As @millworkman said, that 4” strip of granite IS a backsplash. Before you add a tile splash, the strip should be removed…otherwise, the kitchen will automatically have a dated look.

agree with others - that 4" strip is considered a B/S. leave as is or remove the 4" and add a B/S.

that gray tile is a no-go. use a color in the granite, i would use a 6x6 square tile, not subway with that granite. all the uneven grout lines from an offset subway adds more busyness to the granite. keep the B/S as quiet as possible. that includes tile and grout.

See if you can find a warm ivory, caramel or taupe-y beige. I understand a lot of beige tiles look pink next to your countertop but you need a warm colored backsplash to work with your room.

It takes a while to find the right tile, but keep getting samples.

What RR said.

A tile this skinny is going to require more rows of them, which means more grout lines, and a busy look with your counters. What everyone else said about finding a warm white. It may take some time but it is out there.

My suggestion is large format porcelain tile with rectified edge .

Like this

You already have a backsplash. If you want to add color, consider painting the walls.

Not to those tiles and IMO leave it as is with the 4" backsplash and make your life easy. I also think be happy the builder used granite instead of fake plastic stone.

What’s the flooring?

My floors are a walnut engineered hardwood (see pics) I like the idea of a porcelin tile with rectified edge. Is a cream faux brick backsplash dated or too rustic? I will have to see if it’s feasible to remove the existing 4 inch splash. Thank you all so much for your responses!

I agree. Just paint. I like the first two that came from freedomplace1. The last is too cool for your counters and your cupboards and doesn't have the richness.

You CAN remove the 4” backsplash. The dry wall will have to be repaired but hundreds of people have removed those to install a full wall of tile.

You will keep the new backsplash from looking busy if you match the grout to the tile color so it reduces the look of a “lotta lines”.

Yes, painting is a much easier solution since there are thousands of paint colors and matching your stone will be easier. You would pick an easy to wipe paint formula no matter which company or color you choose. Personally, I would keep looking for a tile and not “settle” if you really want a tiled background to your kitchen.

Patience is required for this task.

Not sure if you are still monitoring this, but I have the same granite counter with the granit curb. Our cabinets are natural hickory. This is after a reno converting a 48sqft kitchen to 88sqft on a retirement budget. So I had to find something that fit the budget.

I chose a faux stamped metal by Fascade. No grout lines, lots of shine, easy to apply. That was in 2014 and it still looks the same. They have several different colors and styles.

Before and After 1976 Kitchen · More Info

Before and After 1976 Kitchen · More Info

I installed the spice shelf backing myself using a yardstick, scissors and construction glue.

If you are at an impass on choosing tile, the Fascade material can work for something quick and easy. I bought it at Lowe's, and I've seen it at Home Depot. The web site has many more style choices.

Sometimes it not easy to see the actual colors in the granite. Here are the colors you should shoot for. Again, you already have a 4" backsplash Maybe you want to consider painted beadboard instead.

Or you could just paint and be finished.

I like the last pic from BeverlyFLADeziner because the color is halfway betyween the color of the countertops and the white cabinets. But I would use a large size tile (to minimize grout lines and busyness) in that color, because it will look more upscale than paint. I had a similar 4" granite backsplash and it popped off easily, although it left a gummy line on the countertop that was not very noticeable but was hard to remove. I don't see any white in the granite, so somewhere down the line you could think about repainting the cabinets to blend in better with the granite.

The tile is way too shiny against the granite. I agree with the comments about removing the 4" piece, or perhaps even go with some wallpaper that is grease resistant if you want to keep it. We can't see the rest of the kitchen but I would also consider matte black hardware.

Painting is a good idea, but if you do decide on that, you probably need something easy to clean over the cooktop. Perhaps a stainless steel backguard, or tile in that area only. But I'll echo what everyone else has said, and nix the gray tile--it totally does not work with your existing color palette.

I ordered a lot of samples before we finally settled on this small, sort of rustic tile. I wish I’d gone with a little bit darker grout, but I still like the tile with the granite. We removed the 4 inch backsplash before installing this tile.

