If you are regretting not going with color, why are you planning on a white backsplash tile? Here's your chance to completely change the feel of a very calm, almost sterile space. Backsplash is easy and cheap enough to update when you move. Don't you want to love this kitchen for those years before that time? And yes, a fun runner rug could help....choose after you make a decision regarding the tile.

I like the idea of white tile backsplash. Add artwork on the blank wall. A fruit bowl on the island that pulls a color from the artwork. A potted plant near the window. Wood cutting boards. If you love green, consider green accessories.

Run the countertop material up the wall as the backsplash. Put a large painting on the wall in the colors you like. Use vases and bowls in the green. Window treatments, anything easy to change.

Five to seven years is nothing. By keeping it very neutral, it will sell better. I don't like greens and would not buy a house with cabinets that color. Walls maybe, but then I would have to count in the cost of repainting.

@lucky998877 I guess I feel like I need to go with the theme now.

I am not sure how dark green backsplash would look with the white kitchen and counters.. this is the shade of green i like and the style of kitchen.

White is not a theme, white is white ;) Go buy some tile samples, spend a little time going through options. PS. I have a green and white kitchen with white oak floors...so I'm partial to adding color.

@Sherry8aNorthAL thank you for the advice!! I love your ideas.. i do collect antique art - mainly watercolors… and seem to be drawn to dark greens and more muted pieces of that, maybe i can accessorize with those on a small holder to sit against the backsplash, etc.

I do kind of wish i would have done the same material for the backsplash in the counter as well.

To your point, when I was selecting our cabinets I did consult with family and friends and not one liked my idea of dark brownish-green cabinets. I do think it could have been an issue for us in resale. We purchased our home at a great price and have upgraded the 1980’s home with the intention to eventually sell. Plus, my husband’s style and mine are complete opposite. I love unique, chara characte, etc. His style is minimalist and very modern. I was trying to find a happy medium… also, this was literally the only thing in the house he had a strong opinion on.

I felt my mostly white kitchen lacked personality until I painted the walls a very pale yellow-green (Clark and Kensington Heads or Tails, colored matched to BM). I also have light wood floors.

My 2 cents.. do something fun with the backsplash. I would not do an olive green subway tile but maybe something with more fun or pizzazz to bring in the color you like.

Your pendant is more white since the glass is clear. Brass pendants and a earthy green backsplash would be wonderful in your space.

eliposky, The white backspash you have selected will be very nice and may be better liked for resale than the smooth all-in-one,

When you get where you feel you are staying for a time, then go a little bolder with the permanent things like cabinets.

Be sure to post again when you hang your art. That wall is perfect for it.

I would add color in the backsplash, counter stools, rug, large piece of artwork on wall behind island, and accessories....

Real vintage items go a long way in warming up a space - I think some vintage french wood cutting boards, vintage enamelware pitcher or antique platter, and/or a small oil painting or 2 leaned up against the backsplash would go a long way

I would accessorize with the green you love. A Kitchenaid mixer, tea kettle on the stove, trivets on the counter, mixing bowls, etc. Then, you take them with you to your next house.

I think @lisa has the right idea. Add interest through pattern for the backsplash. Since this home will be on the market fairly soon, Id find a pattern using neutrals. The one suggested is pretty, but theres so many to choose from. Save your favorite color for accents. I love your floors, beautiful neutral wood. Bring the same color up to your countertops (cutting board, fruit bowl or what you like. The wood will warm up that stark white and start adding personality. The green will come in the form of rugs, towels, window treatments, maybe a cute piece of decor for the counter. I love white kitchens, i have one. They are a perfect backdrop to any style.

it also looks like the floors arent stained yet. that gives you another area to add some color (darker vs light/natural stain).

Eliposky, I think those green tiles you posted would look amazing in your white kitchen! with brass hardware. Bring in wood/leather counter stools, a big wood cutting board and fruit bowl, and lots of plants. And backplash is super easy to change by a future buyer, much more so than cabinets.

I feel you, I just remodeled and installed white kitchen cabinets even though I love the current colored cabinets trend (was also leaning towards a muted olive green), but I just think with such an expensive long-term investment white is the best timeless classic choice.

You could potentially cut up your island countertop to make your backsplash and install a rustic reclaimed wood island countertop. (Kind of pricey hassle though.)

It may be "easy" to change a backsplash, but I don't think that a whole lot of buyers will agree or want to go to the trouble (it might depend on your neighborhood, price point, and the market when you are ready to list).

Since you are specifically remodeling this house with the intent to sell in a couple of years, I say keep your mind on that goal and choose accordingly!

You could use a colored tile for a backsplash, but make it a color that most would find acceptable - so not dark, not olive, not orange LOL, just a "typical" color one might find in a kitchen - pale to medium blues, blue-green, pale green. Maybe even better, go with white, and instead of a design like suggested above, find one with texture - like your dark green ones, or a basket weave, maybe.

Keep the colors that you love in your removable accessories.

PS I love colored cabinets too.

I sold my house last year with a NAVY painted island. Very popular with buyers.

I've been hearing from designers that a lot of people are using color, especially green. Add the green tile if you want. I am replacing the tile and backsplash in my new house. They weren't my style and were not a deterrent to buying the house.

Five to seven years is a long time and white on white on white trend may be out by then too.

