Yes, I agree that if you do a white backsplash (even in a herringbone pattern) it will make your kitchen a little too white.

I think adding a little bit of color would work - - even if it is minimal.
Would a white + gray tile pattern work?
Not sure how you would feel about a possible pattern though.

Or maybe even an off-white color, maybe w/a hint of gray in it??

I second the appointment with a designer at a tile store.

Bring a cabinet door and a sample of your counter, a pull if you have them picked out. Photos of your flooring, and of windows and what’s visible from the kitchen.

Try a couple of different tile stores. Even if you don’t buy from them (in the end I did not), you might be surprised by what they pull.

Don’t be afraid to love something, even if it feels risky.

As for soulless, a vintage carpet, antique bread boards, and some plants will go a long way toward adding soul. Make sure your light bulbs are warm — 2700 lumens for under the cabinet, no more than 3000 overhead.

Also to answer your question….all the tile stores have designers on staff that will help and give you suggestions. I didn’t end up loving any of their suggestions but it’s a good way to get some ideas. If you’re in MoCo, I can tell you where I went.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look up Maria Killiam on backsplash tile. It's the first thing to date your reno and she recommends white subway tile with matching grout

This is fine if you have no opinion whatsoever and just want everyone to think it’s fine as well.
There are a million different tiles out there and for a small area in a white kitchen the possibilities are endless. Do you have a favorite color? One that is echoed in the rest of your house?

I think that the white subway tile with white grout will look super dated because it’s been so popular for the past decade or so. It’s like in the early 80s when everyone said oak cabinets were classic and would never look dated, or in the late 90s when everyone said dark cherry was so classic and would never look dated. Basically anything that is very popular will look dated at some point, so the lesson is just to get what you like unless you’re planning on selling within 5 years or so.

My first kitchen had a mosaic of white 1 inch squares with a few mint green ones scattered throughout and I loved it so much.

Anonymous wrote:Look up Maria Killiam on backsplash tile. It's the first thing to date your reno and she recommends white subway tile with matching grout

This is fine if you have no opinion whatsoever and just want everyone to think it’s fine as well.
There are a million different tiles out there and for a small area in a white kitchen the possibilities are endless. Do you have a favorite color? One that is echoed in the rest of your house?

It might also be cool to do a dark charcoal color with a lighter grey grout. If it’s a small space and the counters are light that could be cool contrast.

If you want a bold choice, the yellow would work with grey:
https://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery/detail/always-summer-ice-cream-cafe

Or doing a more interesting shape:
https://www.houzz.com/photos/a-home-remodel-in-los-gatos-beach-style-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~143429343

https://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery/detail/pink-white-checkered-kitchen-backsplash

https://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery/detail/ariel-gordon-jewelry-berkeley-office-signal-backsplash

https://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery/detail/rainbow-confetti-kitchen-backsplash

https://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery/detail/multicolored-small-diamond-kitchen-backsplash

Look up Maria Killiam on backsplash tile. It's the first thing to date your reno and she recommends white subway tile with matching grout

What about this?
https://www.houzz.com/photos/nantucket-sophisticate-beach-style-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~5917662

What about a really saturated color? I went with a really deep marine blue in a cool pattern and I really like it. Since it’s small you can get something a little more expensive and bold. I’m not sure what would look good with the grey. Maybe look at some houzz pictures? I ended up gojng to tile store and buying a bunch of samples to take home — you really need to see them in your light and with the color of the cabinets.

Or go with white tile and add a few Delft tile pieces to give it some character.

If its a small kitchen, go with mirror glass.
Antiqued glass might look interesting.
Or stainless steel.
Look, it is a wipedown surface, you dont HAVE to go with tile.

We just refaced our cabinets and got a new countertop. Cabinets are light grey, countertop is stellar white quartz, appliances are white. The kitchen is relatively small so there is not a lot to backsplash, just two wall areas between the counter and the cabinets. There is no space for a special accent design (e.g., above the stove), so it just the same size space across both walls.

I cannot seem to pick out a backsplash tile! My inclination was to do a herringbone pattern, glossy white, with grey grout. But I'm starting to think it will feel too boring and sterile. My kid already misses the old kitchen and calls this one "soulless." The old kitchen had plain white square tiles with a few ornate ones (with birds or flowers) scattered among them (this is how it was when we moved in).

Can anyone suggest a more interesting tile style, pattern, or color?

Or-- is there an online designer anyone can recommend? I'm willing to pay for help, I just don't know where to look for such a limited project.