Laminate holds up very well for kitchen counters, with minimal care. Either finish will be very nice. Its all personal preference, and which one you like. Remember not to put hot pots on it, and clean it with just mild dish soap and water.

It’s a very busy pattern. Are you sure this is the one you want? Where laminates really excel is in the solid color space, or in the mimicry of actual stone. You don’t want solid color, that’s fine. But if you want a stone look, you might consider something subtler (and less yellow). Carnival is like the cartoon version of stone. Stone has movement so they gave Carvival MOVEMENT. Stone has variation, so they gave Carnival VARIATION. To illustrate, I’m showing you Carnival in the top two images, and Aluma Marble in the bottom two. The Aluma is cleaner, subtler, and it gives you so much more freedom to choose your other finishes. That said, you’ve seen it in real life in your own space. If Carnival is the one, enjoy it in the best of health.

I need something busy like spring carnival As my kitchen is very bland. beige tile floors and kitchen cabinets are beige, budget doesn’t allow to change cabinets as this is vacation home we just bought and use for 3-4 minths only a year. lots of $ spent elsewhere like new windows paint, new exterior siding, and floors. I hate the current countertop ( hate the kitchen too but its functional) i will take down the outdated valance sometime soon too. ive changed out the long kitchen mat to just a regular one in front of sink.

From the pics of Spring Carnival eam44, it's not going to look very good with your cabinets. It's not the pattern, it's the color. Another layer of blah, but with some movement.

Look at either dark charcoal, black, or a color like blue or green -- a contrasting solid color will yield a much better look than what you're currently considering.

ETA: The brown countertops you have are a good contrast to the cabinets, IMO keeping those is better than changing out to something creamy-light. What is it about them that you don't like? Is it actually the counter, or the overall look of the space? Are the counters in bad shape and they need to be replaced?

You can bring in some colorful elements to jazz it up -- punches of color with new rug, curtains or fabric valance, countertop accessories (colorful canisters, mixer, bowls, etc), all that sort of stuff will bring things up a couple of notches without having to replace the counters.

I looked at black but hubby absolutely said no. the laminate i have now needs to replaced. it has bubbles and cracks.

so to keep peace, spring carnival it is.

spring carnival on right.

Once you get the counters installed, pick one of your favorite brighter colors, and replace the mat on the floor, and add a few accessories, so that you give a bit of color and character to your space. It will improve the kitchen a lot, and you may just decide you like it a lot, once that is done.

Im hoping it will be ok. like you said i can use color to give it character as well change the wall color. my husband concern was its such a dark space already and said we would always have to stick to light walls with a dark countertop. Im not very good at design and can never make a decision. this group is very helpful!

The other thing is you could choose Formica instead. They have better artists creating their surfaces (in my opinion). Some that might work for you include the choices below. Just a word about lighting: do you see how in your samples pic the whites looks white, but in the space pic everything looks yellowed? Look at samples in your own space in your own light if possible. Then look at large sheets. Carnival looks fine if you see a tiny swatch. You may not like it in the large sheet.

"my husband concern was its such a dark space already and said we would always have to stick to light walls with a dark countertop."

Changing to lighter countops is not going to make the kitchen lighter -- you need lighting for that. That is something your kitchen is seriously lacking. Get some recessed lights in there, at a minimum.

Ive ordered formica samples we changed lights in kitchen to Led, still dark without any lights on. this pic just taken with no lights on sndvits 12:53 pm

Is part of the wondow covered up or is it just a really short window? If part is covered, can you uncover it for more light?

Its a mobile home and our screen room is i front

Whatever you choose it’s going to be better than a surface that is failing! Good luck with your choice.

I made final decision and ordered formica Balsalt slate in scovato finish i agree my kitchen needs contrast

^^ I think that will look great! That dark charcoal color is easy to work with, too -- you have lots of choices when you want to bring in color with accessories, rugs, and window treatment.

Ill post pic after completion. material coming in dec 5

So this is what I’ve completed so far. I have to find a backsplash tile. i have to see about removing the old valence without damag ceiling which will be last as there is a light mounted on wall behind it

It looks so nice!

It looks very nice. I would think twice about removing the valance. Its perfect for the clock you have there. I might keep those blinds open during daytime hours at least, so you get all the daylight in that room. You have done a really good job, so far.

Wow. Very Nice!

Removing the valance may reveal some uglies. If you go ahead with removal, go gentle. In case you have to put it back up.

Eam44, you’ve been a big help , thankyou so should i tile just where the old backsplash was or all rhe way around? thought in just white subway tile with gray grout? ill

post more pictures the edge piece by fridge is being done tomorrow.

Oh, I’m so glad to have been helpful!

Going all around the room would look great and give you nice protection especially if you use the space for drinks or have fun, messy guests. I would go for 4”x4” tiles instead of subway tile, just because subways measure 3”x6” and you’d have to repair and paint the wall above them where the old 4” backsplash used to be. But that’s entirely up to you.

If you do like one of the whites (I know it sounds silly, but bring them to the home and view them in your space and your light - whites can be tricky!), I would choose a platinum or white grout to go with it. Grey grout can be a much bolder statement than you think with white tile!