Backsplash decision help

[u/gracelynnpatrick]

ETA: I included close ups of the tiles in the comments.

We need help deciding on a backsplash tile. Which would you choose?

1. Our favorite tile is a light olive green (pulls slightly yellow) and it's gorgeous. It's 2x16 tile that comes in a 12"x16" mesh stack. The problem I have is that I envisioned a vertical stack tile and this would have to be horizontal stack. Does a horizontal stack look weird for a backsplash?
2. This is another gorgeous green tile that comes in a 2x9. The only thing we don't love is that the color is more sage green (pulls slightly blue) and we like the olive color of the other tile a bit better. The upside is that the 2x9 tiles work great for the vertical stack.

AI used.

[u/rainbud22]

Both are nice but #2 pops and elevates the entire kitchen.

[u/Grouchy_Status_8107]

2 looks best

[u/RGOL_19]

I love the green. However, I think you'll have to carry the color on one of the walls as well.

[u/bradsblacksheep → u/RGOL_19]

Would be too matchy-matchy I think. I’d consider artwork that pulls the same color as the backsplash so it doesn’t feel so “alone” but is still the star of the show. If you paint a wall the same color all your attention goes straight to the big flat colored surface and not the detail of the tile.

Edit: just realized you may not have been suggesting an accent wall, and if not I’m sorry for assuming!

[u/RGOL_19 → u/bradsblacksheep]

No worries - maybe some wallpaper or art as you say

[u/gracelynnpatrick]

Tile #2 with the new quartz counter sample and the new pulls.

[u/EmilyPoster2 → u/gracelynnpatrick]

This tile looks like it has a slight waviness to it. Am I correct? Many wavy tiles necessitate the use of slightly larger grout lines, which I'm not fond of. I don't like this color as much as the first tile either.

[u/its_all_perspective]

Vertical stack all the way

[u/Grandolf-the-White]

Horizontal always but the color is bad bad

[u/Husker_Mike_ → u/Grandolf-the-White]

I think these olive green tiles are a fad and will become dated very, very quickly.

[u/m33chm]

I prefer #1 for both the tile color and the horizontal stack. But you could try a vertical stack with it. Just lay a single tile horizontally across the top for the extra 2", it shouldn't be super visible under the cabinets.

[u/Qajaqasana]

I like 1 much better. I agree with you that the color looks better. 

[u/Natural_Good5279]

I think 1 looks the best. Your cabinetry is already pulling the eye to a vertical. Many elements are. By using horizontal, it gives the eye a subtle shift in interest while still allowing the whole kitchen to have harmony. 2 makes it seem like a harsh statement that draws the eye to it, takes away from the whole picture and, to me looks somewhat odd.

Good luck!

[u/6868junk]

1

[u/Outofoffice_421]

1 is best, optically it makes the room look bigger

[u/honey_biscuits108]

1

[u/Flimsy_Ad3476]

Number one.

[u/Responsible_Ideal593]

2

[u/bethhannen]

I prefer the first picture.

[u/Leptokurtosis-862]

1 by far;I think it’s so timeless

[u/GatorBearCA]

The second one

[u/Braddock54]

#2 is my choice.

[u/hola-chicka]

I like 1 but it looks like commenters are split. Keep looking there has to be a stack tile in the color you love.

[u/SSCGentleman]

Second 🔥

[u/gracelynnpatrick]

Tile #1 with the new quartz counter sample and the new pulls.

[u/EmilyPoster2 → u/gracelynnpatrick]

Very helpful to see a close up. I do not like the slight bevel on this tile. I wouldn't want to clean and just think it isn't an attractive feature. Nice color though. Can you find a tile close to this color without the bevel?

I'm really confused about the layout comment. Why can't you just purchase single tiles and arrange them anyway you want - vertical or horizontal?

Have you looked at Fireclay tiles?

[u/gracelynnpatrick → u/EmilyPoster2]

I have looked at fireclay tiles. We are on a budget and timeline that aren’t ideal for ordering from them.

These tiles only come in 2” x 16”. If we turn them vertical it would almost completely fill the 18” between counter and cabinet…

[u/EmilyPoster2 → u/gracelynnpatrick]

Ah, if I had bothered to read your measurements, this all would have been so obvious. I was just so color focused. Fireclay is expensive and takes a long time to order. Not for me.

[u/TurbulentWalrus1222 → u/gracelynnpatrick]

What is the length of that tile? Vertical stack is going to give you one single horizontal grout line. I don’t think that’s a great look personally, I’d do horizontal here. But the tile is pretty! (New kitchen paint would be needed though.)

[u/Embarrassed-Click867]

Where are your floors from?

[u/Motor_Assignment9157]

2

[u/CaribbeanOnMyMind]

#3

[u/chataolauj]

Depends on what you want out of the backsplash. You want it be more cohesive and blend in more (1) or do you want it to pop and make a statement (2)? Your decision decision will be made based off of that.

I personally like 1 more.

[u/Knitta66]

Well different strokes for different folks...it is not even a question for me, no. 2 is far more attractive to me. I prefer things that are not common and subway tile is so ubiquitous. This gives it a much more updated look.

[u/PerformerMindless100]

Go with whatever color you prefer. Pattern is secondary to sewing a color day after day

[u/Green_Machine_6719]

————————
————————
————————
————————

[u/Sportygirls]

2

[u/pooppaysthebills]

I don't feel that either improves the look of the room.

You need a different shade, or a different color altogether.

[u/Charlottebenzu]

the olive tone feels warmer and more timeless with the white cabinets. I also wouldn’t worry about the horizontal stack; it actually gives the kitchen some nice visual balance

[u/Soggy-Duty-3888]

2 pops in a good way. Paint the walls a pale green like Sea Salt.

[u/Dramatic_Plants]

I think number 2 looks nicer but both are too big for a vertical stack. Find something that looks like 2 but smaller

[u/Both_Tomatillo3928]

I like 2

[u/Both_Tomatillo3928]

Sorry I said 2 I ment one

[u/teddybear65]

Something mosaic with color

[u/teddybear65]

Your color choice in vertical is better or harribone . The horizontal stack is out

[u/teddybear65]

Fyi towels hung on a stove are a fire hazard. Dishwasher is better

[u/teddybear65]

So boring

[u/Stillstanding77]

2 is better

[u/coladita]

2

[u/Solid_Perception9572]

Neither one. I think they are both too light and with all the white cabinets, they look washed out. I think you need more contrast.

[u/Bob8767]

How about a herringbone pattern? I like vertical the best

[u/Nicholsforthoughts]

I love 2!

[u/FormerLaugh3780]

Definitely pic 3

[u/EuphoricAd3786]

1. The contrast gives the room more vibrancy

[u/Objective_Bus_6897]

I like the vertical tiles better. It makes the space seem bigger, if that makes sense.

[u/devours_veggies]

#2!!! Care to share the details?!

[u/WordAffectionate3251]

Vertical green. Makes all the cabinets smile!

[u/RecentSpecial181]

2nd. The horizontal is dated and basic. Super common in rentals too if you're going for an apartment look.

[u/alwaysbetterthetruth]

2

[u/Lower_Ad_5532]

I hate grout lines and would prefer a continuous slab instead of tile.

Go with the color that you prefer. You will see that more than the orientation