I agree with those persons recommending paint. In one home I had, the backsplash was a matte laminate. I have a painted backsplash now (different color than walls) and like having option to change it and using a kitchen formulated paint makes it easy to clean. The space above the sink has artwork with acrylic covering. Kitchens don't have to have tile.

Wow - so many great ideas!

I had the same granite, it's called Yellow Butterfly. In 2019, I put up a backsplash in this "greige" tile: https://www.ebay.com/itm/283042004804?epid=8021376790&hash=item41e69e3f44:g:jNUAAOSwNDZbPnGA&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4Ae4tWaVngvaLcD93dbwyGzEKKatqoZhjkeW%2BMlxbWoFM2UgsnfEOdEMmhJ4DgRLYGgXx0Gv0VWhkR1WmYx4owfK0jTmVTutK2fO4JOaBF4BKJsUSktzJrpwUhSFE%2FchQJup5kH6cE8EF2JICtG1brYhJ60AuaYrQ1NFHyP9Px7BfYtisO2OWHEZFid23Y%2BbkJ%2BLuQVG6jI7GYtnPwgn8U61AuDq6GXNlia1PBHHQtDCQWzwEFHjcIHUXOiGeKW6FFgXWERwyfVZ1%2Bp18ctFP8NRw1k3NYC7gkMQcojEQezW%7Ctkp%3ABFBM6PKl1pth

It looks grey in the photo, but it really works with this granite.

I can't find any photos, sorry.

Take into account the stove backsplash area is large and a special design there

as a focal point using whatever tile you choose would be very nice.

We have a stainless steel panel in that area with tile meeting it on both sides.

Good for cleaning and breaks up the monotony of the tile. The area behind

your cooktop will get a workout from splatters and grease fumes.

Many good suggestions here. I agree that your possible choice is not complementary to the granite. Either paint above the existing backsplash or completely remove it before adding a tile one. A matte finish is better with the granite and minimize the grout lines or use a grout similar to the tile color to avoid a busy look.

A backsplash looks best when it is either the same material as the counter OR it matches one prominent light color in the counter material. The gray clashes with everything.

Here are some I think may look nice in more light beige tones.

https://www.tilebar.com/santa-monica-ivory-4x12-tile.html

https://www.tilebar.com/cement-canvas-light-4x12-matte-porcelain-tile.html

https://www.tilebar.com/loft-sand-beach-polished-2x8-glass-tile.html

Do you plan to keep the granite countertop long-term? If not, hold off on additional backsplash tile till you change the countertop. Personally, I would use a top quality paint in satin finish for kitchen/bath that can be easily wiped clean.

I’d keep looking and when testing a choice, lay out/tape more tiles to get a better sense of not only how they work with counter, but the overall effect in kitchen. Sometimes just a plain tile done in an interesting pattern is an easy solution.

I’d remove the granite backsplash, and tile in a warm color from the granite. Maybe a warm white, gray, or light brown? We are building, and my kitchen will have moss green subway tiles in a vertical stack installation using this approach. I don’t like subway tile and I predict white will look “very 2000’s” in a decade, but subway is the least expensive option with our builder, so green and vertical is my compromise. Good luck, hope you are happy with the results!

Perhaps just extend the granite up like this & very easy to clean.

I faced the same dilemma with a dated backsplash and busy quartz top much like yours. Predominantly browns with some warm gray specks. I had the wall painted for years and it felt out of date. Removing the 4” backsplash was not an option as would mean a complete redo (extends to an open counter over cooktop) which isn’t planned for another year or two. I used Marina Bay bone 3 x 6 tile laid in a subway pattern. It is a glossy glaze with some waviness and irregular edges. Its a soft off white, not beige, and not as yellow as some ivories. Selected to blend with my soft white cabinets rather than introduce another color to a small space. They also have an Old White which may work but agree with everyone here, don’t go gray/cool. This brightened and modernized the space until a major redo!

If you don’t have an awkward transition like mine i would definitely explore popping off the 4” backsplash.

Agree with @Marci - Light beige or ivory with matching grout. And remove the 4" piece.

