SFGate

tamela123 I agree..keep it lighter

Ann I like the first one - it's perfect!

mtlman What about a "pop" of color for the backsplash. All tan/browns tend to wash out.

ukantok2 I like the first one. Might also consider a subway tile that is straight stacked not offset in a traditional pattern.

Tuttville mtlman - I thought about a pop of colour and saw a beautiful tile with a bit of blue (even though I don't like blue) but I thought if one colour was predominant it might turn off potential buyers. If I were staying here I would definitely do it though.

toni1959 Love the tile, but how about doing something in a copper?

tennisanyone I like the first one but either one really is nice. So easy to live with and easy to decorate around. Keep it neutral since you will be selling.

Angie Hollifield I agree with mtlman, color would be a great idea

twylahaj I vote for number one. Pull out one of the lightest colors in the tile for the wall color. I'd prefer the warmer one, but it depends on what you have on the walls in the rest of the house, too. Flow is important and it helps a home feel larger if the rooms flow nicely. Leave any permanent pop of color for the new homeowners, but maybe have a nice clear glass bowl of lemons or oranges (all one thing) on the counter when showing the house to add the pop of color without making it part of the house.

I read somewhere that the smell of fresh baked bread during a showing helps improve selling, in case that's useful information.

studio10001 Under cabinet lighting makes both options fine, and the second has richness, depth and more perceived value.

Tuttville twylahaj - great comments and I've definitely thought of some of the suggestions you made - thank you for them! The rest of the house was painted a year ago but in the same taupe colour and I'm going to lighten up those walls as well.

mtlman Copper accents the brown without ruining the natural feel.not solid copper.copper accents in neutral tile background

astraea I like #1 better too; #2 is a bit too "busy" a pattern.

Is it worth putting in a tile backsplash now, if you're planning to sell in a year?

hly2002 Why not leave it as is, since the space is in good condition, and then new owners can splash to their particular taste? Staging as suggested with bowl of fruit will help lighten it up for first impressions...

Tuttville What you can't see is the area behind where the backsplash is going to go on this wall and 2 others has painted textured wallpaper. So it needs to be removed. Adding the backsplash will have a greater impact and break up the dark cupboards I believe.

Kathy Abrahams-Holley I have the same color combination but added a red backlash.

Barnhart Gallery The one with the longer pieces

mayren37 I think the first one is very nice but the second gives a unique touch to it without having to put color in it just depends

Wendy Hummingbird Designs I like #1 ...... It is lighter , If you are going to sell stay neutral that whey the buyers can picture there things in that space. Add pops of colour with your accessories to brighten it up .

lastplace #1 is my choice, it blends well with the colors in the countertop. #2 is far to busy for that counter top. I would finish the tile work offering the customer a finished kitchen. Otherwise they will be making a list of things to do and it becomes a negative. It doesn't cost a lot but gives you a big wow

Tuttville lastplace - thanks for the comments - appreciate it!

lastplace You are welcome... I flip houses for a living

chavezmelo Have you thought about a mirror backsplash? I know it seems 80'sesique, but if you find small squares, the reflection may offset the dark cabinets.

bevballew I like first one.

kristenflittner The first one!

Urbana ~ Designer Ellen Crystal the first one.. neutral, but not too busy... the crazy colour while beautiful may not be the best choice for resale. Instead, accessorize with some brights that can go with you

K.O.H. Construction Corporation Be different, go with #2

Tuttville I also really love the Brown emperador marble & Glass Mix Mosaic by Keramin but don't have a sample to show with my kitchen.

studio10001 Tracy, I think some folks are getting caught up by what looks like texturization of the second sample, but is actually the wavy plastic covering. The closeup pics give a better sense of how it looks against the counter, which has some grey in it, doesn't it?

Tuttville studio10001 - It definitely does have some grey in it. Some of the tiles in it do have a texture to it. I just took a look at it to double check.

Tuttville I really appreciate everyone's comments. I am fairly new to this site and I love it! I know you will all be a big help as we do our cosmetic reno to our house to prepare it for sale.

Tuttville Kathy Abrahams-Holley - I love the red backsplash and wouldn't do it here since we are selling but it is something I may definitely consider in our new home we are going to buy. Beautiful!

Miller's Paint & Wallpaper I think the first is better as far as the tile goes. Now as far as paint... Not seeing kitchen so hard to advise you in that manner but knowing your cabinet color is black and can get a rough idea of your tile & counters from the photo I would pull a color from the tile. Keep it on the lighter side but yet make sure the color is not stark, I would keep the paint color tone on tone with the tile you choose and neutral. If you were not going to sell this house it would be a different story but since you are you want to keep it as neutral as possible. Look in the Ben Moore Historical deck colors...I am sure that there is a neutral color there that would work.

