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I need help choosing a backsplash

Ashley Brant
last month
last modified: 29 days ago

We are finally to the point where we are choosing our backsplash and we have it narrowed down to 4.

Our lower cabinets are Kraftmaid ”Harbor” and the uppers are Kraftmaid ”Moonshine” which sometimes look very light grey and other times a soft white. Our countertops are Silestone ”Stellar Snow” quartz. The walls in the kitchen and dining area are painted white. Our floors are brown.

Photos don’t show it but our countertops are shiny with a lot of glimmers. Please let me know your thoughts on backsplash ideas. Thank you!!























Comments (64)

  • susan49417
    28 days ago

    Personally I don't like any of them. The patterns are all very busy with the small tiles and multiple grout lines. I would choose a much larger glass subway tile in a color perhaps a little lighter than what you have.

    Ashley Brant thanked susan49417
  • KW PNW Z8
    28 days ago

    Ashley - what @susan49417 says about a larger glass subway in lighter color is a point to consider. You’ve narrowed your choices to that style. It would be a good idea to do just a bit more thinking with that style in mind. Bring home another glass subway style that’s next size up & a bit lighter for comparison. @deegw has a point too. Many companies have visuaizers for uploading your own photos & adding their tiles. Bear in mind that colors shown on visualizers can look much different than IRL - I saw that when choosing new flooring. But, the visualizer does give a pretty good idea of the overall effect. It’s worth taking the time to do the extra bit of confirmation of color once you’ve made the design decision!

    Ashley Brant thanked KW PNW Z8
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    That's what I thought I was going to get for years - white cabs and blue pearl - can't wait to see your pics! Folks say repeatedly not to actually order backsplash until the actual cabs and counter are in your kitchen. Then bring home actual samples of the backsplash material you are considering and see how it looks in your kitchen with your lighting at diff times during the day. What you thought you might love, you might hate, and the other way around. Dh might agree his suggestion does look too busy for the entire backsplash, you might agree to use the glass tiles as an accent in some way instead. Even the marble, you would actually have to see, as some samples may introduce way more or less grey than the look you are going for. I was just at a tile store yesterday looking at carrara marble subway tiles since I think that's what I want, but there was such tremendous variation of the tiles reading "white" or "grey" or other variations, from just a few feet away, that I know I can't make any further decisions until I can see it in my new kitchen (whenever that will finally be!)
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  • Ashley Brant
    Original Author
    28 days ago

    This shows how much I don’t know about options but where is a good place to order from? I just went to Home Depot and Lowes and bought one of each one then brought them home and narrowed them down one by one. I do like the idea of a glass subway tile but that was all I could find in that size.

  • susan49417
    28 days ago

    You want to go to an actual tile store not a big box store. You can also order samples on line from Tile Bar to see how they look in your space.

    Ashley Brant thanked susan49417
  • susan49417
    28 days ago

    Ashley:


    Here are 2 examples of what I was thinking of for your space


    https://www.tilebar.com/santa-monica-gray-4x12-tile.html


    https://www.tilebar.com/seaport-chameleon-2x10-polished-ceramic-tile.html


    I like the 2nd one the best. I think it would look stunning as either herringbone pattern or subway. You will want to be careful about the color. You have dark floor and lower cabinets (at least on my monitor) and I can't see how much natural light is in the room so you don't want it to look like a tomb. Good luck and keep us posted!

    Ashley Brant thanked susan49417
  • KW PNW Z8
    28 days ago

    Ashley - I just looked at Tilebar.com site - scroll down to bottom of page & they do have a visualizer to upload pics of your space & add tile samples. I’d suggest spending some time doing that - it really does help the decision process! Try glass subway that’s just a bit larger than the one you now like.

    Ashley Brant thanked KW PNW Z8
  • Ashley Brant
    Original Author
    28 days ago

    Thank you so much for all of your help. I appreciate this so much.

  • herbflavor
    28 days ago

    now that the whole space is revealed much prefer the warmer toned subway tile w the beautiful floor. You have enough white and blue. No cold glass ...or any added grays or blues in anything . Good Luck.

  • dani_m08
    28 days ago

    Is this an accurate representation of what your countertop looks like up close?


    Trying to understand what the specks look like - are they gray or do they have a green cast to the gray (I think I’ve seen this countertop - and the specks had a bit of green to them)?


    Also - how warm is the background color?




  • deegw
    28 days ago

    If the tile you picked at Home Depot is online, they also have a "See this in my room" option if you scroll down the product page.

  • enajasereht
    28 days ago

    For me it's hands down far right.

  • lslav2012
    28 days ago

    I agree with votes for the herringbone. It does a nice job of marrying both cool and warm tones.

