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Backsplash Help · More Info

Backsplash Help · More Info

beautiful kitchen, but yes, it wasn't the best choice on the splash. Wish you would have come here first. But, it's not horrible looking. the colors are good and don't clash.

Once you get the hood installed, it's going to cover up a good portion. some countertop decor will hide some more (c-below)

you can't stain the tiles. you could paint them, but i'll be honest, it's going to look worse.

the issue is that particular tile is a bit dated. And because you have so much of it, really busy looking, especially against that busier looking granite.

Make sure your bulbs are 4000K temp to get the natural white light w/o any yellow.

Other than that, not much else you can do. put in your outlet covers and try bringing in a bunch of cutting boards/ other items to prop up against the tile. keep them in the same colors so as not to compete

wait until you're done to see if these ideas help to disguise a good portion of it. It may be fine.

If you still don't like it, give it a few months and retile. come back and we can suggest something for you, and no, it doesn't have to be white subway tile!

I'm so mad at myself!! I wanted all those above ideas and let others talk me out of it. Btw, I meant staining the grout a darker color to make it look less busy, not the tiles, but I'm not sure that will save it...

Thank you for your quick reply Beth

How about a wood shelf above the sink faucet with some potted plants that spill down to cover some of the tile, or a nice framed picture over that same area? Like Beth said, once you have your hood installed and you accessorize like she suggested, you will be happier. Beautiful kitchen.

Darker grout would help but I don't know if you can actually stain the white.

M Riz, LOL, thanks for the chuckle, I needed that through my tears! That's exactly how I feel, I want to walk in and love it.

I am definitely open to any NEW backsplash ideas also that anyone has too please...

I had the same experience. In fact, I posted the dilemma on Houzz titled “Backsplash Regret”. I hemmed and hawed over it far too long. No matter how I tried to put “lipstick on a pig” I still hated it. BUT, once I decided to change it, it was less expensive and invasive to do than I thought it would be and now I love it.

That's good to hear, I think I may have read that post looking for ideas......now i just need new GOOD ideas for my tile

^ exactly. There are tons of regrets posted here and I suspect its much less expensive just to start over rather than trying and failing to patch it. Everybody has had regrets or second guessed their selections at one point. The good news is that although it would cost a bit, youre able to remedy the issue and give that kitchen the backsplash that fits it and you.

If youre open to a new tile selection, youve come to the right place. There are so many creative people here

Tear it out and move on. Been there, done that!

Also that tile style was very popular 15 years ago and looks too busy, 99% of the time, once installed and the pattern repeat becomes magnified.

It looks like you wanted a backsplash that added a bit of excitement to your kitchen, it ended up a bit too exciting lol. If it were me, and im a bit on the conservative side when it comes to something that is permanent or not easily changed. We have just finished our home and I preferred texture over strong color as it, to me, adds a bit of specialness without committing to a color that I may or may not like in a couple of years. I like to change things up a lot, but its usually decor and furniture. My goal is to have neutral canvas and add accents.

Look at the pattern ( not the color) and texture this would add. It would look beautiful without adding a lot of color. With a matching grout, the pattern takes a backseat to a texture which looks nice in a kitchen of hard surfaces.

Join the ” i removed my backsplash as soon as it was it was installed” club. That is how I originally bcame a member of Gardenweb 13 years ago.

It is not uncommon to not see the big picture. You were looking at color with a very small sample.

What were the tiles choices you were talked out of? Show us.

I think I would take it down before the kitchen is done and get it over with.

I have nothing to add that is different than what others have said about changing it out, but wanted to stop by and give you my sincere condolences. It feels rotten to second guess your choices, especially when they could be expensive ones.

If you are looking at backsplashes to swap out, take a color pic of your samples and print it out a bunch of times and tape it to your wall to get a sense what a repeat is going to look and feel like.

