Very plain and bright -- white or cream subway tile. Will feel like a new room!

You can even try a peel-n-stick since you are gutting it all in a few years.

Thanks. I will go to a hardware store soon and check some out. I’ll post some of them. Do you think the existing back splash will be hard to remove? Any other ideas?

It looks great!

Use the peel and stick they are so easy to install and are very cost effective!!

I’d keep whatever you do really minimal, since you are gutting soon-ish. When I moved into my house I almost painted the cabinets because I thought I wouldn’t be able to stand my kitchen for the 5 years we were waiting until we gutted it. (Which we are in the middle of now). But now I’m so happy I saved that time and money. It was worth it to spend so long planning/dreaming of the real reno.

So I’d save the counters but maybe if you got rid of the backsplash you could do a fun removable wallpaper to brighten it up. Though it would take lots of prep and wall repair, I’m sure.

Other colors sold.

6"x24" Aspect Stone Peel and Stick Backsplash, Tarnished Quartz · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/6x24-aspect-stone-peel-and-stick-backsplash-tarnished-quartz-prvw-vr~55686537

I'd do a simple cream tone. do you like something a bit matte looking?

Tilebar. Byzantine Bianco flat.

Or they have this one. Lancaster 3x12 in Ivory

or you could choose something like these rustic looking subways.

If you aren't keeping the cabinets, why don't you paint them?

I think a soft white would look so much better w/the counter and the flooring. At the very least paint out the window trim. (sand, prime, fine sand again, and paint w/something like BM Advance or SW Pro Classic. it's meant for wood trim)

If you did the white cabs and trim, then you add a little color to your tile and maybe do a soft green subway. These aren't expensive.

If you find colors you like with a Scandinavian / folksy look, maybe....

Tierra y Fuego Handmade Ceramic Tile, 4.25x4.25" Jardin, Box of 90 · More Info

Handmade Tierra y Fuego Ceramic Tile, Green Toledo 2, Set of 9 · More Info

Mediterranean Douja Ceramic Tile, 6"x6" · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/handmade-tierra-y-fuego-ceramic-tile-green-toledo-2-set-of-9-prvw-vr~28482049

Traffic Hex Grey Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/863x988-trafico-hex-porcelain-floor-wall-tiles-set-of-25-gray-prvw-vr~46758302

Brainstorming and maybe square tiles are back 'in' too. whoo... and could this be repeated in other spots in the entire area?

Anabella 9"x9" Encaustic Porcelain Field Tile, Saatchi · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/anabella-9x9-porcelain-field-tile-saatchi-prvw-vr~138615554?lid=102155695

Honestly- if you are doing a major redo in a few years, bust out some paint and give that backsplash an update that way. It won't last forever, but it doesn't need to.

Just in case that remodel ends up not happening as soon as you want - here is my wood kitchens idea book:)

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

Thanks everyone! For the peel and stick option can you peel and stick over the existing back splash?

@Beth H. : I like all of your ideas and your tile choices. Cream or white is definitely ideal. I'm not sure if I will paint the cabinets, unless it is simpler than I am thinking. It definitely looks way better, so I will give it a thought. Do you think it would work with my existing counter tops though? Because there is no way I am going to replace that with the kitchen gutting I will be doing a couple of years from now. I'm not sure if I would paint the windows/trim because then I would have to do it to the entire house...and it is everywhere.

Does anyone know if it will be tough to remove my existing back splash?

A few years down the road for big changes I‘d just paint the existing splash. Clean it well, prime with Zinsser 123 (water based) or Zinsser Bin (oil based) and two coats of the new quality paint. I’d select a color from the countertop for the splash so it relates.

For the peel and stick option can you peel and stick over the existing back splash?

YES!

Yes, the backsplash is awful. Sheeisback GW has a comment here which sounds good....paint the current backsplash. For the color, if you can’t get reasonably close to the counter color, paint it to match the wall color. You only plan to wait a couple of years for the remodel: don’t waste real money on a temporary fix. Keep saving into the remodel account and the time will pass.

It's hard to tell in your photo, but are the cabinet handles brushed nickel/stainless? They don't look like it. If not, consider cheaply changing these for Now!

