What color are you painting the cabinets and what color are you painting the rest of the apartment? It's tough to figure out whether you want to match the white tile or complement it. Either way, I wouldn't choose brown as any countertop surface. It seems that you don't get a lot of light, and you should aim to get countertops that will reflect the light you get and not add to the darkness.

I also wouldn't tile a large island. I'd make it a flat surface, like corian or laminate, if you want to keep it inexpensive.

There is a new company out there that instantly puts granite on top of your counter...you can choose different colors and even extend surfaces. I might think about a flip down/up counter made of something else to add space. Please post pics when you're done. My pet peeve with with these Good Questions is there's not a space for the after pic!!! We would like to see how it turned out.

PS I would stick with a light color since it's a small kitchen...maybe even a marble look...and something reflective to extend the eye so it looks bigger.

Ikea butcher block! Inexpensive, natural material, very beautiful, durable and functional.

Please don't get granite --- (IMO) it's the formica of the 90's and even now is beginning to look so very dated. It seems every McMansion features granite counters and stainless appliances --- YAWN!

I wouldn't get granite either, but not because I think it's dated. It just wouldn't fit with a rental kitchen like that. The appliances are older, the cabinets are older, etc. Granite would be like putting platinum spinners on a Pinto.

I've come to the conclusion that only acceptable material for kitchen countertops is stainless steel: It goes with everything, it lasts forever, and it never goes out of style.

I think that this is the kind of kitchen that would look good with white cabinets up top and a color down below. Also, you don't seem to have that many huge pieces of countertop -- it's kind of broken up into smaller pieces -- so this might be a great kitchen to pour your own concrete counters. I have a friend who did his own and they turned out fabulous! You can buy white concrete and mix in whatever color you want, etc. After seeing the entire process I probably wouldn't recommend a DIY for someone that has a huge kitchen with big counter areas -- but for this place it'd be perfect!

White quartz.

Avoid more tiles - the space is cozy and more grout lines just further divide it. I agree on not upscaling the counter beyond the rest of the kitchen - stay at the same level of upgrades in general. Lots of options in solid surface - bring home samples. I'd lighten up the cabinets with paint and take that into account when choosing the counter area.

Get something solid-surface for the counter, and put tile that you like on the backsplash, covering the entire area between the sink and countertop. That will be easiest to clean and make the space look larger.

You don't say who is paying for this or what the budget is, but the space is small so higher end materials might not break the bank. Look at the Corian and engineered quartz options. Your landlord will want you to pick something neutral, I'm sure! And I agree with Virginia Grayson that you need to have a general idea of what color you will paint the cabinets before choosing the counters.

When you do repaint, think about filling in the holes where the cabinet knobs are currently and moving them a bit lower. If you stick with a dark cabinet color, replacing the white ceramic knobs would be a good idea.

I think the tile looks clean and white and in good shape. The Behr's "English Breakfast' leaves me a little queasy, however. I bet the tiles will be a bear to break out. I would focus on doing something light and fun with the cupboards and strive to replace the bar counter with some compatible wood or maybe melamine counter with more edge to it so you could actually tuck a couple of stools underneath. A breakfast bar is great for recruiting people to help you chop veggies! :-)

No brown & no granite. I like the concrete suggestions.

AT inspiration photos:http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/kitchen-bars-pack-a-punch-with-157380

I looked into have the tile in my kitchen 're-covered' by a company that 'pours' some sort of material over the tiles to make it one smooth surface. Not cheap...$3000.00 - $6000.00.
I do like the butcher block idea..

Whomever decided tile countertops should happen should have never have had a say in design. We had tile countertops that were, mind you, "period appropriate" in our Berkeley CA Craftsman bungalow. Never again. Cleaning them was like an exercise in slow torture.

I agree with stainless steel if it is in your budget.
I also love the look of custom concrete countertops but I don't know anything about their price or maintenance.
With a rental, the lower the maintenance, the better! I'd stay away from butcher block because without proper care, they are going to look pretty worn.

I will try to avoid going on a rampage in my crusade against granite counter-tops by instead suggesting that you take a look at either solid surfacing or even the much under-appreciated plastic laminate. You get the most availability of colors for the least cost, while the maintenance and upkeep are minimal - in addition to seldom having to worry about an accidentally dropped knife getting dulled, or a spilled wine glass shattering into a million pieces.

While I KNOW that plastic laminate is a touchy subject to suggest, especially considering longevity, I don't understand how using granite (because it will last forever) is any better, when so many entire kitchens need to be remodeled every time the house changes owners. I even appreciate that manufacturers are trying to make their products a bit "greener", and certainly less energy intensive. I'm even surprising myself taking this stance and sounding like a house-flipper, but after living in 9 places over the last 6 years, I'm really happy with the very old, yet perfectly suitable tops in the kitchen where I live now in their mid-80's laminated glory.

I would also very much like to see an "after" photo, once the project is completed.

They are in excellent condition and white is a good clean kitchen neutral. Keep them.

I'd keep them, too. They look clean and fresh and the kitchen will look much fresher at lower cost if you just paint the cabinets.

I like the white tiles, too. If they're still in good shape, why replace them? They'd look a lot nicer if the cupboards were painted in a lighter colour.

I'd keep them, too. Not because I like tiles as a countertop, but because I really don't see the point of putting in new countertop material here if you aren't getting those old cabinets replaced. If the idea is to give you an island with more overhang, then use ikea butcher block for just that section - it is really cheap, beautiful, warm, goes with everything, and wears well once properly sealed (reseal again every so often.)

I keep coming back to steal a glance at this little hard working family kitchen (like the sippy cup). I like it. I've been wondering about a couple things (1) It seems darkish, maybe it would be fun to put your new counter money into task and overhead lighting instead? and (2) What would it be like if you dropped down the breakfast bar to counter level and made a more generous work/eat (water colors and milk/cookies) space with a rounded slab of corian? Here's a pic: http://www.thekitchn.com/-small-cool-kitchens-2012_2-174027

elalexid, I am also a fan of plasic laminate counters. Mine have worn well, and while I still like the ones I had installed 15 years ago, it would be inexpensive to update with a different look if I wanted to. When we did a minor reconfigure of our cabinets it was very simple to match the new area to the old counters.

They are not cold like granite, either!

I am going to look into the price of the butcher block plus install. I think this is the right fit for the upper counter.

Thank you so much for the recommendations. At this time I am thinking of the Ikea butcher block for the upper counter but also will be looking into the laminate as I may be able to get a fun 80's color that has come back into favor, painting the top cabinets white and the lower cabinets blue. Photos probably will not be available for a month.

I like those new Formica texture laminates in the bright colors! Some of the ones meant to resemble linen or rice paper are pretty, too.

totally agree--granite looks so cheesy now. but unfortunately, a lot of people still think it's a "classy" thing, especially the mcmansion realtors who try to sell it as some sort of high-end upgrade.