What colors do you like? Take a look in your closet, that will help you decide what colors make you comfortable. Start there. Example: we like blues. We painted the house walls various shades of blue, blue-gray, and blue-tinted gray. The cabinets are cream because this kitchen is too dark to support a stain, even a light one, especially with our bamboo floor which goes throughout the house. The backsplash was chosen to unite everything else.A previous incarnation of the same kitchen had medium stained cabinets, but they lightened it up by going with very light walls and a nearly-white counter (it was solid surface with little red and blue specks in it, pretty). Being 1964, there was a vinyl floor and no backsplash. Try looking at colors that appeal to you on the color cards that the paint companies provide. If you have one color that you like, even if it isn't the "right" color, you can look up and down the card for lighter and darker versions. You can find suggested colors to complement/contrast for using in the same or adjacent spaces. Here's a good place to start: https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color It sounds like you're painting your cabinets. Maybe you're re-staining? Whichever, find a color that goes with your comfort zone colors. There are lots of threads about both painting and staining to investigate. Have fun and don't rush! Time spent planning now is worth every minute x5.

I’ve heard that it’s possible to replace just the laminate and keep the plywood underneath resulting in a much less expensive project than a complete tear out and replacement. Is there any way to know whether that would be possible short of having a countertop person come out to look? I know a person I plan to ask about it, but I don’t have access to the house right now to have them look and am curious about the difference in costs. And thanks for all the interest in the project! I would love to keep you all updated on it, and would also love feedback about other rooms. The living room is kind of a blank slate and I don’t want to use my current living room furniture, so I would especially love help with that. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of that room except the one above of my kids laying on a carpeted floor. But I will be back asking for more help soon, I am sure!

I would consider removing the heavy upper cabinets and the soffit above your peninsula. They totally close off the kitchen from the dining area. You might be able to salvage a portion of them to finish off the run in the kitchen. Your natural wood flooring lends a golden tone to your room. I would not paint this room gray. In much of the US, gray is now passé. Rather, creams, greens, etc. might be a better look for your walls, etc.

if floors stay then bring paint cards in taupe/mushroom/ putty shades..thats what is going on w floor it appears. paint the walls...yellow is all wrong..... and make sure light bulbs and lighting in general is proper as you figure this out. backsplash can be simple subway dont worry about that. counters look nice. .....here is a nice cabinet color...to work w existing counters and floor...the move away from yellow is the point. .