I wouldn't waste any time or money doing anything if you're going for a total gut job in 2-3 years. Spend your time planning your new kitchen--it takes a long time to really think about what you want. And spend your money on other projects in your home.

I lived with a way worse kitchen than yours for 3 years before I got the kitchen of my dreams, and it was worth it!

If you are doing a total gut in 2-3 years, I would learn to live with it. I wouldn't touch anything. Why sink any amount of money into a room that you will eventually tear out? I would just save, save, save because any project of that magnitude is likely to go way over budget. :)

Peel-and-Stick tiles are a great option price-wise for any kitchen installation. The tiles have an aggressive adhesive layer on the back that will last a very long time. These stone tiles would look great in your kitchen:https://www.houzz.com/products/6x24-aspect-stone-peel-and-stick-backsplash-weathered-quartz-prvw-vr~55686529. The tiles do not require grout and can be applied to any flat, smooth, non-porous surface. Good luck!

Ugh, no. If you're going to do this, get the light and fresh feeling of something near-white, not more dark brown.

Thanks again everyone. A lot of great ideas and info within this thread. @Beth H. : Yes, I would love the link if you have it accessible.

@acm I am with you. I am really wanting to brighten up the room. It is too dark with the cabinets, back splash, and counter tops. Along with that, my great room extension block a lot of the sun that the kitchen windows once received.

@megs1030 I agree mostly. I am mostly looking for simple and low-cost things to do to get me through the next couple of years. However, in the case something happens where I cannot do this major renovation, the other ideas will help.

Here are some styles I liked when at the hardware store. Are mosaics the peel and stick options everyone keeps saying? Because if I can just peel and stick over my existing back splash with a white/light cream color then I definitely think that is the way to go. I really don't want to have to remove the back splash if I don't need to.

Here's the link for the complete how-to.

https://www.evolutionofstyleblog.com/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets-like

2-3 years is a long time to live w/something that you hate to look at! while not expensive to paint, it will take you some time. and it's tedious, so be prepared.

as for the peel and stick,,,,honestly, you pay more for the convenience. to me they have a plastic-look appearance. up to you if you want to try them. yes, you could prob put them over your glass tiles, just make sure to clean them very well so that these stick. and once you stick them, don't try to peel them and move or adjust them!

Forget the marble. it's going to fight w/what you have. And the last pic looks like bathroom floor tile.

you need something larger, one color. maybe something like these

This soft sage green would be pretty

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Aspect-6-in-x-3-in-Fresh-Sage-Glass-Decorative-Wall-Tile-8-Pack-A50-65/205047636

(some of these are $19 for an 8 pack). This one is $13 a square foot (more expensive than buying regular glass tiles for a standard backsplash install)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ABOLOS-Subway-3-in-x-6-in-Rectangle-Green-Glossy-Glass-Peel-Stick-Decorative-Bathroom-Wall-Tile-Backsplash-8-Pieces-Pack-HMDMET0306-CE-P/305419898

(if you're going to go through all the time and effort to paint the cabs, just remove the tile and redo it w/some inexpensive subway tile. it will look way better. if you just want to keep the wood, then try the peel and stick.) Perhaps you could try a few sheets on a smaller portion and see how it looks for a few weeks.

I saw nice looking ones at HD or Lowe's.... but would the edges where the 2nd layer shows-- bump up and out?

following

@Beth H. : Thanks for the link and further examples. I really like the white subway tiles you posted.

@everdebz Yes, I think going over top of the existing would make the back splash stick out against areas of trims, etc. I didn't realize how it was essentially flush with everything now. I may have to rethink the peel and stick method.

Like many, I have bought peel and stick to place in house, and then returned... maybe try?

Save your money for the remodel, learn to be patient: HOWEVER, saying that, so that you enjoy working in the kitchen right now, you might do these:

Paint (or replace) the backsplash in a light color.

Install under-cabinet lighting--this makes all the difference in how you feel in your kitchen. (and especially after you change the backsplash)

Install pendant light over the peninsula (make sure door doesn't hit it),

Install pendant? light over the sink.

Change out the window cover.

Change out the door handles/hardware if you want; most people don't notice those things.

As always, go through Houzz and save the pics that you like!