Depending on what color backsplash choose which help decide the finish the handles.

If I chose a light gray tile, I wouldn't want the gold.

What are counters?

is the area the sections left and right of window and around to fridge/freezer alcove? and that's all? I would actually put a bit of drama in there...but not fussy...otherwise the fridge freezer will suck all the attention in that middle spot. once you get statement bar stools with island set up that will be a focal spot but dont be shy at the splash. the med sized hex you have already in the black.....sample/ maybe with a dark gray grout...how bout that?

Kitchen · More Info

Builder Model | Copper Ridge| New Braunfels, Texas · More Info

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Thank you, that’s a great idea! I like the idea of drama but not sure what kind. We want to tile up the ceiling behind the vent hood (left of fridge) and around the window. Good point though, I didn’t realize until looking at it now that it’s really not a lot of space, so we can be dramatic! 🙏

@eld6161 the counters are white quartz with some subtle grey and beige veining. Agreed on the handles! Hard to choose until we get a backsplash nailed down!

Have you thought about back-painted glass? It's a statement look without being busy.

wait. there is no rush. wait until floors, cabs and countertops are all in. paint your walls. Then decide on a splash. (I waited one year on mine) choosing now is a mistake and I'll show you why.

I've posted a bunch of pics of options you could choose, but until your 3 elements are in, you cn't be sure what would look best.

start ordering samples so you'll have them on hand.

Since the cabs are a bit more modern looking, I wouldn't do standard subway tile layout

Bedrosians Makoto tiles has matte texture tile that you could do a stack (either direction) layout

basically this layout.

the black or the midori green or the blue would look great w/the walnut and gold hardware.

not the makoto, but its a slightly larger matte black tile. (against your white uppers and limited backsplash area, these would NOT make your kitchen look dark. the 3 colors look fantastic together.

love this gray/green shade too.

here is the tile and many colors to choose from:

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/makoto-ceramic

you could also choose the nero marquina marble tile in the finger tile size, or any of these other shapes/sizes. the Nero marquina has veining of white w/the black marble, so you will get variation. again, next to walnut it's stunning.

Another option are the finger tiles. these are the Kit-kat shown in a vibrant blue, but they come in every color

the blues or the greens would be perfect w/that wood. you don't have a large area to splash, so don't be afraid to choose something w/color!

Your kitchen cabs will be very similar to these (and you might consider finger pulls instead of regular handles)

You have a very small area to tile so don't do a plain white!

this is a 3D subway tile in a stacked layout

Here's a similar cabinet setup done w/a 2" white hex tile and gray grout.

compared to the other options, it's meh. It's nice looking, but somewhat of a yawnsville. (Andsince the splash area you have is limited, it will virtually disappear against your white countertop. )

you could do a tile like this one. linear random bar in a glass and marble. (if you like this let me know and I can show you more styles and tile make-up)

this is a white marble in 3 diff textured finishes laid in the chevron pattern. you can see how it looks next to the walnut. I love this one if you have to go w/white. but please consider some other colors!

now compare it to a soft green tile w/white grout.

Here's soft blue/green glass tile in a chevron pattern shown here w/the walnut and oak floors.

some other blue shades in slightly larger tiles.

some other finger tile colors that work w/the wood

here is a list to some of the Sevilla color. Houzz carries these too

https://www.presentusa.com/sevilla-series-kit-kat-fingers/?sort=newest&page=2

I would start ordering samples so that when everything is in, you can decide which one you like. I really like this shade of blue tones w/your walnut and white.

I think I'd order a sample of this. Love it.

Glazed Porcelain Mosaic Sevilla 3.5"x0.5" Kit Kat Glossy Ocean Blue, Sample · More Info

slightly diff tile, and this covers the entire wall, but you can see how gorgeous this would be w/the walnut.

I post a lot of pics for you so you can see what's avail. I have many more that would work w/your cabinets and give you one heck of an amazing tile splash. (unless you're really afraid and want to look like the same kitchen everyone else has!)

Beth H, can I just say that your generosity in sharing your ideas and expertise in responding is remarkable. i learn so much from your posts. Thank you.

why thank you dream! I just try to show homeowners options that they might not know are available.

Design Enthusiast, part II,,,, can you stand some other photos?

If you click on this link,

https://ourhandbookblog.com/blog/2018/10/7/currently-crushing-semihandmade

they have the similar Ikea cabinets in the walnut/white shown w/many diff design elements.

Don't forget that accessories will take your kitchen to another level.

The hardware, lighting, runner, tile, countertop accessories, wall color, all work together.

I'll show some examples

Enlarge this pic. Look at how the soft turqoise tile and the orange (natural compliment colors on the color wheel) work beautifully w/the walnut and white.

Ditto on this one. Goldenrod/mustard colors look amazing w/walnut and gold or bronze.

I have a link for this tile below, but these shades work well w/your elements. it's a glass elongated hex. pair it w/gold handles, a nice runner (jute/sisal if you like more texture) and some cool looking pendant lights

camel color counter stools/gold and emerald green ceramic tile play well together too.

cobalt blue? Tilebar has a similar tile in many colors. I have a sample of it and it's beautiful

if you did everything else in shades of white, this wouldn't be overwhelming in the small splash area that you have

It's the Komorabi in Athens blue or blue bayou. (check out the other colors they have) https://www.tilebar.com/komorebi-athens-blue-glass-tile.html

wayfair carries it for slightly cheaper

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/ivy-hill-tile-fargin-087-x-3-glass-honeycomb-mosaic-wall-tile-sost1998.html

One of the amber shades would also look so good w/your wood and the gold hardware(pictured earlier w/the other goldenrod tile kitchen)

Now for the whites:

marble chevron mosaic

Vertical Stack-offset layout w/ 2X6" tiles (could be glass or a glazed ceramic)

A zellige tile is also a fine choice. shown in white, but they have amazing blues/greens/golds that are equally beautiful. I have some of them in those colors.

Here are those Finger Tiles in a matte white w/white grout. notice the gold finger pull hardware on the lowers

More modern gold handles. how about this type of splash w/brass inlay?

you could do a calacatta marble tile splash w/the gold.

This one is mine. I did the gold Schluter Jolly pieces for the verical grout joints. They aren't overly 'in your face', as you can see by this pic

I also have a lot of walnut accents in my kitchen which is why I went for the calacatta oro marble and not the carrara.

OK, sorry for the pic overload.

I hope you have a better grasp of what's avail to you to take those Ikea cabinets to another level.

I LOVE Beth’s idea of the goldish Komorebi tile and brass fixtures! Being most of us don’t change the “permanent” elements very often of our kitchen you will have more flexibility of using accent colors if you choose. That’s just my way of thinking though. (BTW, we used champagne gold hardware and brass pendants in our new white kitchen and love them)

Beth - thank you so much for your detailed insights! You have provided such amazing ideas and examples and I love them! These are such brilliant ideas that I never would've come up with myself. I always would find myself gravitating for whites/grays because they are safe (but boring), but know deep down that there is so much more potential. I'm going to order some of the samples you suggested. I really appreciate your generosity and love your keen eye :)