This is a chat gpt rendering of white grid tile backsplash in my kitchen

The photos included in your original post make your counters look whiter - and they look like they work with the backsplash (looks like Bedrosian Cloe White tile - 2.55" x 7.87" actual dimensions - which has been a ridiculously popular tile on Houzz + everywhere!). However, the close up photo (with the white paper) definitely makes the countertops appear to have a yellow tone.

You don't need to rent a steam cleaner or hire someone for the floors -

Use The Pink Stuff (paste) + a rotary cleaning brush. Both will work separately - however, together it's just easier (according to my sister - she has tiled floors in the kitchen of her house - I have hardwood throughout my house - except for three of my bathrooms + laundry/mudroom - but it's not big square tiles like these + the tile floors are all new).

However, I have The Pink Stuff + a rotary cleaning brush - and both work on many things (both products made me want to find things to clean bc they worked so well 🤣).

It's so surprising how dark the grout becomes - and then the floor looks so busy with grids everywhere (my sister keeps a clean home - but her grout still became pretty dark).

The photos below were posted by customers on Amazon who purchased The Pink Stuff:

This photo was posted by a customer who purchased a rotary scrub brush:

This is they type of brush:

It was about $39 - they have many options of them. It's nice to have one that has some of the softer heads for cleaning windows (so funny - because I've never cleaned my own windows before - until I bought this and decided to do the huge set of them in the kitchen!)

The counters read as "white" in person. They are not a stark white. They're off-white. You can see in my original post there is a roll of paper towels. The counters are thankfully not as bright white as the paper towels, but they generally read as white. My phone camera is truly terrible and there's no way for me to capture colors accurately, but the point of the close-up photo showing the counter and backsplash was more to demonstrate how different their undertones are.

I had seen your other post on Houzz dani, about your sister's tile grout and the Pink Stuff - definitely encouraging!

There is one little hiccup with cleaning the grout and returning it to its real lighter color... In the kitchen, 2 of the tiles at some point were replaced and the grout used around those 2 tiles was done very dark to match the rest of the (dirty) grout! So now if/when we clean the grout, those 2 tiles will still be surrounded by dark grout, which will have to be removed and re-done to match the new lighter grout color. Makes me nervous (matching it correctly. Grout is tricky / deceiving.)

Here is the counter with Maria Killam's whites undertone wheel

For anyone unfamiliar with this colorwheel: top is "true-white", right is off-white, bottom is cream, left is blue-white

Hiring a professional tile cleaning company is the fastest and easiest way to getting clean and well sealed grout. They have expertise and equipment as well as chemicals. A $15 brush attachment for your drill will also do an excellent job if you have the time and energy to use it.

IME, a rotary cleaner similar to what is shown is much better at light cleaning than heavy cleaning because the lighter cleaners can skitter around without applying much pressure. They are not nearly as effective as the old style rotary floor machines sold to homeowners in the 1950's and 1960's for stripping and buffing.

Once your grout is cleaned, try using grout paint to color match your 2 rogue tiles. Lots of colors available and you simply paint it on with a small brush. Home Depot/Lowes carries this product.

If it were me, I’d clean the tile then add a rug with some color in there - then I would choose a color from the rug for the backsplash - I do feel like a richer color would look nicer with the cabs

Once the grout is cleaned the grid affect will fade enough. Bring home samples.

Sample | ASSAMPLE-TERRAZZORENATA | Ann Sacks

Not square tile - looks like bathroom wall tile.

Can I get opinions about a hexagon / honeycomb backsplash please? Would that pattern work with my square grid floor and my honey oak cabinets? If I go with this option I would just choose as close a match to my counters as possible. Please don't be shy to give me your thoughts.

I like the AI kitchen backsplash rendering, assuming grout paint and a runner down the floor happens as well. And I think off white hexagon tile looks good too, the ones with equal length sides all around appearing more classic to me than the flattened ones, which feel vaguely midcentury?... or actually 10-15 years ago I think I saw those have another moment.

Not sure why chatgpt always takes my pantry out of the rendering but anyway there's the comparison square vs hex.

Any other materials besides tile I should consider for the backsplash?

Before you change that backsplash get the floors professionally cleaned! it’s the dirty grout that is giving a strong grid look! after that gets yourself a nice runner…also change out the switchplates to white.

Cleaned grout

I'm getting excited about clean floor grout and having a runner rug!

I would also change up your lighting bulbs..they are very warm…add daylight bulbs makes such a difference.

The lighting is pretty dim in this kitchen. I will change the bulbs and I bet you're right it will be so much better, not just for the appearance of the kitchen but also for preparing meals!

As for the backsplash, I really do think I need to change it. The purple undertone doesn't relate to anything else about the home or my color palette. Also the backsplash tile is kind of trendy looking and next to the cabinets it creates a look of "NEW backsplash, OLD cabinets."

