I like the 4th one.

I think #4 looks best. It picks up the tones in your counter top and appliances and even has a few flecks (or undertones) of a golden hue in some of the tiles that will tie in with your wood floors. Nice job on the cabinet refinishing!

Solid white glass subway tiles would look fantastic. I think you will find the samples you have will be too busy. Of the four, I like #4.

Guess I prefer the texture of #1 - less busy and lighter in color. But gotta question.... You say you can't replace the counter right now. Is that something you plan on doing later? If so, do you know what you want then? Just kinda think that if you are planning to change it, you might want to wait on a backsplash, or think in terms of that final change.

Personally, I like simple backsplashes that don't have too much personality - save personality for things you can box up and take with you when you want to sell. I did plain bead board painted white and never regretted it. Can paint it to change out the look if desired. And it may add a bit of softness to the harsh/hardness of granite. But that might be a bit too cottagey/beachey for your space...

I don't like any of them. White ceramic, porcelain, or glass subway tiles with with or beige grout would look best. You have a lot going on there already. Simple is better.

I like 1 and 4. I am about to do the same thing to my cabinets. What kind of prep work is involved? Thx!

I would remove the existing backsplash, otherwise it will look like an afterthought.

I like #1 the best. Please let us know what you end up choosing! Your room looks a little dark with those countertops. But, once you get the bottom cabinets painted, I bet that opens it up a bunch! Happy for you!

Almost every kitchen today with white cabinets specially has white subway tiling back splash. It becoming so boring. It is classic, always is style but I want something different! It can be white .....but there is more up there than " subway ". Same with gray walls so popular today and beautiful but ...to popular for me. I do not want to be described as home owner who just copy what other people have. This is an opportunity to show your creative side with all what we have in stores to chose from ..... do something different and be proud of it. It is a great feeling not follow the crowd!

Stone backsplash .....disaster to clean!

I would suggest removing the 4 inch backsplash out of counter material before installing your new backsplash. See the difference.

I too like #1...you'll have a clean looking backsplash and it'll go with any changes you do with the rest of the kitchen!

Smaller mosaics look busy. A subway size tile will open that space and be more inviting. It seems that the smaller tiles are part of a trend that is losing favor.

Oh I love all the responses you are getting! We built two years ago and have white dove cabinets and a craftsman style home. I was really torn with backsplash decision also. I went with a tumbled travertine and did run it to the top of counter like the prior post suggested. This is a great point and one I think you should consider. Don't get hung up on splatter issue...just seal whatever one you choose, they are easy to clean then. That being said I love #1 and #4 best. First one love natural look, this is why I went with travertine. But the last one is what I have in my baths and the little bit of glass mixed in is sooo pretty, super easy to clean, and gives it a touch of sleekness so just a little less rustic. I think either would be beautiful and don't get hung up on matching the floor for the backsplash, it won't be a big enough effect to matter. Last thought, the last one will look a little busier but if the rest of your kitchen isn't too busy you will love the glass added in. Good luck, such a nice problem to have!!

Have you considered Carrara marble? I have absolute black granite counters With larger 12X4 Carrara marble tiles. Needs to be sealed, but the veining is beautiful paired with the black granite. Less grout with larger tiles and no staining so far. I have splattered tomatoes and wiped after approx. 5 minutes with no problem. Love the contrast and it lightens the room.

I like the 3rd and 4th. It is awfully dark under those so I would go with the 3rd since it has glass tiles it will grab some light and look a little lighter. I have glass tiles and they are so much easier to care for than stone. Stone grabs dust and good particles and the kids do the dishes and the glass just wipes clean.

I like the 4th one, it brings out the counter & cabinets. Not crazy about glass tiles, some look very cheap......

The benefit of keeping the countertop extension up to the backsplash is that if your house has any movement at all, and many do, the grout between the countertop and the wall/backsplash will crack eventually. It is a very awkward to get to the grout line behind a sink or stove. Much easier to fix any cracks that are higher up.

