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Kitchen backsplash idea help??
Posted on 9/12/23 at 9:59 am
Posted on 9/12/23 at 9:59 am
Wanted to get some quick feedback on a couple of backsplash ideas..
We are coming up to the end of our kitchen reno. Cabinets are just a plain neutral off-white.
Countertops are quartz Aria
The original tile we had picked out from Emser has been discontinued and out of stock everywhere. We were opting for a more colorful and interesting backsplash to liven up the blandness.
This is the Emser Diva we had picked out.
I think that tile would've worked great. We are having trouble finding something comparable, size of design, design itself, and color. We don't like really small tile as it looks too busy.
Alternative options:
I am now thinking of just going with a more neutral lantern (we really like this design) tile with maybe charcoal grout.
Or an option with color like we originally wanted:
Looking to make it look nice, but not have the backsplash be overwhelming...
Any thoughts on the best route to go here? I'm not a decor guy. I kinda know what I like. All these options seem okay to me.

We are coming up to the end of our kitchen reno. Cabinets are just a plain neutral off-white.
Countertops are quartz Aria

The original tile we had picked out from Emser has been discontinued and out of stock everywhere. We were opting for a more colorful and interesting backsplash to liven up the blandness.
This is the Emser Diva we had picked out.

I think that tile would've worked great. We are having trouble finding something comparable, size of design, design itself, and color. We don't like really small tile as it looks too busy.
Alternative options:
I am now thinking of just going with a more neutral lantern (we really like this design) tile with maybe charcoal grout.

Or an option with color like we originally wanted:


Looking to make it look nice, but not have the backsplash be overwhelming...
Any thoughts on the best route to go here? I'm not a decor guy. I kinda know what I like. All these options seem okay to me.


This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 10:04 am
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:14 am to i am dan
Is the backsplash being installed by a pro?
No way would I attempt installing that shaped tile as DIY job. Me cutting that tile straight would be nightmare
No way would I attempt installing that shaped tile as DIY job. Me cutting that tile straight would be nightmare

Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:23 am to weadjust
Yes, we have contractors doing everything.
I did some painting...
I did some painting...

This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 10:24 am
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:37 am to i am dan
quote:
I am now thinking of just going with a more neutral lantern (we really like this design) tile with maybe charcoal grout.
The proper term is "arabesque"
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:38 am to i am dan
I like this one a lot and think it would compliment the variation in the quartz:
I'm not a designer though
. That said, I like color and I think the neutral lantern would be a lot of white. People seem to like white these days though so I guess that's a personal preference thing.

I'm not a designer though

Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:40 am to i am dan
You original choice looks nice, shade blend colors is easy to look at, the others are too in your face and would drive me crazy over time.
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:36 pm to i am dan
Good luck keeping all those grout lines clean ........
Go slab
Go slab
This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:01 pm to i am dan
Just a tip, make sure whatever you have is easy to clean. We opted for a smooth longer rectangular tile. More joints means more areas stains can get to the grout.
Simple is always better imo. That quartz is kinda busy with some finite veining. I’d maybe go with a bigger less busier pattern/tile
Simple is always better imo. That quartz is kinda busy with some finite veining. I’d maybe go with a bigger less busier pattern/tile
This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:17 pm to i am dan
the higher the contrast between grout/tile or tile/tile, the busier I think it will look
if you're married to the countertop choice, maybe consider a backsplash of all the same tile (like example 1 and 2) but choose a grout color closer to the tile... like example 2 but not stark black grout, maybe a light greige color pulled from the countertops
if you're married to the countertop choice, maybe consider a backsplash of all the same tile (like example 1 and 2) but choose a grout color closer to the tile... like example 2 but not stark black grout, maybe a light greige color pulled from the countertops
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:50 pm to i am dan
Thin Brick Tile
not this exact product, but I used something similar and love the look.
you can get your tile guy to do some different herringbone pattern and/or bordering above your cooktop to really set it off.
not this exact product, but I used something similar and love the look.
you can get your tile guy to do some different herringbone pattern and/or bordering above your cooktop to really set it off.
Posted on 9/12/23 at 6:30 pm to i am dan
I just did this tile for my kitchen backsplash, MSI Oasis Blast:


Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:03 pm to weadjust
quote:
No way would I attempt installing that shaped tile as DIY job.
You'd be surprised. Most of the odd shaped tiles come in sheets that are held by a rigid plastic net, so all you have to do is mortar it then go over with unsanded grout. It's basically ceramic wallpaper.
Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:06 pm to i am dan
We have similar countertops and cabinet colors. Did a white/gray/small metal accent backsplash from F&D. The little metal pieces help the stainless steel appliances pop. I would go with majority white because you may want to paint the surroundings a different color and not be locked into blue.
I've only ever seen blue backsplash look great on kitchens that are extremely blue. Like almost every part of it besides the floor has some shade of blue
I've only ever seen blue backsplash look great on kitchens that are extremely blue. Like almost every part of it besides the floor has some shade of blue
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:26 am to i am dan
If you want a bit more pop, consider doing matte black or matte gold hardware. Even those black sinks don't look too bad. I know someone asked awhile back if they were scratch resistant and that seems to hold true. Black faucet with stainless steel sink also looks fine too.
Go on Pinterest and get some ideas for your kitchen as well. I will say that I think subway tiles are vastly overrated, while some alternatives just get too distracting. You already have a lot of movement in your quartz. I would try to minimize the amount of noise you have going on with your backsplash.
Go on Pinterest and get some ideas for your kitchen as well. I will say that I think subway tiles are vastly overrated, while some alternatives just get too distracting. You already have a lot of movement in your quartz. I would try to minimize the amount of noise you have going on with your backsplash.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:50 am to i am dan
My suggestion, skip the "busy" tile and go with something traditional, in white, because any of these choices will become dated in a few years. I know this will get downvoted but take it for what it is worth.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 4:32 pm to jmon
My suggestion, skip the "busy" tile
You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
Posted on 9/13/23 at 7:45 pm to i am dan
Those are all beautiful tile choices, but too much for your countertop, in my opinion.
If there is a lot of movement in the stone of your countertops, the backsplash should not compete with it. Only one clown allowed in a kitchen. Your clown is your countertop. You need a calm backsplash.
One clown
Two clowns, fighting for attention:
In my opinion, if you want the arabesque tile it should be a lighter color and no contrasting grout (as Slag said). I love arabesque tiles, but I would only use them if they were the star (or clown).
Something else to remember is that lighting can completely change the way the stone looks. The same Aria quartz looks more beige (and less appealing) with this backsplash, lighting, cabinet color, and paint color, so take note of how your stone looks in place with your lighting. I would griege it before I would beige it.

If there is a lot of movement in the stone of your countertops, the backsplash should not compete with it. Only one clown allowed in a kitchen. Your clown is your countertop. You need a calm backsplash.
One clown

Two clowns, fighting for attention:

In my opinion, if you want the arabesque tile it should be a lighter color and no contrasting grout (as Slag said). I love arabesque tiles, but I would only use them if they were the star (or clown).
Something else to remember is that lighting can completely change the way the stone looks. The same Aria quartz looks more beige (and less appealing) with this backsplash, lighting, cabinet color, and paint color, so take note of how your stone looks in place with your lighting. I would griege it before I would beige it.

This post was edited on 9/13/23 at 7:51 pm
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:58 pm to BilbeauTBaggins
quote:
If you want a bit more pop, consider doing matte black or matte gold hardware. Even those black sinks don't look too bad. I know someone asked awhile back if they were scratch resistant and that seems to hold true. Black faucet with stainless steel sink also looks fine too.
We have a matte black faucet and gunmetal stainless 33 inch single basin sink. Looks great.
Posted on 9/15/23 at 10:02 am to Kattail
quote:I know you weren’t talking to me, but if I’m still alive in 20 years, busy anything will seem A-OK to me!
You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
Posted on 9/15/23 at 10:08 am to Kattail
quote:
You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
I've always thought about "what do I like now AND in the future" and if anything, updates can be done in the future. You may think you like what you have now that is somewhat futureproof, but then maybe there's a chance you change your mind later on.
I would say stick with what you like now. Do NOT go super busy with the design. Make it look tasteful with some character of its own.
As mentioned, there is already a ton of movement in the quartz itself. It would be best to try and minimize the amount of noise being created. You have to factor in countertops, handles, appliances, what's being placed on your countertops, walls, windows, paintings, etc.
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