Change your bulbs and see what it looks like color-wise..I think it is the lighting..I think it is more gray and the hardware needs updating…if I was to change anything it is the flooring…

It's clear that most people think the floors are the worst problem. The tile floor runs through the kitchen, foyer, and hall to laundry. My husband and I are not really bothered by the floor, and I guess we're trying to understand what is so offensive about it. I love the tile size and the simple grid format. The color of the tiles could be better but it's not terrible. The dark grout can be restored to much lighter. Is it the dark grout that's the big problem?

get a green tile backsplash....anything else you care to do like changing floor or simply adding a runner will work w green w the honey cabinets as your backdrop. I dont care for the tile floor and due to small sq footage .....a remnant or sale clearance material can easily work. go to flooring stores and give them the dimensions. I dont think the tile floor is worth spending time/ money on ...a long narrow galley can really play up a good floor..doesnt have to be spectacular but anything besides whats there.

attractive green tile w honey shade wood. do you like slate look floors ?

Saint Paul Craftsman · More Info

Modern Galley Kitchen Design · More Info

Green is a big element in my color scheme and I love wood with green.

It's so interesting how much people hate our floors. I'm definitely taking it to heart and appreciate the feedback.

To give an idea of our color palette:

herbflavor - yes I love slate floors. And the walkway outside up to our front door has that type of look.

Subway tile in a basket weave

or double basket weave pattern

an article with examples:

Basketweave Tile Backsplash – Eye-catching Subway Tile Layout Designs

Im sensitive to undertones, have followed Maria Killam for 10 years, and I too have a problem with your purple backsplash! The floors are old style but so are the cabinets, so yea, here to confirm that a simple update that won’t cost the bank is get the backsplash in color harmony with the other elements of this room.

I agree the backsplash and the floor don't work together.

I'm another one who likes the backsplash and does not like your floor. (Sorry, ha ha!) However I don't live there and so my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it. :-)

If it were me, I'd clean the heck out of the tile floor, get some large, colorful runners to cover as much of the tile as possible in the kitchen - and then accessorize the counters just a smidge to tie it all together.

If that doesn't do it for you, and you still hate it together....then yes, it sounds like the backsplash is an easier fix than ripping out rooms of the same tile. I like the idea of green in this kitchen, and adding green may be easier to pull off than trying to find the right shade of white with those floors....lest you end up with a new shape but the same problem all over again.

I like the basketweave patterns. I'll add that to the list of possibilities. You know, I actually like the way a darker backsplash looks... but I feel like doing an off-white that matches the counters would be more versatile. ?

If I was designing a kitchen from scratch I wouldn't pick white counters or backsplash. But I think the countertops the previous owner chose are fine and work nicely with the cabinets so I'm just going to keep them. They were not the right choice for the beige floors. You can kind of get a sense in this photo how the floors could read as just a vague light neutral white-ish, but when you put something whiter with them that's when they read as more dated-beige.

In a galley should the rug be centered with floor showing on each side? Cover the whole floor between the 2 sides? Or be over on the sink side?

Sounds like you may do a major over hall in the kitchen (at some point). IMO, the cabinets are very decent, I don't mind the backsplash or the counter. The thorn with the rose is the floor.

How would you feel about doing a temporary cover? There is a lay down flooring...installer cuts it to fit the space, and it is simply laid down over the tile, comes in patterns or plain. Now, if I can remember the brand.... it comes on a roll, just like carpet. It is not vinyl sheet...it is thicker and the weight of it keeps it secure on the floor.

Dawn breaks over Marblehead,

Mannington sheet vinyl flooring, sold in rolls and cut to the desired size, offers a durable and stylish flooring option. This type of flooring can be laid down without adhesives, making it suitable for areas where you might want to easily remove and replace the flooring, like smaller rooms with minimal traffic. Mannington's sheet vinyl is known for its waterproof and scratch-resistant properties, along with its ability to mimic the look of natural materials like wood and stone.

One reason I don't want to change the floor tile is the mess/dust, so the idea of covering it is better to me than ripping it up. But I would only do that if the covering was indisputably better than the tile. Keep in mind the tile runs through kitchen, foyer, and hall.

I love that with tile I don't have to worry about pulling my fridge or stove out to clean under/behind. Hard to find something other than tile that can reliably withstand that with no risk of scratching.

I really don’t mind the flooring it just needs a good grout cleaning.

There are some interesting/pretty stick on floor tiles - they even have grout for them so that they look like actual tile. Many options - really depends upon your style:

Floor Pops by Chris loves Julia:

These come in different colors - including a beige marble look tile in place of the gray ones above. Floor Pops have many different designs + there are other manufacturers.

Also, many people have painted their tiled floors. You just need to use the correct products (I believe Rustoleum has one).

The next three people used stencils on top of base paint:

You posted that you liked slate tile - Home Depot has black slate from Brazil (= good bc very durable). HD also has other colors - I don't know the country of origin for the other colors of slate tile.

