Most people find that they dont use a desk area like this. Do you, making it worth fixing up, or would you get more out of other kinds of storage, a closet, or buffet, etc?

Yes we do use it. It's actually a go between our dining room and kitchen so is often used as a beverage area-glasses above.

There are only the two of us and we have closet all down the front hall where my kitchen used to be.

A desk top is usually 30" above the floor, while a beverage counter should be 36". So unless you really use this as a desk, I'd consider pulling it all out and replacing it with a simple counter or a piece of furniture.

If you keep it as a desk or counter space, paint isn't a good choice as it's hard to make a painted finish hold up....unless you cover it with glass custom cut to fit. This would be about $75 in my area.

If you use it for glassware instead of as a desk, change the area from a desk to storage for glassware/plate/serving pieces. The cabinet profile (panel and edge shapes) may be pretty easy to match, the only drawback would be the drawers. You're not going to run across raised panel doors very easily so use base cabinets with the doors going all the way up, no drawers. Or use 30" wall cabinets 12" set on a toekick with a granite top.

Can you post a picture of the area straight on?

As retirees we are on a budget. So we won't be pulling out the desk. We don't use I pads but normally have a laptop, a telephone here and it is used as a desk. w are having all of our cupboards Painted by a professional who uses a lacquer and takes doors and drawer fronts to his shop-the rest is in-home.

So if you think paint won't hold up, would you suggest putting granite there the same as the kitchen or a different plain color to blend with kitchen

Why is granite your least favorite option?

Sure, but then you're not using it as a desk, but as an inconveniently low counter. I'd go ahead and rip it out and replace it with an actual beverage center -- you could put your coffee maker there, and have a small fridge underneath for drinks, with all the right mugs and glasses above, freeing the kitchen of some of that. Probably the uppers could stay and you could just rework the lower portion to better effect.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/kirkland-traditional-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~334291

https://www.houzz.com/photos/beverage-center-transitional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~99698

Just another thought...

I understand you want to keep it as a desk. Not sure why you don't want to use the granite, especially if there is enough from what you are getting for the counters. But if you like the look of just painting it all the same color, I would get glass cut for the top as qam999 suggested. Paint it and get glass for the top, simple affordable and I believe it is the look you are going for.
Bonus, if you do put glasses on it sometimes the glass is easy to wipe clean!

granite in the desk area is my least favorite because I think it will look like overload and I thought the desk area was a separate entity. Am I wrong? My husband is fine with granite and no maintenance-if so show it be white, dark or same as kitchen

acm: that has been suggested but our water source is too far away. we have a huge kitchen for just the two of us so no shortage of space.

Not quite sure where you are suggesting to place LED lights

I don't think a granite top is overload at all. I think the same granite you are using on your kitchen counters would be the perfect choice for the desk.
You said you are painting the desk the same color as the kitchen cabinets, right?
It will match the kitchen, but still be a separate space and stand out as a desk area. Go with the granite : )

I think granite will go fine but skmom has a good idea, go with wood. Talk to your local countertop dealer (big box may not have it for special order) and ask about wood. In my area, maple butcher block starts at $35 a linear foot or about $17 a square foot.

No, don't cover it with laminate. After years of use, a countertop has a layer of oils and dirt that you can't clean off all the way so the adhesive won't stick well. In a few months, it will start peeling off.

(you don't need a water line in a beverage center -- it's where the coffe, and soda, and beer/wine live!)

ok sounds like we can do that. I guess that area does not even have to be the same dye lot

I'm thinking we should at least try to remove that arched piece above desk