You have a backsplash, the 4" riser in the back. Will you be taking that off?

If you plan on using tile, it will look much better without that back granite piece.

As far as color, I would find an off-white or cream that matches the cabinets.

That 4" piece along the wall IS your backsplash...I'd live in the house for awhile and then determine if you want to remove that piece and put up a different backsplash. That way, you can test different tiles with the lighting in your kitchen at different times of the day.

Yes the riser is coming off! I don't consider that a backsplash since it doesn't cover the whole space between the counter and granite...

I agree to live there for a bit before doing anything.make sure the lighting is all LEDs in the 3500-5000K range most people like 4000K then and only then do you choose anything .I for sure do not see blue or green working in that space.

We do plan on living there for a bit before deciding. We would like to get some samples first and compare but would at least like a starting point of which direction to go in...

Once you're ready, I would look for a plain, solid-color subway backsplash. Pull the lightest shade from the granite that also blends with the cabinets. You have a lot of pattern in the granite, so I wouldn't want more pattern in the splash.

You might want to chose something that bridges the colors of the granite and cabinet color. I'm making an assumption that you do not want anything contemporary (just a guess). So you might want a tile with texture rather than pattern. This particular tile is from Tile Bar. But I'm sure you could find something similar in your local tile store. Always bring home samples and see them in your space before choosing. As noted in previous post, the lighting makes a huge difference.

If you are going to take the granite off I would honestly wait. Save your money so you can get a nice tile you relly like that will add some character as well as your style to the kitchen and home. There are a lot o great tiles out there now a days and you may fall in love with one that is perfect. So as a professional I would suggest waiting until you re-do your countertops.

Not redoing the counter tops, just removing the 4 inch riser that's on the lower part of the wall.

Oh in that case I would go with a glass tile or a large format tile with some fun patterns. If you do not have a designer go to the tile store. The sales people can help you as some of them did go to school for design.

I'm a simple subway tile girl myself. We got ours at Menards; cheap, easy to get, lots of different sizes. Did I mention cheap and easy to get???

Don't forget to think about what to do at the ends of the tile runs that aren't ending in a corner. We used pencil tiles. Easy to match the colors.

i agree with you (OP), that you don't want a busy tile, since the counter took that position.

you could go the standard way with subway (yawn) or look for something with some interest...

i would not do glass, too modern for your kitchen. i would look to copper or 6x6 tiles to change it up a bit from subway...

i think you can go dark since everything is light, which would give u some contrast.

go get samples and bring them into your space, that's the only way you will know for sure what will go best with your space...

A good place to start is with the colors in the granite -- try matching some of the grays and tans, and/or a cream, and see how they look standing up against the wall. None of those will lead you astray, and each will bring out a different feel in the stone.

With this granite, something "interesting" is the last thing I'd do! You have enough "interesting" going on with your granite. A solid tile in one of the lighter colors in your granite will look very nice. I would avoid anything that "fancies" that up. Less is more...

e acm's comment. I also like Anglophilla's comment, too, howeve just take your time as you might fall in love with something later on. I looked closely into my St. Cecilia granite and found colors I liked. Though my WC are white and BC are Cinnabar I didn't want any more white or red in the kitchen so I picked colors that I liked in the granite and worked with it. I didn't want the "perfect" glass tile that would have matched the counter top perfectly because I didn't want any more burgundy either. I didn't want my tile to reach the bottom of my WC because I like to hang things on the wall. Another wall has only the little glass tiles which have copper. cream, and taupe.

The square beveled, crackeled butterscotch and sage tiles and the pencil tiles have the colors of the granite. I find the colors and feel relaxing. I'm happy. Oh a tiny little note when you remove backsplash to match the tile keep it handy to match paint AND tuck it away for the next homeowner.

I think you are on the right track, try to find a light color from the granite that blends with the cabinets (as others have suggested). Another thought would be to do a fish scale shaped tile or herringbone etc. Basically playing with the shape of the tile while leaving it all one receding color might help it be a little different than the basic subway tile while not being overwhelming. Hope that helps!

Use subway tile which matches a lighter color in the granite..not to match the cabinets, but to go with the counter. Remove the short backsplash first.

Maybe something like this if itsuits countertop.

allen + roth 8-Pack Pearl Ceramic Subway Tile (Common: 3-in x 6-in; Actual: 2.94-in x 5.88-in)

They have this as backsplash as tile too but I like the bigger size it would compliment your kitchen and countertop make it soft aesthetically

https://www.artistictile.com/balkan-beige-pbbmt32

https://www.flooranddecor.com/stone-decoratives/crema-royal-diamond-polished-marble-mosaic-100139070.html

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/elitetile-fractal-3-x-4-porcelain-mosaic-tile-in-white-eml1004.html

I think that if this were my kitchen I would only be happy with a light cream (a little more pale than the cabinets), basic tile. I wouldn't try to match the darker tans or grays -- the overall impression of the counter + cabinets is not gray. I love glass tile but can't really see it in this kitchen.