I think Caesarstone's Pebble, which is a medium gray would look good.

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Your tile backsplash coordinates with your green counters. Keeping it will likely make the selection of new counters more difficult and it may end up damaged anyway when the 4" backsplash is removed along with the old counters. Do you still have extra tiles from that tile job since the tiles should come all the way down to the counter anyway instead of tiling above the counter material splash? I like dark counters with golden hickory so perhaps a real soapstone or soapstone-like quartz counter.

I think an off white (not taupe) would brighten your space and coordinate with your tile while calming down the orange tone of the wood.. I would pick up several paint samples to see what works with that tile (fixed element) and then take those paint samples that work best and look for your countertop.. be mindul of the movment in your backsplash tile…

Look at Sherwin williams creamy and SW Panda white.. perhaps BM classic grey..

good luck!

Are you keeping the backsplash because you LOVE it? Or is that a cost consideration? If the latter, I think you should reconsider - perhaps just do no backsplash for the moment with a low splash in the countertop materials. I am concerned that many new countertop choices will really date the backsplash. If you LOVE the backsplash, what are you hoping to accomplish and what look are you hoping for by replacing the counters?

It will be very difficult to not damage your backsplash when you remove the counter.

I have hickory cabinets and after over a year of looking at soapstone, quartz and granite, i ended up with glacier White Corian. Quartzes all had a cool tone that didnt work, neither did anything with a huge pattern,

that said, I LOVED soapstone. but my house has very little natural light a d i wanted something light.

The other advantage of Corian is that it will be less than half the cost of quartz.

Dark counters and simple subway white backsplash. I'd certainly get both changed if you are going to proceed. Add dark hardware. Dark counters look great with hickory /it would be my pick. I'd take the valances down. Just use thin sheers or a solar shade at the kitchen window and most of the time just let the light flow in...sometimes you want to cut the glare so sheers or the solar shade serve that purpose.

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I love soapstone, especially with a gorgeous wood cabinet. I agree that the backsplash is very dated and should go.

Honestly I’d keep the counters before I’d keep the backsplash. If you are economizing a new splash will make all the difference.

Light and bright. Your kitchen looks so dark and dull.

Countertops and backsplash-to-blend in a light cream or off white. No dull gray.

We can’t see the overhead lighting which probably means you need more. And be sure to change out the boob light over the sink.

Your cabinets and floor are lovely.

Your cabinets and floor are really pretty. The current green counters complement. If it were me I would start by removing both valances and the current backsplash. If you change the countertops, I think you will have to replace the backsplash anyway as it sits above the current 4 in counter material backsplash. If you choose quartz I’m sure you will want an undermount sink. Sorry but I think the backsplash has to go.

Another recommendation for soapstone! It will look wonderful with your gorgeous cabinets. It’s beautiful and maintenance free.
I agree that it makes sense to replace the backsplash as well, for both practical and aesthetic reasons. I’d choose something simple and light colored that does not call attention to itself; let your cabinets be the star. Add dark hardware.
You also might consider not having a tile backsplash at all, just a 2-4 inch high one made of your countertop material. I don’t care for the mix of the short backsplash made of countertop material and tile above. One or the other.
I also agree that it will help to remove the valence(s) will help lighten things up. When you’re ready to replace the stove, I suggest getting one without a backsplash to lighten things up, as well.

That’s a lot of the same wood in one space. I think you need big contrast as in something like soapstone. Also, add some pulls to your cabinets and drawers. Bar pulls in a bronze would help create some contrast. Don’t do knobs — too little, too busy.

Off-white with a light tan veining will link to the backsplash. Consider painting your kitchen and dining area an ivory white, the color of the new off white countertop.. The contrast will brighten the kitchen a lot.

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To lighten your kitchen further, remove valences in window and dining area, which are making the spaces dark.

Housegal200, do you know what color the countertops are in this photo? i love it!

Here’s another vote for a white-ish countertop. I loved Cambria in my old house. Something with a subtle vein which will not compete with all the wood nor be too stark against the warm wood. I also think that you ahould consider removing the tile backsplash. IMO they are dated compared to your lovely cabinets and floor. Remove them carefully to see if you can keep a few for trivets, if they are special to you. And I second the suggestions to add more light (look at the articles on Houzz about the warmth/coolness of various lights). You will be amazed at the difference it will make. Enjoy your new kitchen!

@Jennifer: I think it's Taj Mahal quartzite. You'll need to get multiple samples to test them out under natural and artificial light. What we see onscreen isn't necessarily what you're seeing in person. Put your samples up against backsplash first, then floors, then cabinets. Faint veining is what to go for, possibly even fainter than this. P.S. Quartzite is pricey, but get a good sized sample so you can check out alternatives. You have a tricky match ahead of you since the backsplash is on the taupe side but floors and cabinets have gol. So taupe-y gold that goes with the bottom half of the backsplash is what to match.

Soapstone would be awesome with hickory! There is also a granite called jet mist that looks a lot like soapstone.

If you want a lighter quartz top, Viatera Clarino would be perfect for your wood cabinets.

Good luck

If the backsplash is going to get damaged when replacing countertops, then remove it and coordinate the two together. If you do that, then Corian will be the most affordable with light subway tile. While some of the dark countertops look great in a larger kitchens which others have posted, your kitchen is currently small and dark with only one small window over the sink. I think you need a light countertop to bounce up light (get undercabinet lighting). I like the idea of a white with a tiny bit of veining or light pattern and neutral off-white tiles for backsplash. Good luck!