If counter will be minimal, suggest a subtle pattern and if light, won’t make the kitchen feel smaller, but will add some texture and interest. The look below will also work well your flooring.

Thank you for the advice and photo. That is the style I was thinking of.

Hi Jeannie. We often recommend that in smaller kitchens, a more seamless background helps the space feel larger and more open. In this small-to-mid-sized kitchen, the client selected a minimally veined quartzite for both the countertops and backsplash. By continuing the same material across both surfaces, the visual continuity creates an elongated, more expansive look.

I like what you have!

What counter are you thinking about? That will drive the bus in picking the backsplash.

As noted above you can use the same material for both but in my opinion you would need some kind of nd if color/ movement to not look sterile.

Either a splash of the counter material, if you can afford it, or a tile with subtle grout lines. It not only tile that makes a splash busy but also contrasting or pronounced groutlines. For example, the herringbone that you like below has white groutlines that blend in and give a uniform look to the splash. If the same splash had dark grey grout lines you would see an outline around each piece of tile and it would look crazy busy.

Using the same material for the backsplash and countertop gives a seamless look. If you are using a white/cream/beige stone, it will definitely lighten up the kitchen.

A tile backsplash looks less busy with matching grout, so if you like the look of tile you just match the tile and grout as closely as possible. If your countertop material is super expensive, wait until that is installed (and your lighting) and THEN shop for the backsplash.