I opted to install the tile myself – my first time at tiling! It was at once fun and frustrating, but the end result (and reasonable price!) was worth it. See the gallery below for a step-by-step slideshow of the installation.

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The owners chose to keep their original black appliances and maple cabinets, so we are working with a palette of white, black and light maple. I found some great tiles at Modwalls, which come in a nice variety of colors and are really affordable. Here is the dramatic Marakesh blend.

If you are willing to commit, a backsplash is also a great place to add color to the kitchen. I like this bold Tango blend. A solid color would also make a nice statement and feel less busy.

One of the great features at Modwalls is the custom tile blender. You can pick multiple colors and blend them in any proportion to create your perfect palette. Here is a brown and white blend for something more muted than the colorful Emma above.

A lighter look in a custom blend of white and speckles of green.

If you don’t like the looks of small squares, subway tiles are another good option. Here is Modwalls Lush tile in dune. I love the elegant lines and tasteful colors.

The backsplash is also a great place to mix textures and materials. While I love the glass and ceramic tiles, I’m always drawn to earthy stone and marble. Here is a great mix of glass and stone in matchstick shape from Glass Tiles Etc. So earthy and stylish!

Cluttered, a tad boring and, might I add, the typical tiny pre-war Manhattan kitchen.

Turquoise Moorish Tile

First, I always adore turquoise and anything that reminds me of warm climates. This Moorish inspired tile has a perfect  Mediterranean meets Middle East feel. I paired it with a bold cobalt wall and covered the clutter with white cabinets.

Limone Tile

Next, I tried the Limone Tile from Terra Home’s Italian Sketchbook series. I’m attracted once again to the warm Mediterranean feel.  This series is casual and sunny – perfect for a fresh contrasting palette of yellow, black, and white. The tiles work as a mid-wall border and draw attention away from the cluttered countertops.

Cream/Sugar Set with Flowers

Lastly, sometimes inspiration can be found in an object and translated onto the walls. I am enamored by this pastel cream and sugar set and thought the colors would work perfectly on the walls. Indeed, the pastels lighten up the tiny space. The handmade feel of the pottery is so nice, I placed two of the dessert plates on the back wall in place of tiles. So lovely!

Check out this small, bland, white kitchen.  All you really notice is the junk on the countertop and everything else is whitewashed right out.

Shades of beige/mocha are always an easy kitchen solution. We added definition to the small space by painting 3 different shades- 1 for the doorways (which happens to be a closet and the main entrance to the apartment), 1 shade for the kitchen area, and another shade for the ceiling.

Here, the same multi-color approach, but warmed up in spicy colors.

You can even add definition to the plain white cabinets with a thick stripe of chocolate. (It’s also a good idea to upgrade the cabinet handles, too)  Check out these tips for painting your cabinets.

If you have the time (and money), for a whole new look, consider new cabinets. A nice dark walnut is modern, but not too trendy. Muted blue makes the whole kitchen feel very “adult” and also calm. Note the dark brown painted door to match the cabinets, crown molding and a drama-ceiling.