Could you also post a close up of the granite? The close up of the floor is helpful- it doesn't look as bad as your description(and I think the rug is not doing you any favors. even though it's a nice rug). Also for the color of your cabinets, I think they look like a maple?

I think you really have to go monochromatic with the busy granite and floor. I’d pick the lightest color in the granite and see how that works with the floor.

Salonva: below is another picture of the granite, but it's not quite close-up. I think I have a strong antipathy to the floor because I live with it and see how dirty the tiles/grout get (and feel daily resentment of the flipper who could have made my life so much easier by spending 10% more on the second-cheapest option....). I can't tell if the cabinets are maple; I think maybe Alden? It's a really light color.

CRL: I agree that going monochromatic is probably the best way, but I don't want to go *too* monochromatic. The lightest color in the granite is a white ivory/crystal color, and the second-lightest is beige. I worry that white/ivory is too bright and that beige will create a wall of beige. I wonder if that problem could be fixed by doing a glass tile or mosaic, to add some interest and break up the wall of beige? Or does it create too much busyness and clash with the floor?

Your cabinets are really not that bad. I've seem much worse. They are a classic design.

Look for a back splash tile that is similar in color to that bottom row, but much much lighter and simple.

You need a warm color to go with everything. Yes take down that bottom row first.

White would be too stark.

Bring home some samples and look at them in your lighting. What you think works at the store doesn't always work.

Can you get a stainless steel panel for the dishwasher.

Yes the carpet is adding to the business. If you have to have one, go with a "one color"

similar color to cabinets but on the lighter side.

Change the white faceplates to an "beige" color.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Get rid of the rug and backslash ASAP!!! You will have a whole new perspective in which to make decisions. This could be a lovely kitchen with a simple light backsplash.

there is a lot of amber in the counter....which technically does not work with the cabinet stain. Don't play up any warm shade, as it will either highlight the amber or not work out too well at all. Just white backsplash...there are some SLIGHTLY warmer whites...it does not have to be clinical white. It will be fine, actually really nice: keep it simple..

Please do not go with a mosaic tile. No more pattern. No more interest. Your space already has too much pattern and interest.

I would get some cheap jute rugs from Ikea to hide all of the floor, it will calm down the space a lot. Cheap enough to throw away. Simple cream tile. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50277393/

luckyblueeye , has a great idea there. Those floor will eventually need to be changed out!

Ditch the rug. Replace the backsplash with neutral tile in the lightest tones of the countertop and floor.

A home flipper did that. Hopefully they are out of the business.

Thanks to all for your helpful advice! I agree about a neutral tile. If anyone has examples of what color tile I should use, please let me know. Do you think any of these could work?:

(1) Botticcino marble tile https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/coastal-beach-white-ceramic-tile-100387695.html?fbclid=IwAR0BQ4sRfCk12peywk6dNoPvm9ciGfVvYbTi5--lbCHbbmKruolQ3V_rR84

(2) Ivory brick tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/ivory-brick-ceramic-tile-100235936.html

(3) Coastal beach tile: https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/coastal-beach-white-ceramic-tile-100387695.html?fbclid=IwAR0BQ4sRfCk12peywk6dNoPvm9ciGfVvYbTi5--lbCHbbmKruolQ3V_rR84

Alternately, could the travertine tile in the first, or gray tile in the second, of these pictures work in my space? It's hard for me to tell from the pictures because the cabinets are darker than mine, and the floors are totally different.

I agree that removing the backsplash and painting it would be best. You can easily change the color if you choose the wrong one, and it will save you money. Why select a backsplash that might not work with a new floor down the road? Your cabinets are very nice and would look great with the light wood floors as seen in your inspiration photo. That black hardware looks great, too.

Mmm, I wouldn't use either of those. Travertine is very busy. You posted the same tile twice in your post above - no link to the botticino marble. BTW, I think your cabinets are either maple or birch. I don't believe they're alder.

Agree with^, paint is your least expensive option. Live with the calmer look and then invest in new backsplash when you replace the floor.

clt3 - whoops, here's the link to the botticino, but I think you may consider it too busy too: https://www.flooranddecor.com/stone-decoratives/botticino-marble-tile-931100505.html?fbclid=IwAR24Ue8lr7WsWBcB-fmGyN0TPmyb6T9sEWTgJi3tjhJditbZ06Lj1GYY4ts

Grapefruit and ma in Michigan - While it would definitely be cheaper, I think the problem with paint is (1) I then have to repaint the rest of the room, which is currently white, a beigey color, which I do not think would look good with the rest of the room; and (2) the walls are more susceptible to stains from food and grease if they are painted, whereas those things wipe right off of tile.

The tile in the inspiration pics work in those kitchens because of the plain floor. Since your floor is super busy on top of the busy (but pretty!) granite, anything but very plain/no pattern is going to be too busy as well. As ma in Michigan said: paint is your least expensive option. Pull off the current back splashes and calm the space down first, then go from there. Hard to make a good decision in that space right now with all that going on.

A simple cream ceramic, porcelean or travertine tile in a square shape would work well. As for the floor, I think you're going to need a bigger rug or you can paint it.

Be aware that travertine is porous and typically some color variation. It's not the best option for a backsplash in terms of staining and cleanability and might also be too busy with that granite (and current floor).

No more stone. Paint or plain ceramic or glass tile. Plain. Very plain.

Hi,

I think to calm everything down, you will want to match one of the lightest colours out of your granite for the backsplash. I also think that a larger format tile might help offset some of the busy-ness of the floor. I'd go with coordinating colour for the grout, or just slightly darker than the tile...but not a lot darker - you don't need more action in that kitchen.

How about something like this which appears to have a bit of surface texture but is still very simple. That one is from Tilebar and I know they have a great sample policy so it is worth hopping onto their site and choosing a few you think might work for you and ordering them in.

Yes, a solid colour rug and big enough to cover most of the tile (Ikea is your friend on this) will help until you have budget to redo the floor. Flippers who use the cheapest materials available are just wasting so much time and effort, not to mention money. I've seen so many houses where a flipper has come in and used the cheapest tiles and fixtures and covered everything with a fresh coat of paint. Then they want a 200% return on their investment and cannot understand why it isn't selling. And it isn't long until all the cheap finishes end up in landfill. Sigh.........