I am a #1 fan of slate sealed with polyurethane. I have it in my bathroom as a countertop and backsplash. As someone else mentioned, wet it to see what it will look like with the polyurethane finish - really pops! I reapply the water soluble finish every 5 years or so. You might check to see if you can find it in lighter colors, but remember that the finish will lighten and brighten anything you use.

I also would recommend that you use the largest pieces that will fit, using smaller ones in rows along the top. The fewer grout lines that you have, the easier to maintain.

If you want to go with another stone, I would go with the smoothest finish you can find.

I like the 4th one.

Would like some input as to Bettie Waddle's paragraph 1 comment. My home is 15 yrs. old, granite kitchen counters with 4" backsplash. It seems to be a big decorating faux pas to put tile on top of granite backsplash. Kind of worried about breaking any of the granite counters when removing backsplash. Anyone have any experience? Thanx

Wow - thanks for all the comments! I will be choosing between 1 and 4 and like someone said, I just have to make a decision and go with it. Lynnag asked if we will be replacing the countertops in the future and the answer is no. I was looking for an inexpensive way to update our kitchen and took on a summer project of painting our cabinets which has turned into a fall project!

I'm probably too late for opinions BUT I love my glass backsplash I have now behind my stove- A quick swipe is all it takes to keep it spotless. We are now building a house and I have picked some great stainless penny tiles for behind the stove which will match the stainless countertops and some appliances. I know they will also be easy to clean as I have had stainless tiles before. I'm not a fan of anything with crud-attracting texture so make sure whatever you pick is smooth. Also, always stick up a sample to 'test'- some tiles picked with your nose against it, can overwhelm OR completely disappear when installed. Think of the whole picture!

I like the top sample

If you are thinking inexpensive, why not consider no backsplash at all? (Gasp!) Paints today are very washable and your type of stove catches a lot of splashes before they even hit the wall. So may kitchens are visually ALL ABOUT THE BACKSPLASH, which is often too much of a wow factor, IMO, and can hopelessly date a space. The backsplash tile is expensive to redo, while fresh paint is a cheap, fun, immaculate new look. Take the $$ you'll save and do something grand elsewhere the room -art, light fixtures, killer barstools, whatever.

The fourth one gets my vote. I like easy to wipe clean material in kitchens which is why I have stainless steel countertops and a patterned stainless backsplash. No grout lines!

I like the third, but am considering for our own something like this.

You mention you cannot change the countertops "at the moment". If you think you may be changing out the countertop at some point... go with paint for the time being until you can change the countertop or decide that you will keep it as is. Patience :) It's easy enough to add tile backsplash later if you decide to keep existing countertop, BUT if you add backsplash now, you will live with the existing countertop even if you don't want it because you have installed new backsplash. If you are determined to put in backsplash now, I like #1... you mention the "rustic" feel to your house and #1 seems to fit that the best of the 4 options (plus I like it the best anyway).

P.S. I agree with the mention of removing the existing 4" black backsplash and tiling all the way down to countertop!

I would save my money for countertops. Backsplash and install labor is not cheap, especially when you consider that it will all be destroyed when new counters are installed, Sorry, but none of the samples really looks good with the black. Love many of them with the new beautiful cabinets.

Take your time and do it right, I think you'll be happier in the end.

Will definitely remove the 4 inch backsplash. Kjlima - The backsplash install labor is free thanks to the hubby! We don't want to spend the money on new countertops as the existing one is in fine condition although not something I would pick. It was here when we moved in. Just wanted to do an inexpensive mini makeover to brighten up the kitchen.

number one will be hard to clean if not sealed, I know because I clean houses and one of my clients did not seal the same type of tile and not easy to clean off cooking grease or tomato sauce .

