We finally made a decision. After revisiting several tile stores this morning, we picked the tile we’ll use for the entire wall above the stove, where we plan to install open shelves and a vent hood as mentioned here. Our search included a mix of small local shops and big box stores to see what was available. Ultimately, we found the strongest selection at a local tile specialist, The Tile Shop. While many of their beautiful options were tempting, several were priced near $20 per square foot. That can work for a standard backsplash, but a whole wall at that price quickly becomes expensive (50 square feet at $20 per square foot equals $1,000).

We liked a number of samples, but the cost didn’t fit our budget. For example, a smoky gray skinny tile we admired was $17.99 per square foot, and a moody gray glass subway tile was $18.99 per square foot. A cracked glass tile that looked like a mix of marble and ice was $16.99, and a delicate tiny glass mosaic ran about $14.99 per square foot. All lovely, but all too costly for covering an entire wall.

In the clearance section in the back of the store we discovered a soft gray porcelain penny tile with a smooth finish and clean, circular shapes. It read modern without feeling cold—more like a subtle texture than a dominant tile pattern. At $5.59 per square foot it fit our budget much better: 50 square feet would cost approximately $279.

Full disclosure: we’d used The Tile Shop as a resource during a past bathroom remodel on John’s dad’s recommendation, and they later became sponsors of our site. One useful perk is that they offer a 10% discount for readers using the code YHL10, which applies in-store and online, so we were able to take an additional 10% off our purchase.

Because this tiled wall will be a main focal point of the kitchen, we wanted it to look intentional and cohesive. Choosing a tile that reads like texture rather than an overwhelming metallic sheet felt important. We’re glad we can come in well under $300 for tile and save on labor by installing it ourselves. We’ll document the process as we go, from prepping the wall to grouting and finishing. We expect this decision to be one of those design moves that really shapes the room.

Clara’s reaction was adorable. She wandered by, glanced over at the tile, and then reached out to pet it. She seemed to approve—smooth porcelain and soft-looking gray won her over just as they did us.

The tile we chose is porcelain, which is non-porous and highly stain-resistant. We’ll use stain-resistant grout and apply a quality sealer so the wall stays protected from kitchen splatter. The goal is low maintenance: we don’t want to be the ones scrubbing grout up the wall with a toothbrush for years. We’ve used no-maintenance sealer before and were impressed—our shower tiles stayed clean for over a year without rigorous upkeep. You can reapply sealer annually to maintain protection if desired.

After purchasing, Clara cheerfully declared “all done,” took my hand, and led me right back to the tile display for one more inspection. She clearly takes her role as tile inspector seriously.

Before committing, we brought the sample home and looked at other kitchens using penny tile to envision how it might read behind floating shelves or extending to the ceiling. We considered how it would layer with other materials in the space: dark cork floors, white cabinetry, chunky white open shelves, a range hood, counters, soft warm wall color, and the surrounding lighting and artwork. The effect we wanted was textured and layered, not flashy or overpowering.

At home, we placed the tile sample on the faux-sheepskin ottoman and next to the cork flooring sample, our kitchen wall paint swatch, and a stainless steel reference (represented by a Klean Kanteen). We also held a white ceramic tile to represent painted cabinets. Seeing all the elements together confirmed the choice: the penny tile blends in as a subtle textural layer that complements the palette.

We still have a lot to do before the tile goes up—backsplashes and full-wall tile are typically installed after cabinets, appliances, and counters are in place. We plan to do more demo and appliance moving tonight, so if that goes well we’ll have photos to share soon. Progress is steady, as Clara would say: “slowly, slowly.”

Have you bought tile recently for a backsplash, floor, or bathroom? Did you visit multiple stores and compare options online before choosing? We rarely take this long deciding on paint, which can be changed easily, but choices like tile, flooring, and countertops feel more permanent and deserve more thought. Design competition shows make fast decisions look easy, but real rooms are places you live in for years, and that adds weight to each choice.