  • Boxerpal
    28 days ago

    oooohhh that Seaport Chameleon that @susan49417 showed in her link is gorgeous. I officially change my vote to that one. Especially if it goes with your countertops.




  • tyort1
    26 days ago

    I did this simple white tile, but it comes in may colors. Like a subway but with a twist....love it and would look great in your space.


    Manchester Hexagon Vanilla 4x8 Polished Ceramic Tile | TileBar.com



  • Betty Wilson
    26 days ago

    The first thing I thought was Aparici Carpet Vestige. This is not one of your choices, but might be worth looking into.

  • PRO
    Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
    26 days ago

    Plain white rectangular splash allows the blue to predominate:

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    Larger white rectangular tile with a more undulating surface and slightly gray grout:

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    However, you don't have to stick with a white or neutral tile. Don't be afraid to go bolder with a backsplash--try a pattern, a color, or a handpainted tile. Stay away from the big box stores and go to a dedicated tile store. You'll find a lot more interesting products.

    Here's a tile with a subtle pattern:

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    Closeup of the tile:


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    Gorgeous blue tile backsplash!

    Floor tile: Vein cut Espresso Travertine. Backsplash tile:Sonoma Tilemakers Stel · More Info


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    Another patterned b/s:

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    Here's a blue hexagon:

    Hex Tile Backsplash in Glossy Navy Blue · More Info


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    These hand-made, hand-painted tiles are wonderful!

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  • Betty_Jo Zeigler
    26 days ago

    I like the one on the far right. Your choices are great, don’t get confused by more suggestions.

  • pscapella
    26 days ago

    Your tile option on the far right does the best job in tying in the color of the bottom cabinets. The second option would be to use the countertop material in a thinner version as a backsplash if that is available to you.

  • lazidazi
    26 days ago
    last modified: 26 days ago

    Big No to all of the choices except the gray-glass subway. It doesn't *fight* the countertop (or anything else). It's also a happy medium between wall and base cab colors. If the subway is chosen, do Not use white or light grout; use medium-dark gray grout.

  • Debra Bradley
    26 days ago

    Look at Fireclay Tiles. You can get any color subway tile in any size with subtle color variations that will give you backsplash some depth. They send free samples of any interested colors. I used them. Fabulous customer service and the tile cleans up so well. I also did two tone cabinets but pulled the bs color from my granite.

  • enajasereht
    26 days ago

    You say your uppers read gray sometimes and white others. That's why far right is your best bet. They have a bit of each. Two of the others look beige and one looks completely gray.

  • arvilla_trag
    26 days ago

    I would suggest going with the one on the far right - it has all your colors and will be easy to clean, plus it will give a LOT of of personality for less investment than some other things you could do.

  • Mari
    26 days ago
    last modified: 25 days ago

    Taken together, they look busy, but visualizing each separately, they're fine.

    However, the first two stand out as the best at marrying the colors of the room together (which is needed with the diversity here). The two on the right come down on the side of the gray in the room, whereas the two on the left utilize more of the colors in the room, creating a cohesive look. The lower cabinets read as almost cool (on my screen, anyway), while everything else in the room leans warm. The left two choices pull it all together. Up close, both look beautiful, with the 1st one edging out the win for me. In the wide angle shots, the herringbone looks best to me.

    Which makes *your* heart smile?

  • dutchdebbie
    26 days ago

    Honestly, I think they are all too busy for the counter. I’d go with a white tile without a busy pattern.

  • jeannie_sang
    26 days ago

    Agree w Mar. The two left tile choices are warmer and tie the browns in your floor/ dining room table into the cabinet and counter tops. The two right choices are cold grey, which is going out of style.

  • hildegard09
    26 days ago

    Depends. Is this your forever home and you have no intention of selling it then do what you want. But... if you plan to downsize or move later, use something that's generic enough that you don't have to replace it before you move but still something you can live with. The choice is yours, you probably already have a favorite :) I've never been a big fan of "in looks" I like a timeless look, especially in the kitchen. We just moved into our "last" home (fingers crossed) and after five years I finally picked out my backsplash tile! Your house, your choice! :)

  • aniluap2
    26 days ago

    I don’t know where you live, but there are stores like The Tile Store which is a chain that offers a decent selection of tiles at varying price points.You may want to google tile stores in your area and visit them so you can physically see what they look like so you will feel more comfortable if you decide to go with an online option.

  • hollywaterfall
    26 days ago

    My eye is drawn to the "gray" subway tile (3rd from left in the first pic). The herringbone and hexagon seem too busy. The white/cream subway has all the right colors but just doesn't speak to me personally. However, the comment with all those blue ideas was fabulous. The 2nd pic in that comment with the little blue diamonds made me say "ooh".

