I am worried that the varying sizing on the interlocking look is dated a bit. With all this in mind, what color grout would you use to really help it be more 2020 vs. 2010?

why do you think grout is going to make this look less dated? it won't.

this is basically what you picked

is it too late to pick a diff tile?

i'd rather see this type if you want the linear look

It is dated. In a large expanse it will look busy. I remember seeing it as an accent strip years ago.

Do you love it, or are choosing it because it’s easy? It checks off the boxes.

Gray to match the bottom, check. White to match the uppers, check.

If you truly love this tile, then I will offer my vote of a gray to blend in.

Please, I think you can do better. You will get amazing help here.

It sound like the kitchen is done. Post a photo and let’s see what else we can come up with.

Emphasizing what others have said. That backsplash is really dated. And even when it was in style more than 10 years ago, there were MANY people who disliked it back then because it is busy, overwhelms a kitchen, makes every other choice in the kitchen difficult, and all those grays are dreary. When you get up in the morning and go to the kitchen first thing on a winter morning, before coffee, is that what you want to see?

Also, I don’t know how the thinking came about that a lot of grays and black and no other color equates to a modern/contemporary look. Somehow that groupthink happened to a lot of people. Though when you look in home design magazines, the modern/contemporary kitchens don’t look like that at all. To the OP - perhaps look online for inspiration pics of backsplashes that provide an opportunity to add a soft color (not multicolor pencil tiles!) to your otherwise monochrome kitchen.

The back painted glass is amazing. Love that!

It basically checked boxes and we were working on a time crunch. I am looking into how to switch things up right now as I have never fully bought into the backsplash. To be honest I didn't ever really like the linear look but when we were looking I kind of disliked everything. Then we had to choose without being able to see anything in person due to the pandemic so I gave up essentially.

I love color and am totally fine with it, but went with the neutrals for now as I have no idea how the rest of the house will look yet for pops of color etc.

Does anyone have thoughts on good vendors for the back painted glass?

back painted glass can cost a bit, so be prepared for that. they come out to measure so that the panels will fit perfectly.

https://www.brookscustom.com/portfolio-view/backpainted-glass-wall-panels/

they use a special paint that's meant for glass

why don't you wait until after the cabinets and countertop go in? There is no rush to getting the tile picked right now. Wait. see how it looks. then decide on a backsplash.

You could always consider doing a glass tile. you get the similar look w/o the price tag

if possible, forget about the linear tile! that's a big no.

I've started the process to hopefully return it. :)

I can definitely wait on the backsplash but thought for some reason it was a requirement for the certificate of occupancy. If I can wait I'm happy to. Perhaps just a glass piece behind the range? We have a 48'' range going in so that may be something worth highlighting if the glass is okay being next to high heat.

there is no way a backsplash is mandatory for occupation! what the heck?!

you could also do glass tiles.

here's a company that does the panels

https://www.brookscustom.com/portfolio-view/backpainted-glass-wall-panels/

https://www.gptglasspaint.com/how-buy-back-painted-glass-backsplash/

they have decorative panels for behind the stove

Etsy sells these

i guess amazon does too! 30x36

I’m thinking a wider glass tile, maybe a light gray it a mixed glass..

check w/one of those companies. maybe they can make you a panel for behind the stove.

you could go that route and just have a short backsplash made from your countertop material. then just paint the wall above that.

Or, wait until everything is stalled (no 4" piece up the back if you're sure you want tile or the glass panel) take some more pictures, come back here, and we can help you with tile.

I'd never have someone pick a tile before seeing what the cabs/counters look like installed.

Okay so here is what I have found - apparently we do need a backsplash for COO and need to figure it out quickly as we are closing in on completion. I will take pics of where we are now tomorrow and post. Glass tiles are totally fine with me too, I just wasn't able to find any during that were great and gave in to the one I posted as it was available.

These are pics of the kitchen, but in someone else's house. Our cabinets wrap around to go on the kitchen sink wall and the range is larger but general gist is the same but with the darker gray bottoms and island.

Thoughts on what I can do quickly? Thank you guys so much!

wait, why is a backsplash needed to close? tiles are purely decorative and have nothing to do w/safety. (unless they mean you need something behind the stove. in that case just get a piece of stainless steel)

That would be like them saying you have a hang a piece of artwork above your fireplace mantle or you need drapes on your windows to close.

btw, in the picture you showed, there is a 4" piece up the back. if you want tile, do not get that piece installed

I found one of those linear mosaic tiles that don't look too bad. these are all very pale whites/grays

all white random linear bar glass

you could buy a simple 2x8, 3x9 or 2x10,3x12 subway tile in white, gray or any other color you like

get a 2x8 tile and install it vertical in an offset

here's a darker gray3x12 tile
glass tile in stacked layout. looks a bit more modern.

gray and white cabs w/a white or a pale blue glass tile in a regular layout.

4x4 white

gray chevron

ceramic, hand made look tile, done in a 90 degree herringbone layout.

