Hi Katie,

your new kitchen looks beautiful! I agree that the big white tiles dont really suit the space. To me your kitchen has a lovely, calm, neutral japandi style. I think something like kitkat or finger tiles would look great. You could have tiles in a light neutral colour, they would add texture to your kitchen. I don't seem to be able to add a link, but search Academy Tiles to see some beautiful examples of Japanese kitkat tiles if you are interested.

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It’s more the size of the tiles than the colour. Does you budget allow for the use of the benchtop material as a splashback (pending cooktop clearance requirements). Good suggestions above. A colour that picks up the marbling in the benchtop is always a good choice. I’d lean towards a brown tone rather than any grey to work with your wood. Your kitchen won’t look clinical after you’ve added styling and accessories.

I would sit on my hands with the tiles you obviously liked them to use them in the laundry. adding pendant lights, stools a blind on the window and just adding accessories will make a big difference. Use the money you save by not replacing the tiles and put it towards a great pendant light

If you decide to spend the money to change the tiles, I'd also go for smaller tiles in a shade to pick up the colour in the benchtop, and matt not gloss.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions- love all the retailing suggestions but also appreciate the alternative viewpoint @siriuskey. Thinking we might be able to make it work by even changing a few of the overhead cabinets to timber shelving to break up all the white and tie in the timber.

Or replace the 6 tiles behind stove with a feature

I like that idea too Kate - any suggestions for what you think would look good as a feature?

That light fitting in siriuskey’s second photo would look stunning. It would elevate the space beautifully.

It’s a beautiful kitchen, adding striking lighting above the island will lift it to a new level , similar to siriuskey‘s suggestion or something like these would look wonderful.

Decorative glass panel.

This kitchen is similar in aesthetic to yours. It has white tiles, flat profile cupboards, and is finished and accessories added. Looks beautiful. I would not change your tiles. They look like they have an undulated finish. They will bounce the light around in the room and add even more interest to compliment your wonderful timber features. I would, as siriuskey said, sit on your hands. Wait until everything has been finished.

Thank you dreamer, I think you are right. In fact it was this exact picture that I gave to our builder as the inspiration to create the kitchen!

Just saying….those decorative glass coloured splash backs that Kate has posted, would definitely never be a choice I would consider. But that is my opinion.

Once your floors are finished, this will also make a huge difference to the overall look.

How come you didn’t continue the vertical timber under the island bench?

Your beautiful timber paneled wall is a standout feature with your simple kitchen palette works. Spend your money on a stunning light fitting and stools. Check out Beacon lighting etc they are very helpful.

Dreamer i wasn’t specific enough/left it to the builder. I could write a novel called ‘things I’ve learned building for the first time’
But I’m sure if we all wrote books , a novel like that would be a dime a dozen lol

Rather than changing some overheads to timber shelves, a simple alternative would be to change a couple of the overhead doors to the same finish as below the island.

Always remember builders are good at building and not usually design or style