I personally don't love a backsplash at all and don't understand why people get seduced in covering walls up to the ceiling with them. I think a well designed kitchen should be able to look beautiful enough without all the glitz.

Great advice above - just wanted to add don’t beat yourself up, you were likely on decision #2,372 and its impossible to get them all right - hang in there, this happens pretty often i think judging by posts on the forum

Backsplashes are by far the hardest thing to choose in the kitchen - heck, the hardest thing to choose in the whole house. I agree with the others that there is nothing that will improve that backsplash for your lovely kitchen, and it’s best to rip it out. Those skinny tiles are quite dated, so veer away from that shape when shopping for new. Rip it out quickly so you won’t be upset everytime you go in your kitchen. But do take your time in choosing another. The most important thing to remember is that tile that looks great in the store will look completely different in your home, so bring home samples.

its almost like a fine basket weave pattern. Its always good to see not run of the mill picks. I think I'd live with it for a while. I might try straight hardware.....not the curvy colonial style. Good Luck whatever you do.

M Riz, yes way to exiting, thank you for your ideas

Kendra, LOL thank you for your condolences. ..oh if i could go back a few days to my lovely painted walls I would in a second .....do I really even need a backsplash...I lived with it just like that for about 3 years...I should have left well enough alone!!!

Backsplash Help · More Info

Let'er rip! Rip it out. Yes, it sucks but thankfully it's just a splash and shouldn't be too expensive. Hopefully Beth will be along soon to recommend something new. She's AWESOME at backsplash recommendations!

Thanks Melissa, if its the same Beth your talking about she commented first with some suggestions

Sojourn35. I thought the same thing you said. To me it seemed the grout was mostly throwing off the tile. I would have chosen grey grout or brown. It seems like you’re gonna toss it anyway so before you do. See if you can put lipstick on it. Stain that grout and make it bearable until you remove it. You might like it. At least until you replace it. Make it more bearable. But if you just put it up-quick, rip it off before it cures too much. I like what you have done with your kitchen.

But go with your heart. Listen to suggestions to aid you in making your own decisions. When people try to make decisions for you. Politely Stop listening. Remember, every accident is a lesson for something else. Maybe you can reuse those tiles somewhere else or make a craft project with them so you don’t feel you wasted the money on the tiles. That way you’ll always have a giggle story. Maybe coasters.

But for now. Calm your mind and just Give yourself permission to laugh and make mistakes. Mistakes are better than wrinkles. I look forward to seeing what you end up choosing and installing. That is, if you don’t mind coming back and sharing. Hope it works out well for you.

“Do I really even need a backsplash?” Good question. I am of the opinion, and certainly in the minority here, that this backsplash thing has gone too far. What was once a functional component, whose purpose was to help keep the walls clean, has become a design statement. Sure, it’s ok to tile every wall up to the ceiling, but it is not a requirement of a lovely kitchen. Attaching our vacation house pic. We installed quartz behind the range, and a 3” strip all around. Please forgive me, I’m a minimalist.

Ken, thank you so much for those kind words, I appreciate it. I need to keep this situation in perspective, thank you for that!

Yes that is now my struggle: lipstick or rip out quick and who knows, I lived without a backsplash for about 3 years and was really fine with it, I might be a little gun (tile) shy after this...

I was so scared to pick out a backsplash that I chose to do the backsplash in the same material as the countertops. It turned out great and I get lots of compliments on it. Maybe that’s an option for you?

I don‘t think a darker grout or hiding it with cutting boards and accessories will make you suddenly start loving that tile. If you don’t love it, as many have said already, just bite the bullet and “let’er rip” haha! In fact why don’t you grab a hammer and crack a few tiles right now? I would not put it off because then you risk procrastinating, settling, and it never happening.

I know it is hard because no one wants to throw money away. But ask yourself, is saving a few bucks worth it to walk into your gorgeous brand new kitchen everyday with regret and disappointment? You deserve to walk in while doing your little happy dance!

