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All are too small for my taste. Consider also that you have a backsplash. If you aren't going to take that out, paint and use accessories to give interest.

Those tiles are all so small. They look like bathroom tiles or accent tiles, not made for complete backsplashes. You'll need a larger size tile, otherwise your backsplash will look too busy and have too much grout and then you'll lose the overall look.

I do think that the colors you're going with are good options for your counter and cabinets though.

None of those. Choose an off-white subway tile and it keep it timeless and classic. Your backsplash should not be the focal point of you room - your focus should be all the personal things that make it home for you. The backsplash should be neutral and non-offensive and a backdrop to everything else going on. You need to remove that 4" kickback at the back of the countertop too, that's never a good look unless you just paint above it. In 5 years, you won't like any of those little tiles and if you sell your house it'll be the first thing they pull out as nobody else is going to want it either. Keep it timeless and classic with white subway.

I agree, off-white subway tiles, and remove the counter-top-backsplash if you're going to tile above.

If you're really attached to the tiles you've chosen, you might be able to work them in as an accent-- a 3" wide strip at 2/3 up, for example-- but having them as the entire backsplash wil probably not produce the look you're thinking of!

I like #5 the best. I like the squares in general rather than the rectangles.

Yes on off-white subway tile.

You could try a rectangle glass tile (2" x 12")

- We recently did something like this in our office kitchen and it turned out stunning.

I agree with Jarret Interior - Glass subway tile! But if you like the smaller tile look, it's your kitchen :) I'd say go with #2.

When I see a question on what small mosaic looks best and the answers are - white subway tile - I feel like its the same as if I asked, should I paint my room red or orange and the responses are "beige."

If you're adding tile, remove the counter top back splash. I agree with the others: the tile options are too small for a kitchen but the colors are beautiful.

I would remove the 4'' backsplash before installing the tile.

My contractor talked me into putting the 4" solid backsplash in - we just installed the counter last week :-(.

I hate subway tile - something about the shape makes me feel depressed - weird I know. I think it goes back to some old houses I was in as a kid that had it... and they were old and kind of sad/creepy houses. I might be talked in to a 4" square or something, but I feel like the counter is very plain, the cabinets are fairly simple, and something with a little more detail would look better.

Here's a BEFORE picture. The counters were a light blue. Mosaic tile wasn't in then, but I've always loved mosaic, so I made my own. (They refinished the cabinets, and they came out a little darker.)

I like the idea of a mosaic, you just need to choose a larger tile. The one inch tiles are just too small.

Use the small tiles as an accent but go with something larger as your field tile.

are you removing the 4 inch backsplash you now have?

Why do you need a backsplash?!?

Once the cooktop goes back in (where the wooden shelf is sitting now), the wall isn't going to stand up that well to cooking spatters. I'd probably have to scrub and repaint constantly.

I like #3, for the colors and lightness, with #2 my second choice (more for counter match and drama). #4 and 5 are my least favorite.

Do what you want. Plenty of kitchens have mosaic backsplashes, and it will probably make you feel like you made a jazzy space out of your old cabinets. Party on!

If it has to be between those 6, then #2 or 6 or even 1.

Thanks for all the feedback. Think I'll live with it a little bit, but in the meantime frame an art print (under glass) and hang there. Something kind of colorful

Ooooohhh, just found out they can print this on metal. Wonder how that would hold up?

I mocked that up - I think I like it!!! Thanks everyone for the input - you probably all helped steer me away from a poor decision. Even if I get tired of this, or it doesn't work right, it will be easy to change later. Here's my mockup:

Love it!

Small tiles can be beautiful in a neutral kitchen! Good luck and follow your heart!

if you like that look, why don't you do a slate backsplash? it would look great w/your colors and wood.

Beth I love slate, but I'm concerned that it would pick up grease behind the cooktop.

Yes, the counter people always want you to get the 4 inch backsplash so they can hide any imperfections in their measurements. Did he mention all the bad things that could happen if you didn't have it?

When you decide on a tile for the backsplash remove the 4 inch. The space between counters and cabinets is small. Why divide it into two different types of materials? So much cleaner without the 4".

The 4 inch tiles look like bathroom tiles.

For the original question: 2 and 3 are my favorites.

For the new question of hanging art: I just found a webservice the other day that prints ceramic tiles, so you could have them put that on any size tile you want if that's something you're into.

123 that would be really cool if they could split the art over multiple tiles, but doesn't look that way.

Yeah I think you would have to divide the picture yourself and order separate pieces. I figured you might just want it as a single large tile to frame in the backsplash instead of hanging it as a picture, and that could be really cool.

Anne, I've had slate on my kitchen floor for 10 years. It cleans up beautifully after you put on a good penetrating sealer. I treat it maybe once a year.

You should go with a slate backsplash