  • shearthe
    26 days ago

    You have a beautiful kitchen and I like the colors. Of these tiles I like the grey subway tiles the best. However, before even seeing the choices, my mind immediately thought of gold or copper colored metal tile for the backsplash. In my opion that would look so nice. But again, any of these would would work and you have lots of input here already. Good luck!

  • loftissm
    26 days ago

    Have your electrician to run a plug strip immediately under the cabinet edge so you won't have whatever tile you choose interrupted by so many outlets with contactor grade plastic trim. We did it 20 years ago, and it makes a huge difference! it is surprising how many very, very expensive homes feature backsplashes with outlets all over them, when they can be all but invisible.

  • blueskysunnyday
    26 days ago

    Ditto above but if you plan to have something plugged in all the time (coffee maker, toaster, etc) put a very low outlet right there and the cord and outlet can hide behind the appliance.

  • Sue Johnson
    26 days ago
    last modified: 25 days ago

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cabinet colors and the countertop. You have two different styles though between the cabinets & countertops and the flooring & door/drawer handles. These styles are fighting against each other. The cabinets, especially with the two-tone colors,would really look great with a white tile floor, either a 12x24 or 18x18 or 24x24. Then a glazed white smooth ceramic tile backsplash in a small format--like a button tile or penny tile or the "mini subway" tile style that come in 12x12 sheets. But your wood floor is down, so all the backsplashes you chose are going to fight against the flooring... well, some are fighting against the flooring, others are fighting against the cabinets. You might want to just hold off on putting up a backsplash until you decide which style you want to evoke. LOVE the black wrought iron cabinet handles, they REALLY go nicely with the flooring, but not the painted cabinets. You have fabulous 42" upper cabinets (envious!) and they can stand to have larger door handles--try something 2x the size, you'll be surprised at how they draw your eye up to notice the larger cabinets. This might sound crazy, but changing the flooring to match the cabinet & countertop style would be the easiest thing to do. Yeah, time consuming, ugh. The big box store that starts with "L" has a 12x24 white rigid vinyl tile that looks like marble (sort of--the gray is very light) that can be laid down either butted up against each other, or with a grout line, and they have a special grout to use with that specific tile. Then, you could do a white smooth/glossy small format tile as a backsplash. If you find the "min-subway" tile that comes in a 12x12 sheet, and it has some of the colors of the countertop sparkly flecks, that would look great. Swap out the black door & drawer handles for the larger sized ones in a brushed nickel. If you absolutely can't change the flooring, then see if the countertop manufacturer can cut you a thin piece of the same countertop to make a backsplash. Edit to add: OK that shade/hue of blue is fighting the floor. Yes, blue and wood go together, but it has to be the right shade of blue and the right stain on wood. Instead of putting different flooring down, you could paint the lower cabinets the proper blue for that particular stain of wood floor. Diana Bier Interiors LLC, above, has posted several photos that you should refer to. Check out how she chose a specific shade of blue depending on the color/stain of wood floor. Also, your artificial lighting is causing your upper cabinets to look like a different color at times. If you replace the lights with a warm white bulb, it will "warm up" the colors in the room.

  • Sherry B
    25 days ago

    You have a lot going on already. Don’t be trendy. Think long term, what will you still be happy with in ten years? I’d choose to go simple, not Wow, and add more interest with decor that can change easily. But its your house…

  • Elizabeth Ann
    25 days ago

    I vote for the far left sample. The tile pattern is classic, and it mimics the pattern of the floorboards. The color scheme coordinates with your pretty, new cabinets yet is neutral enough to accommodate any number of color changes that might be visited upon the cabinets in future. Your kitchen looks really nice. Good luck with the backsplash.

  • Mari
    25 days ago

    The suggestion of Emporio white onyx would also be a good choice for pulling together the warm & cool, and diversity in styles of this kitchen. While the two grays on the right may appeal up close, in the wide view, they completely leave the floor out of the conversation... making it feel like "something isn't right" in this kitchen, an unsettled feeling several have referred to as a "fight" (I thought the word "warring" when I first viewed the pics). But the floor is wood (or wood-look), which can be brought in with the right backsplash (and perhaps echoed in a subtle area rug). The gray tiles on the right only go well if you keep your eyes up, from the lower cabinets on up. The floor is not connected to this look (both rustic and warm, vs more contemporary and neutral/cool-neutral--can't tell online) but could be with the right tile backsplash. Both the left two and the suggested two-tone "white onyx" one would make that connection and make it all make sense, settling into style, rather than a feeling that it's conflicting.


    It appears to be a basement kitchen...? I didn't see any windows. If that's the case, the white onyx bs could help lighten the space, as could under-cabinet lighting. :) Wishing you the best! As long as you make the look cohesive, it will be beautiful.

