you already have a 'backsplash' it's the curb attached to your counter top.

Are you replacing your countertop?

If not a new countertop, I would remove the existing Aqua tile and paint the wall(s) a light color, to freshen the space, pleasing for the entire kitchen, walls & ceiling.

Or have someone 'Tap Off' the curb, and tile with your desired tile choice.

If you are getting a new countertop, I would not include the 4" curb, and choose a tile you love.

Undermount lighting would help illuminate the counter top.

you are going to have to deal w the counter as far as coordinating things. I guess whoever did the blue paint wasnt ready to put up a splash so they used color contrast which in a way has worked. You may need to bring in tile samples as I dont think coordinating everything cabs/counters and tile will be especially easy. White tile in a subway is always a default but with the counters it will just be okay. if you want to match up w counters it looks like creams and/or grays so you just have to find the right one. maybe a light cream but then you are playing into the yellows so much...but you may find something. leave the teal paint until you have time to do this search. decorative small plates or mini pictures botanical themes can be aligned along the teal temporarily for whatever reason you think it's OFF. take it light- heartedly. note narrow ledge for use/ pegs for mugs etc....more use. something like these if it were mine and I was uncertain and the right tile doesn't emerge. way over on right above the narrow counter put some pegs for mugs....above sink a ledge ....etc.

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Looks to me like the wall is painted and they have a piece of decorative glass covering the wall above the sink. I'd see about pulling that off, repainting, and putting the glass back up. It already has a 3" granite backsplash and the kitchen looks quite lovely. I think it would just do better with a more neutral paint like the rest of the surrounding rooms.

Thanks for the responses so far. When I said backsplash I meant the whole blue/green paint area. Was using the term wrong I think. Also there is under-cabinet lighting already installed, just not turned on for these pics. But I don’t think they are super bright.

I should add we aren’t necessarily opposed to painting the cabinetry. But is that generally frowned upon given the type of woodwork used? As you can probably tell I don’t know much about interior design. This will be our first home

If we were to paint the cabinets, should we consider white? Or would that look strange with this color/style granite? I don’t think we want to replace the countertop for at least a few years as that would be a pretty big expense, I assume.

I agree with Herb. I would try find a paint color similar to the granite color to replace that dark blue.

Done.

I agree, dont paint the cabinets. You have very nice cabinets, just the way they are. Repaint the wall above the 4 inch backsplash that is attached to the countertops, to match the rest of your walls, and put out your accessories and your kitchen is ready to use.

It looks like the 4" piece that is the same as the countertop is your actual backsplash. The people who put in the blue backsplash, should not have done it unless the removed the 4" part. So if you want to change the backsplash and add a new one, you'd need to remove the 4" piece as well before you add anything else. We think a cream backsplash might work well with your current countertops. Here is a design we did, please note the backsplash:

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