You need to do some homework. Every material has it's pros and cons, and it all comes down to what you are willing to live with. "Best" is completely subjective. Frankly, if my DH had not felt so strongly about our using a "higher end" counter top (we ended up with engineered quartz) I would have done a laminate. They are durable, warm, soft, and very inexpensive. Completely low-maintenance if you are not careless about using them. Our quartz will be fine, and looks fantastic, but we spent nearly three times what we could have spent on a high-end laminate. IKEA has some DIY laminate for incredibly little cost if you are willing to put in the effort and will buy you plenty of time to do some research on your countertop options. Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA wood and laminate countertops

Hi There - color is a really personal choice, so if these aren't to your taste, no worries. If I understand you correctly, you are trying to brighten things up, but you also want to balance the colors of your laminate so the room doesn't end up completely brassy. I would choose a very pale blue grey like Whisper from Ralph Lauren Paint. It balances the browns/golds very effectively but it's a light, bright color. If you don't like blues, you could opt for a light grey like BM Barely There. You want the color to be different enough from the cabinet and trim color to be noticed, but still not too saturated. In addition, I'd lose the window covering altogether, and install brighter (and possibly under cabinet) lighting. By the way, it's not very expensive to re-laminate your counter, and there are lots of DIY instructions on YouTube. You may be stuck with laminate, but you're not stuck with THAT laminate. If you do decide to alter the counter, I'd chuck the 4" backsplash and add some light reflecting tile. Good luck!

orPaint the trim around the door a nice crisp white (use a semi gloss enamel like BM Advance.) Paint the window and trim in the same white. paint your door black or Iron Ore. remove that valance. Replace the cabinet hardware to a matte black or a brushed nickel. try Pale oak on the walls, and two of these others for the trim/door color or for under the window you could do a built in bench against that wall (see pic,,,ignore the L shape. you would just do the single bench against the wall) and find a rectangle table to push up next to the bench. add two chairs for the other side

A couple pillows maybe: https://coteriebrooklyn.com/products/amsterdam and/or: https://www.amazon.com/MIULEE-Velvet-Decorative-Cushion-Bedroom/dp/B077HBVF2S/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=throw%2Bpillows&qid=1622621067&sr=8-10&th=1&psc=1 and/or: https://www.etsy.com/listing/960478042/southwest-pillow-covers-with-terracotta?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=siuthwest+pillows&ref=sr_gallery-1-10&organic_search_click=1