Cheap kitchen update ideas

[Strawberryshortcake40]

Had big plans for a fabulous kitchen here after moving in a few months ago, but at the rate everything else is costing it seems I need to try and work with what I have. Oak shaker units that are okay, painting them would be too much work/cost. Currently the work tops are speckled black/grey/rust. I don't really like them (would rather plain black if budget allowed) but think they will have to stay. Tiles are awful - sparkly silver and red, they have to go. Am planning light cream subway type (or just plain square). But then what colour walls? Do I have to work with the rust colour? Had planned on either pale blue or mauve but can't see either would go?

Or do I bite the bullet and get new work tops? If so where is cheap??

[Thelovecats]

I would get new work tops if you could, because if you're retiling now, it makes it harder to change worktop later.
I have to say though, that oak cupboards, black worktop and cream tiles wouldn't go with blue or mauve walls either, in my opinion. what about heading for a sage green colour instead?