We did our own backsplash, and there is one corner where the tiles are uneven because of a problem with the countertop not being perfectly level. Before it was grouted, it was quite noticable, but now it looks fien. I would turn out the lights so you don't focus on the problem as there's very little you can do about it now.

It's the tile. Extremely low angle lighting like that is very unforgiving for surfaces, try taking a flashlight and holding it flat along a wall you think is a perfect surface. I guarantee you'll see all kinds of bumps and ugliness. The cheapest fix is to try to add a frosted lens to the lights, that will help with the harsh shadows.

Well, we already removed all the tile. I took these photos a few days ago and now I am stressing out about what we did. We all thought the guy who tiled made a mistake. The tile guy himself thought he made a mistake! Anyway, when he tried again , he was getting the same result. They now blame the tile (I was still thinking it was the person tiling not knowing what he was doing). I had them stop, remove everything and now in process of fixing the walls. I am going to hire a different guy to tile, one who is a more of dedicated tiler. Still, after reading discussions online, is it the lights, which are installed in the very back? What other tile would be better? If it were grouted, would it had been less noticeable?

What bums me out too was that we had discussed the lights to be installed in the middle of the cabinet, but my contractor did not specify this to the electrician and they were installed in the very back.

Also, would thicker grout lines make it less noticeable?

And these lights already have a frosted cover. I would have lived with the unevenness if it looked more consistent.

i always tell people to live with it for 6 weeks, and see if you even think about it after that. most of the time when you install something you will find everything wrong with it. when really you just need to adjust and soon you wont even think about it again.

Had you just posted this picture, i bet no one would have commented on the tile being off.

...you should be mad at the contractor that installed the lights. if you want no imperfections than go with a solid or larger tile....just be warned that light will also be reflected in a lot of back spashes, because it is so close to o the wall. what kind of light bulbs are they? can they be dimmed?

not sure subway tile is supposed to be perfect....it looked great. the lights on the other hand are more bright than the light coming in the window.....dim them.

The lights are led lights from lowes, the ones in a white casing and are hard wired. The tile job looked worse in person, so much so that the tiler and contractor thought it best to remove. Anyway, my contractor and I are parting ways tomorrow and will discuss with another tiler next week. After going through all this, I don't want the same result!! I also paid all this extra money to rewire the kitchen, I don't want to not use the lights.

When ever installing under cabinet lighting where you have tile it is best to install the lights towards the middle to front as not to enhance the unevenness of the tile. As I pro tile layer if I know there is going to be lighting above the tile you have to be extra careful to make sure tiles are flat and even, if the tiles were not flat or uneven, your installer should have brought it to you attention before installing them

My tile doesn't show that much movement, but the is some and I love it. Who wants perfectly flat, lifeless tile? Just reread a post. Is the picture before grout? If so, you jumped the gun in tearing it out. I do hope you are happy with what you ultimately put in.

We definitely jumped the gun. Live and learn!! We should have grouted and moved the lights forward. Anyway, I decided to move lights to center anyway and got it retiled by a pro tile layer. Here are the results.

Yours looks great. What do you think of mine?

I think this tiler laid the tile much nicer around the windows;)

Mary, thank you very much for sharing your experience with the subway tile. We are in the same boat, but after reading your point about the under cabinet lights, we are coming off the ceiling. Asking our contractor to move the lights forward and I think we will be okay. Thanks again for the great article. All the best.

Jim and Patty Braun

Great comments from Flair Lighting, also. Thank you very much!

This was all very helpful! I had the exact same issue with my tile looking uneven and just didn't have the emotional bandwidth to tear tile out. I just called my electrician to move the under mount lights up!!!

Thanks everyone. We are currently going through the same situation. Only I actually like how it looks textured under the under the counter light. I just didn't want anyone to think it was defected if we ever sell our home. Now I know to leave it and love it. Thanks again!

When dealing with a tile that's to be installed with a 50% offset, take two tiles and put them face to face. See if the tile rocks off of each other. Check to see if the tile is warped.

Our lighting always goes to the front

Always install the lighting towards the front of the cabinets and it’s always best to have them installed before the tile goes up

Its funny I stumbled into this post. I just had my tile installed (herringbone pattern) and at first, I was a little surprised on the unevenness..but then since the whole backsplash is roughly uneven, I thought it provided for a nice unexpected surprise that I really rather like. It gives the backsplash a little character. The under cabinet lights were installed towards the back but I will tell my contractor to move them towards the middle or front.

That will definitely soften the unevenness up.

Jose,,i'm glad you like it, but that's actually the installers fault (or the unlevel drywall behind it). those tiles are meant to lay flush against one another with no obvious lippage. Personally, I would have never been satisfied w/that install. Now, if you had the handmade look tiles, fine. acceptable. but not your tiles.

here's what it should look like

these are the only types of tiles that should give off the look that you have

Depending on the brand you buy, they can be better or worse, but so far barely any that I have used are flat, which when the wall is not flat, they can look terrible if you are going for the European sleek look. If you are going for the old cottage look, they will be perfect. For someone with OCD, these are a nightmare.

Beth, what are the tiles you have in the two last pics? I realize it's been a few months, but I'm hoping you know.

Ceramic tile from Lowe's, Home Depot or Floor and Decor is not always uniform thicknesses. My tile contractor won't work with them.

Allie,,,Lancaster from tilebar has those, and Floor and Decor has the Villa Frost,

these are https://www.southcypress.com/Storka-Lusso/Lusso-3-x-12-Bianco-Handmade-Look-Subway-Tile

home depot has the Catalina line,,this is Gris

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Splashback-Tile-Catalina-White-3-in-x-12-in-x-8-mm-Ceramic-Wall-Subway-Tile-CATALINA3X12WHITE/206496907

http://www.discountglasstilestore.com/avenue-3-x-12-white-matte-finish-handmade-effect-wall-tile-on-sale-3-87-per-square-foot/

Beth, what about the bottom pic that looks to be 3x6?