Kitchen Backsplash Help

[corgimom]

After moving in 3 years ago we immediately got new countertops but we never made a decision on a backsplash. The wall behind the stove is starting to look sad so we really need to do something soon but I'm having trouble.
I know I want to keep it simple and probably do subway (is that the right term for all smaller rectangular tiles, lol?) tile in a grey or maybe blue. I like our cabinets but they are really dark and I'm afraid of the whole kitchen looking dark with a color tile. I love our counters but I don't want to do a tile that looks too similar to them so I think I'd like to do something a mid or darker grey or navy-ish rather than white or marble looking.

I have trouble imaging it because all the pictures of tiles I like are done in bright white kitchens. I hope I included a picture of our kitchen right! Is my worry legitimate or should I be fine? Trying to really narrow down what we are looking at so we can minimize our time going out to look and get samples.

Also, DH has talked about taking the tile all the way up around the window on the right. Would that look good and if so, would you end it at the top of the cabinets or would we need to do the whole wall to make it look nice?

[dove]

I ran my backsplash up the window in a similar fashion and it looks amazing! I get compliments on it all the time. I vote yes!
Also, most independent tile stores will let you take sample pieces home.

[corgimom]

Mar 13, 2021 10:19:14 GMT -5 kellady said:

First, lovely kitchen.  

I went looking on Google and Houzz, and it looks like you can do anything!  Of course you already know that.   I would tile around the window to the top of the bottom sash, does that make sense?  So about halfway up the window. 

As far as the color, that’s hard!  I like the idea of blending it with the counter more than it sounds like you want to.  It looks like you have decent light in there?  There is a window on the wall opposite your stove?  I don’t think gray would be too dark, but I would be cautious about getting tired of a blue. 

Another picture I saw had smaller rectangle tiles is a mixture of white and gray that looked nice.  I’m on my IPad and can’t copy them, but I might come back later and add them.  

So many choices!  Good luck!

Thank you!

Yes, we get great morning light. There is a large window and sliding glass door across from the stove that race east. It can get a bit dark in the evenings but we have a lot of lighting in there.

I think you're probably right about avoiding blue since I can bring that in other places. I think I just wanted to avoid blending with the countertops so they can stand out rather then just being a bit same-y? I love these counters so I like them being the star but thought grey could compliment them? I'm obviously not great at this sort of decision making! Hah!

Both of you are selling me on going with DH and doing some tile up the window wall!

[Susie]

I really like your kitchen!

Are the walls blue or gray, and are they going to stay that color?

In general though, I think subway tile in either white or a beige that coordinates with your counters would look really nice.  This is the kitchen of a house we missed out on in our hunt, and I really liked it.

[maudefindlay]

I would avoid a medium or dark tile if you aren't planning to paint the cabinets a lighter color. Could you go lighter on the backsplash, but a tile with color variation so that your counters still stand out? Like these?

[maudefindlay]

I do love a navy backsplash, but think it looks better with lighter cabinets. This is one of my inspiration photos for our next house.

[corgimom]

Thanks Susie I really so love our kitchen and I'll love it more once it's "done" (first the backsplash, then lighting and cabinet hardware - nearly there!)

The walls are grey and they will stay that color. With all the pictures shared I do think a lighter tile will be better, maybe with some variation in it, and maybe we can lay it in a herringbone or chevron to add some interest but keep the focal point the counters.

[kadams767]

I have similar dark/cherry cabinets and white/grey countertops and did a blue-grey subway title for the backsplash and a coordinating penny-ish tile behind the stove. I’m biased, but I think it looks nice and is a good change if you don’t want more white/light color back there. My walls are a very light off-grey as well.  Trying to add a picture now...

PDQ and pardon the smudges on my SS!

Poof

[kadams767]

Duplicate post

[Deleted]

With the darker cabinets, I’d definitely do a lighter tile, but I feel like plain white subway is overdone. What about something like an opal subway tile. You get a lot of variation just the way the light hits it and it won’t compete with your countertop.

[k3am]

I actually think a blue tile would look great with those cabinets. I’d prefer that over white or gray.

[corgimom]

kadams767 That looks so good! Do you happen to know the name of the tile/where you got it?

@sameoldstory I actually like that quite a bit and think the shine could add some nice contrast and make it a bit brighter in there at night

[kadams767]

Mar 14, 2021 10:03:19 GMT -5 corgimom said:

kadams767 That looks so good! Do you happen to know the name of the tile/where you got it?

@sameoldstory I actually like that quite a bit and think the shine could add some nice contrast and make it a bit brighter in there at night

Thanks, I really love the way it came together.  I was nervous going into the remodel, because my “vision” never seems to work right, but this time it did.  

We bought everything from The Tile Shop.

I think this is the subway tile, though he item number doesn’t match mine (but the description is the same).  www.tileshop.com/products/imperial-ice-grey-gloss-ceramic-tile-4-x-16-in-494178.  Then you’d get the coordinating edge and bullnose pieces depending on what you need.

This is the penny tile behind the stove: www.tileshop.com/products/penny-round-moss-porcelain-mosaic-wall-and-floor-tile-669028 

[corgimom]

Thank you!
That's not bad on pricing either. DH showed me a glossy silver grey tile last night from HD and it is like 20/sqft!!!

[circa1978]

Mar 13, 2021 11:45:15 GMT -5 maudefindlay said:

I would avoid a medium or dark tile if you aren't planning to paint the cabinets a lighter color. Could you go lighter on the backsplash, but a tile with color variation so that your counters still stand out? Like these?

I just installed this exact tile in white in our kitchen. It's not grouted yet - hopefully tomorrow - but I can take a picture when it is. Pro tip, it is cheaper at Home Depot than Tile Bar but is the same exact tile. This type (and the one sameoldstory linked) is called mallorca tile if you want to Google for more inspiration. I think it's going to be really popular soon.

We previously had encaustic tile and the trend in that right now is gray/blue (where it had been gray/black) but I don't think would going to look right with your counters. Are you going to tile above your stand-up or remove it?

[sandandsea]

Mar 13, 2021 14:46:32 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

With the darker cabinets, I’d definitely do a lighter tile, but I feel like plain white subway is overdone. What about something like an opal subway tile. You get a lot of variation just the way the light hits it and it won’t compete with your countertop.

I love the opal/oyster tiles. We looked at one for our bathroom a few years ago but only found $$$$ options. I think it would look really nice there.