I think it all depends on how much money you have and how long you envisage being in the house.

I would pick a light gray subway style. I am afraid your are right about the others dating your look. Like your cabinet choice.

I vote for #2. Although #1 adds texture, I feel it is too much white. The second one gives you a couple of other colors to work with as you accessorize. Good luck.

I really like the white tile but not in the kitchen. It would be difficult to clean. I prefer the brown glass tiles. The other one looks too busy.

I vote for #3, but possibly extend upward so they meet the bottom of the cabinets

I like #1...I use my kitchen a lot, but have never had issues keeping my backsplash clean.

i like the 3rd one. I also like plain white subway tile.

The darker mosaic tiles tie in your appliances and countertop.

Is a backsplash a must? Have you considered paint?

Yes, I like that question by Samantha L? ARE BACKSPLASHES A MUST HAVE? Just asking of "PROS" or those with better taste than me...I'm in the same spot and can't find anything I like or haven't seen a million times...

I would say that some kind of wall protection is needed in some areas of the kitchen like around the sink and the stove, but I agree the tile selection right now is seriously boring. Glad I chose mine a year ago.

One can always paint a mural, or put their favorite picture on tile (custom tiles). Also, i never seen wallpaper as an alternative backsplash idea. IMO, not a particulary a good option, but is there a reason why ?

I like the one on the right side of your stove. It's fun, and bold and matches your cabinets and counters. It will never become boring.

I loved my border wallpaper as a backsplash. The lighting is very bad in photo but you get the idea. The kitchen felt calm and rich them the after picture!

I think I vote for the middle one of the three. I am trying to "add" to this thread by answering "CURT" re wallpaper as back splash. I miss mine so much....monkeys and persimmons and old sunflowers...had to go during lighting replacement and retexturing ceiling. I'm so computer inept. I can do from my phone but it's giving me trouble....arrrgh! I just can't find anything except for handmade tiles...many artists in the Minneapolis area I've been researching. Minnesota seems to have everything! Besides, isn't that the point of semi gloss paint, that it's washable etc. you can change the colour without ripping out your drywall down the road... I'm flustered. I am bored to tears with what I see and furthermore, I don't like it. Most is geared toward modern/ contemporary look which doesn't help me in a mid century bungalow home or someone with a house from the 20s...aside from subway tile. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. In one of my houses' I have colorful trivets perched on the 4' back splash in hot pinks, oranges and blacks, separated by 12-18". Then when I need a trivet, well, there they are. What a bargain! And It looks good, really. At this house though, I got the lights and stuff demoed... all that got ripped out, now it's very well lit with LED recessed lighting and the clutter removed. It now has NO personality. For as much as I hated the old lighting and wanted freshened, I did not want to let go of the wall paper. CALL ME CRAZY!

Thanks for sharing your wall paper idea bsellers1394....I like it!!!

Another option would be to go embossed tin back there and paint it the color you want. All three of the tile choices will be dated in a few years.... go bigger with your tile if you want to get a nice less dated look. I would like the white one if it was just a little greyer or tan to pick up more of what's in the countertop without the variations of color that picture #2 and #3 has. You're asking for opinions... in the end, go with what you like best.

I prefer the 3rd option, but I think you need to go with the one you like the best regardless of the opinions on here. Go with what you like the best as you're the one who has to be happy with it.

Very well said hayleydaniels