You might want to look at subway style tile.

Instead of white, I would look for something either more detailed as Patricia Colwell noted, or if going with a subway tile, a color of some type perhaps a green - maybe a bit darker than this one shown, if it works with surrounding colors:

Thanks. Green would not work, would greys work?

It's hard to tell colors online. I'm not sure of the colors in the flooring or if there is much brown in the cabinets. I would go with either a gray or a taupe, more mid range in shade. I would bring home different tile samples of both grays and taupes and check them in relation to the rest of the room to decide what looks best.

Thank you. The flooring is not in yet and will be a mid brown hardwood floor. The cupboards are dark brown. I have a a grey, linen, sand, taupe, white and black sample from the soho collection in my kitchen.

I think I'd get in all the other elements first, since the floor will play a big factor and then choose the backsplash afterwards, but great idea per the different samples and checking.

I agree but I would go with real contrast between cabinets and floor.

By real contrast between cabinets and floor do you mean light coloured floor and not darker wood?

Yes, with different wood shades, it's better not to have shades that are too close, so something in a lighter wood would be preferable. I would check dark cabinets in the kitchen section on houzz with wood floors, to see what shades look good to you.

Please, no more mosaics! How about a 2x8 (not 2x6) glass subway tile in a light gray or taupe. It's distinctive but not loud.

Hi, I would suggest a stainless steel backsplash

Thanks everyone. Flooring is already purchased and I laid a few pieces down and I now have my microwave which I am not sure about yet! Sticks out too far. How does it look to everyone else? Although I like mosaic, I do want to go with a subway tile.

Flooring.

Hi---nice kitchen! Here are some suggestions. I think vertical installation would (perhaps) be more appealing. Good Luck!
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You could also incorporate a small strip of grey glass with either a 1 x 1 or 5/8 x 5/8 to break up the subway layout. We also think opting for a 4 x 8 white beveled subway instead of the flat subway would also be a fun look :).

Best of Luck!

www.northcountytileandstone.com

I would go a little bling in there. A black, gray, stainless mosaic. Maybe a bold black and white horizontal strip roman shade on window. Add some color on counter. great fun accessories at TJMax. Z Galleries also.

Some fun bar stools. Think out of the box. Go bold color. You have a lot if dark brown. Cabinets. Is see lime green on island that would be a great accent color in bar stools.

North tile shows a great look.

Thanks Nancy for all advice. I just purchased the bar stools, they only came in two colours but I would have liked a green. I have not done any decorating yet with colour, sort of waiting for backsplash to be done. What about the microwave/oven?? does it look ok?

we did a stainless subway tile and everyone said it looks great..

As yr kitchen has fairly simple elements you might add some punch to yr BS
Bisazza tile pattern (in yr preferred colour way)
or Chevron stripe
and others you can consider

Micro look fine.

Id go with a hand molded ( very irregular ) 3x6 subway tile

It's hard to tell if the microwave fits or not from the pictures. I think a light gray subway tile something like this would be something to consider: