Software
Houzz Logo Print
prtymdrn

I can’t decide on backsplash tile!!!

6 years ago
Hey guys! So I’ve finally started renovating my home and I’ve started on the kitchen. I’ve chosen gray shaker cabinets and stellar white quartz countertops with matte black pulls and matte black fixtures including the sink. I’m having the most difficult time selecting a backsplash. I’ve spent so much time looking at different tile and bringing home several samples and can’t decide. I want to keep the kitchen modern and neutral in the event I go to sell it but I also want it to match my modern industrial design. Any suggestions?? I keep leaning towards subway tile but it’s very common. I need help!!!!! I’ve attached a few pictures. Disregard the mess, still renovating.

Comments (30)

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Any other suggestions? I’m open to other tile outside of the samples pictured
  • 6 years ago

    Harlow Picket.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/MSI-Harlow-Picket-12-in-x-12-in-x-8mm-Glass-Metal-Stone-Mesh-Mounted-Mosaic-Tile-9-90-sq-ft-case-SGLSMT-HARPK8MM/300051511?msclkid=5635733cd82d14d3feda2f67a591cf5b&cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD23%7C23-6_FLOOR_AND_WALL_TILE%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000041500725%7c58700004424953128%7c92700038663516286&gclid=CJGdwdqwqOACFdaHxQIdSM8Gww&gclsrc=ds


    You really have to see it in person to see the texture and lights to it. Stone, glass and brushed metal. Just put this in my kitchen and I LOVE IT. My contractor also loved it and and is installing it in his own bathroom.


    Here it is installed in my kitchen:



  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Wow Jamie! That looks awesome. I think I’ve seen this sample but it looks completely different installed. Your kitchen is gorgeous!
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Beautiful job on your kitchen. I have a interesting tile I think you might like. Brb.
  • 6 years ago

    I agree with renovator, the one on the right.

  • 6 years ago
    Yes to Jamie’s tile! Nice kitchens, both of you.
  • 6 years ago

    We also installed it sideways from the way it is normally shown

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Harlow picket is too busy. I like the OP's original picket better.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    What do you guys think of a larger glass subway tile on a stacked design?
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Tiffany, As soon as I saw your Kitchen I thought a few

    of our designs immediately that would work wonderfully in your Kitchen.




  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Tiffany-sorry the tile i was after is no longer available but here is a look you could get with white subway laid in a unique manner with light gray grout.
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Icon Building Group, I absolutely LOVE the chevron one. Where can I find it?
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Flo Mangan, I love that one too, but do you think it would be too busy?
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    The chevron is actually much busier looking. To lessen impact go with matching white grout. That would be interesting but low keyed.
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    oh lord in heaven, please, please, no white subway tile! And really, there isn't one person who won't buy your place solely because of the backsplash! So don't worry about the next buyers. Get what YOU want to look at in YOUR kitchen. The backsplash is an easy fix.


    Ok, now, lets pick something stunning for your space. I love the rustic look wood floors and the more modern cabs/counters.


    One more thing, can we lose those mini blinds and get you a nice roman blind, woven wood or a solar shade?


    I'm also going to mention your dark wood shelves. what you have is more traditional and colonial looking. how about we find a better fit for you?

    These. this style, stain color, would look way better. you can make these yourself and not have to spend a lot. go to a lumberyard and look for 1 or 2" thick board made of oak, maple or walnut, and cut them to size. sand and stain.

    I put up teak shelves in my shower and bought a 6' board that I could cut for two pieces.


    Instead of putting yours on brackets (which just clutter the space) float them on lag bolts set into the studs of your wall. Piece of cake to do now since you don't have tile up yet. Look at these bolts on the wall of my shower. you would drill holes in the back of your wood shelf and slide them on these 'bolts' that you've set in the studs of your wall (the head part of the bolt gets cut off so it can slide into the hole of the wood). Make sense?


    see how much nicer these look?




    if you have to go w/a bracket, then try something like this. (I think Ikea has this type. you could spray the metal portion a matte black to match your faucet)


    Don't like how long these brackets extend. the floating option or the shorter brackets look better.

    Any chance you could wire that spot for a sconce over the shelving?




    Here's a little photo shop to show you the shelving, a sconce, hex tile (which would be taken all the way to ceiling) and a roman blind.



    It's hard to photo shop at an angle! If you want some other ideas, give me a photo looking straight at the wall, and make sure it's level from side to side. I can try out some other window dressing and tile for you.


