Why does that backsplash need to be white? I'm not judging, just curious about your thought process. I'd look for some slightly off-white tiles and bring them home to compare against your cabinets. Or, bring a cabinet door with you and compare to samples in the store.

I have been trying for MONTHS with many many samples to find something that looks right. I am also redoing flooring and the flooring will be throughout the entire downstairs. Have determined the flooring needs to be darker than lighter. When I put the darker backsplash with the black counter and darker flooring it is just too much. stainless seems a little shiny and industrial. The room is also open to the living room and do not want to add a third color in the kitchen. The grays i have found are too cool and too blue even though most tile shops reccomend gray. Have had a couple of design people help and they are pretty much puzzled with it like I am. taking the cabinet door with me is a great idea. Thank you

Hi Bev. You’re doing the right thing, sampling as many whites as you can. You will eventually find the right one. The other option, as alluded to above, is to choose a tile with a high degree of variation in the glaze, so you’re using tiles with four or five different shades of white. I like the variation look, it gives texture, but if you don’t, keep ordering tile samples until you find the right white.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I have a couple white marble tiles now that are still too white but yes I guess I just have to keep searching for the “right one”. I think I was hoping to gain a new/fresh idea or suggestion since I am at my wits end with this.

If you are open to a new idea, how about a backpainted sheet glass backsplash? You can choose any color you want, it would be a perfect paint match, and no grout.

Of course, you can also use more of your counter material as a 2” backsplash as well. May we see some images?

So where do you get the back painted glass. No grout?? I love that. That is one thing I am trying to avoid is too much light grout.

A glass contractor would fabricate and install the backsplash, so you would Google glass contractors near you. Here’s a little article in The Spruce that will familiarize you with the process. You can also use the search feature on Houzz to find threads by those who have used a sheet glass backsplash. I remember there was a thread on tempered vs. (I think) safety glass... Then there’s also the matte vs gloss discussion.

Something NOT white would be a better choice. What’s your favorite color? Don’t be afraid to use color.

If you really want white, then keep looking. Both my daughters have white cabinets, white subway tiles and black counters.

We did do the grout in a light silver.

But....your cabinets are not a true white which is why you are having issues.

I love light gray with your combination as well.

You can see we started putting up a darker gray glass with white marbling under sink/bar area and one strip on other area that my husband insisted would look good but looked too blue in the lighting. the Light gray is simply the backer board waiting for tile.

That brings up probably the least expensive option: call your counter guy and ask him to make you a 4” - 6” backsplash out of remnant counter material. Is that what you already have behind the sink? That way you can paint the wall above the bs any color you want, although I like the wall color you have chosen.

This countertop was here when we bought the house. I have no idea where it came from but great idea. The stuff behind sink is the tile I mentioned above that we started with and decided looked blue. might first thought is to avoid too much pattern due to the small size of the kitchen and since it is open to living room don’t want to have to much going on with other patterns in living area. I need to just go to floor and decor and pick something and be done with it. Ugh!! I just hate regret.

This is a marble sample I brought home and May not show in picture Burt is noticeably more white than the cabinets. Next picture is a black marble sample much smaller.

You can also see the blue gray marble we started with

Absolute black granite is one of the most commonly found stones at any stone yard, I can’t imagine you would have any problem continuing it on the bs behind the sink run, and that’s the best solution for that area. It will look sleek, planned, and perfect.

If you want tile for the back wall, that’s fine. If matching whites has been too difficult for you, have you considered matching your wall color? What is the paint color by the way?

You know, choosing a tile line, like Fireclay Tile below, that has four or five different whites is probably a good idea. Here are some options for you for that back wall. Below are swatches of your wall color and cabinet color. You would need to order sample tiles and see them in your space in your light to know if they would work. These are expensive handmade tiles, but you need very little of them.

Those all look like great ideas worth checking out. I especially like the idea of the countertop material behind the sink area. Thank you! The wall color is sherwin Williams canvas tan. It is in all my common area and is very neutral. No pink, yellow, Or other odd undertones. What is your opinion on the black sample in the picture?

A last option, as mentioned above, if the back painted glass, other brands of white tile, or combining counter granite + painted wall, don't work out is to embrace the idea of introducing a bit of color - one that works with your other room. It can be pale enough that it isn't really a feature but still pulls the black and white together. Is your white in the cabinets a warm or a cool white? That might be the key to the problem, that you aren't finding tile of the same warmth.

I do think your grey tile is pretty - the blue doesn't show on my computer, but I do know that grays often do have a hint of blue or green. I wonder if it still will look too blue once the warm tile floor is gone.

Yes I have learned from these sample that my cabinets are warm toned. Really sets off the cool tone in the gray. I Probably should get some of these warmer off whites and see how they look. when I get the new flooring it may all come together but that seems to be a catch 22 trying to wait on flooring to buy backsplash and wait on backsplash to buy flooring. LOL! I also Have to keep in mind my husband is probably going to be transferred in the next two years so trying to keep resell in mind as well.

Sherwin Williams 7531 Canvas Tan is not as gray as it appeared in the photo. These are better potential matches. What color did you use for the cabinets?

Bev, check out all these white tiles from Tilebar. 5 samples for $5.

Some of the marbles have multiple variations of white that would be easy to tie in.....

https://tilebar.com/talon-calacatta-and-thassos-marble-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/calacatta-tuscany-marble-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/calacatta-herringbone-marble-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/asian-statuary-4x12-marble-tile.html

One of the most popular kitchens on Houzz uses a 2x4 beveled marble...so pretty!

North San Antonio Kitchen Remodel · More Info

North San Antonio Kitchen Remodel · More Info

take one of the doors off take it with you when you shop.

Eam44 my cabinet color is SW DOVER WHITE. a warm white. Thank you for taking time to update the color on the tiles. Laura that IS a beautiful kitchen and wow thank you for the links to the tile bare options. I like the beveled tile. donnie Taking the door is a good idea. Thank you Guys !! This is fun To have help!

I know you can now buy grout with sealer in it. Any experience with it? anlittle worried about the white grout having Discoloration or staining.