a light quartz which not only brightens the space but is easier to spot messes on and keep clean.

Thanks everyone for the input. I will look at adding backsplash and keeping the existing countertop.

@User I want to add more lights in the kitchen. Recently changes the bulbs for the same reason. It helped, but not very much. That's why I thought going with light countertop would bring in more light in the kitchen. Welcome any other idea to make the kitchen look bright.

@mojavemaria I am ok with dark countertop but it does look outdated and I will have to repair some chips if I am keeping it. Which quartz did you choose for your kitchen? Do you have a picture please?

We used pental lattice but the cabinets we put in were stained white oak not white like yours. we brought a door with us to stoneyard and that really helped narrow down what would work. I wish i could have loved our blue/black granite because it was very durable but am much happier with our new countertops.

Particularly given the lighting concern, how about painting the wall white? That would brighten the space immediately. I would keep the current 4” splash and just paint the wall the same white as the cabinets. Good luck.

You can level the countertop and buy stools for that height . we eat at ours alot . white subway tile is an option with your black countertops

@Beth H. :Thank you very much. Finally I am able to visualize some design for my kitchen. Your photos helped me a lot.

Based on the comments, I decided not to change the countertop and just install the backsplash and change kitchen wall color.

Would this look too warm for my kitchen? I want to change the wall color to something light. So not sure if warm tile would go with light color paint (maybe light gray?).

is that a glass? I'd say no for that.

order samples. see how they look in your lighting

if you like the calacatta marble look (which has a bit more warm tones in it) then get the actual stone

shown here in a chevron, but you can do a simple subway tile

or, what about this Portmore tile?

@Beth H. :Portmore tile looks nice. Do you advice against glass tile? I read problems about cracks, but still thought they look nice and shiny.

I really like your black countertops! I think they add a much needed contrast to the white cabinets and looks great with the flooring too. I completely agree with the suggestion to remove the 4" backsplash along the range wall. If you do end up keeping the 4" backsplash along the peninsula, consider swapping out those white outlets for black outlets and covers so they don't stick out so much.

I just don't care for those particular glass tiles. they're somewhat dated looking. and if it's a 2x4 size, also rather dated.

If you like the marble looking tiles, get the real marble, not glass that looks like marble!

You mentioned the warmer marble. this is mine. Calacatta subway tile. if you did this in a slightly smaller size, I think it would work w/your black granite

what about this white marble w/bardiglio marble?

Or, get regular glass tiles. maybe a 2x8 size.

Loft glass tile in Sand. Tilebar

This Nabi jewel tile in white is pretty

Comes in this Harlequin pattern too. These are from Tilebar. they will send you samples.

@Beth H showed you several great ideas while keeping the black granite. Since lighting is an issue, consider her suggestion of pendants over the seating area. Many of the photos Beth posted were kitchens with tons of natural light. You need more light in your kitchen.
Get samples of many backsplash tiles. They need to be vertically placed against the wall while sitting on your countertop to see if they work.

And I love the idea of changing the hardware to black!

@RedRyder I really wanted to improve lighting in my kitchen and changed the bulbs. It helped but not very much. Also, our lights are in weird positions and not aligned to each other. Not sure how to hang pendants over the bar counter because the light is not in the middle of the bar counter now. Its on top of the sink. so when you look at the kitchen from living space, the light is more towards the right side. I have been thinking about @Beth H. :‘s suggestion but not sure how to implement that in my kitchen. It would look awesome if I can use pendant in the center. Talked about it to my contractor and he said we will have to repaint the whole ceiling if we drill holes and change the light positions and that’s not an option right now. Or overhanging light is an option but i don’t think that would look good here.

I actually love this look

Since you're keeping the black counter (But you ARE removing that 4" piece, right?) You could still do this look w/the newport tile, or the portmore tile, The different hardware (I like the gold, but a matte black would work too) and, I love the addition of the wood. I think you could squeeze in these open shelves off on the end, and you could absolutely do a bar top in the wood. Did you know Home Depot carries a Birch butcher block in 5-6' length for only $105? You could apply a darker stain on it if you like. And if you have some leftover pieces, make the shelving out of those

here's a quick photoshop that won't cost you more than $500 or so. (You don't have a lot of tile to buy. Pictured here is the Portmore tile from Tilebar, or IvyHill, in the 4x4 and the 3x8 subway)

Isn't this pretty? I gave you a matte black faucet. try Delta from Lowes. I have it w/mine.

two diff types of pendant lights (you'll have to make new holes if you want pendants. Or, you could use the existing hole and do a double or triple light. if it's not centered, then you'll have to do a new hole) Here's an example using the hole for the one recessed light you already have. just piggyback off that one and make a new hole to the left of it.

