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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Ideas for kitchen tile backsplash

3 years ago

I need to pick tiles for the backsplash in our kitchen remodel. I have white shaker cabinets (not bright white, I went with a creamy white) on the perimeter and a dark blue island. The floor is wood. I am looking for a serene, restful feeling, I don't want a lot of pattern in the backsplash. But now that I see all the cabinets, I feel hemmed in by the blue island - like I already have color in the kitchen and now I am stuck with either white or a light blue for the backsplash.

In truth I think I am regretting the blue, I wish I had chosen a wood island and then I could put in whatever tiles I wanted.

What do you design experts think? I am already on the trendy bus with my cabinet and Quartz (white marble-look). Should I fully commit to 2021 style and put in a white subway tile backsplash? Or would a very light green work? or pink?

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Comments (7)

M V
3 years ago
I don't feel like you need to feel boxed in by your choices.

If you search the discussion boards here for your brand of quartz that you've chosen, you'll find others who've likely had similar dilemma and you can see what has been suggested to them and likely what they've chosen. Many posters come back and post their after pictures and that is always helpful to others.

If you provide details of the counter (brand name and pattern name) as well as the paint colours used on the cabinets, both the white and the blue, I think you'll get some good feedback.

It is also a good idea to post pictures of your space.

You'll want to take into consideration your flooring and light available as well as wall colours in the kitchen and adjoining spaces.

Don't panic....there are sooooo many tile choices out there - you'll find something that you'll love.
megs1030
3 years ago
What do you want to install that you don't think you can with a blue island? I have a white perimeter and Naval blue island, counters are quartzite. We chose the Dahlia tile from Sonoma tile makers in a greenish gray color that coordinates with the countertop.

All that to say that I agree with the above and I don't think you're necessarily locked into anything specific.
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they sound interesting enough to me, being crackled and having variation. larger size might work..what size you consider? Gray is already considered dated lol. Makes no sense to me personally as all this dated thing is a new concept I'm still struggling with-how a color can be dated? but in terms of what happens in trends etc-it's on its way out, yes. they move into warmer tones. they're still into greiges for now to bridge between things a bit. white is becoming big as a neutral. wood stains are making a big comeback. this update on trends can go on and on but i'm sure you can find thousand threads here discussing it so i'll make it short. if you're really worried-it might be you're simply are not attached to a color enough. which is okay, really. then pick off-white. off white is pretty. Even very much so. I like both off whites and grays(I do have preference for much warmer grays though) so I have off whites and warm grays. And many other colors too since I love them too. I commit by choosing something of course,-but it's fine since commitment, paradoxically, is a road to freedom:) But I admit I was also worrying when choosing..well choosing everything except for stuff like toilets etc. Of course one worries, it's a hassle and an expense and you want to love it in the end. So. Try to worry less. If you can remove "dated" from the equation- great. Go with your heart's desire. If no-then ok, take it into equation and don't do gray. Worry less. You did a great job on everything else, so no reason to think your backsplash won't turn out well either. It will.
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Hi Chispa, House is a townhouse built in 1996, trying to modernize the look. As far as decorating style, I like modern/contemporary, nothing too funky. Something that would be cohesive with the rest of the kitchen, and bring the kitchen to life a little. It's very white right now.
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eld6161
3 years ago
I will be the nay sayer.

I would like to see Megs kitchen to better understand how her choices work. Will give you a visual.

I love the navy and white trend. You don’t have to do subway, but I think white would be the direction. Another option could be light light silvery gray.

You have cream cabinets and a white quartz counter. This might be tricky to find a tile that bridges the two.

Do you have photos?
lucky998877
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
J Pru, take your time! You are probably tired of the remodel and just want it done...but you don't sound like it came together like you had imagined. Don't just slap any old tile up, your kitchen functions just fine without it. Some people here have taken months...if not longer to find the right fit and feel. This is your chance to "correct", and absolutely LOVE your choice. Serene and restful does not equal boring.
megs1030
3 years ago
This is my kitchen: Tile looks really light here, has a little more color than how it’s showing in the photo.
PRO
ReStart Home Renovations
3 years ago
cletile.com has some really nice tile. I love the weathered white zellige.
daisychain Zn3b
3 years ago
mustard or other yellows or tans also work well with blue

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