That bench is a throw back ay!
You can get it 'covered' in new dark Formica or stone..heaps cheaper for now.
As really...that screams 1993

Get a couple handles and have a play, but def a new tap.
They are $99
You will love it!

Maybe try various colour/styles of handle...
From a cheap shop then when you know what works, buy the real deal.

If you are of differing opinions about bench top colour, it might be worth spending a few dollars on paper sheets that are wide enough to cover the bench, and use paint testers in each of your preferred colors to see how the colors work in your kitchen at various times of the day. It might help you in your decision.

Vasey House · More Info

Here there are no handles to bring in, but it that makes for a modern look with the dark counter - the cupboard color though is much whiter than your pics are showing

Grove Lane · More Info

You may need to decide on the style of kitchen you are each thinking of - here the dark works well with a classic victorian handle style but the cupboard style is also not a flat front.

Macclesfield - New Kitchen benchtop · More Info

Not sure the gray is working in this one - too much in the splashback - but it looks like the cream is stronger, more like yours.

However , a lighter concrete effect may work better - but again , the cupboards are a crisp white.

Dorset Stable Conversion · More Info

Thankyou so much for the replies, will definitely show the wife these

I’m not keen on a dark bench in a small area, too dominating. Measure the spacing of screws in door handles then head to Bunnings and grab a selection to try along with a tap. A more modern sink could work too.

Thankyou, now you mention it that sounds like a great idea for the bench

You have beautiful timber floors so I would consider using Bunnings laminated timber benchtops, they are very affordable and you would get rid of that dated rounded edge on the end of the benchtop. I would add a black tap and handles.

Light bench top, black contemporary handles, black tap, maybe even think of a black sink..... gorgeous

Julie those photos show exactly what I would do especially the last with the sink and timber benchtop

I , as often seems the case , look at things differently . The cupboards look pleasant , and I gather you want to keep them -- without knowing their condition , I would too . The wooden window sill and door surround are great too , as is the floor . Nothing wrong with the stove and hood either ( can't see enough of the hood so I might be wrong there haha ) .

I could live with the taps and the sink ( it has character ) . The tap I categorise the same . I'm sort of in-the-middle about the dishwasher and fridge -- the white doesn't quite work with the stove and even the cupboard colour . Ideally , I'd replace , but I wouldn't get too upset if I had to keep them , at least for a couple of years .

So my 'don't like' list is the benchtop , cupboard handles , and the tiles . A couple of others have beaten me to it , but I'd go wood for the benchtop , OR marble or a good marble effect -- offwhites with grey and charcoal streaks . I'll let you make that choice haha .

BUT I'd use the sink and tap , as I consider it ties in with the stove . So that leaves the cupboard door handles , and I'd go brass , probably antiqued brass ( darker ) but not an old style with scrolls or stuff -- modern , but as dark brown as I could get .

Tiles -- probably those strip ones you get , with narrow charcoal slightly sparkly parts , silvery parts , brushed stainless parts , with a grey grout . The power point on the right I'd revert back to brass plate/surround .

If I could , change the fridge and dishwasher to brushed stainless too . So you have wood , darker brown handles , the light cream , stainless , more wood , more stainless , and maybe a greyish marble or more wood .