What would be the best countertop and tile backsplash for this kitchen

last year

last modified: last year

I am looking for a quartz countertop with a white background for this kitchen and tile backsplash. Budget only allows for quartz countertop and tile as the backsplash - unfortunately I cannot bring the countertop up as the backsplash. I understand that marble countertop is preferred by the community but please do not suggest that as it is not helpful for me, the marble is much more expensive. I have asked for quotes in many places. Would anyone have a suggestion as to which quartz countertop would look best in this kitchen? and what for the backsplash? I am open to marble/porcelain/ceramic material for the backsplash and it can be large format tiles size 48x48, but no bigger.
The wall cabinet doors are white and the floor is wooden similar color to the base cabinets. The windows are far from the kitchen so no natural light shines in the kitchen, but there are 5 recessed lights in the kitchen, as well as under cabinet lighting. Unfortunately I do not have the luxury of waiting until the lights are installed to decide my counter/backsplash as the electrician only wants to come once to do all his work, after the countertop and backsplash is already installed. I’m thinking the countertop in the photo below but not sure if that would be best, maybe something with longer veins?

Appliances are stainless steel as well as the sink, but hardware and faucet will be brass. Hardware in the photo attached is Top Knobs Honey Bronze.

Appreciate any advice!

Thank you

Featured Answer

kandrewspa

last year

I think the countertop sample you're showing looks fine with your cabinets. Quartz with pronounced veins is not popular anymore. You don't really want or need anything dramatic in a galley kitchen. What is the name of the quartz you're showing? Get several samples of tile in whites and off whites and look at them against your slab. It's very difficult for anyone to tell you online what is going to work. Lighting is so important to how colors look. Keep in mind that showrooms rarely have the same kind of lighting any of us have at home. That's why we always recommend people choose their backsplash tile after the counters are installed. Have you asked the electrician how much more he would charge for a second visit? It might be worth it to prevent buyer's remorse.

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Comments (10)

eam44
last year
Don’t choose your backsplash tile until your counters and lighting are installed. You would be amazed at the difference they make.

It’s a good thing that you’re not using quartz as a backsplash. It can scortch, it can yellow, it is not proving to be the optimal material it was marketed to be. So I have to ask whether you would consider installing marble counters instead. The cost is roughly the same as quartz.
blueskyreno
Original Author
last year
@eam44 thank you for your advice. Unfortunately I do not have the luxury of waiting until the lights are installed to decide my counter/backsplash as the electrician only wants to come once to do all his work, after the countertop and backsplash is already installed.

And marble is much more expensive than quartz in my area
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eam44
last year
That’s going to be tough for you. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Good luck.
blueskyreno thanked eam44
blueskyreno
Original Author
last year
Thank you for your advice @kandrewspa

I will see about how much it will be.

The quartz in the photo is Emerstone ”Cararra Gold”.

I was thinking between this and MSI ”Calacatta Miraggio Gold” but not sure if its thin veins would be better.

Here are more photos of the Carrara Gold slab
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Sorry bit there are many real granites that are even less expensive that fake stone and can be used as backsplash no problem. I think marble look grey and white counters are pretty boring and real stone jusr so much mor einteresting too.
blueskyreno
Original Author
last year
Update: chose a different quartz countertop. This countertop scratched too easily and looked like acrylic
eam44
last year
Glad you are making progress
blueskyreno thanked eam44
thercgan
10 months ago
Patricia, I agree that the marble grey looking quartz with white cabinets are a bit boring but since dramatic or dark looking stone don't go well in a galley kitchen - what is left? I'm having the same issues trying to decide on a countertop and backsplash for my galley kitchen. I decided on soft white cabinets because they will make the kitchen look more open but I don't want my kitchen to look boring or cold.
teamaltese
10 months ago
Perhaps a different direction? Rather than veining, I’d consider a terrazzo look, a white with blue glass. A white glass backsplash. The photos are my kitchen, with a blue glass backsplash.