Can you step away and take a photo that includes of the kitchen along with the flooring. Do you have under the cabinet lighting?

Need to see your floor, too! If there are any tile stores open in your area, go there and look at their displays. Or even a big box store. Google “backsplash white kitchen” to see if you can find any inspiration pictures.

I’m guessing the backsplash tile are similar to the floor.

Ladykate, I would try to match the white in your cabinets, it will be difficult to find a tile that coordinates with your granite.

ETA we posted together and it was as I thought.

When you redo, I would skip the side splash.

You know, if this is the only area for tiles, you could do black. I am not usually a fan of backsplashes, but in your case it might work.

Please do the lighting first. You will want to see backsplash options in the correct light that it will be viewed in...and maybe nice bright under-cabinet lighting might perk up your backsplash enough that you can live with it.

OK, I would do a tile that is the same color as your cabs, and a darker grout. Do you love the island color? It doesn’t appear to go well with the granite, but it could be that my monitor is not showing colors well.

On my monitor your cabinets look like they are creamy with a yellow undertone rather than white? You might want to consider a very dark gray or black. But if you do, you need the cabinet lighting. And because of the busyness of the floor and granite, probably don't want to go with too much of a contrasting grout that will highlight the lines of the tile.

Have you looked at anything yet?

I haven’t started looking yet. Houzz is my first stop to gather some ideas. I’m afraid I’m going to have to change the counter top 😩 which that plus backsplash can be expensive. Err

Hi Kate. The good news is that you have options, and anything that looks less like your floor tile will be a win. I think you are looking for a glazed ceramic tile in a white that matches your cabinets, or (based on what I can see of your counter material) a medium gray. The classic subway shape in a larger format would be great, as would a lantern or an ogee shape. This is Fireclay Tile, not budget friendly, but it gives you an idea of colors and shapes that could work.

Should I repaint my cabinets?

No need to repaint your cabinets. They aren't causing a problem.

I don't mind your paint colors.

was it you I just convinced to get new lighting? (if it wasn't, it was someone w/a similar kitchen!)

If you have 4000K light bulbs in there, you should be good.

Ok, your granite looks like Baltic Brown (or Dakota Mahogany) granite. It was very popular back in the 90's. not so much now.

I wouldn't even think about doing a white tile w/this. There is no white in the granite. You could do a taupe, gray or black. maybe a cream, but no white. Travertine is a very popular tile choice w/this granite because of the taupe color in that natural stone.

this is from Tilebar. Manchester Dove, 3x12.

or, a few other color choices. Bottom Lt, Newport 2x10 in Hibiscus, middle, warm charcoal glass tile, Rt, Cloe in Gray. top Lt, Cloe-white, middle-Kiln ceramic 2x8, and top is Loft Frosted in Sand.

But, if you want to keep those modern handles, then I'd prob do the elongated picket in a matte finish. just like this one. With the warm gray grout, some wood cutting boards,,,,In fact, This is the winner for me!!

Yep. I like this one best

instead of black hardware, maybe look at the ORB,

and less modern style. try these cup pulls or handles like this one:

you said you're doing under cabinet lighting, so doing a glossy black tile with a gray or creamy grout color would really look nice. You could even paint your island more of black color, like this Iron Ore color, and I think it would work better

Then I wold find a salvage wood door for your pantry. (try a Restore/Habitat humanity, or a Architectural salvage store. they have millions of doors to choose from)

I think the vintage look and warm wood tone really adds some depth to the kitchen.

paired with a new tile splash, and it would look pretty darn good!

Add a runner like this, w/some black or gray. Oh, I love the style handles above^

Or this black runner. (this is actually my kitchen)

If you do plan on painting the island, then add some simple trim work to the end panels to give more of a finished look

floor and decor has this off white/gray tile

However, if you want to change your granite, let me know and we can do something diff.

@Beth it may have been my post that you convinced to get new lighting. I have a similar color countertop/backsplash. I'm getting glossy black subway 4 X 12 to update my backsplash. The tile guy told me that travertine is not used much anymore. The 4000K lighting made a big difference. OP might want to consider this.

Under counter lighting and see if you still need to replace it 1st. Then if so try a subway in a similar tone to the cabinets to reduce the visual clutter and make the granite stand out.

No, no, I absolutely agree with Kate, the bs should be replaced if you can find the right tile in budget. The problem with the backsplash isn’t the lighting, or even the glaze (which is not great), it’s that it is a 6” (?) square version of the floor tile. All the lighting in the world isn't going to change that.

The next step would be to buy sample tiles and view them in your space in your light. If your cabinets are in poor condition, by all means re-paint them, but if they are not, use that money to effect a better change. What is your budget for this renovation?

Glass tile pieces interspersed with porcelain tile gives a nice 3D effect

There are so many tile stores. We are currently doing a bathroom. Same tile was priced triple the price in two different places. Shop around.

Thank you so much everyone for the tips and suggestions. @Debbie- please show me a pic of your finished product, I’d love to see. @Beth- You’re so amazing for taking the time to go through each detail. I’ve heard that this granite is from the 90’s too. This house was built in 2004 so I’m surprised they didn’t update it ha! I would love to change the granite, but from a cost prospective, I’d like to start at backsplash, lighting and then possibly repaint the island if needed. One of the reasons I painted the cabinets this white color was the brighten up the kitchen, so I’m hesitant to go with a gray BS. What is the backsplash called in this picture? I really like that, but I agree- there isn’t any white in the granite so having a pure white bs is not going to look good. Omg @Beth- I love your kitchen and idea Of changing our hardware to more of the cup pulls in the bronze iron color and wow the salvage door! Yes yes!!! Great call there! So question- what is the backsplash called and overall thoughts here?

Also, let’s say I wanted to change the granite but not spend a ton of money- still have great quality but not the most expensive one, which granite and or quartz would you recommend?

There are many low cost granites. Many people have turned to quartz for even more options.

Since you are keeping your floor, I would look at Giallo Ornamental, light.

Not the dark version. Or Bianco Romano.

It should have some taupe and creams. You can then do a very light taupe backsplash.

Beth H! And several other experts as well here!!

If you keep the same granite, trust @Beth on painting the island darker. She nailed it on my color dilemma. I painted mine SW 7675
Sealskin after she pointed out that I needed a warm dark not a cool dark. I love them now even with my old granite countertops.

lady,, If you want to change out the granite, look into Pre-Fab countertops. they come in granite, quartz, marble, etc. average price is $450 for a 9' countertop. (has a finished square edge). More exotic types go up in price. They even have island pieces. I've done kitchens your size w/pre fabs for under 1800. But, you have to know how to shop and who to hire to cut it. paying in cash will save you a few hundred.

I don't know where you live, but here in Calif there are a zillion stone yards and almost all of them carry the pre-fabs.

Otherwise, you're looking at 1000-2000 a slab for a nice granite (or a regular everyday quartz) Then another 2K or so for fabrication. Ballpark.

If you do all of the demo yourself, including tile splash, you maybe be able to save yourself 600-1000K . Just depends who you hire.

as for keeping Baltic and doing a tile, why don't you pick the very lightest silver gray (instead of going w/the white) in your granite?

this is Calloway from tilebar and it's a soft gray,

or try the Cloe. (it's in that multiple BS picture down below. lower right. the stacked soft gray tile)

If you want a white splash, you'll have to switch out that granite. why don't you take a trim to a stone yard and see what's avail? this way you'll know what the budget needs to be.

@Beth Love the Calloway! @Eld love those granites. I prefer the first one vs the other one.