If you are talking about the grey stacked stone I assume you are, then it was super trendy 5-10 years ago but not so much anymore. And yes, youre correct that there were lots of complaints about it being hard to clean.

I’d skip it also.
Backsplash Choices should be made after the rest of the kitchen is complete. There are so many options. Have fun with it. Post pictures for more specific suggestions

Thanks for the advice! So here is our Quartz countertop sample against the two backsplash options - one is the stacked stone mentioned and other is a white subway tile that has a bit of ripple to it (instead of just flat). I guess our stacked stone is not all grey so hopefully I don’t confuse the matter. Just thought it looked amazing next to the Quartz. We certainly don’t want to put beauty above function and know the subway tile is classic and cleans off well.

I should prob mention our cabinets will be a white shaker style with grey tile floors. Very neutral.

The cleaning issue is not so much about porisity (you mentioned that stacked tiles will be sealed), rather the unevenness of the tiles, the nooks and crannies where splatters will adhere to. Smooth tiles, that abut each other evenly, are much easier to keep clean.

It's a huge no from me for that stacked stone. It's dated by about 10 years. Normally I'd say if you love it, disregard that it's so dated. But that stacked stone will not look good with your choices, and as mentioned will be hard to clean.

Regarding your comments that you will be using plugmold for electrical outlets. That is fine, but also make sure to install a couple outlets in the backsplash so that for appliances that are kept plugged in, like coffee maker or toaster, you don't have dangling cords showing all the time. Wherever you plan to have your coffee maker/toaster/etc., put in a backsplash outlet in that spot. Install those outlets in the backsplash low and horizontal, and they will barely show.

Hard no. I remember briefly considering that stone for a fireplace in 2012 - and quickly deciding it was too trendy and overdone.

There’s a difference between a ”classic” item that goes through a stage of being really trendy, and and item that only exists for the time it is trendy. Do the former if you love it. But the latter is always a bad idea.

Thank you all Ok wow I didn’t know the stacked stone was so trendy and dated? Good to know! We will likely go with the subway tile shown. Any concerns with that in terms of the ripple or should we just do the regular flat white subway? No clue on if that is trendy either (ripple).

Great info on the outlets too. It’s less of a concern having outlets show if we doing the traditional subway tile so we will just do regular outlets likely and no plugmold.

A smooth tile is your best bet for cleaning ease.

"It’s less of a concern having outlets show if we doing the traditional subway tile"

It will still look bad if the outlets are in the middle of the backsplash. Regardless if you use subway tile or not. So I would make the effort with your electrician to install the backsplash outlets low and horizontal as in the pics I posted. I find the ideal height to be 4" on center from the counter. Lower than that, and you may have difficulty with a thicker plug; higher than that, and it is harder to hide them behind the coffee maker, toaster, etc.

Sorry, I meant less of a concern of them showing overall but I totally agree with you about them being horizontal. I think that’s a great idea what you posted and we will talk to our electrician to do just that. Definitely looks better horizontal. Thank you for the suggestion!

Also agree with just the flat subway tile. I’m finding going through this process it’s easy to overthink things, simple is better in the end.

@Shannon_WI…not all jurisdictions permit outlets that low. Mine doesn’t.

Some tile manufacturers offer switchplates and outlet covers that match the tiles. We got ours from Subway Ceramics, by Heritage Tile. They’re a crackle tile, which you can’t tell from the site picture.

Here they are in our kitchen. The switchplates and outlet covers are barely noticeable.

We matched the covers with plugs and switches from Lutron.

@darbuka - you are right that different regions have different Building Code requirements for backsplash outlet heights. But many local Codes have no requirements for outlet height at all, and in those areas the outlets can be practically on top of the counter if the homeowner wants (which I would not recommend!). The OP's electrician will know what is permissible in her location. Regarding the 4" on center height, that is the minimum height allowed in my region, and it's not that low, especially when measured on center with the outlet placed horizontally.

All of my outlets are mounted under my upper cabinets, nothing visible on the backsplashes.

K Laurence - would you be able to share a picture? We were considering the plugmold but one thing I didn’t like was it was potentially visible at eye level. And the recent comments above made sense to me to potentially avoid. All of these are great suggestions for sure. Just trying to see what works best for our use.

@legend33, remember that with only plugmold under the uppers, your cords will show against the backsplash. Maybe do some, but if your toasters sits on the counter like mine, do a low horizontal outlet behind it.

lucky998877, that’s a great point and definitely would want some low horizontal outlets for the reasons you mention. Considering doing a mix of plugmolds and lower horizontal outlets. Trying to see if that is a good compromise or if there are disadvantages to this approach.

Good point lucky998877, I only leave my toaster oven plugged in, it’s somewhat hidden in a niche between refrigerator & pantry cabinet so not noticeable.

We nixed the stacked stone and now are left with two options. One option is the white subway tile and other has more of the Carrera marble look in processing. Like both, maybe the Carerra one better. Shown are our cabinet/wall colors and countertop. The dark grey is our island cabinet color, white is all other cabinets.

Considering these options as well now. Not sure if anyone is seeing these posts since it’s a few weeks old. We like the leaf pattern the most (not the glass one) - anyone used this?

Stick with the plain white subway. Not the marble.