Nothing wrong with the cabinets, you certainly don't need to paint them. Shiny black countertops aren't popular right now, but I don't think they're that bad. I love a black and white kitchen. I wouldn't replace them unless you have money to burn. I like the medium gray tile on the left that is laid horizontally on the counter, but I could use a closer up picture to be sure. Any porcelain tile is easy to clean. I would choose that over real stone behind a range, but there probably are people who use real stone. Maybe some of them will weigh in with their experience. Here's what a couple other people did with black and white.

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Go for a color.

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I mean, white and black (even off-white) are the definition of neutral, and your wood doesn't seem limiting either. I'd think you have plenty of options for stone or glass or ceramic. What looks do you like? In what way are you hoping to "pull it together" via the backsplash? You could do cream, and bring in a bit of texture or shine, or you could do a color for accent, or a pattern...

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I think you'll be ok -- just pick something you like, but I think tile will serve you better than stone.

We also have a white kitchen with black counters. We ended up choosing a gray and white herringbone from The Tile Shop and really like it. I’m not crazy about the strong red or blues above, but don’t know what colors you have in the rest of your house. I worry about finding an off-white tile backsplash that will be just right with your off-white cabinets. See the pictures below that I found on Houzz of gray/white herringbone and subway.

The first herringbone below mixes off whites with some griege and gray tones. Meant to add that I think the dark stone options will make the kitchen look too dark, and yes, hard to clean!

I was just going to say what Norwood Architects said. Classic subways tiles in a larger size would look amazing IMO

Can you show a picture of the other side of this room? I assume there is some living space in the area behind the stools where you stood for the picture.

You have a nice kitchen and I'm glad you are not needlessly painting cabinets or getting new counters. You have enough good advice below about neutrals from grays to creams and in herringbones or subway. I differ from Tara and would use her colorful examples of what *not* to do. They create a banded or striped effect above your black counters that really makes the room look choppy and condensed. The only color that seems ok from those below is the very pale blue.

Your problem is that you have a great classic counter/cabinet combo and too many things will look good with it. Not a bad problem to have.

Don't change the cabinets or the counter--just keep looking at tile shops and online images until you find something you actually like enough to install. Perhaps paint it a fun color or apply peel and stick wallpaper while you seek out the backsplash you love.

The dilemma is that your cabinets are off white. Yes it is tricky to find an off white will blend.

Not impossible, but not easy.

I would like a light silver with variation.

This idea.

I think Norwood Architects and Kay p are referring to this look. It’s classic.

Mosaic-like marble is also pretty.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I definitely think we can make something work. I record videos in my kitchen (nutritionist) so I can’t have anything that reflects light. I am considering the tile in the picture that is on the board and is the same color as the cabinets. I like the advice to have the backsplash blend in versus stand out. What trips me up is the antique white color of the cabinets. I really don’t like their color. Sometimes they look off white - but usually they pull a strong yellow. I know I need to change lighting though - our cans next level looks so bright and blue I don’t like it but I guess it’s pick the best option. Maybe I can find cans that have more options. I am going to take all your advice and find something light, neutral, that matches or is close to the cabinets, and pattern with the the grout. I do love the stone look as it reminds me of a European/Italy vibe but sounds like it’s a pain to clean! Thank you all again! I’ll attach another picture further away since someone asked - just FYI I know I need to paint over the blue/green color we have going on as it clashes with the cabinets, I’m just not sure what color to do! Like pops of color typically but not working with this yellow/black set up!

Here are more pictures per request…

This is pretty tile too…I may try to find this to see what it would looks like!

Ivories and off-whites are definitely tricky. Go to Tilebar.com and look for ivory, cream, taupe, etc. They will send you 5 samples for $5. You've definitely got a challenge, but it can be solved.

Good to know you do videos. That eliminates a lot of ideas that will look terrible on camera (e.g. patterned tiles).

I love star and cross tile!!
I took these pictures at our local Daltile last summer when I was looking for tiles. (Didn’t end of using them so I can’t comment on durability, etc.) Not sure if they would still have the same tile/colors but wanted to pass them along. I had thought about doing the same color but with the cross matte and the star gloss.

I believe subway tiles off white to match you cabinets would look good.
I have subway tiles with a rough look to them, not hard to clean. I use bathroom cleaning bubbles, spray bottom to top a section at a time, use a Terry cloth towel to wipe top to bottom.
There are tile out there that look rough but are really not..

Thank you! I will see if they have a non glossy option for star and cross tiles!

Thanks everyone!

I have off-white cabinets and black countertops. I opted for off-white subway tile in a matte finish with off-white grout and have had no regrets. It's a timeless look. The tile and cabinet colors aren't an exact color match but honestly it's not at all noticable. Color comes from dishes, accesories, etc. that can easily and inexpensively be updated.

No to the large stone. your space is too small for that particular type. No to the others. also too large.

proper tile size for your small space would be something like this 2.5X10 size. no larger (

I did do a photoshop for you w/the black star and cross (more on that below) w/some nice wood cutting boards:

I like it. (It's the Noir color from clay imports)

If you like that stone look, go for the mosaic.

