No, they aren't too busy. They should look very nice. You need something like that to add visual appeal to the room as solid on solid on solid gets very boring after a while.

I think the colour of these tiles is "off"--too cloudy and grey looking with the sharp tones of your kitchen cabinets and countertop. I highly recommend using subway tile, in white, for a clean classic look that will never date your kitchen. Take it right up to the ceiling behind your ventilation hood too, and if you can continue it on the wall beside the ends of your cabinets, that would be even better! Use it lavishly and your kitchen will look very high-end. You can add colour and character with your accessories and even with an area rug or runner on the floor.

If you countertop is a solid colour as you said I think this backsplash would look quite beautiful.

I think a polished or more shiny tile will look better. The tiles look a little more rustic and your cabinets are not rustic.

Thank you for responding! I could use them as a border or accent diamonds for a focal point, but haven't come up with something original, ha ha!

What do you think/know about putting these 2x2 tiles straight vs diagonal? 16x16 Floor tiles will be put on diagonal which I understand will open the room some.

Are they less cloudy and gray here? I'm definitely not a subway white tile kinda girl. They are porcelain tiles so not as rustic as many of the natural stones. Easy to wash too! Would my future cabinets really be considered rustic?

No, I still think the effect of all those tiles is going to be "off". What about a glazed tile in a solid with a shiny surface? The tiles you show are designed to look like natural stone, but with your kitchen I agree they are too rustic. Here's a retro look that would be smashing: Here's one with a stone-look you might like but it's solid-looking: For some saturated colour, you could try something like this: And this one is stunning although there would be better colour combinations for you in a similar line...
Hope I have helped! :) Lots of potential with your kitchen, for sure...

I like the tile with the granite and cabinets but if rustic is not the look you're going for, I'd reconsider the backsplash. It will look similar to this:

I like your choices. Love cherry cabinets with the light stain. The browns and grays in the backsplash will tie the cabinet color and the granite color together. If you wanted to liven the backsplash up a bit you could add a metal finished accent tile. They have them in bronze, oil rubbed bronze a nickel finishes so you could pick one that coordinates with your cabinet hardware and faucet.

Great photo, Rachel. You've captured the look very well. And if this is what presidio02 is aiming for, then it's an easy decision!

Nice choices, Kevin. I just think that accent tiles are a very personal choice, and if the homeowner is looking for timelessness and universal appeal to home-buyers, then it might be better to keep it simple.

I agree with Cynthia. It's not too busy, but the tiles look cool to me, and the cabinets warm. You might be able to find something similar, but shift it toward more earthy than sky-y.

I like the neutral colors in the tile to go w/black granite. Just think it needs a little glaze to soften it. Maybe try mixing some of that in a pattern with something that has more of sheen. I think that smaller size will look nice, especially if the space you are tiling is not very large.

I do not care for the color of the tile with your cabinets. The pinky tones of the tile bring out a range tone in the cherry. Your cabinets are very nice.

I love it. You have a winner there. It looks great with the black countertop and cherry cabnets.

Your choice is fine. But very Lowes, Home Depot design. Not like a custom job. There is an opportunity for more creativity.

I agree - you have a look that works - but why not make it stunning. I used to own a tile and flooring store and if you can go find a local owned store that carries more options - even if it's just to get ideas. Love the tile and granite you have picked and another thing to consider is your color of paint and lighting. Make sure you take your samples together back to your actual house to get the full effect. Good luck!

I like it. What about on a diagonal?

Final backsplash

Looks terrific.

Old post from 2014, but does look good.