*Yawn alert* Yes or no to these tiles?

[Palatka]

I need to choose tiles and was going to go with a colour a few shades darker than the wall (and shows in flecks in the worktop.)

I was kind of talked into these white-ish tiles and I really can't decide if they work or not (I can return them).

Are they clean, contemporary?
Stark?

Thank you...

I do like them, but white metro is about as neutral as you can get these days.

I wouldn't say contemporary or stark because they are textured. What are your other options? What look are you aiming for?

If you want neutral, you've got neutral.

I do like the 'yawn alert' in the title!

More cosy, I think. It's dark furniture, lower ceilings.

They are a nice tile, I just can't decide if they look out of place.

I'm trying to find the tile I originally picked.

I like them. But more interesting than the bog standard white metro but still neutral. I've bought similar for my upstairs loo, but haven't had time to put them up ye.t

I'd go with a tone similar to the worktop.

Wall and worktop. Worktop actually looks a lot busier in the photo. The tile I picked originally was one of the darker (but not darkest) tones in the worktop.

The larger the tile, the less the grout. Grout gets dirty over time and is difficult to clean.

I don’t think they complement your kitchen style.

I like them as I they’re either the same or similar to my bathroom ones- topps tiles?

So if you want dark and cosy do you want to go for, e.g. copper tiles rather than white tiles? I think the white looks a little bit like you've chickened out of whatever look you were going for althought it's difficult to judge from the photo. Was the idea to lighten things up a bit (so e.g. cream might feel less stark)? I'd say either go for the tiles you originally loved or if you didn't love them then really think about what overall look you are going for, do you want the tiles as a contrast or to pull the look together? Have a look online at images of kitchens you like and see what types of tiles they are using and think about why they work.

@StarlightLady

The larger the tile, the less the grout. Grout gets dirty over time and is difficult to clean.

Wise words.

Especially for a kitchen which has more greasy dirt than a bathroom.

And if they’re the tiles I think they are I would say they are rustic, French chateaux faded glamour type thing

They're pretty neutral and inoffensive, not much really to say about them. Absolutely fine.

Or if you wanted some drama, you could go for something like this: https://www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk/drops-gold.html?qty=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZ6lnMbP7QIVRuztCh2KHA8ZEAQYASABEgIY-DDBwE#foc=1485&fook=9dde3c3688b714117f4ba7f902fd275d&fos=gplauk&foo_oid=4744

Or cosy:

www.toppstiles.co.uk/lampas/lampas-marine-pattern-tile

Or lay them in a different pattern - herringbone say?

I'm thinking of these for my kitchen (in white only: still neutral, but interesting shape): www.mandarinstone.com/product/monastir-tula-decor-white-gloss-decorative-glazed/

I like them but they jarr a bit with the rest of the kitchen and the look you're aiming for. They're not warm or cosy in the slightest.

Not textured.

They aren’t horrible but I don’t think they go with the units or worktops

Another vote for NO.

Your chosen kitchen is warm-toned rustic style and the tiles are cool-toned contemporary which is why they clash.

I also associate those particular tiles with bathrooms.

Be brave and go for colour OP. I personally would choose a jewel shade to lift the dark cabinets.

Get a splash back. Then you don’t have to worry about grout. Easy to clean, come in colours, gloss if you want, patterned or plain.

I don’t think they go with the worktop. I recon that you can find better!

What about something like this? Definitely cosy

They're gorgeous @CiderJolly, I'm pinching those!!

I do think if you want cosy, pick a warm colour. A warm deep green perhaps.

Every time I read yawn alert I yawn. I too think they are nice but don't match the kitchen cupboards (which are lovely). I have a glass splashback and love it, so easy to clean. You can get them in a range of colours. If you want a tile, be brave and pick the tile you wanted.

Decision made, they're going back and I'm going to order the ones I originally chose.

@CountFosco hit the nail on the head do you want the tiles as a contrast or to pull the look together?

I want to pull it all together, these tiles are a contrast. It's not actually a kitchen so no cooking mess to worry about, I just need something on the wall behind the sink.

And for all the insomniacs among you, this is what i settled for. (well not settled in the relationship sense. you know what i mean!)