Tiles are one way to introduce some pops of colour in your kitchen. If you are worried about the grout discolouring, use epoxy grout which is more resilient to liquid staining. Also, if you use a coloured grout, discolouration will be less noticeable. If you choose textured tiles with rectilinear edges, grout lines are almost invisible. Using tiles can look more traditional compared to glass or stainless steel. The problem with stainless steel is keeping it looking good. Drip marks and grease are instantly noticeable. Glass is less obvious when splashed. They are both more industrial and modern looking. What about using the same material that makes up your worktop as the splashback? Most manufacturers of manmade worktops also do an 11mm thick splashback and upstand.

I feel your pain as I did the same with my stainless steel oven. I rubbed some oil gently on it and it did help, but the t cut idea sounds good!

Hi Adrian, thanks for the details - love the Caraz! Absolutely on trend colour, and a nice calm, sophisticated palette. Always amazes me just how much influence ambient light has, as the pictures show both to be even warmer in reality. With that info, I think I'd still be opting for white/off-white close to your worktop colour - on, if suitable, using the worktop material as a splashback, but you'd need to check with the manufacturer on suitability close to gas flame. Not all would be permissible. An alternative would be to go with whatever you have picked as flooring tile, if available in large enough size, then cut & edge to suit. Now that large format tiles are becoming so popular, we're finding clients opting for this more frequently, to add a bit more texture compared to flat, plain glass.

I have tiles on one wall by the sink, and mirror in a darker area. I also have wallpaper over the other (non-cooking) side of the kitchen. It's great!   Do what works for you.