Buffet

Appliance wall

Messy photo of kitchen

To give you an idea: mine are not subway, but glossy white picket tiles with a 'wavy' surface and white grout. The grout lines are 1/16".

4x8 is going to look squat.

why not go w/the 2.5X10 size? or 2x8, 3x9? Those thinner sizes look so much better on a backsplash layout since you're only working w/18", more or less.

this is the cloe tile. I believe it's 2.25 X 8"

similar size Herringbone, obviously

This one is a 2X10 or 2.5 X 10. I think this is the perfect size

standard 3x6 brick off set layout

2x6 (maybe a 2x8) vertical offset

you could always do the square

to show you the diff in size, I did a marble tile in a 4x12. I wanted something thinner, but they didn't make it in the calacatta

grout isn't an issue w/a backsplash

tiling w/the shelves.

4x8 is going to look squat.

why not go w/the 2.5X10 size? or 2x8, 3x9? Those thinner sizes look so much better on a backsplash layout since you're only working w/18", more or less.

this is the cloe tile. I believe it's 2.25 X 8"

similar size Herringbone, obviously

This one is a 2X10 or 2.5 X 10. I think this is the perfect size

standard 3x6 brick off set layout

2x6 (maybe a 2x8) vertical offset

you could always do the square

to show you the diff in size, I did a marble tile in a 4x12. I wanted something thinner, but they didn't make it in the calacatta

grout isn't an issue w/a backsplash

tiling w/the shelves.

For size--grout isn't a huge factor for backsplashes unless you just don't like the look of it, so I wouldn't decide based on that. We have basic 3x6 subway for a traditional look, but I also really liked 2x6 and 2x8 if you want a more modern look. Similarly, we chose smooth surface for a traditional look but wavy is beautiful too and more modern. Our backsplash has 3/32" grout lines simply because we used the built-in lugs and that's what it wound up being with them; if you want to deemphasize the grout, going with 1/16" will help. Same for grout color--we wanted a pronounced grout line so went with a darker gray, but if you want it to disappear or be subtle, frost or warm gray are good choices.

I would find a photo of a kitchen that is the look you're going for, and start with that for sizing and style.

Is your home traditional, transitional, or modern? Each style will have a subset of options that are best for it.