A beautiful backsplash can take your white kitchen from bland to spectacular. With so many options for materials, colors, textures and patterns, selecting the right backsplash may seem daunting. But with some thoughtful planning and design considerations, you can choose a backsplash that perfectly complements your white cabinetry and kitchen style.
We’ll look at popular backsplash materials, layouts, colors and textures. We’ll also provide tips for small white kitchens and offer inspiration for various design aesthetics. Let’s explore how the perfect backsplash can elevate your white kitchen from forgettable to fabulous.
Why the Right Backsplash is Key for White Kitchens
In any kitchen, the backsplash serves practical purposes – protecting the walls from splatters, spills and stains. But in a white kitchen, the backsplash takes on even more significance. On their own, white cabinets can sometimes look monotonous or uninspired. A backsplash adds visual interest and becomes a focal point that keeps your white kitchen from feeling flat or boring.
Backsplashes for white kitchens come in endless options of colors, materials and designs. So there’s ample opportunity to add pops of color, sleek textures, eye-catching patterns or a contemporary edge – whatever suits your personal taste. The right backsplash can inject just enough personality into your white kitchen so it doesn’t end up feeling sterile or cookie-cutter.
Most Popular Backsplash Materials for White Kitchen Cabinets
Tile
Tile is a go-to backsplash choice for many homeowners due to the wide variety of options and relatively low cost. Here are some of the most popular types of tile for white kitchen backsplashes:
Subway Tile: Classic rectangular tiles laid in a bricklike pattern. Creates a clean, structured look. Subway tiles come in virtually endless color options, including soft pastels, bold primaries, warm neutrals and more. Affordable and easy to install.
Mosaic Tile: Tiny mosaic tiles allow you to create a one-of-a-kind backsplash design. Grout lines may be tricky to keep clean. Mosaics come in all sorts of colors, shapes and patterns for a customized, artistic look. May be more expensive than basic tiles.
Marble Tile: Elegant marble tile instantly elevates a white kitchen to luxurious heights. However, marble is very porous and requires careful maintenance. Opt for hardy stones like granite at cooktop areas. A marble mosaic offers intricate style at a lower cost.
Herringbone Tile: A herringbone pattern backsplash adds lovely dimension and visual interest. The staggered “V” layout is easier to install than traditional subway tile. Herringbone backsplash tiles come in ceramic, porcelain, glass, marble and more.
Stone
Stone backsplashes provide a sensational focal point in white kitchens. Here are some striking options:
Marble Slabs: Few materials say luxury like marble, yet a full slab backsplash can get pricey. Consider using marble just behind the cooktop or on the range wall. The smooth polished surface also shows splatters easily.
Quartz Slabs: With the look of natural stone but more durability, quartz makes an excellent backsplash. Available in a spectrum of colors including soft neutrals. Resists stains and burns better than marble.
Granite Slabs: Granite’s elegance and timeless appeal add a refined note to white kitchen cabinets. Opt for lighter granites so the backsplash doesn’t overwhelm the space. Use sealant regularly to prevent staining.
Alternative Materials
Looking to save on your backsplash or craving something beyond tile or stone? These creative materials add flair:
Paint: An inexpensive way to customize your backsplash space. Use high-quality acrylic paint in matte finishes for easy cleanability. Try painting a bold accent stripe.
Wallpaper: Self-adhesive wallpaper backsplashes provide charm at a fraction of the price of tile. Consider removable papers so you can change up the look more frequently.
Reclaimed Wood: Whether in rustic planks or parquet designs, reclaimed wood makes a charming rustic or cottage-style statement in white kitchens.
Stainless Steel: A trendy contemporary option. Stainless backsplashes have an edgy, industrial vibe. Great for professional-grade kitchens.fingerprint resistant.
Backsplash Shape and Layout Options
In addition to material, the shape and layout of your backsplash impact its design. Get creative with these backsplash configurations in your white kitchen:
Full Wall Height: Extending tile or other materials from countertop to ceiling makes a dramatic statement and feels clean and sleek.
Accent Sections: Use stone or tile backsplashes only behind appliances, cooktops or on a single focal wall. This selective approach highlights specific areas.
Floating Shelves: Combine your backsplash with floating glass or wood shelves for a built-in look. Great for displaying cherished dishware.
Splash of Color: In a neutral white kitchen, use the backsplash as your chance to incorporate vibrant hues. Try a lively green, deep blue or rich purple.
