We do have under cabinet LED lighting, but it doesn't really lighten it up much.

megs1030 - Here are some closeups.

Here is my kitchen with the board I made to pick the tile. I spent several months looking at a million options and opted for simple. I'm anxious for it to get done.

Thanks @Barb! The kitchens do look remarkably alike. Be sure to post pics of the finished product!

Liya, I would not do a bright white tile. look at more of a cream, antique type of white.

The Shadebox in the off-white tones would be beautiful.

So would this 3x12 matte tile from Tilebar. Byzantine Bianco, in a herringbone

below, top is Kiln ceramic in a larger chevron in ivory, below that is Lancaster 3x12 in Ivory, and the 4x4 crackle in Hazelnut. the latter two are also from Tilebar. look over there because you can order 5 samples for $5.

if you want glass, you can't do a white since it will give off a cool, greenish hue. go with this sand color ^ DiscountGlassTileStore, or below, DalTile Horizons in Driftwood. this would be beautiful w/your cabs. has a slight iridescence to them

Also from Tilebar, the Nabi 3x6 in Seawind

I would definitely do something creamy, not bright white. There are a million options. You should be able to grab a sample of something you like at a local tile store and take it back to your house to see how it would look with your counters.

also comes in this reed color (in the larger tile though

2x8

you'd have to get a sample of the reed color since the pics vary.

https://www.tilestoreonline.com/Daltile_Oceanside_Glass_Horizons_GH04_Reed_2_X_8_p/02-gh04281p-s.htm

Here's a close-up of the countertop material (Cambria Quarts: Brownhill):

Please no offense but you have so many appliances out that I have to ask - will it really matter? Your dark backsplash helps these appliances recede a bit. A light one will just make the appliances stand out more. Any way to create a storage solution to cull those? You’d want to see/enjoy your new backsplash !

I would not choose glass tile for your space, or any of the options shown thus far. pick out the lightest color chip, and look for a ceramic tile that harmonizes with that color.

eam44,,I posted 5 tiles w/the exact same color choice of your fireclay tiles. those don't work but yours do? um, ok. you should also tell her that Fireclay will run $35 a sq foot

I have to agree about the appliance overload. Do you use all of them every day? Do you have a WIP for such items?

I cook every day and I love having the convenience of the counter top appliances being close at hand. Besides, the appliances cover up the backsplash :-)

Try putting a lot of them away and take a step back - then decide on the splash. There are a lot of great suggestions posted here. I also agree - no white -too harsh...Also I do have to say your undercabinet lights seem awfully dim...I wonder if there is a higher wattage you could get...

Good luck

I removed some of the appliances and turned the under cabinet lights to full brightness. It's also starting to get dark out, so the lighting is more pronounced that it was earlier

And here it is with all the appliances back:

Hi Beth,

I know you worked so hard on your choices. You see those tiles, and the ones I showed as the same color. They aren’t even close. Not everyone sees color the same way. You know how there are supertasters, and people with great hearing? Some people see color better than others. Don't feel bad about it. You still have a contribution to make.

I have noticed that when you are not openly acknowledged in a thread, you sort of lash out. These threads aren’t actually about you, they’re about the OP.

For some reason I seem to be a repeat target for you. That stops now. There’s no reason for you to mention me in any thread in future. Don’t apologize, just behave better.

eam- huh? simmer down. I don't know why you're getting all riled up. there was no attack on you. you mentioned an off white ceramic tile, like the fireclay options. you said you would choose none of the above choices. odd. since those above choices are exactly like the one you posted. these ''aren't even close" ? seriously? we're talking color, yes?

"For some reason I seem to be a repeat target for you. That stops now. There’s no reason for you to mention me in any thread in future. "

lmao. now that's funny. Especially since your full-on, condescending attack contradicts your exact comment. glass house anyone? I have noticed that when you are not openly acknowledged in a thread, you sort of lash out. These threads aren’t actually about you, they’re about the OP.

now this ^, this is really funny. I lashed out? Show me where I 'lashed out'. please. Hello Pot, meet Kettle.

As for you being a repeat target, your memory must be better than mine because I don't remember having anything to do with you. perhaps you think you're more to me than you really are?? lol

I think if you change the backsplash you're still going to be unhappy. It's your busy granite countertop that is the biggest problem.

Beth, you mentioned the cost of the Fireclay ... that 2x8 Oceanside Glass tile isn't going to be cheap either.