Vivian Rase Number one is the better choice for a lighter, softer, and sleeker look.

If the walls are netrual do you really need to paint? Perhaps reconsider when you finish the backsplash. If you use a color it might something that some buyers aren't drawn to. Add punch with your accessories if you feel the space lacks color

Maeve McNamara Subway tiles, sage crackle glazed from fired earth.

Tuttville I should have added pics of the rest of the kitchen when I originally posted - here they are. The paint is neutral but a bit of a darker taupe so I thought to lighten it up to sell it. Also do I backsplash 3 areas or just two - by the window and across from the window - the area on the stove side? The cupboard colour is expresso. We are also retiling the floor area in the hallway outside of the kitchen and will be continuing the tile into the kitchen so what you see on the floor now (laminate faux tile) will also be changed. We are also adding a new sink. We also have to paint the ceiling and are changing the range hood. Light fixtures are brand new so they are not going to be replaced. Yes before we sell I will be decluttering ...

Vivian Rase The walls don't look very dark in your pictures. If you must keep the ceiling fans repalce them with white. I'm not a fan of ceiling fans but if you must have them it's better if they just fade into the ceiling as much as possible. Personally I'd change them for some great lighting fixtures. They are adding to the dark feeling as are the black appliances.

bdennison I would go classic with the white subway tile. After seeing the pics with the floor, the others may be too busy for the space.

Tuttville bdennison - the floors are being changed to a neutral porcelain tile

bevballew Why are you changing the floor? If linoleum I agree but if tile I ask why?

Tuttville It isn't tile - it is laminate

deadmedia Just for some reference, here are some pics of the first tile installed ( we put the same tile up in our kitchen last year) Hope this helps!!

bevballew Just beautiful! Nice job!

Tuttville deadmedia - beautiful!

Lkristine The one on the left for sure.

lynnboyce #1 left tile is great,..more classic, will stay looking current longer than the other tile. The #2 tile is too faddish, and you will get tired of it too quickly. Tile is a long term commitment go classic and clean,..YOU should love it, you will have it a long time.

hechthouse I like #1 better -- I find the other one busy and muddy. If you are planning to sell, why not pick out one of the palest colors in the tile and paint the wall that color? (i.e. neutral and brighter than current color).

Vicky Lalehchini I think the first one will appeal to the most buyers.

nFORMAL design The second one will be "dated" too quickly. If you are into other suggestions, my thoughts are that the tile with all the other colors being so similar will look too muted, so I'd do something different. Depending on the colors, try a penny tile. Or, since you have all the super smooth materials (finish on cabinets), polished counter, etc., maybe go with a textured stone tile backsplash?

barnrazn6 I like the second one, but you could also have a cream color too.

All 4 Show, LLC I like the first one! Have you given some thought into laying them vertically though, like in the below picture? It will give the illusion of height....good luck....

All 4 Show, LLC [houzz=
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debbiecz Just to be blunt...do not put up the colored glass mosaic tile. It screams 2008 and would clash with the busy tile floor. A simple white subway tile will be classic and would appeal to buyers. Check Maria Killem, Colour Me Happy, a blog about color choices. Taupe seems so simple but she has great posts about the undertones of paint. Good luck on the sale.

studio10001 Yeah, All 4 show! Much better and how obvious. (the horizontal run looked just as susceptable to "dated" charges as the mosaic to me). This we see a little less of. I read a poll somewhere that said that almost 60% of buyers immediately redo the kitchen. It seems verified by the number of people on this sight asking for advice on perfectly decent contemporary looks that they have just moved into. So maybe the question becomes"how much do you want to invest in a decor that stands a very good chance of being redone, no matter what?" When I flip, I focus on perceived value and good lighting, and call it a day

All 4 Show, LLC studio10001 has a great point....if reselling your home is in the near future.... :)

Tuttville debbiecz - the kitchen floor is being changed to a neutral tile so I don't believe the backsplash would clash with that. I do appreciate your comments.

nsjeffer Yes, Use the first backsplash. It goes with your modern cabinets.

carolinewebber too much going on, too busy, i would keep it simple, one color, white.