Check out glass tiles. They’re modern and easily found in most tile places. Or a marble tile, if you don’t mind the maintenance. That certainly combines white and grey in every shape and size.

Apparently it is needed so water doesn't ever get behind it, otherwise I need to do the 4'' bit, which I don't want to do. Thank you for the suggestions! I am online browsing now for anything and everything.. I wish I had found you all sooner. :(

how much time do you have to get it?

check out Tilebar.com

https://tilebar.com/backsplash-styles?style=t1

and DiscountGlassTileStore.com (the latter has the glass tiles)

https://www.discountglasstilestore.com/glass-tile/

I have a ton of samples from Tilebar. they have some very nice tile choices. mosaics too.

look at the Komorebi line for those glass mosaics.

https://tilebar.com/collection/tile-mosaic-sub-categories/mosaics-by-material.html?style=t1

Mineral Ice is really cool looking

or, see if you like this one

https://tilebar.com/metallic-styx-twinkle-glass-tile.html

or the marble chevron

Probably a week or so to choose. I just ordered some samples from tilebar - I am a little all over the place. The mineral ice you posted is cool looking - do you think it would be too much for that much space (I am not great at imagining in spaces).

those others that you've picked are large tiles. like for the floor. You really don't want to use a 12x24 that you'll have to cut to fit to your splash.

if you want to use a hex tile, then it should be a 1-6" size. 2-3" is best. anything larger than 5 or 6", forget it.

click on the backsplash link

https://tilebar.com/backsplash-styles?style=t1

komorebi. I have a sample of the blue color. it's gorgeous

on this one they did an accent behind the stove with it. I don't really care for how they laid this out, but you can see how it looks.

You could do it behind the entire stove area, and then do a gray glass tile for the rest of the kitchen. order some samples of these too. have your husband sign up so you get an addtil 5 samples for $5

look at the Nabi Harlequin line

or, you like either of these?

if you like the Hex shape, look at these. some are 8", which is ok, if it's like the cement look tile. otherwise, try and keep them a smaller size

https://tilebar.com/shop/?q=hex+tiles#/filter:filtertileuse:Backsplash

You like this one? it's calacatta.

https://tilebar.com/calacatta-tuscany-marble-tile.html

Thank you - that makes sense. I am on discount tile now..

These are the ones I am looking at - color is so hard to sort out as they don't offer samples.

It says these are white?

This says it is gray but looks greige..

These are the others that stood out at first go through:

3x12 Ice Wavy :

shades of gray:

3x12 Cloud

3x12 Shadow

I've always liked that one.

what color gray are your cabs? more blue gray, silver gray, or a warmer, brownish gray? That is going to determine what gray tile you get

That bliss tile in cloud would fall in the silver-gray category (but the ceramic version looks more blue)

The Mist, a little warmer gray,

Shadow, Ice, and cloud, are all in the blue-gray categories

be careful w/white glass tiles. I know they look white when you hold them, but once they are all installed and on the wall, white glass takes on a minty hue. IT's the iron content in the glass itself. (think shower glass doors and how green they appear).

with white glass, it looks very icy. like this:

this is a 3x6 glass tile in Cloud. looks minty, right?

they have a ton of colors

https://www.modwalls.com/products/lush-custom-glass-subway-tile-cloud

how gray is your gray cabinets?

Those are all so pretty, the Nabi Harlequin is stunning!

i have a sample of the Nabi in the natural white. IT's gorgeous in person!

It's on the right. left is Gunmetal

The Nabi also has Jewel. that's the one 2nd from the right.

https://tilebar.com/shop/?q=jewel

do you like the linear marble tile?

I'll go take pics of the gray tomorrow - I'd say mid/dark gray but I am not great at describing outside of that. These are all so helpful.

I think I am trending away from anything linear or marble and I totally see what you are saying on the white glass. I definitely would prefer a color of some sort if for nothing else to not do yet another white subway tile kitchen.. as classic as that looks.

I'll take some better pics of the actual kitchen tomorrow and post those asap. Thank you!!!

Oh gosh, put in a temporary 4” backsplash and caulk it for the COO, then take your time choosing your backsplash. Don’t rush this. If they can do this with your counter mateial, great. If not, have them do a white Corian 4”. It’s inexpensive and available in big box stores.

Took some pictures. Of course color is hard to catch accurately so I'd say the color is a little darker than the light gray pic, but definitely lighter than the one in which they look way darker.

good idea eam

elaine, just do the temp backsplash piece up the back. don't use adhesive to set it. (when you're in, remove it and take your time picking something)

nice cabs. I'd say your gray is in the silver range, and leans slightly toward the blue/gray side. so anything in the warm gray-taupe isn't going to work.

if you take your time, you could check out Encore Ceramics. this is their Chevron tile in one of their metallic blends

Absolutely do the 4” and get the COO. Then take a deep breath and try the samples of what Beth is showing you. There are so many that would look great in your kitchen. You will regret rushing this.

Thank you all so much!

What will the flooring be?