I am sure you will find ”the one” if you are just patient a bit longer. I can totally relate because I too went over 3 years backsplashless.

The tilebar website has where you can upload a photo and click ”see in my room”. From what you said about liking the kitchen fine with no splash, you would probably be happiest with an off white, simple tile that matches nicely with the white background color that is in your granite.

Maybe one that has an ever so slight variation of colors would be nice. This was under their best sellers category. It had several different colors. I didn’t know which would match your counter the best as it is hard to judge the colors online. But you can get an idea at least.

Here is Gin-white

This is sand dune.

And Fog-grey

And just for fun, one to match your pretty bowl and bar stools. Turquoise is my favorite color!

If you want to try out other tiles, here is the photo of your kitchen I used to upload. I colored over the backsplash because when there is stuff on the counters the tiles you pick don’t fill in very well.

Oh WOW, Rebunky, thank you so much, these are great, I will definitely check this out!

Haha, I didn't realize that was my kitchen at first!

Nicely done, rebunky 👍🏻

I’m curious if you ripped out the backsplash? I had one put in today that I am so unhappy with. So I am in your same situation.I have to rip it out because I don’t even want to go in there. There unpainted messed up walls were better lol!

I hope you have decided to rip out the backsplash you hate. Besides tile, you can install beadboard and paint it the exact color you want. I took that easy route and never regretted it. Lots of people here can help you choose another tile, and @rebunky gave amazing suggestions. By now you shouldn’t feel alone in this mistakr

Sorry on your backsplash! Disappointing. You can definitely go back to a painted backsplash. I love a painted backsplash- calm, no fuss. Had one in a prior house for 15 years. No problem. Washable matte paint. I did paint it a couple times through the years. Once to change the color, once just to refresh it. Only place I'd consider tile is directly behind a cooktop/range. Not a huge fan of tile backsplashes though, so there is that! Good luck, and again, sorry :(

Have you considered painting the tile you hate? At this point you have nothing to lose. The texture might be interesting.

kat le, Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that, I totally understand, it's so disappointing, I'm just trying to ignore it but it does taunt me every time I go in there LOL! I haven't taken it down yet, I'm going to choose something new and try to do it all at once. Here it is before the tile disaster: Before

RedRyder, oh yes it is definitely getting ripped out! I actually liked my painted walls, I just felt like I should "finish" my kitchen

Pat Reddick, honestly I don't even want to waste any more time or effort on it, I'm just focusing on picking something new.....although I did try to stain and darken the grout color in a inconspicuous area but it just looked even worse...an earlier commenter said not to put lipstick on a pig and I have to agree with that now

mimimomy, Thank you, I actually liked my painted wall backsplash, I just wanted a little sparkle and texture back there, I just got a bit more than I wanted LOL!!

@sojourn35 I am doing the same, not taking down until I know the replacement. Of course then we will be used to the darkness and It will be even brighter to my husband who wants color lol. But I really want to do the same quartz as my countertop. My husband is fine with it but isn’t thrilled. He’d rather have white subway tile but I’m just over tile at this point 😂.

Kat le, Oh I hear ya! My brain hurts, I'm not exaggerating, I have about 80 samples...this is insanity!! My husbands suggestion was to tape up $20 bills as our new backsplash--he's not happy with the cost I've incurred ..LOL!! I'd love to see a picture of your kitchen if you want to share, I'm sure the quartz backsplash will be beautiful..

If you love your counters, do the same for your backsplash.

Have you considered back painted glass?

@sojourn35 see link to my post with some pictures, if that doesn’t work let me know I will post here!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6260223/help-with-grout-color

My husbands suggestion was to tape up $20 bills as our new backsplash-

now that is funny. he sounds like mine.

sojourn, I took 1 year to decide on mine. ended up going w/my first choice anyway! take your time, but remember, it's only tile. It's not carved in stone! as you know, it can be undone.