Large format tiles are not appropriate for a backsplash, as you already know--they just don't fit well in an 18" high area. The installation photos on Porcelanosa's website show them on the entire wall, from floor to ceiling. If you want no grout lines, use the same material as your counter top. If you want tiles, use smaller rectangles, like 3 x 6, 2 x 6, 4 x 8, 2 x 8, etc. Or do very small mosaics on a mesh backing.

I'd try to return them--did the salesperson know what you were going to do with them? If yes, and she or he did not dissuade you from purchasing them, you may have a good reason for the return. If you absolutely can't return them, maybe have the tile installer cut them into smaller sizes?

One approach would be to mount the tile vertically. One tile would then cover two thirteen inch wide by 18 inch high areas. You lose 4 inches of of each tile as scrap. That would be preferable to installing the tile horizontally, centered between the countertop and cabinets with two narrow strips on the top and bottom of the tile.

Not for a backsplash. Return them or find somewhere else for them. They will never look right.

Here are some pics I found. Do you think I can have them cut lengthwise in half into 6"x40" and make it work?

Acrylic - European Laminate Modern Kitchen · More Info

Modern Kitchen in New Menlo Park Home · More Info

Sophisticated Modern Home | Kitchen · More Info

Hilltop House | Grand Vista Subdivision · More Info

No. return them. Buy an appropriate tile and use matching grout. Have a PRO install that too. Yours were meant for a floor. Forty inches is absurd on a back splash.

Believe it or not, on Porcelanosa's website they are wall tiles! But they are meant for a full wall, not an 18" backsplash.

What was your original plan for install? Stack or offset installation? What is the overall style for space? These answers will help to figure out if those tiles are the right ones for your space.

You can do some layouts in your space to see how it'll work. Have a tile cut in 6" or so widths depending on grout width. And cut one to run it vertically. Cut another to run an accent strip in the center.

Thank you for all your responses. Gives me lots to to think about. The overall style of the house is more contemporary.

Background-I have to buy a whole new slab for the back splash if I want to use the counter top material and wanted to save some money by going the tile route, but still try to minimize the grout lines. Also I was hoping for some contrast in between the counter top and white cabinets and also tie in the dark lower cabinets. We are using professional installers. My bathrooms are all done already with tile from Porcelanosa and the guy has done a good job of it. I think I need to go back and talk to Porcelanosa about my options (I am right at the 45-day mark for returns/exchanges). The lady who helped me pick my bath tiles was busy that day and hence directed me to another person who agreed this would work on the back splash and i just went with it! Perhaps I should have waited to be 100% sure. It was when the bath tiles were being installed that I learned more about the whole process of laying out the tiles and began to wonder if the backsplash was gonna work in the current size! Well, better late than sorry I guess. Just want to go back to the store more educated about my choices and see what works best.

Skippack Tile & Stone I was thinking stacked. What about using a row of full tiles and then a second row of tiles cut to fit the rest of the space, separated by say a metal deco trim or some such...that way still keep it clean, but incorporate the grout line with an embellishment sort of as if it was part of the design? Or is that too bathroom-like? Also not sure how that will flow in the whole space, especially since there is tiling needed under the windows.

Sophisticated Modern Home | Kitchen · More Info

The above pic is probably the exact tile I have picked! If you c to the right of the pic, they have used the tile as is I guess with the full tile at the bottom and the top row has been cut to fit under the top cabinets. Is that such a bad look?

I will also talk to the tile installer and see what formats he can suggest since he is the one ultimately having to execute it. He has been busy and unable to come out for this purpose, and in the meanwhile, I want to have my options ready!

Also, can you suggest any other tile options for a backsplash with my cabinet/countertop colors? Preferably from Porcelanosa. The countertop is CS London Grey shown below. It probably looks a bit grayer in real life than in this pic.

Thank you for all your suggestions thus far.

Must you use tile? How about glass or laminate backsplash? Completely groutless. Tile is old fashioned in the kitchen anyway, it is mainly for looks if you want a quaint look.

Have your electrician back to do Plugmold under the cabinets. I don't think outlets are going to look right in your backsplash.

I do think you need a different tile (or different wall treatment altogether) for the backsplash. Perhaps use the big tile behind the range and paint everywhere else.

Since your bathrooms are already done, could you use this as an accent wall in your laundry room? There must be another option for a kitchen back splash...this tile size seems to be fighting the space you chose it for.

Agreed on the plugmold ^^ (and on Fori's take on the forum).

To the OP: ALL of your inspiration photos show cabinets that are much more contemporary in style than your cabinets, which appear much more traditional given the rail/stile construction. While that tile is gorgeous, to my eye it just doesn't fit the style of your space.

Stacked works; without knowing your measurements I would center the tile at the stove area and go from that point. You can also use the window as a guide where the bottom row will be cut in line with the bottom portion of the window sill.

Tems, I asked about that and it wasn't recommended by my contractor for use behind my cooktop.

PLugmold- explored that too and it doesn't work in certain areas like the necessary outlets near the sink by our city code. Decided not to bother with a mix of plugmold and regular outlets since the purpose of a clean backsplash was overall defeated. Also while exploring that, I realized that the plugmold is visible from farther out and didn't care for that look.

I exchanged it for this one:

https://www.porcelanosa-usa.com/products/jamaica-nacar.html

Hopefully that will work. Thank you all for your advice.

Nice choice, imo.

I like large tile for backsplash and am doing the same for the same reason, I couldnt get a third slab they didn't have one. I got 24x24 and I'm paying to have a professional install as it's tricky. So far looks lovely! Sizing to space properly is critical I found out from my tiler and he was right. If you have found your perfect tile, you can make it work well. If it's just ok, then I would send it back and look at long narrow floor tiles, or 24x24 or bigger to get your look. That is just what I finished going through. Now I'm stumped on tile for my fireplace..

@sandra martin- we are in same situation. Would love to see how a 24*24 tile looks as a backsplash