have you considered any other material besides tile?

I'd go in the gray direction, pretty light, rather than that creamy tan. Look for something a bit speckled, like a concrete-look tile, so not every fleck of dust will stand out.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Corso-Italia-Alpe-Graphite-12-in-x-24-in-Porcelain-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-15-5-sq-ft-case-610010002399/308736405

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MSI-Cotto-Grigio-12-in-x-24-in-Glazed-Porcelain-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-16-sq-ft-case-NHDCOTGRI1224/205852995

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MONO-SERRA-Vega-Grigio-12-in-x-24-in-Porcelain-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-667-20-sq-ft-pallet-8697/308984273

Obviously, bring home some samples -- it's hard to judge light and dark, as well as color tones, from a computer monitor. I just pulled a few inexpensive options from the first two search pages.

Branson- a friend suggested vinyl tiles and just putting them over the current tile because we don’t plan on living here long. Also our cabinets were placed on top of the current tiles, so the labor to cut the tiles around the cabinet and Island is adding to the cost.

acm - thank you! I like those options and must have missed them at my Home Depot (or my store didn’t carry them). I think those or a little lighter would look nice!

The plain tile would be hard to keep clean. Have you thought of wood look porcelain tile? It has a "neutral" pattern and comes in a large variety of sizes, colors and "types" of wood. I have it throughout my house and it's easy to maintain. You could find one to match the beige and grey tones in your counter.

We had tiles quite like these and they are not difficult to keep clean. Just don't wait weeks to clean... Same amount of dirty whether wood look or white or wood floor or vinyl. Just a sweep and a quick mop.

Thank you live_wire_oak ! Very similar to the tile we have as our first choice but I think I like the one you suggested better! I went to Lowe’s but didn’t see that one. This is the close up of the tile we have as our first choice right now:

Lizziesma - glad to hear you haven’t had a hard time keeping tile like that clean. It’s my biggest worry!

If the color changes my advice would be to change your bulbs to LEDs in 4000K range before choosing anything. I agree all stuff gets dirty the white stuff just tells you when.Be awre when adding tile on top of tile many things become an issue the first being you will not be able to remove the DWif you need service or a new one unless you have enough space to put the tile under it and still not interfere with the counter. It is usually best to remove the tile and then retile, yess it is ahassle but IMO the best way to do this. While you are at it what is the flooring in the spaces next to the kitchen maybe think about the same in the kitchen.

Patricia Colwell thank you, I should change these lights! Thank you for your advice!

Tile 2 was our original choice , picked up some additional choices! Would Any of these work?

Close ups!

Another view

I like #1 or #2. Since it is for a floor, make sure you look at the slipperiness rating (not sure what it is called).

#1 or #2 would be perfect. Lay them length-wise to the room. If you could do 24x24 (which would look like this

or 12x24, it would look better. 12x24 have to be laid in a 1/3rd (or less) offset. Like this:

or you could do a stack layout if there is no cupping or bowing of the tiles

these are a 8x36

BTW, if you go to an actual tile store, it can offer more choices and be cheaper. you're paying Lowes to be the middleman since they will order the tile from the same place you could go!

Sometimes tile stores will have sales on lots that are leftovers.

also check floor and decor and even Craigslist. people sell off leftover tile on there all the time.

12 x24 tile can be laid stacked too with no issues.

Thank you Beth H, lopipopi and Patricia! We are still going back and forth between 1 and 3, but we are now leaning towards tile #1 especially in the natural daylight.

I think 1 looks best. the more linear pattern compliments the countertop.

Thank you so much Beth H!