  • Laura Magee
    25 days ago

    I can’t tell the sheen of these. The only one I am instantly against is the gray glass subway. When I picture the others as matte I like them, whereas if they’re opalescent, they seem a bit much. The variegated colors help ties things together. I would add though that you should consider what grout at the same time. There are many colors now, and can be done with or without a little glitter. I don’t really know how you feel about sparkle in general, but in your kitchen, I think sparkly tile would be too much, whereas a light gray blue grout with a little sparkle would pair well with a plain matte subway tile, as would a light gray blue grout without sparkle. Non sparkly blue grout would also look nice with the less blue/not blue tile choices shown, and I do think the left 2 tie in the floors and balance the look the best. But many don’t appreciate the role that grout plays (especially if you choose a contrasting color). The thought is to either blend perfectly or choose an intentional contrast. Intentional contrasts bring attention to the tile pattern also. It is a sophisticated way to up- or downplay the contribution of the backsplash to the whole. I favor a simpler tile with a simple but not invisible statement from the grout. Rather than forcing yourself to pick a splash that contains blue (which you can still do if you like), you might consider an uber plain tile with blue in the grout. Your countertops are interesting but not busy. If you want them to be the star, less to look at in the splash. If they are to play plain (with sparkle as “texture”) then place more focus on the splash as painted cabinets are rarely designed to be the eye catcher. And consider how much splash you will or won’t see once you put your countertop back to usual. I have a different color palette than you, but I love how my splash came out because I needed a “little black dress” because my counters are the show stopper here. It’s a plain matte neutral subway tile with no texture, but the grout is brown with a bit of maroon/purple to it and that ties well with the richness of my cabinets.

  • 21kim12
    25 days ago

    Herringbone. it gives nice texture, like the look with both the close up and far photo. Also like it best with your floors.

  • slkusz
    25 days ago
    last modified: 25 days ago

    i feel like the patterned tiles are too busy and the solid subway is too cool. is there a warm tone in your countertop? if so, I’d grab it with a solid subway tile. if not, do a solid subway tile in the same white thats in the countertop. If you really want to use one of the four shown, I’d do the far left but ultimately, you should choose whatever makes you smile.

  • Jenny
    25 days ago

    None of them. It is way too busy. Already 3 différents type of finish for your kitchen. 2 coloris of the cupboard and the countertop. I would go with something simple.

  • craftlr
    24 days ago

    None of these options. They are too busy and you might get tired of the pattern. You want borning becuase it is timeless. Keep your backsplash simple so your decor stands out against it. I would choose a true bright white subway tile with white grout.

  • rockdog1
    24 days ago

    Picking a Backsplash is always tough. I like the herringbone, but maybe choose that pattern in a solid white or cream color, rather than the one you are showing. I feel the herringbone sample you’re showing would work better with a quartz that has veining, rather than sparkles. Floor and Decor has several solid white porcelain herringbone styles. Also they have several white tiles that have texture to them. You could do a running bond with these texture tiles. Because there is texture, it does not look like subway tile. Keep it simple and classy. Go with a solid white or cream. Good luck!

  • shenanno
    24 days ago

    Take the first one on the left, and lay the tile so that it is stacked vertically, not horizontally. It will be more interesting that way.

  • Tara
    23 days ago

    The darker glass rectangle one

  • Jen Pfifferling
    23 days ago

    Here is mine. same color scheme. we love it!


  • Jen Pfifferling
    23 days ago



  • lazidazi
    23 days ago

    I wrote above that of your choices, the gray glass subway was the best.


    Crazy, isn't it? So many choices to begin with, it's finally narrowed down to four, and then here come dozens more...choices. All good, earnest and helpful ideas, to be sure.

    Keep it simple; back to your four.


    You've got dark base cabs, light wall cabs, a white/bright counter, and warm wood floors.. That design needs your third choice, the gray-glass subway tiles. They produce a blend-in/non-competitive pattern (unlike the hexagon, e.g.). And they're darker, which is needed; the depth will pull everything together.


    Have Fun - Good Luck


  • KW PNW Z8
    23 days ago

    Ashley - I so totally agree with @lazidazi !! All the choices being thrown around were making me crazy & I was feeling bad for you! 😁 The lesson is I think that there are so many choices & people have so many different styles & preferences that it’s very important that a person focuses on what they like & want to see everyday in their space. It’s good to have all this input as it makes one consider other choices & the input also should help each of us understand what our personal style is. So, you pick & please don’t be afraid to come back & tell us what you did pick. I’d like to know!

  • cabreu
    13 days ago

    The herringbone pattern

  • cabreu
    13 days ago

    The herringbone pattern

  • kariyava
    12 days ago

    I like the second one from the right. It's all one color so it won't be too busy.