It's not too late to change it. Many of of us here had two or even three tries to get backsplash right. I agree that white would have been the way to go

However, I would live with this for while. Not the end of world.

I think we are seeing a disconnect because of the warmth of wood cabinetry the cool color of the gray.

The veins are so subtle that from a distance, your eyes don't see them and it looks like the gray has nothing to relate to.

The backsplash is the hardest the element get right.

Take a deep breath. Leave it for now. It can always be changed down the road.

What I would do now:

A roman shade with a printed pattern

A large fruit bowl for the counter or a vase with flowers.

Start another thread for ideas on pulling things together as is.

you have a lovely kitchen!

ETA you did a great job choosing the floor color and how it coordinates with the cabinets.

Thank you so much for this reply! Very much appreciate it.

The commenter above is right! Just go with it for now if it's costly to make any changes to it. You can add some decorative pieces to let the colors flow together, adding some warm colored decorative pieces on the shelves over to the right. If you can make any drastic changes, I recommend refinishing the kitchen cabinets to white, or a greyish white but keep the knobs and handles u have on to flow with the floor color. Good luck! You can check out our page for design ideas as well!

The kitchen cabinets are brand new. We completely gutted the kitchen in August of 2021. The kitchen flooring is new as well :). Thanks again for your comments and I will be on the hunt to elements that tie in the space.

I like it. What you're missing is the surrounding accessories. you need some tweaking.

I might have tiled all around the window and then done a textured woven wood blind.

I also would do a pendant light. the small flush mount light is blah.

I gave you a pendnat and a woven shade.

Those miniblinds are horrible w/your new decor!

at the very least bring in something w/some design and pattern. right now what you have is all very monotone-ish and solid.

style the open shelves (google how to do it if need be)

try a printed rug

bring in something like this for the countertop, (like in the corner where that black bag is, or on the end of the peninsula) or try styling the shelves. bring in some greenery in blue or white pots.

Lastly, have you thought about doing a diff wall color?

Beth thanks a million for the visuals! Much needed. I'm a visual feeling kind of person. Now I'm starting to see more and more of what is needed.

I feel very spoiled today and very grateful.

I've should’ve use Houzz a long time ago! You all are amazing!

I like the cabinets and countertop. Probably would've gone white backsplash as well since your cabinets are not white. Also would take the backsplah all the way up the wall around the window. I think the contrasting grout makes it look more country than modern. I think a matching grout might make enough of a difference to not change everything. Maybe they can put a darker grout over the top. If you do change it bigger tiles can be cheaper and can create a seamless look if grout isn't so visible.

I think the color works just fine. I agree, the tile needs to go around the window. Can you add more tile and go around the window? Love the woven shade Beth gave you. And if you go with a pendant light, while you're up there, check how hard it would be to smooth that ceiling. It looks like it's more than popcorn so it may be hard to remove, but if you can, you'll be amazed at how a smooth ceiling changes the room. It sure did when I did it in my house.

I agree with everyone that says live with it for a bit. Take Beth's advice and change the blind, add accessories etc. If you can't live with it after that, here is a visual if you had done it white

the gray wall color would be changed if this were mine. everything from floor to cabs and counter/splash works well. its a cohesive looking space. You did well. I would change the wall color. If you can muster the budget dollars and time I would probably change at least the above sink light fixture / if not both fixtures. But for sure I'd change the gray wall color. and swap for a different window treatment. rattan comes to mind if you want a blind. valances w decorative rods and use of a botanical fabric can be nice if the window glass can remain bare/ need for filtering??? or not..... here are some attractive light blues veering into teal for a nice wall color.....some rattan shades ..and some down fixtures in front of your window as a nice tweak. the tile was a nice choice...leave it.

Our G&T Kitchen · More Info

Traditional Dining Room · More Info

Summit Hill Shingle-Style Home Remodel · More Info

Contemporary Farmhouse Style · More Info

Modern Kitchen · More Info

.

Great advice above - one thought i had is could you replace your plain grey kitchen mat with something that might connect the greys and warm tones? ruggable has some great rugs for the kitchen and a vibrant one might be another element to add in addition to what others suggested - hang in there, change is stressy :)

Here’s natural light. I'm thinking the window area needs to be painted to match the tile. I'm nervous about putting tile all the way up near the window because that cabinet handle would hit it Consistently. We do have a track light for above the Peninusla And open to changing the others lights, adding window treatment (ours is pretty sad) adding a rug and changing up the open shelves and something differently in our dining room too to make everything come together.

