The Top 55 Backsplash Tile Ideas
The kitchen is one of the most challenging living spaces to design. Even with professional help, it’s easy to feel bogged down with appliance catalogs, cabinet samples, and countertop options.
After all of the big decisions are finalized, though, you can finally get into the fun details. And few details are as integral to the overall design as your kitchen backsplash tile.
Of course, backsplash tiles aren’t exclusive to the kitchen. Tiles can be used to finish nearly any living space, including bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more.
We’ve found some of the best backsplash tile ideas of the moment to help you make those final decisions and start enjoying your family’s new kitchen!
Contents
1. Color
Tiles are a great way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral space. One could even argue that the kitchen backsplash was the original accent wall!
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You can let your backsplash tile stand alone as the room’s sole color. Or incorporate your chosen shade throughout the space in the form of hand towels, window treatments, and other accent decor.
Using color in your home decor does not need to mean choosing the brightest shade possible. Even if you prefer the look of an all-neutral color scheme, consider expanding your design horizons with a colored backsplash. Muted shades of blue and green work particularly well as pseudo-neutrals.
2. DIY
Backsplash design is one of those skill sets that is often best left to the professionals. But there are still plenty of DIY tile ideas that can give your kitchen a fresh look on a budget.
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Kitchen backsplash tile is easy to paint — for results that will last, you must use the right tools. Purchase specialty tile paint (epoxy paint also works) that will adhere to your existing backsplash.
If painting your entire tile backsplash sounds like too big of an undertaking, consider updating the grout instead. Just like tile, grout can be freshened up with specialty paint. You can restore the grout’s original color if it’s stained or choose a new shade entirely.
3. Design
Today’s backsplashes are ditching the minimalist trends of the last decade in favor of lots of color and patterns. So if your kitchen backsplash is missing that special something, now is as good a time as any to explore popular tile ideas.
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Vibrant Moroccan tiles have jumped into mainstream kitchen design. Laying classic subway tile in a herringbone pattern can make a tried-and-true backsplash feel fresh.
Even a detail as simple as the shape of your backsplash tiles can have a major impact on the overall look. Honeycomb tiles have been huge in recent years, along with arched and hexagon tiles. Ogee tiles are yet another trend borrowed from Moroccan design that is perfectly suited to a kitchen backsplash.
4. Glass
Glass tile is a unique take on the traditional kitchen backsplash with undeniably modern appeal. This material is known for making spaces feel bigger and brighter — you can thank the glass’s reflective quality — and offering a multidimensional finish.
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You can pair glass backsplash tile with nearly any countertop. Glass tile contrasts especially well against textured granite, concrete, or wood.
It’s a common misconception that glass tiles only come in a narrow range of colors. Along with shades of white, grey, and blue, you can also purchase patterned tile made of glass. In contrast to regular tiles, glass sheet backsplashes are another big trend.
5. Marble
It’s hard to think of a time in home decor when marble was not highly sought after. Marble tile can be found in kitchens and bathrooms throughout history, and it doesn’t look to be leaving the popular consciousness anytime soon.
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One of the reasons marble is so beloved is because of its price. Fortunately, it’s never been easier to replicate the look of real marble backsplash tile.
Pair your marble tile backsplash with gold grout for an elegant aesthetic. Or choose a neutral grout so the marble itself can shine as the star of your kitchen backsplash.
6. Modern
Modern backsplash tile can be simple or ornate. They can also be made from nearly any material, from ceramic to natural stone. But one thing they all have in common is a preference for geometric shapes.
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White subway tile is one of the most modern kitchen backsplash options around. More contemporary styles feature hexagonal tiles or stark black-and-white patterns.
Your grout color could be the difference between an average and ultra-modern kitchen. This is especially true when working with uniquely shaped tiles. Using grout the same shade as your tiles will make your backsplash look like a monolith. Yet a contrasting color will ensure every single angle pops.
7. Mosaic
If you’re drawn to the maximalist aesthetic that has been taking over the home decor world in recent months, then mosaic backsplash tile is the perfect addition to your kitchen wall. Anyone can incorporate this trend in their home decor — classic or not.
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Many mosaic tile designs are inspired by ancient architecture from around the world. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the art of mosaic dates back to Mesopotamia!
On the other hand, contemporary kitchen design has co-opted the mosaic tile concept with modern patterns and colorways. Rest assured, there’s a mosaic tile backsplash out there that suits your style.
8. Stone
Stone tile is frequently used in bathroom design. However, this unexpected material is also an excellent choice for a rustic kitchen backsplash.
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Although marble is a type of stone, this trend offers a much different aesthetic. Many stone tiles feature a rough finish that mimics the look of a brick backsplash. You can also create a river rock-inspired backsplash using pebble tile.
Stone tile ideas often take advantage of the material’s natural color variations. For a more modern farmhouse kitchen, opt for all-white tile instead. Pair your stone backsplash with a coordinating marble or granite countertop.
9. Subway
Countless homeowners view subway tile as a passing trend. Believe it or not, this tile has maintained its popularity for over a century!
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Subway tile is incredibly versatile and — despite its immense popularity — timeless. White subway tile (with black or white grout) complements all kitchen decor styles. If you want a kitchen backsplash that fades into the background, subway tile is perfect.
The simplicity of subway tile can be deceiving. Play around with different orientations, grout, and materials to find the best look for your home.
10. Wood
Wood might not be the first material to come to mind for use as a backsplash. Yet this design is quickly becoming one of the biggest trends in kitchen and bathroom decor.
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One of the main reasons backsplashes are prevalent in interior design is because they help protect against water damage and stains. With the right sealant, wood panels are as impervious as natural stone or ceramic.
If using real wood for your backsplash makes you nervous, there is another option! Imitation wood tiles offer the benefits of ceramic with the look and texture of wood.
Backsplash Tile FAQs
Kitchen backsplash tile will get dirty. After all, a large part of their purpose is to protect the drywall underneath.
Most tiles are easy to clean, including ceramic, glass, and porcelain tile. If you’re concerned about staining, avoid natural stone backsplash tiles. Marble and natural stone tile is semi-porous and requires special cleaning techniques.
Peel-and-stick backsplash tiles are marketed as an affordable alternative to real tiles. But, as with any home design element, you get what you pay for.
High-quality peel-and-stick tiles definitely exist but are not significantly cheaper than individual tiles. These products are made of the same material as real tiles but have an adhesive applied to the back.
Cheap peel-and-stick tile shouldn’t be your first choice for permanent installation. However, they are an excellent resource for renters. Peel-and-stick tiles can transform a rental space without risking your security deposit.