I'll be the first to say that 'yay' what an improvement to cull those appliances and turn on the lights! Makes such a difference!

I think your existing finishes are very cohesive. If you are looking to lighten and brighten I'd say consider painting ONLY the upper cabinets. I am having a hard time seeing a new backsplash as 'paying off' in the long run.

I agree that removing some of those appliances and turning on your under counter lights, your kitchen looks brighter already. I know it's a pain to constantly put away the things we use so often, but it does help make your space look bigger and more functional.

It,s simple a creamy white I.e. The lightest color in your counter and you have a lovely kitchen .

chispa, no it isn't. but it's a specialty glass. But we were talking about the cream subway tiles. tilebar, or even home depot, have the same color for a lot less money than fireclay. That's why I mentioned the price in that comment. have no idea if OP wants to do this on a budget.

A beige subway tile or herringbone will work. I would also paint the walls a different color to break up the brown layers in all the materials.

You can also add glass with interior lighting to break up all the wood.

We just redid the floors, and after we put the baseboards in painting is next. Any suggestions?

You are facing a problem that many have with the Cambria. The creams do not relate to anything in counter. I suspect you chose the brown because that is the only color you could pull from the counter.

Although in theory, the gold colors that Beth has chosen could work, I am not seeing how it would lighten things up.

I would leave what you have.

In a perfect world, a new lighter counter with a light backsplash would be the answer.

Following.

I think I'm starting to agree, to just keep the backspash and turn up the under cabinet lighting, get the walls painted and re-evaluate. Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone!

I have a wood kitchens idea book that might give you some thoughts to consider as you think about your refresh. There are both new and older, refreshed kitchens:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Please just get to a tile store and grab samples of tile you like in the cream / beige families. Until you bring actual samples to your space there is no way for you to make any progress. Pictures of tile are pretty but tell you nothing. Even if you go to Home Depot and buy several loose pieces just to sort out a color that would work - than use that piece as your color reference ...

Good luck - time to get your hands on some tile!

We made our selection for the backsplash, and as you can see it is being installed as we speak. The first photo is with the undercabinet lights off, and the rest are with it on.

I thought the tiles were beige, but they're white?

look into upgrading your bulbs to 4000K temp. I bet they're in the 2700-3000K range now. Way too much yellow going on in there.

under-cab lights are supposed to be task lighting, not candlelit dinner lighting! those are so dim and so yellow! seriously, get new bulbs for them.

Improving lighting always good idea. What grout color are you doing?

Here is a closeup with the light off, and with it on. The last photo is from the box the tile came in.

oh my. big diff. did you use the flash? That's the way the lighting should be all the time.

you want the 4000K temp bulbs everywhere in the kitchen. otherwise, it's too yellow

some give you 3 diff settings

Photos were with no flash.

maybe it's the window throwing it off? the lights just look very yellow. do you know the temp of the bulb that's in the under cab light?

in any case, if it's not 4000K, the dark cabs and yellow tone countertop, will only add to the yellowish cast of the bulbs.

should look like this when turned on. A nice, natural cool tone white

The LED lights are 3000K.

too yellow and too dim. replace them w/the 4000 (the bulbs, not the entire light. or see if your particular light has another setting. some of them come w/warm and cool settings for the bulbs)

Is there any can lights in the kitchen? How many?

On my screen the last three pics from Liya look like entirely different colors...how can anyone be sure in commenting on color?

Would a new pic from much further back.....showing the whole kitchen ...with and without lights be possible?

read from the beginning of the thread btydrvn

The new backsplash looks MUCH better to me, regardless of lighting. Your cabinets look happier and prettier.

btydrvn, NO under cabinet light

AND with under cabinet light

Wow...mission accomplished..this really brightens the space and appears to match the counters perfectly...also blends well with wall color

lol. Well this shot looks nothing like that last shot you posted! So it was probably the window throwing off the camera lighting.

In any case, it really looks much brighter.

my last suggestion for you would be to switch those knobs on the doors to handles. you have such tall cabinet doors, the knobs look too small. getting a 5 or 6" pull would upgrade the look and have it look more proportional.

use the handles that are on the drawers. all you have to do is drill one more hole in the doors. easy.

I might paint the supports under the island countertop to match the wall underneath as they dont match any thing else or add any design detail that needs to be accentuated

Wow, what a difference - nice job on the backsplash!