These are slate tiles and marble in a 12x12 size. They purchased the slate from Home Depot (maybe the marble also):

HD has quite a few different sizes - the prices are reasonable for all of them:

4x12 in herringbone pattern:

I think these might be 12 x 24:

This is 4x16 I think with a matching grout color:

If you decide you are going to keep your floor tile (once the grout is cleaned it will look much better), here are some backsplash ideas (you posted something about liking blue and green):

Here is slate on a fireplace - you could use it on your backsplashI:

The nine following photos are all tiles from Bedrosian - I can't remember which one this is - but it's posted on their site and is easy to find. You can purchase them from other retailers (many times at a lower price with free shipping + free return shipping if you decide against using them):

This next tile is like your current tile - but in green (also comes in blue and an aqua - it's called Baby Blue - but I have this color and it's more aqua):

It comes in a 5x5 size also:

This would look pretty with your cabinets:

The next set of photos are tiles from Lowe's:

It comes in a white shade also:

Here is the name + price:

Here is one last one from Lowe's:

This next photo was posted by a customer in order to show that her tiles were darker than what was shown above (she liked the color of the ones she received more than the ones posted by Lowe's):

@plaidpine In a galley the rug should be centered. If you look up images of galley kitchens with runners the ones that look the best, imo, have a centered rug that is wide enough so that if you work at either side of the galley you are able to stand on the rug.

Personally, I would not cover your floor with another flooring. Clean the grout and either seal it or potentially us grout paint. I used grout paint in a past laundry room and it held up well to years of traffic including a large dog. The backsplash is definitely the odd man out in the kitchen.

With backsplash I would incorporate some white with whatever color you want to add so that it flows nicely from the white countertop…I would not add a solid color…so many to choose from!

OK so the plan is coming together:

- Keep existing tile floor but restore the grout to a much lighter color.

- Add a runner rug to the galley.

- Change the backsplash to either all off-white (countertop match) or a mix of off-white and green or off-white and a warm color that blends with the wood cabs.

- Backsplash tile pattern could be hexagon honeycomb, subway basketweave, or in the case of a 2 color backsplash, a simple geometric design.

Need advice about grout look/color for backsplash. Should it be basically "invisible" or stand out a little to emphasize the pattern?

Thank you to everyone for helping me!

Yes a great plan keeping the geometric square theme will help it feel cohesive..match the grout to the tile so it looks seemless. I would not add a octagon with your floor.

Nowhere does it say that a backsplash needs to be tiled. You could just paint it. I removed tile from ,imne and have had paint for many years on my backsplash. It hold up fine and wipes clean.

THis would give you time to play with colors to help you move forward with a tile at a later date. Paint existing wall color or get a quart of a green you like and live with it for a while.

RNmomof2 I like that you are thinking differently. I've had painted drywall "backsplash" before too and it was perfectly fine (but I did have that short bump up of the counter onto the bottom of the wall.)

Like I said early in the thread, I'm open to a backsplash material that's not tile. I do regularly splash water behind the sink and have to wipe it dry. I don't tend to splatter food when I cook but it's bound to happen now and then. The current stove has a raised back that would "protect" the wall behind.

Can I get opinions about this idea please:

This backsplash or similar-

Chatgpt AI rendering probably looks a little darker than it would actually appear:

A menswear theme is part of my interior design plan for the home, so the herringbone ties in with that.

Do you think it would be a mistake to go for a darker backsplash like this? I could also do the herringbone in an off-white to match the countertops.

Your dark tile idea is very interesting. It makes the floor look better!

Do you have good under-counter lighting? If not, I'd avoid a dark backsplash.

IMO something with a bit of color will work better than off white. Getting the off white to go with your counters will be more difficult, like what you are dealing with now.

I would look for green tiles for your backsplash. Green works so well with your cabs and gives them a fresh, updated look.

I had Stanley Steemer come in and clean the grout and tile floors in my entire house. The floors came out looking fabulous!

If you had a window on that side, maybe the super dark could work. As is, looks like a black hole - at least on my screen. I was thinking a much lighter green.....several that Dani posted would look good.

I am going to 3rd the recommendation to be very careful with yet another shade of white.

Quick side note - I have painted beadboard as my backsplash. Threw it up as a quick option years ago, it is still there. Good semi gloss paint = cleans up easily, and so easy to change the color too. 😆 It isn't the right look for everyone but it has worked well for me. Maybe one day I will find the right tile.....

It is hard to tell the colors on monitors - I think you’ll need to go to a local tile shop and get some contenders, then once you have your final choice - mock up a few boards with grout to make sure it’s right (I would go low contrast grout for a less busy look overall) and then choose from there -

for me the menswear tile seems a bit formal/overdone for your cabs/counters - but that’s just me

The floor tile and the backsplash both present a problem for me. Would suggest you replace both especially if you are going to leave your cabinets as they are. Perhaps a natural slate for both would provide a good foil for the color of the cabinetry.