What are the counter tops? Knowing that may make a difference as far as the backsplash goes.

Some kind of laminate, but I haven't picked it yet. Since the backsplash is the first thing people will see as they walk in from the living room, I'm thinking I'll pick it first and go from there.

This might help...

{{!gwi}}

I think the middle one would appeal to the most people. The first, to me, is a bit boring, the second is nice, and I like the third...but I wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago...it has grown on me!

If this is for resale, I think the middle would be best.

Now a better question...do you really need to replace the counters and add a backsplash? Is the kitchen too terrible to sell as-is? Unless it's really bad, I don't think you'll get your money back when you sell it.

I like the subways. I think they would go best with the oak cabs, and be a nice focal point. The second image is unremarkable to me. And the mosaics read modern to me...might not go with your existing cabs.

Hello all, new to the forums. What a great resource!!

I agree with the other posters...I like the tiny glass tiles, but they're definitely retro-trendy and most likely of the three to turn off potential buyers.

My personal favorite is the ceramics, but I'd go with the stone tiles for a resale...I think they're generally viewed as an upgraded type feature.

If you are doing it just for resale, I would go with something neutural and inexpensive. Having the backsplash finished will give a more "finished" look to the kitchen whatever you pick, so again go with something inexpensive. Something like the middle picture would be appropriate, it's kind of a universal look.

I would do ceramic subways with a little glass BLING. People I know who aren't TKO like most of us; always comment on that look.

The middle one is nicest imo. Its classy. The first is too trendy and now and will date quicker. The last is too shiny for many people (me!!). The middle one.

Dippy

Thanks, Buehl, for fixing my image problem!

Thanks everyone else for comments. (More are welcome, tho'!)

Yeah, I was originally trying to avoid replacing the backsplash, but the countertops and floor absolutely have to be done, and to make the rest of the kitchen work, the bkspl. really has to be done, too.

The floor is 16-year-old cheap builder's grade sheet vinyl. There are holes where knives were dropped, a burn mark where my DD dropped a flaming paper towel, and the surface shine is completely gone. And the counters are a totally outdated color of laminate.

So keep the comments coming! I'll post B&A pics once we get going.

For something universal, I'd go with a subway but a different color than the one in the photo. Maybe cream or white - perhaps a little boring but clean, classic and can accommadate whatever accent color the future buyer likes. Or whatever paint color the buyer is going to paint the existing oak cabinets ;)

Okay, what if I mix white and cream subway tile, to give the new owners more options. What do you think about this?

There is no way to guess taste. The middle one that so many here are choosing is one that would turn me off. I'm with New Southern Belle in recommending subway in creamy white ceramic for a classic, clean look. If you want some wow factor, the glass subways add a little and the smaller ones add a lot...Which is a risk, but "wow" always is.

I'm not one who thinks you can choose elements by themselves. It's the complete look that will 'sell' the kitchen and the combo of countertop and backsplash with the cabinets is what's important. I can't choose without seeing the rest...and maybe the character, style, and lighting of the room and house.

Okay, here's a mood board I put together with a chair I have, a curtain I like, our existing paint and cabinets, and floor, bksplsh and countertop I'm considering.

The black and brown swatch is laminate countertop. It could change, but I like how it pulls in the color of the existing cabinets, but would still look ok (I think) if the cabs were painted.

Thoughts?

I like the laminate that you show in the picture. I think the colors in the mosaic look better with that laminate than the other two backsplash choices shown. If the mosaic is to shiney maybe you could find a non shiney version with similar colors. I don't think white tile looks good with the laminate so I would not opt for the white and cream. The other choice looks too much like the floor. I think your curtain choice is very nice.

That mosaic is awesome in that scheme! I like the shiny.

I can not find the pic of this kitchen, but someone had laid the subway tile in a "herringbone" style. It looked great....a change in the usual and if you find them at box stores, shouldn't break the bank. Good Luck in your sale of the house.

badgergal - Yeah, I think you're right about white tile and laminate. I think that was bothering me but I just hadn't realized it.

square ceramics feel dated
white/cream subway are modern but not trendy
glass seems too trendy

but i am just getting started here, just one general opinion from someone who watches lots of HGTV :)

Yeah, I watch lots of HGTV, too -- and AT, and YHL, etc. But looking at model homes around here, I don't think anyone else does!

I'd vote for ceramics in a soft neutral color. The combo of bs and counter you show do not work together tone wise. I really like something like your original ceramic pic with a nice liner tile in it to add a little jazz. We got Daltile from HD for our field tile and the price and selection were good. We were looking for 2 specific colors we could not get just right anywhere else, so went with a neutral color instead, which meant no need to spend for pricier tile. I think if you take your laminate sample and put it next to their display boards, you will find something nice. A herringbone pattern would also be lovely.
You want to do something that makes it special or there is no push to the buyer to make them want yours over someone else's. Give them something to be excited about.

kitchen mood board 2.1 - brown with herringbone tile

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kitchen mood board 2.1 - brown with subway tile in herringbone pattern