    Oh, and I have at least 50 other tile choices for you. let me put them in a new comment.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Omg Beth, I LOVE your feedback!! I was definitely going to do the shelves as I had them before the renovation in the exact same spot. I’m replacing the blinds with 2” faux wood. I’m liking the white chevron. Give me more ideas! I’m also repainting the living room white and buying new furniture to tie it all in. Take a look and tell me your thoughts.
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Oh don't paint that blue wall! I love that. And I'm not hating the yellow back door! But you could redo that one in a pale blue/gray if you like.

    But, I actually like that blue. (or, do a black or a charcoal). the other walls can go all white, but leave a little color!

    In fact, if you left that blue color on the wall, this blue/gray/green glaze on these pickets would tie in w/that and your cabinet color.



    do you know what kind of furniture you're buying ?

    you don't have a large space to tile, so can you splurge a little?

    No white chevron. do you like this gray w/white grout? (your wood shelves will look better than this white)


    I love these CleTiles in the 4x4 (but I'd do an offset pattern. and these come in great colors!) (Tilebar has a similar ceramic tile in Gin)

    another from Cle. 3" hex Zellige




    This marble chevron is pretty


    Ignore the white tiles. what about the blue and gray glass tiles or a cement tile?

    this one below is Heath ceramics.


    a type of iridescent glass tile? they come in many shapes, but the penny round is a nod to mcm type of vibe. oh, and these come in a black iridescence that is beautiful!



    you don't have to do this blue, this comes in neutrals of grays, whites, etc.

    I love the blue pickets and the gray chevron (both from Encore Ceramics)


    so far,,,any of these do anything for you? I have more but you need to narrow it down

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I’m going to say subway. I agree it is common but it’s also pretty timeless.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    A couple more ideas. A herringbone marble. Stacked long, narrow white tiles. Different shape white or some other colors?
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Beth, I’m really considering a tan leather sofa or soft gray sofa. I really love simplistic, modern furniture or MCM furniture. I’m a huge fan of west elm. I was considering the sofa below with a white and gray distressed rug like the one under the bed at west elm. I love a neutral pallet with pops of color but not too much. I’m really drawn to every one’s chevron and herringbone suggestions. However, all the ones I see in the store appear to be busy, but that could probably change once installed with white grout.
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Flo Mangan, I’m loving the marble herringbone. I’m liking the stacked subway tile, but do you think it will easily become dated over time? I’ve been really considering that type of layout.
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Tiffany - first I love the caramel leather with the dark blue walls! Scrumptious! On the topic of "dated" everything gets dated in today's fast paced world, and backsplash styles live about 5 years and then we move on. So, go with what pleases you most. I think the herringbone is lovely, but with your kind of minimalistic styling desires, the stacked subway would last longer, IMO. But I do love the herringbone as well. The only thing with the marble is you have to personally select every sheet so you get the whitest look you want. There is a wide variation typically, so keep that in mind. In other words, it will be more costly and more difficult to get a tiler who can handle this material properly. You don't have that much backsplash so, pretty much a personal choice. Hope that helps.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Ok guys, so I love this concept. I’m not married to these colors but I love the glass tile and the design. What do you guys think?
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Or this one? Can someone tell me the name of this type of tile?
  • 6 years ago

    For your space, I like a light (white, preferably glass) tile in a fun shape/pattern. Maybe a light gray or blue would work, but I wouldn't go darker than that in your space. I like the last pattern you posted (I don't know the name), chevron, hexagon, or even stacked "subway" so long as it is longer than 3x6. I don't think you have enough space to use more than one type of tile -- keep it simple.

  • 6 years ago





    If you go with a subway I would go high gloss & I wouldn't go 3x6. You don't want something overwhelming since it will cover such a large area. You want to add texture without giving your self a headache when you look at it.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    Check out tilebar.com. And the hand made ones too.
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Tiffany, that backwards installed chevron tile is from the SoHo line. (you can do it with any chevron tile. you just place them back to back for this pattern. Obviously they can't be on a sheet, it has to be individual tiles)

    same tile can give you this look




    ParkPlace chevron tile

    picket style

    as for the vertical glass tile, I like it. for the entire space. I wouldn't do the horizontal pattern with it.

    Lunanda Bay 'watercolor' glass tile

    Elevations


    and tilebar has the Komorabi in 12 diff colors. I love these

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Sorry for the delayed response, It Looks like the exact tile we used has been discontinued....but this one is close

    https://www.flooranddecor.com/stone-decoratives/skyfall-chevron-marble-mosaic-100248483.html