I love that idea! What color are your new countertops? Will all cabinets be white or will the lowers be the grey color as shown in first pic? I'm thinking the wallpaper is the place to add some strong color, because it won't be too hard to swap out someday. (Prime the wood before papering, and get strippable paper.) I like what you show, but is there a version that has more blue?

BTW I'm not a pro... so take my opinion with a big grain of salt!

ETA: if your style is modern/contemporary, have you considered squaring off the upper corners of the hutch? That would seem to be more contemporary and would blend with the cabinet doors to the right.

I'd recommend waiting until the backsplash is installed and then selecting the wallpaper for the backs of the display cabinets. I would NOT use the paper you show above - it seems to fight with the backsplash pattern. I'd suggest either stripes or organic/curved lines with that backsplash - or just a simple solid color of paint.

solid color wallpaper...achieve a textured look in a pretty visual shade. Remember ..it's the china you are showing off....you really don't need a pattern..but color w a swirl or linen texture [subtle ] will be a nice contrast to the backsplash...and not overtake the splash. dont use another abstract outlined pattern. Once the display things are in.....not very much of the background will show...just find a color. orangey-red..hot yellow or mustard....greens of all sorts...mauve or trend purple.

I'd actually paint first. you can always add a paper later. (by the way, look at Spoonflower. you can buy smaller pieces. with a good wallpaper you need to buy a huge roll. or, use fabric and spray adhesive)

I'd paint. do a stencil if you like. what ever you display is going to obscure most of it.

in case it helps to visualize, here are some rough mockups with your tile and wallpaper (size approx), some more curvy botanical patterns, and a textured grasscloth paper. Of course you need to imagine them with the shelves and your dishes inside.

Etsy has tons of strippable wallpapers in lots of colors and subtle patterns. I agree you should wait to do this till the kitchen is done, but most of the Etsy companies offer samples for very little money. And you can see just how hard/easy they are to apply. But you should paint the back first to a) try a color you think you’d like and b) provide a better surface for the wallpaper.

I would vote no to the wall paper. Your wood back has groves/lines in it. I think that would look awesome just painted with a good enamel
paint. What ever to put behind the glass doors will be the star of that cabinet. Bar glasses, liquor, or dishes ... all would look great.

I would skip the patterned wallpaper, and paint the back in a solid color that coordinates or sets off your china. Placing items in front of patterns could look too busy with everything else in the kitchen. Or consider painting that entire area a beautiful color that coordinates with the rest of your room.

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I would paint,too. It needs to be primed anyway. This is my porch floor; instead of a stencil you could do a bold geometric coordinating with the colors of your china.

Let's see a pic of the china. That's really what you are coordinating with. And agree, get everything else done, then this.

Thanks everyone for your ideas! Looking at the mock ups, I DEFINITELY like a more solid pattern or no pattern with the backsplash tiles.

My china is super traditional — Noritake Chandon.

Who knew in 1996 that someday I’d live in a contemporary house and that most new brides no longer buy china? 🤣

(I love mine, though)

Grasscloth is a great option...color AND texture!

A wallpaper that looks like golf leaf could look really cool inside the cabinet with that white china.