I think bigger tiles will simplify the look. I used an 8" x 19" tile backsplash with my granite counters. My countertop is soft white with creamy grays, browns and black. Tile is creamy white with distressing, alot of dimensional texture and glossy finish. I loved the tile so much I used it in two bathrooms with two different granite counters. Also used a light gray grout with a 1/2 inch grout line. It goes with many different looks, transitional, vintage, farmhouse.

Your money would be better spent putting it towards converting most (if not all) of the base cabinets, to drawers. That would instantly update the kitchen, and you’ll much appreciate the convenience of just pulling out your storage spaces. Also, drawers are much easier to organize.

There are some good ideas. I like simple, such as the subway tile and a light color. To throw in another idea….. This house had some busy granite when I moved in. With the help of my designer, I picked this black and white floor for the mud room area , which is next to the kitchen. Subway tile for the backspace was just to plain. We found this off white tile that adds some interest and coordinates with the tile off the kitchen.

Too busy

This works is

Use one solid or very large granite slab or quartz. Grout lines behind a stove , extremely hard to clean. The large solid piece would up date your kitchen too

The tone of that grey is way too cool for your granite. You’re better off going with a warmer color, cream, taupe. You’re right, though, to avoid any beige that leans towards pink.

I see your dilemma. I myself am a big fan of Talvaera tile. You can't get any more classic than that. There are hundreds to choose from in a variety of colors, though not many are beige, but I don't think you want to be all matchy-matchy, do you? Anyway, I chose a gorgeous blue and white talavera for my kitchen that has yet to be installed from Estancia tiles. I've picked a pattern that might go with your granite. I would suggest a 4 inch tile because you end up putting them together to form a larger pattern. I don't know how to upload to this site but here is the link of one https://estanciatiles.com/collections/talavera-tile/products/corner-aldeno-talavera-mexican-tile. The woman who answers the phone is very helpful (can't remember her name.) I had to have the white of the tile changed because it was too creamy and there was an upcharge, but she made it happen. Good luck if you go in that direction. There's also another pattern that might go, but doesn't match (but I don't think matching is all that great anyway, it's not that interesting.) I'll send it to you in a moment because my computer is acting up.

Continuing from above: https://www.lafuente.com/Tile/Talavera-Tile/Simple-Designs/8049/

This is the link for the other tile. You have to use a bunch together to make a full pattern. I think the four inch is best but this price is for the two inch. If you want the Estancia tiles I read they are going up with the new year. New year, new prices, uggh.

One more thought: the last tile would look great with a small print, green leaf pattern wallpaper, I think. Green on a white background. That would be so beautiful with those tiles.

I really like Beverly's ideas. Your countertop is very 'busy' so a plain tile would probably work better - and definitely in the warm family. Normally I would choose the predominate color in the countertop which is black but that would be too dark. I like Beverly's middle tile as a compromise.

I have a similar predicament. We have remodeled our kitchen but I’m stuck with my Cambria Bradshaw quartz. I have been looking for a year for a backsplash that compliments both the counters and my cabinets which are Sherwin Williams Egret. A grey with green undertones. I finally found this which I think will blend well with both. The tiles are 35x12 and rectified so there will be minimal grout lines.
The tile is from the Tile Shop and called Studio Limestone.
Good luck, I feel your pain

Remove the small backsplash, then look into a tile (comes in different shapes and sizes) by Bedrosian, named Cloe. The warmer tones of the Cloe tiles and updating the hardware may assist you in finding your ideal aesthetic.

I really like Marci’s suggestions for backsplash—especially the first one.

I suggest taking a look at chalkabdboard’s kitchen. I agree-consider using a soft white irregular textured tile instead of introducing another color. Best of luck.😊

@BeverlyFLADeziner I like your suggestions, especially the last photo with the sage coloured paint. I think that would go excellent with the existing granite and add a nice contrast to the white cabinets. Plus paint is way cheaper than tiling!

I realize that I will get a plethora of retorts on this one but I personally love having a back splash for easy cleanup dated or not. You have to do what's comfortable for your life style. I've been in so many houses that look "beautiful" but not comfy as a home.