Or maybe you like these colors. basalt, and natural stone in a 3d ledger panel. (Tilebar)

If you like the texture, Easton Summit (diff colors) 2x9

Cle' Tile (who does a star and cross) also specializes in Zellige and Earthenware tile.

this is the earthenware(similar look to the zellige) but done in a mosiac sheet. All colors

BTW, your star and cross comes in tiles like these

https://mymoroccantile.com/products/star-and-cross-moroccan-zellij-tile

https://clayimports.com/products/star-cross-5-5-glazed-distressed-gloss-white

This Noir would be really pretty w/your countertops done w/a off-white grout color.

Stunning:

You can find these in the glazed clay like above, or in a glazed ceramic like they have at Fireclay tile. you could also find some in a regular ceramic.

they come in diff sizes.

Bedrosians has these in a 2x2

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/le-cafe-mosaic/?itemNo=100003616

The Nabi Harlequin (Tilebar, or IvyHill tile at home depot it's the Delphi) would look really nice

comes in diff colors like this arctic blue, also in the Jewel shape.

this is really pretty in person.

more w/black countertops.

marble herringbone

or, go for the black chevron (half matte half glossy) w/a light gray grout

love this one

some type of patterned tile (there are thousands of designs)

Or even a dark subway tile

last thing I'd do is a white subway.

So what do YOU like?

Thank you SO much for all of this!!!! I super appreciate it! I love the star and cross. I went and ordered a few samples today. I also got some subway tile in an off white matte!!! I’m really hoping something pulls together this way!

Don’t forget to take videos of the contenders so you see how it looks on camera!

I would get a lighter counter top than the black one that you have and also, replace the island top with the same counter top you use in the kitchen. The white cabinets look nice. If you do decide to go with a lighter counter top you could always paint the kitchen cabinets a nice shade of blue, or pale blue, or Sage Green...would look nice.

How about a pattern stainless steel above the cooktop (easy cleaning) with an off-white tile for the rest.

You have a classic color combination to work with. I love my white cabinets, /black patterned countertop with white subway tiled backsplash. Timeless, not trendy.

You have some great suggestions for shades of gray or taupe tile backsplashes, but rough stone will be difficult to clean, which will make you tire of it very quickly.

You have too many choices. Narrow it down to two or three. Then decide.

I have same in a guest house. Ultimately I have decided to go with white subway. Whites can be hard to “match” but there are also lots of white options in tile. If anything, add texture with the pattern? I like classic so I’m doing staggered pattern. Black is dramatic. White is clean. Your “things” can be the character touches. Nice kitchen!

I have white cabinets with absolute black honed countertop, with Java island and white/grey quartz countertop. I used a nice glazed grey/taupe subway tile and carried that color through in my stool upholstery. Very happy with it.

Here are pics

Must you have tile or stone? Paint comes in infinite colors, is very washable, cheap, and so easy to change hues if you tire of it. IMHO backsplash tile eventually dates a kitchen - at a very hefty price. Paint is DIY and the $ saved can go towards better countertop materials or cabinets.

Thanks everyone! I have lots of ideas here and I think we have a direction to go- I’ll definitely post “after” pics!

Use the countertop stone for your backsplash

Anything but white subway tile! Or white anything. I like the horozontal sample on the left.

I would do a patterned marble tile because the cabinets and countertop are simple. I would also update the pendants and go bigger.

I would look at solid colored matte subway tile with thin contrasting grout lines. Or wood grain look subway tile and thin grout lines that match the cabinets. Leave tile that matches the cabinets out of the picture. It’s way hard to get a good match. If you find a solid color subway tile you like, I would get paint color matched to it for the walls. And I would probably look at golden yellow first because if the walls and/or backsplash is a true yellow, it will be a contrast with the cabinets, and they will instantly look whiter. Probably the fastest, easiest way to make the cabinets not pull yellow. Not too in-your-face, but a warm neutral yellow, maybe in the “corn silk” family. Terracotta is also an earthy neutral that reads well in kitchens and in currently trending, but imo is pretty timeless for a kitchen anyway.

I like your kitchen, classic black and white. My sister had a black countertop in her old condo, looked rich, I liked it. I would go with the off white or the black with off white grout. I wouldn't throw money away by changing countertops or painting cabinets. Beth H had some great ideas, and she is right, go for smaller tile.

If your cabinets 'pull yellow' then RedRyder's tile choice would work with that.

Hi @AJ -

Just as a side note, you should think about installing a knife drawer under your burners.

We did that when we remodeled and absolutely LOVE the result.

That drawer front is easily converted to a shallow drawer, allowing for just enough space (height) to install magnetic strips for all of your knives. It would allow you to eliminate your knife blocks and free up some counter space - always a plus for me!

Your kitchen is going to be beautiful!

If you look at your first picture, I love the top option behind your stovetop. The color blends perfectly with your cabinets and the horizontal striping adds beautiful texture without making it too busy.