Goodness - sometimes I think asking for help on this forum might make the job of deciding even harder - with all the different opinions you get!! There are some good points though. Personally I like number 1 and number 4 but would probably go for number 4 because of practicality and I think the slightly darker colours would blend with the bench tops well. I think numbers 2 and 3 would look too 'shiny' with a rustic look.

In the photos, #1 looks really fake--like manufactured stone. And if you have under-cabinet lights, it'll look even more fake.

#4 is much more natural.

I'll go for tile #2 with 4" splash removed and tile installed vertical - with undercounter lights on dimmers.

Regarding Judy Woods' concern about 4" granite backsplash removal. We removed a 4" backsplash not without some considerable effort. It was adhered to the wall as well as counter and a small layer of backer board came off with it in a few places, but nothing that couldn't be repaired before tiling. We kept the black granite countertop and none of it was damaged. Also, grout isn't used where tile backsplash meets counter. Our contractor used a matching silicone caulk that will not crack if house settles. I believe it was a Laticrete product that also makes/sells the matching grout. Good luck with your project!

Marietta37...thanks for your input. I do tiling myself, so if some of the drywall comes off with it, no problem. My big concern is damage to the countertop, as I could not match (15 yrs., Juperana Gold) and the countertops are in 9 ft. slabs. I may just take my brothers advice, and tile above the 4" granite backsplash. I'd really just be doing this to keep house updated...when I do go to sell, don't want to be beat up price wise, for outdated kitchen! Thanks again. J

Number 1 is the most rustic choice as the other 3 contain glass, which is trendy and more contemporary. If 1 matches your paint, I agree with you.

I like #2, as well. We seem to be in the minority, but I think it's interesting and sleek. It's a little bolder - that's what I like. Good luck. These decisions are always so hard.

Use 3 x 6 white tiles. Easy to clean and timeless. If you paint the cupboards a different shade, say blue or grey or a different white, the white tile will go with anything, and it will make the kitchen look bigger. plus less grout and easier to clean.

White subway tile is cheaper to buy/install and take off if you want to change counters. Usually changing the counters is a better investment that spending hours on the backsplash that will have to come off anyway when changing counter tops. If you put up a busy backsplash before choosing at least the counter top design, you will waste your money, as it easier to have the counter design chosen before installing backsplash. White subway tiles for your space will have a high light glaze, and will cost you around 200 dollars maximum, and a lot easier to install, and a lot less cutting

All of these "bar" type back-splash stone/tile look dated and boring. Why not a neutral (white, off-white, beige) glazed tile in an interesting shape? Not subway. An arabesque tile would look nice.

Lisa Fields- to answer your question about painting the cabinets - I removed all the doors, wiped them down with TSP, sanded, used a spray primer on each side and then 3 coats of Benjamin Moore Advance paint on both sides. It has been quite a project but I am taking my time so I can do it right. I am happy with the results so far and can't wait to finish!

I also like #2 even if it is in the minority. It will add a nice sparkle! How can you go wrong with some sparkle?

.....sparkle ....is tacky

I've had my tumbled travertine 2 x 2 basket weave backsplash for about four yrs. it is very textured. There is no grout to deal with as you would have with subway tile. I use DuPont replenisher / cleaner which is the same spray the tile store said to use about monthly on my granite. Just spray it on I wipe off behind the cooktop with a kitchen towel if I've fried on back burners or something like that but generally I guess I'm not as messy as some who post fear over stone backsplashes. I'd rather have that than waterspots and fingerprints all day everyday.

Pictures 1 & 4 look nice. You could also go for a glass mosaic backsplash. They were great in wet areas like bathroom, kitchen, pools and fountains:

ljksen - that is encouraging to hear as I really do like the look of the stone.

I vote # 4.

Before you buy the glass tile, read some of other poster's stories about the glass appearing to have a green tint once it was installed.

This is just an update to my original post. We chose the stone backsplash and I am happy with the choice. So far no problems with it getting greasy behind the stove. See before and after pics.

Looks beautiful! Great choice!