Or, you could spend the money for an electrician have him come in and redo the lights so that they are symmetrical. patch and paint any old holes you're covering.

The butcher block is also easy to do yourself. (install). Or you can leave what you have.

Get a colorful rug, more of a square, not a runner.

Install some under cabinet lighting. very important w/black countertops.

for the decor, get some inexpensive wood cutting boards and some crocks w/greenery.

Tile: I photoshopped the Portmore tile in that picture.

very similar to the very popular Cloe tile. this comes in a few diff colors too

https://www.tilebar.com/portmore-white-3x8-glazed-ceramic-tile.html

I like the vertical layout above, and this one. Love this hardware in the black. get rid of those open ended handles you have.

If you don't remove that 4" piece up the back, your tile is going to look like this sitting on it. please, take the 5 mins and remove it!

I helped another poster w/an almost identical kitchen. we talked about this tile. she never came back w/an updated picture tho. maybe you can write a comment and see if she finished?

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6028494/backsplash-help-almost-done

You mentioned glass. Do you like something like this w/the glass and the honed marble? It's all one color so it's not going to look like those busy, dated linear bar mosaics. I actually like this one.

If you still want something a bit warmer to go w/your wood floors, try this calacatta tile sheet. I think this is a 2x4 beveled tile. (but you could do a larger size). Then you could do a warm gray on your walls.

Under Cabinet lighting shown here w/black countertops. you can do a minimum of 2 lights on either side of the stove.

these are a must w/dark countertops.

one last suggestion to finish off that space. Enclose your fridge in a DIY paneled cabinet

you notice how yours is just the fridge w/wasted space above? Do this for yours!

this is almost exactly like yours. so much nicer to have your tile butt up next to this wood panel.

This link gives a great how to from measuring to painting. I'd go w/this one:

https://henrocompanyblog.com/cover-your-refrigerator-sides-with-wood/

for the top, you could do diff additions for more storage. see other pics.

I've given you multiple links for how-to's w/diff ideas.

https://www.chatfieldcourt.com/kitchen-reno-diy-refrigerator-cabinet/

They give the how to here^, and I've posted a few others below.

I think it will make a huge diff in the look of that end of the kitchen, especially once you do your tile.

And, you'll get some more height so that your fridge isn't lower than your upper cabs.

you could do something like this and store cookbooks or cookie sheets above it.

This one is pretty simiple to make. but you see how more finished it would look?

And if you get a counter depth fridge, it wouldn't stick out as far)

here's a how to for this type. (Just tweak any of these to fit your fridge and your style)

https://theinspiredworkshop.com/building-a-cabinet-above-the-fridge-kitchen-renovation/

I can't see the left side, so I don't know if you have open space on that side. if you do, you could get some double duty out of it w/some storage, a chalkboard/message center, or even a shalllow area for brooms/mops.

Can you guys DIY? this has the complete how to using thick plywood. Just paint it to match the other cabs. simple!

https://www.younghouselove.com/build-it-in-build-it-in/

heck, I think you can buy these pre-made.

I notice appliances' typical silvery parts, so imo, your current handles are good, a blend.

Along that same line- if you like matte satin... chalky casual -- maybe just maybe the steel blue-grey wall paint would work. A quick find for pewtery frames. 2nd is chalkboard/ aged look.

Uttermost Historical Buildings 4-Piece Framed Art Set, 23.13"x21.13" · More Info

Uttermost "Midnight Botanicals" 2-Piece Wall Art Set, 24.63"x32.63" · More Info

Thank you very much for taking time to help me out @Beth H. :. I have ordered samples of the tiles that you mentioned and I think I have a clear idea on how to move forward.

I also like the idea of adding cabinets on top of the refrigerator.

We will start the work once we finalize and order tiles. I will update the post with new pictures and I think you will be able to see all your ideas in my kitchen since I am planning to follow your advice :-)

Thanks again everyone!