Remove the tile backsplash and just paint the exposed wall.

well you dont want to spend " a lot" Can you state what you DO want to spend. $ 500 ? or $3000 ? or $ 10000 ? its a decent looking/ functioning kitchen so you could leave it and seek the full replacement.....whatever "down the road" means. Vague doesnt help when it comes to kitchens ....so many details so many options .

I would replace the laminate countertop.

a postform laminate Formice brand or Wilsonart brand are about 10$ a foot where I live, so replacing what you have with a white to compliment the appliances and grout in the backsplash would be my choice. OR go bold and do a solid black countertop.

either way, the least expensive would be the laminate, because of the postform... removing it would be a mess with the backsplash meeting the countertop,,,

The beige color of the walls is blah, and dreary, I would repaint the walls white OR a gray tone in the flooring to pull it all together and compliment the backsplash (But a rich gray color in the floor rather than any color from the tile backsplash so it doesn't make the floor look off) Like the deepest gray in the floor and the backsplash tile, Sample a few

I'd replace the light fixture with a semi flush rather than exposed bulbs and hang a patterned blind, like a fabric roman blind on the window for interest.

The tile backsplash can be painted with epoxy paint.

New light fixture.

A wall colour that is more flattering to the cupboards.

Some new lighting, a good cleaning of the cabinets and either paint or replace the backspalsh , my choice remove it have the drywall fixed and do not replace . This is dated space so IMO spend very little and save to get just better

New backsplash, new knobs.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I got some good feedback. The backsplash is actually just a stick on so it will be easy to replace! I will be getting a new fixture, was thinking of a schoolhouse light there, and replacing the countertops and perhaps painting the cupboards a cream colour on top and a green on the bottom, what does everyone think! Also, I kind of thought maybe to remove the cupboard to the right and put open shelving there.

Leave the cupboard as is. It looks like you need the cabinet space, and open shelving won't improve the look or the functionality of the kitchen. I would also not paint the cabinets. They look fine to me, and oak is hard to paint and get good results. I would get new knobs, however. and a new light fixture. Stainless steel knobs, or shiny "gold" ones if you want a little bling. Coordinate the metal on the light fixture with whatever you decide for the knobs. New backsplash, or just remove the peel and stick and paint the wall with a semigloss paint. I don't know what the rest of the paint looks like but maybe consider an off-white for the walls.

Thanks for the suggestions! Was going with a Balboa Mist for the main living areas

Paint the room a creamy white. Replace the countertops with a white laminate, replace the backsplash with white subway tiles, install a natural fibre/bamboo roman shade, replace the ceiling light, replace the faucet for a newer style.

I like the cabinets. They're an attractive color and they go with your floor. Your backsplash doesn't go with the warm colors of the cabinets and your counter is ugly. That's where I'd start. But, if you're on a budget and the backsplash is a stick-on, change it for something that coordinates better with the cabinets.