Truthfully, there's no one "right" answer to this. It all depends on your preference. The shiny marble will be more prominent and the matte porcelain more subdued. Marble could etch and be a bit more difficult to clean, but on a backsplash that is not a big factor.

Also, does the dolomite have any pattern whatsoever? If yes, I'd go with the porcelain so as not to compete with the counter top, which I am assuming is engineered stone?

Love the color of your cabinets! Are you keeping the floor? The cabinets would look awesome with a wood floor, if you are considering a change.

I personally prefer matte in the kitchen. It’s just a matter of your own taste. Please post pics when finished.

Love your cabinet color, what is it?

Glossy tends to be more reflective, which might not be the look you want for your kitchen.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6295891/kitchen-backsplash-installed-very-disappointing-result-pls-help

@Diana Bier Interiors, LLC thank you! Dolomite has very very little variation so I’m confident it wouldn’t compete. I just hadn’t considered a matte tile until yesterday so was curious if the design minds had a preference.

I hate the floor and would love to bring the hardwood from my adjoining living space into kitchen but decided to invest in new appliances/cab paint/hardware/counters this year and will live with a runner to cover as much of this pink tile atrocity as possible for time being.

@Kay p thank you, I shall!

@deegw thanks! It is BM Agean Teal

Matte is always the safer choice. In your kitchen, the fabulous color is the star, so I would keep the backsplash as quiet as possible. Love the new look!

Save your pnennies for the wood floor you want. It will absolutely enhance the new color! Great job.

As I said previously, either is fine. I don't believe that matte is the safer choice.

Either is fine. I have used both in the past and also mosaics that combine matte and polished.

In my current house I ended up going with a honed marble mosaic, because I have 3 large windows on one wall and I was getting too much glare when testing polished tiles with my polished counters.

If your kitchen is a bit dark, then the polished tile will give it a bit of "sparkle".

Pretty. :)

Get more samples, peel them off the card, and line em up. My decision would probably be more based on size--how many tiles show, how many cuts I'd make...etc. And of course, if are there edging materials available, if desired.

If this is DIY, ease of installation matters. (I'd much prefer to cut stone than porcelain, and not JUST because the edges look good and chips can be smoothed.)

Below are some of the kitchen designs we have done for our clients. Take a moment to look at what tiles we used and if they are matte or glossy.

Casual Classic Remodel · More Info

Colorful Remodel · More Info

Charming Cottage · More Info

For a couple of reasons I like the glossy..don’t know if either is true ….but glossy tiles always seem less likely to absorb stains..and according to the verbiage …the splash is usually referred to as the jewelry of the kitchen…one spot to sparkle a little

Even reflect the light under the cabinets a little better?

Find a tile you love first. The glaze is secondary.

Gorgeous! Your runner is awesome too.

Looks great!!

It looks terrific!

Love that you updated the post -- so fun to see the final result!

I love it! Color of the cabinets, tile, runner - good choices! Thanks for the update!

Looks great! Love the tile.