Backsplash! You don't want your mosaic or tile to clash with your solid surface and there is so many choices for the backsplash that have colorful design options which would bring you back to a more limited color scheme for the counters. This is one we did for a customer in February and she chose a busy granite and went for a less elaborate tile for the backsplash.

Always choose your countertop first, so many less options. Start there and bring a piece with you to your local tile shop. It can take some time, be patient. Remember to pull a color out of the countertop into the backsplash. Cambria offers beautiful Quartz counter options and I know many of them go with gray cabinets! Good luck! -Erin

We chose our countertop first then took the sample piece to choose our backsplash

Choose them together. In other words, don't commit to a counter until you find an appropriate backsplash for it. A disproportionate number of design dilemmas on Houzz are by people who've already installed a counter but can't settle on a backsplash to blend with it.

I never choose backsplash until I have the all the other elements in place sometimes I want bling and then when all else is done I think it is too much so I go simple.This is a kitchen I did with gray and white Ikea cabinets in high gloss and dcided on a very simple backspalsh.as we had enough going on in the space.

Absolutely pick your countertop before the backsplash. By doing so, it will help you narrow down your backsplash tile selection. There are thousands of backsplash tiles, but not as many countertops. It is much more difficult to do it the other way around.

Gorgeous kitchen, Patricia Colwell, and that's coming from a fan of farmhouse/rustic! Those colors are perfect, and I love the art.

Always always always countertop first.

I would say browse both countertop and backsplash options online first to get a feel for what you like and what overall look you are trying to achieve.

Then pick and purchase your countertop first, as it will be a much bigger expense, than the backsplash and will get need to be installed first. Then you can bring home or order backsplash samples to see how they will look with your cabinets/countertops.

Definitely countertop first. Countertops is more obvious and prominent to the eye than backsplash. It's also more expensive. Get a sample of your countertop and see if it goes well against your floor and cabinets. Then take the sample with you when you go backsplash shopping.

Hi there. We go through this very dilemma with each of our kitchen clients. My advice to them and to you is to do a little shopping first and get a feel for what you like. I tell my clients that something in their material choices will jump out at them and become their anchor. Every design has a focal point and usually that's where you'll see the client's anchor element. It may be that exotic slab of granite that they fell in love with or it may the beautiful glass accent tiles that pop out of the back splash. There is usually something that you keep revisiting in your mind.......a certain countertop material or a certain porcelain tile. When you find this happening, request a sample to carry around with you and I think you'll be surprised at how easily you can then pull other products together with it. Pretty soon, you have made all of your material selections. Good luck and best wishes!