you already have a backsplash. Paint the wall between the cabinets and countertop.

The four inch or so, strip at the back of your counters is your backsplash. You do not add anything above that. Just paint that part of the wall. If you want a different type of splash, you will have to remove that 4 inch strip of granite first, to get a nice look.

@Lyn Nielson @cat_ky I will be removing the 4 inch granite backsplash.

Great! I think the options you have would be nice. How about a verticle running bond pattern?

I prefer the larger, but you do you! Without seeing the rest of the space... I would paint the wall above the cabinets the same color white of the cabinets.

I like the larger tile too 🩷

When you evaluate backsplash options you need to prop up the samples on the wall next to the countertop so you're viewing them perpendicular to each other, the way they would be installed. Light hits differently when they're laying that way. Since they're not displayed that way in your picture, I'm not sure if the samples are the right color or not. Is there anything a little darker you can try? The samples look too white to me. Look for tile that is a color present in the countertop material.

You need to show the tile next to your cabinets too. If you are going with "white" tile you don't want to make your white cabinets look yellow or dingy.

@kandrewspa thank you! I took some more pictures. The first two are definitely very white. I do have a sample of a slightly darker option that has some off-white and taupe color variation within it (second pic), but I guess my worry is that anything like that would be too busy against the granite? I do really love it though. Here’s a link in case seeing it installed helps visualize the color variation more:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Daltile-LuxeCraft-Arteko-Antique-White-3-in-x-12-in-Glazed-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-12-sq-ft-Case-AK01312HD1P2/313499026

I like the original one better now that I see it propped up. The darker one looks like it has a red undertone that isn't working with the counter. How does the original one look next to the cabinets? You are going to be a better judge of this than we are since you're seeing the samples in person. Look at them close up, as you're showing here, and also from 5-10 feet away. If you think the one you're showing might work, get more samples of it and prop them up in multiple places around the kitchen. Look at them at different times of day to get the effect of different lighting conditions.

@kandrewspa I’ll definitely grab some more samples and spread them out around the kitchen, thanks for the idea! My cabinets are a very stark bright white so my only fear is that bright white subway tile will look too sterile, but I’m wondering if the handmade texture of it will help a bit with that because it won’t look ”flat.”

The other dilemma I am having is tile size. The original one does come in two sizes, and I’m not sure if bigger or smaller works better in such a small space.

I actually like the smaller size better, but, its all a matter of personal preference.

@Kendrah thank you! I’m leaning towards going with the white ones. Any thoughts on the larger vs smaller tiles or does it not matter much?