Very pretty. Add a window treatment and a rug and you won't even notice. If you do you could try painting. Your floors are really nice, love the color. What are they?

COREtec in Cyril oak. Thank you all for the kind words!

The size of the tile is too big and out of proportion with the kitchen space.

Agreed! Idea was to have less grout because I do like the seamless look. Ideally would've loved the backsplash to match the countertop. However, that can be pricy but overall gorgeous!

I sell flooring and tile and I'm sooooo bored with white subway so I like what you did!

My husband said same thing! Thanks so much Cynthia!

I love your cabinets, countertop, and flooring, gorgeous. While I might not have picked that backsplash, I think you just need to accessorize a bit with some color. A pretty plant or two, artwork. Def don't change it, live with it for awhile. JMO but I personally like less small stuff on shelves. Bigger but fewer items, perhaps some height?

The tile and grout look great! Just enough color for the space and the tile plays nicely with the stainless steel finishes. Accessorize the room and enjoy!

you're almost there.

bring in a few green plants for the shelves, plus a little tweaking on the style of them.

a bowl w/granny smith apples would be a perfect countertop accessorie. the bright green next to the blue gray is a natural compliment. try a copper or wood bowl to display them.

gave you a rattan pendant this time. take off the miniblinds altogether.

soft blue/gray rug is one option. if you like more color, pick something more saturated.

here are the options to style the shelves. pick a few things you like and copy them

the green plant makes a huge difference. expecially w/all that blue/gray you have.

if you wanted to do pendants you could try something like this

Beth,

You have gone above and beyond!

I can't thank you enough for all these pictures and for helping us pull together this kitchen. I'm so excited to show my husband!!!

Thank you thank you!!!

I like your kitchen too! @Beth H is a whiz at showing you how to “dress up” your new, but unadorned kitchen. There is a lot to do before you start hacking away at your new backsplash to change it. Plus, every new remodel job is jarring to your eyes (and brain) so you tend to not “see” it the way we do. Besides the accessories, a different wall color will probably help.
You did a great job. Work with what you have before you spend money on an unnecessary change. Start looking at runners! 😊

kelly, glad it helped.

just bringing in a rug will make a huge impact.

the one I showed in the photo is this overdyed one. you can find them everywhere (Houzz, Etsy, rugs USA, etc)

try some texture w/a jute or sisal

or something a bit more modern. bring in complimentary colors:

were you planning on moving that dining room light or getting a larger table? I notice it's hung a bit high and off center.

if you do the textured pendants, something like this might look nice of the dining table

Yes! I need a bigger dining table. My current one (expands), but I do need one that can expand up to 8 or more! I'm not sure what color dining room table since we have a wood flooring and bamboo style cabinets. Should we stick with black?

I am open to a new fixture as well, and I was wondering if it was too high. My husband is 6’3 and has a different height perspective. We choose the current one because we thought it looked nice with the current rods but maybe too matchy.

I like the black table personally. Good contrast to floors and goes with the style you've chosen. Some of those light fixtures Beth showed would dress it up as well.

The only thing I would change (after window treatment and lighting suggestions) is the upper cabinet by the sink. The “miss” here is that I would remove the cabinet and have the 2 floating shelves go all the way across to the window.

Since you're asking, I think the black table and chairs are too stark, modern, and adds harsh contrast to the space. The black does not relate to anything else in the kitchen.

A wood table with the same tone as the kitchen cabinets would work well. Then, some white chairs to coordinate with the light countertops. Add a blue-ish/grey rug, as suggested by Beth H. and I think the space would feel cohesive in both style and color/tones.

The height of the people sitting at a dining room table have nothing to do with the proper placement of your fixture.

Correct, the placement is only Temporary. With the kitchen being completely remodeled and the dining room next, we weren't sure where the center of the room would be.

As a reference this was our kitchen before the remodel (zillow posting)

I think color will add the zing you're hankering for. Red would look nice with your cabinets and will contrast well with your black table.