As I come to the end of my kitchen remodel, I'm no longer interested in the opinion of the subs! This is just personal preference, get what you love. Try to find photos of both options and decide which you prefer. I think both are lovely and your kitchen looks beautiful so far!

I just went thru this EXACT SAME DELEMIA but, with a much different choice. I ended up going "solid" surface and used the same marble for my backspace as my countertops. VERY pricey but, my heart's desire in the end!

Now, just waiting for the marble fabricator to cut and install!

For you, you have chosen tile and not knowing your TOTAL desired design look limits any detailed advise. However, I am a TRADITIONALIST so, that said here is my personal opinion on the subject of backsplash tile...

The "larger" tile; as you deem it, is closer to a "true" subway tile LOOK and will offer you a good, TIMELESS visual.

SUBWAY TILES WERE CREATED SOMETIME IN THE LATE 1800's and have been revamped thru time since then. I have them in two of our baths at the lake house and LOVE the timeless look!

Moving on, I personally do not care for the "crackle" look of the "longer" tile but, that is MY personal preference. You need to ASK yourself that same question?

For under the hood you could get very creative and add a "mosaic" (not color) of these two tiles in any design of your choosing! Even just using the "longer" tiles to box in a section of the "larger" tiles would make that area stand out and look more interesting!

I know these are agonizing decisions you will have to live with HOURLY / DAILY for years and years to come! You are wise to talk it out and ask for advise

Good luck and God bless! :-)

I would do the thinner subway; it's a higher end look than the usual subway size. The thinner one also looks richer in tone than the other.

I much prefer the taller, fatter tile vs. the skinnier tile.

would anyone do a pattern underneath my hood area? It's quite small and I thought using the same tile in the entire kitchen would look best but I do like patterns some have used.

Do you mean doing a pattern with your field tile? If so, a herringbone or chevron beneath the hood would work. Some people don't like them at all, no matter what tile is used.

it seems like you are really drawn to the 2x6 tile. Remember, this is your kitchen. If the 2x6 is what you love then go for it. Both tiles look great but at the end of the day you want to feel at home in YOUR kitchen, not the contractor's! If anything I think you could do the 3x5 tiles on the main backsplash and use the smaller tiles under the hood. This will give your kitchen some visual interest and will make the kitchen uniquely yours.

You are doing a great job! I think the 2x6 looks really interesting and nice scale with all the windows and cutouts you have. I wouldn't recommend a specific pattern under the hood as with the way your kitchen is coming together it will look busy. You can add interest with your kitchen accessories and decorative lighting. Great work!

I would keep it consistent, it makes more of a statement this way. Here's a project where we did an alternating pattern (of the same size) but you can still get an idea of how it could look.

Either size will be fine. I am concerned about the various cuts under the microwave.......Is that finished? It does not look like a professional job.