HU are you changing out the counters? I would replace it with white Formica very budget friendly and add white subway tiles.

Paint the trim around the window white...get some Dutch boy Amish wood milk to freshen up and clean the oak.

Personally I’d replace the counters before the backsplash

Your existing counter already has a backsplash (that 3" piece extending up the wall). If you want to install a backsplash, it's recommended to remove that piece as combining it with tile is visually very busy.

Sorry I'm not answering your question, but the backsplash needs to work with the countertops as well. Maybe it's the lighting, but your countertops and oak cabinets and golden floors don't harmonize at all--countertops look pinkish on my screen. Please take a couple more photos during the daytime with the shades up and lights on. Is there any budget for replacing countertops to either a plain white or speckled white with some gold in it with plain, rippled white subway tile backsplash? Save your budget for those. You'd get a much brighter kitchen with those changes and also by removing the very dark curtain over the sink.

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HU..IS this the home with the farmhouse style furniture from your other posts? If so...big no on that backsplash...go with cream subway tile..you have to remove the short splash that is already there before putting in new backsplash...keep the backsplash simple....it should match the lightest color in the countertop.

Don't remove that part of your counter. That would be suicide to the whole counter, likely it is preformed on particles of glued wood, and very thin. It is just fine. If you want to freshen it up, pick a neutral and go look at the pressed tin tile designs. Choose the simplest one, perhaps as close to your current cabinet hardware metal as possible or the current color dominate of your cabinets or your walls?? . Very economical, very nice, and very refreshing without damaging your existing counter. I have seen that done in many homes. You will be very happy with the cost of it, and it will give you a change. This counter does not have a riser, but it shows you one idea: https://www.blesserhouse.com/diy-pressed-tin-kitchen-backsplash/ and this link shows you the same style countertop as you have with a wide variety of tin tile tones to look at. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fasade-24-in-x-18-in-Lotus-PVC-Decorative-Tile-Backsplash-in-Polished-Copper-B63-25/202876513 --------------- Go to their MasterWebsite and see the many many styles of pressed tin backsplashes that are available. Check out the WayFair site also. There are many others, just figure in freight if need be.... Get a budget in mind and choose the style that matches the budget and changes the look of your kitchen. A simpler pattern with a tone that is already in one of your dominate surfaces/paint, stain, floor, countertop, cabinet handles..............should work nicely. My daughter did this in her small kitchen with stainless steel and black appliances and fixtures.., she just used the aluminum tone tile, and it looks very nice.

HU..What is the design style throughout your home? Makes a difference on all suggestions.

I tried to photoshop the backsplash you posted with your cabinets.

I agree with the suggestion above of the pressed tin. The picture you show last is stone that can tend to go pink. Avoid that.

I would not bring another strong element to this open concept..you already have a big stone fireplace...wood floors...red rug...Blue sofa..you need to keep it simple...tin is just to much to add to this space...add a creamy white subway tile but Install it in a chevron pattern to give it a contemporary style and it will go really well with your over all design style throughout..

IMO you should leave it as is.

As already stated, you'd have to remove the current 3" or 4" backsplash before adding a new one. Having both is not a good look. If the short splash is staying, leave all as is.

Please replace the faux wood wall plates with white.

I would leave it as is and think about simplifying the window valance.

Step away from the backsplash. :) Considering your current counter, I think adding a backsplash would be time, energy and money that wouldn't add aesthetic or functional value to your kitchen. It risks making the walls busier and unbalancing the kitchen.

HU..will you be removing the small splash that matches the counter first? If not....do not add a backsplash.

Instead of a backsplash, I would paint the area a different color than the wall. This would give the room a little boost without adding more pattern or disturbing your existing 4" backsplash.

If you decide to remove the 4" backsplash, it might be that alone will give you enough of an update that you are looking for. I am redoing some things in my kitchen that has similar cabinets and countertops and honestly the 4" backsplash never bothered me. On a whim I decided to remove it. It is shocking how different the cabinets appear without it.

Whether or not you can remove that 4" backsplash depends on how it's constructed, and I can't tell from your photos. Laminate counters usually either have a separate piece for the backsplash or else the counter is molded in one piece and the backsplash curves up to meet the wall. If it's a separate piece you might be able to get by with prying it off, assuming the main piece of counter goes all the way to the wall. But you're going to uncover whatever the backsplash is currently covering and it's probably not a counter neatly lined up with the wall and ready to have tile placed above it.

As others have said, if it's a one-piece molded laminate and you saw off the backsplash you are opening it up to wick water into the pressed wood and you will have a huge mess soon.

I would save the backsplash tile $$ and paint that area instead. A good coat of primer followed by two coats of good paint, preferably at least eggshell in sheen, and it will be attractive, scrubbable, and easy to change whenever your color tastes change.

Save you money & replace the countertops. I would not say your house has a modern feel, but you can take it in that direction with new countertops.

The 4" backsplash looks like it is part of the counter and cannot be removed. It is best then to leave the backsplash painted. The only other thing that would look OK would be a simple bead board wallpaper or painted tin tile (also comes in a paintable, textured wallpaper) - and even those might be too busy - and they lean country / farmhouse. You would want something easy to remove so if 5 or 10 years down the road you do new counters, you don't also have the cost of removing a backsplash. There is nothing wrong with a painted backsplash.

Beadboard wallpaper:

Tin Tile look:

I know how you feel because I was in the same situation - wanted to add something to my kitchen but I was not in a position to change the countertops. Eventually, I did change the countertops and then did a very simple subway tile backsplash. Oak looks best with a simple backsplash. However, before even considering saving for new counters, take a good look at the shape of the cabinets. If they are showing much wear (and you are not the DIY refinishing type) then you don't want to install expensive counters.

If this was my space, I would eventually replace the over the range microwave with a stainless hood. I would paint the window trim white and do a new window treatment. I did a faux roman shade - a simple sewing project if you sew.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042 

This is my wood kitchens idea book. It has both newer and older, refreshed kitchens - just for ideas down the road:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Are you getting a new sink?

I love my apron front sink, but it requires a stone like counter. However, the stainless Kohler Vault "short apron" over mount sink would work with laminate.

You kitchen looks to have a good layout and good storage - more important then a backsplash:)

Emoyi Red Rose Pattern Peel and Stick Wallpaper Backsplash Tiles Shelf Liner Paper for Cupboard Closet 17.7''x98''

by Emoyi Look at Amazon... and this:

Art3d Oyster Mother of Pearl Square Shell Mosaic Tile for Kitchen Backsplashes, Bathroom Walls, Spas, Pools 12" X 12" Pack of 6

by Art3d Which you will see comes in a variety of neutral hues such as gray, tan, gold, etc etc... And would be quite beautiful in your kitchen, in this small scale size. And you don't need to do anything with the countertop, it is fine and works well as it is. Just a few more places to look outside of Lowes, and you might find something you really like that preserves what you already have in place. As far as adding another strong element(ie Tin Tiles? ?) to the stone and wood and gypsum and upholstered surfaces all around your kitchen living area. Your appliances are metal, so your backsplash would be fine if you liked a pressed tin tile, and your sink faucet might be chrome? and your sink might be porcelain, which is fine with tile and countertops of formica. So it's mainly about the color and the size of the pattern and diminutive would be better since the scale of your formica pattern is small, ...or a solid tile or paint or wall paper would be fine also. It's your home, you are the one that will be enjoying it daily. :D Mother of Pearl, can be like jewelry for your kitchen.