BTW, I'm trying to start the TTK club (Two-tone kitchen) to compete with the OTKers (One True Kitchen - all white cabs w/black counters and white subway), so welcome to the 'right' club! ;-) Majra's kitchen is a great example of using a backsplash with some color/variation in it, while still keeping it light. I don't know about matching exactly or not. I think it depends on your cab color and your space. Mine match almost exactly off the wall, but up, there is a ton of blue in them and some areas match and some totally don't - and it all depends on the light in the room at any given time. Your best bet is to get a few different samples and have them ready for when the counters go in. Then you can pick the right one. And don't let the contractor/tile people/whomever rush you. Find the one you love!

Hello, here are a couple of design options: https://www.amazon.com/Infinite-Home-Beauty-Extra-Wide-Curtains/dp/B078HGFXHQ/ https://www.google.com/shopping/product/13574920065775735768

I love what you've done so far! I agree that it just needs some warmth and color. We put Coretec LVP in our basement and are happy with it. I really love the Acacia pattern. It is the one I wanted, but we went with something with more greys in it (I was outvoted). But I've always loved the medium colors. Pay no attention to the price; we got ours for less than half that price through our contractor. https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-plus-5-plank/gold-coast-acacia-vv023-00201 Here's one that looks like bamboo: https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-pro-plus-enhanced-planks/kendal-bamboo-vv492-02012 This one is a bit darker but I really like this color: https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-pro-plus-enhanced-planks/lancaster-bamboo-vv492-02010

Determining what can or cannot be changed based on budget is perfectly reasonable. We don't all have unlimited resources and sometimes have to make things work. There is also no crime in owning a small space. You know you need to de-clutter, but it sounds like you are having difficulty figuring out what you need and finding space for what need. My advice is to go through everything - but only get rid of the things you are sure you don't need/want. Place a small rubber band around each item (Handle of pots and pans, around the cords for small appliances, over the handles of serving spoons. . . For plates, platters, bowls ... buy a few sheets of tags and place one on each item. Put stuff away. Throughout the year, as you use things remove the rubber bands and stickers. Next fall you will know everything that has a sticker or a rubber band was not used in the past year and is not serving a useful purpose. (this works for clothing, books, all kinds of things in your home where parting with the items causes stress). To utilize the space above the cabinets buy enough containers to line up from one end to the other. Measure the space you have from top of cabinets to the ceiling to figure out what height. You probably have 12" from the wall to the front of the cabinets - get something narrower than this. Place a white sheet of paper on the front side and list what is inside each container. They will have a uniform look straight across the kitchen. Far better than the 100 individual multi-colored items stacked on top of the cabinets now. Amazon Link to bins that may work For the ceilings - the best fix if you can't replace is paint. Remover tiles. Prime with a good sealing, stain blocking primer. Paint the ceiling tiles and the metal grid all the same color. (White). Replace the ceiling tiles. If I were working with your kitchen I would not paint the cabinets - just clean. I would get a peel and stick backsplash - Back Splash really doesn't take a ton of abuse - this will work for a cosmetic update. I would look for something with blue and yellow I like this one Peel and stick Yellow and Blue I would then tackle removing or painting the wood panel wall - I would paint a nice soft yellow to work with the new back splash. Paint the trim and baseboard White. It looks like your countertop is square edged laminate. I would also cover the laminate counter top with sheet laminate. Not hard to do - get nice white counter tops for a couple hundred dollars. Take the curtain off the door - not needed, not adding any decorative value. I would also recolor the grout on the floor - make it match the tile. Here is a very rough idea of what it could look like with minimal investment.