Amy Stanley I think your first choice is neutral enough- you have a beautiful kitchen! I really like the taupe it feels warm but will appeal to buyers as well, why are you changing it?

bevballew Maybe just paint the backsplash if you are selling. I did not think it is dated but the new thing but I may be out of it with what is new. Personally, the craze is subway tile but I hate it. It reminds me of the subway and I don't want to feel like I am in a subway!

jagrawal7 The 1st one definitely. It is more streamlined, modern than the 2nd one which is too busy. The 2nd one may not be liked by all buyers. I have similar cabinets and used tiles similar to the 1st backsplash but uses that as an accent - the field tile is an elongated off -white porcelain. Will take pics tomorrow.

grtedford You mentioned replacing the vent hood above stove. I see your microwave on counter. Have you considered replacing vent hood with above range microwave? Would give more counter space and update look of kitchen.

Andrea Prasch What year and style is your home? It looks to be traditional and in that case I would do a subway tile especially for resale. Glass tile is modern and trendy but you want to appeal to the mass market. Mix a little contemporary and traditional and you will have a bidding war.

Andrea Prasch PS. when selling declutter the top of the cabinets

bevballew I do not like subway tile at all. It looks like in a subway. Why do people want to have tile like a subway. Nothing cool about a subway. You say the mass likes it but I don't. Just sharing my personal opinion.

Tuttville bevballew - I agree with you - I don't like them either.

I've already picked the backsplash and it was neither of the pictures that I posted but one similar to #1.


grtedford - we are replacing the range hood. We can't put a over the range microwave there as we'd have to tear out the cupboard and we don't want to get into ripping out brand new cupboards.

Andrea - the house is traditional but I'm trying to mix it up with contemporary. I already planned to declutter the top of the cabinets.

Amy Stanley - thank you - I appreciate your comments. I'm not sure if we are going to change the paint colour. I think I'll wait until we get the backsplash up and change the floor tiles and then we'll decide.

bevballew That is all many people suggest is subway tiles! I dont think it would go with your kitchen! Good luck! Beautiful kitchen!

Keramin Tile How about single color backsplash such as on those photos, probably light beige color in both lines would be nice.

Susanna Svetanic The first one is perfect!

travisinteriors I would use a backsplash with more black and silver. Are app. In stainless? If so use more silver or stainless in splash.

ReMax - Lisa I'm a realtor in Ontario, here's my 2 cents. Both of those samples are very in right now, but I see them so often I'm tired of them already. I would suggest a neutral glass tile as a previous poster suggested, and the accents of colour with a bowl of limes etc. Let the buyer decide how to accent, rather than being stuck with a busy backsplash choice that may only be temporarily in style. I think those busy tile mixes may go the way of Terracotta tiles which were popular for about 10 minutes!

feeny I couldn't agree with you more, ReMax.

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. You have a point. Once they start showing up at Home Depot, the look is over with. Classic subway lasts and you never get tired of it.

studio10001 Good luck with the rest of the redo, Tracey. Sounds like you're off and running!

bevballew Cmr. I hate subway tile and would rip it out if I had a home with it. Home Depot probably has it. I don't think you can run away from things dating themselves. Just my opinion.

3144123456 First tile is perfect. It will look beautiful with the countertops, cabinet color, and taupe paint!

soberg Creamy tumbled travertine set on the diagonal.

Also make sure you have plenty of undercabinet lights.

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. Of course you can run away from things not dating. Subway tile isn't dated EVER. I've been a professional designer for 10 years and subway its still in style because its classic. Glass is here today and gone tomorrow. This kind of glass is selling at lumber stores...when it started out in showrooms. Which means its been downgraded. When you can guy the same thing at tile outlet, the look is called a trend. Trend is easily dated. Classic design however is timeless and lasts.

studio10001 Posters may want to read the thread first.

kmkh Hi Tracey
Is the backsplash installed yet? Take pics asap so we can see!

CMR Interiors & Design Consultations Inc. Esp considering your floors...now that I saw the pic above of them. A classic subway -not white but something colored would be perfect. You don't need a busy backsplash because you already have a lot going on -on your floors.

One Specialty Landscape Design, Pools & Hardscape #1 is going to appeal to more buyers, however, I would seriously consider a white or other color subway tile as others have suggested because your kitchen flooring is patterned. If your flooring was less busy then I would go with #1 no question!

bevballew I guess in my neck of the woods subway not popular. Never see it. I don't like it and hearing the big push for it is interesting. Didn't wish to offend so sorry if I did so just don't like it at all.

Andrea Prasch I'm so glad you found one you like! I thought the first two were too busy. I bought our townhouse and was excited at the time that our kitchen was done in this really cool glass tile backsplash but now that I actually live here I hate it because it's so hard to design around. Neutrals are always best when appealing to the masses because it can match any decor or style. Good luck and post after pictures :)