I agree with @auntthelma

I agree with others to move in and live with it for a bit. Painting the walls or replacing the backsplash is not a big deal from a cost or disruption perspective to do after move in.

I think, it is more noticable, because, its just bare in there. I would move in, add your things, and then re evaluate. Personally, I couldnt live with all those white walls, so would be painting anyway, but, it all depends on your furnishings, and it is fresh, and clean, so doesnt have to be done immediately.

I think it looks OK, the only thing which would bother me, is the backsplash on the side wall. I would remove it.

Backsplash on side wall is ok - that’s personal preference & no rules apply! I’m surprised no one has brought up lighting yet. That one thing really affects the colors we see & especially shades of white. Do you have undercabinet lighting in there? Do you know what kind & color of bulbs are in the overhead lighting? Find that out before choosing any paint colors. Several Pros on this site advise daylight color & 4000K. I agree about daylight but 4000K is a bit bright for my tastes - 3700K is better & LED of course. My undercabinet lighting is on a dimmer switch which IMO is absolutely the best deal! I do agree with all who’ve said that your home looks a bit stark as it’s empty & will entirely change once your things are in to add your personality. Don’t panic! Watching your new home being built is so fun and also sooo stressful!! Been there so I know.

The undertones are a little off in the pic but it doesn't look terrible. If you really hate it, I would replace it with a lightly variegated or handmade look tile backsplash. I would investigate different shapes as well. It would break up all the horizontal and vertical lines. IMO, replacing the backsplash would be easier than painting.

Is there undercabinet lighting? It would have been nice to see what this looks like with the lights on. I don't think it looks bad at all. It just needs some decorating so it looks lived in. The white tile will make a great back drop for decorative canisters or a colorful toaster.

I would also look into getting some sort of crown molding and light rail. It looks a little unfinished with no trim at all on the wall cabinets.

Congrats on the new house!

I think you have many different whites that are cool and warm. Overall looks pretty good. I think it’s always shocking to see our selections suddenly in the space so you second guess. I’m with the others- you still have lots of stuff to add to the space from counter appliances to stools. See if it grows on you, if not replace it next year.

Looks nice to me

Is crown molding on your wall cabinets an option? The tops look very stark. The rest of the colors are just fine. Move in and live with it for a while. I think you will grow to like it once you have some of your things on the counters and walls.

nothing to worry about. think along these possibilities: chunkier hardware to correspond to the relief of the tiles which impart a chunky feel....that could be good!! pendant lights yet?? you can make a bit of a statement w those , along with stools yet to be chosen apparently. so you have a few steps to go here.

here's a textural backsplash and they used black w... hardware/ hood/ detail on stools and pendants. If you dont want handles I'd think about black knobs..maybe a bit bigger...stools and pendants w similar punctuation of black and then the tile wont stand out so much. Issue of layering in details....what can you do?

Elevated Farmhouse Kitchen · More Info

Thank you, all, for talking me off the ledge. I appreciate all the positive comments and feel much better about it. My ultimate goal is to stack another row of cabinets to the ceiling, which is why there's no molding. :-)

“Several Pros on this site advise daylight color & 4000K”

@KW PNW Z8 actually there is only one ”Pro” who frequents this forum who recommends that. It’s just that she says it so incessantly that it might seem like there are several Pros saying that. But 4000K is for hospital surgery, not a kitchen. 3000K would be better. I don’t think LEDs are made in 3700K you mentioned; I think LED bulbs come in 2700k, 2800k, 3000k, then 4000k, but maybe someone here can confirm.

I like the 2700k myself. No way I would ever do 4000k.

I think an additional row of wall cabinets will look very nice. You may still want to put a trim molding on top of those, too.

M Miller You’re right of course - I think it’s the same ”Pro” who advocates against ’plastic’ for countertops! I tried to confirm light type in my kitchen but since LED’s last so long & cost so much when we swapped them out, I have no extras in my light bulb storage. Hauling out ladder isn’t a task I’m up for this morning. I’m sure you’re also correct on light intensities of LEDs. We both agree that 4000k is waay too bright for household use!

I hope you come to like it after you move in, but if you don't, the backsplash is the least expensive part of a kitchen to replace, so you can always replace it if it doesn't grow on you. It's not doing much for me either, but I do think you need to be moved in before you'll really know.

I think your trim color is too white. I'd paint it to match the cabinets and then once you're living in the house see if you need to paint the walls a different color. All I'm seeing right now is the stark white of the trim.

What did you do?

• current photo would be great
• what color are the cabinets?