Yes, 7-10 years is a long time in some ways and life has a way of changing our plans for us sometimes. Select what you love; you may live with it longer than you expect.

Walls...easy for a buyer to change, as opposed to a hard surface install. I love the first photo. It is Farrow and Ball Treton

@elcieg oh wow! that Farrow and Ball shade is gorgeous!! I actually love it with the white cabinets! what a great idea to paint the wall instead of the cabinets. Thank you, ill definitely be incorporating this shade in somehow.

Your kitchen reminds me a bit of this one. We just finished this backsplash (window trim not painted yet). What we like about it, is the subtle texture and the glaze actually has some "movement" (hard to capture on camera). It's classic.

@Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc. Love that backsplash! Thats exactly what I’m planning to go with for the backsplash, a shiny ”imperfect” tile .. it definitely adds a bit of character! These are the ones I am looking at.

@User. Those are a different look. Be cautious and make sure your installer is skilled with that type of tile. The "imperfections" are intentional but depending on the manufacturer, the variances can be challenging. The tile we posted is a handmade tile with many different glaze/color options, but the relief work on the tile face is what makes it interesting (with a nod to historical design). Subtle, but texture and movement. Backsplashes are the frosting so take your time and exercise patience. You can function in a kitchen without a backsplash.

I like those ^. Somehow I had it in my mind "no painting" LOL. Yes! give the walls a pleasing color! I like the 2nd paint color myself. My kitchen walls are painted in Valspar AnteMeridian - a balance of blue green that works well with dark blue, jade green, and lots of blue & green shades in between. Also my ceiling is painted in Valspar Transparent.

I think it is a great idea to paint the wall that fabulous green color that you love. Any future buyer will love the kitchen! And if they don’t happen to like the green, no biggie, they will be able to easily paint it whatever they like. But you can enjoy it until then.

I did a mockup for you. The glass pendant lights are really hard to make look right. The backsplash isn’t the right color, but you hopefully you get the idea. Oh yeah and I couldn’t resist the green range. 🥰

Did you see the new Le Crueset olive green color with the gold knob. I think it is calling your name!

Thank you everyone! I think I was a little nervous at first about my decision.. but am now feeling a lot more comfortable as things are slowly coming together. I am going to stick with the white cabinetry... but am adding in warm tones one piece at a time. (See Loloi rug in dark olive green... )

+ my Pottery Barn light fixture for over the island is sitting on the countertop.

However, one more thing - I am trying to decide on the backsplash now... would you go with the greyish white tone subway tile on the left in photo - or would you go with the white 4x4 square tile on the right?

I think you're unhappy because the space isn't finished -- once you add in backsplash, throw rugs, curtains, accessories, I think you'll see the color you want /not the monochrome that exists now.

@Mrs Pete Definitely agree, I had to step back and realize that. I feel much happier with my choices now after a week or so. I am slowly adding in warmth and am liking how it is coming together. What do you think of my backsplash options?

White 4x4. Then add accents in color with crockery or linens and rugs

@rebunky thank you for the mockup!! I love it… and the green lecreuset is DEFINITELY calling my name! :)

Do you have a samplize type in your preferred green (if you decided to paint a color)? I would put the tiles against that, to see which works. You always have to keep in mind that colors are either warm or cool - even in white/gray tiles - and mixing the color temps often leave one feeling that "something" is wrong.

Since everything else is very simple, the gray/white tile pattern does work, except I am not sure about them with the warm brass fixtures - and because you are trying to add warmth. I am not sure I see the color accurately on my computer but it looks pretty cool to me.

@raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio I’ve decided to keep the white cabinets and walls, and not add green in a permanant way… rather i’ll add in with the rug seen below and some antiqye oil paintings, etc.

With that being said… which of the two do you think would go better with the kitchen as is ?

I was able to find a few pictures of the Bedrosian tile with antique brass

If you love olive green, Le Creuset has a new color and I think It's called 'Olive Green'. Perhaps you should be a Dutch Oven and leave it out on your cooktop. Of course you'll love using it too. Purchase other accessories in this shade and place on your counters.

So many terrific tile options out there you could use for the backsplash. If you like greens, you might think about doing a sage or rosemary green hex or 2 x 6 tile in a straight stack.

Here's the right idea in blue. You could easily do green. I also like the matte gold hardware.

Hex Tile Backsplash in Glossy Navy Blue · More Info

@Rachel I like that idea, thats what I plan to do! Just finalizing the backsplash tile choice between the two I posted.

Which did you choose?

@M Riz I am sticking with the white cabinets, with my white painted walls, white oak floors...

However, I am adding in with some dark brownish green rugs, antique brass fixtures and will add in antique oil paintings and warm items on the counters for some depth!

I am now looking at backsplash ideas, I want either a white, off white or slightly gray tone

here is one option… or another i saw online

im no pro, I think that if you were going with white, Id have some sort of texture, either with a textured tile or laying a tile in a pattern (like herringbone). I think a simple white subway tile isnt enough. The marble gray are always pretty, they add a bit of contrast with all the white. When you add your green accessories you will see your personality.

Love the white 4x4 backsplash and everyone's idea of bringing in color via soft goods or paint! It's going to be beautiful!

I like the gray white tile, but again, it really depends if it is a cool gray/white or warm. Which I can't tell over the internet. The white 4x4 is fine too!