Backsplash Color Considerations
Neutral Tones
If you want your white kitchen cabinets to take center stage, stick with backsplash colors in the neutral zone. Here are some sophisticated options:
Soft Greys: Warm greys provide an approachable vibe, blending seamlessly with white cabinetry. Grey marble or ceramic tiles make an elegant pairing.
Warm Beiges: Beiges with yellow, peach or pink undertones add subtle warmth. Great for a farmhouse kitchen aesthetic. Try beige subway tiles or travertine.
Crisp Whites: A crisp white backsplash tiles keep the look light and bright. Use varying white tile shapes and textures for interest.
Adding Pops of Color
Want your backsplash to pack more pigment? Here’s how to do it right:
As an Accent: Use just a touch of color by framing a white backsplash with a bold blue, green or red edge or trim.
Tie-Ins: Pick up an accent color from elsewhere in the kitchen, like pendant lights or barstools.
Complementary Colors: Choose a backsplash hue adjacent to white on the color wheel, like yellow or violet.
Incorporating Patterns and Textures
Keeping it Simple
Prefer a seamless and subtle backsplash? Try these approaches:
Solid Tiles: Single color tiles, whether glossy or matte, allow your backsplash to fade into the background.
Minimal Grout Lines: Use tiles with thin grout lines and match the grout color to tiles for a uniterrupted look.
Glossy Finishes: Glass, ceramic and marble backsplash tiles with polished finishes reflect light beautifully in an all-white kitchen.
Embracing Pattern
Make a statement with engaging backsplash patterns like:
Herringbone: The zigzag herringbone pattern adds lovely dimension and elegance behind white cabinets.
Geometric: From hexagons to chevron andCascade, geometric backsplash tile designs make a contemporary connection.
Moroccan Fish Scale: Overlapping fish scale tiles in blue and white create enticing depth and dimension.
Interesting Grout Colors: Contrast white tiles with black, navy or other deep grout colors.
Texture Combinations
Vary textures for extra sophistication:
Mix Tile Shapes: Combine complementary shapes like subway and penny tiles.
Material Mix: Blend materials like stone slabs and ceramic mosaic tiles.
Distressed Finishes: Try tiles with varying levels of gloss for depth. Antiqued and handpainted tiles work well.
Design Tips for Backsplashes in Small White Kitchens
Make a small white kitchen feel more spacious with these approaches:
Subway Tile: The rectangular shape and clean lines create the illusion of length in a small kitchen.
Extend to Ceiling: Continuing tiles or color to the ceiling draws the eye up and makes walls recede.
Avoid Bold Patterns: Stick with solid tiles or subtle textures. Busy backsplashes overwhelm a tiny kitchen.
Add Mirrors: Mirrored backsplashes visually double the space and add luminosity.
Enhance Overall Kitchen Design
Tie your whole kitchen together by coordinating these backsplash choices:
Cabinet Hardware: Select backsplash tile trim and accents that match the finishes of your pulls and knobs.
Countertops: Create a unified look by using similar materials and colors for backsplashes and countertops.
Appliances: Coordinate the backsplash with appliances by choosing matching metals and finishes.
Need inspiration? Browse backsplash design ideas to match popular kitchen aesthetics:
Traditional White Kitchen: Classic subway tiles, marble accents, metal trim
Contemporary White Kitchen: Vivid mosaic tiles, linear patterns, glass and metal combos
Farmhouse White Kitchen: Vintage painted tiles, reclaimed wood plank accents, neutral tones
Modern White Kitchen: Sculptural 3D tiles, bold geometric designs, sleek metallics
With limitless options for materials, colors, shapes and styles, selecting the perfect backsplash may seem like a challenge. But by thoughtfully considering your overall kitchen design, personal tastes and style goals, you can choose a backsplash that perfectly complements your white cabinets. From elegant marble slabs to cheerful mosaic tiles, let your backsplash reflect your personality while creating a flawless frame for pristine white cabinetry.
The ideal backsplash transforms a nondescript white kitchen into a stunning showpiece. With these backsplash design tips in mind, you can confidently choose a look tailored to your unique space and style – elevating your white kitchen from bland to beautiful.
1. Glass tiles are a sleek yet warm choice for contemporary white kitchens. Their luminosity brightens the space, while the array of colors and finishes – from transparent to frosted – injects character behind stove-tops. Combining glass tile accents with materials like wood or concrete creates compelling contrast.
2. The weathered, organic beauty of concrete’s cool grays brings an urban edge to white cabinets. Varied aggregate exposures ensure no two concrete backsplash tiles are identical. Concrete’s durability also makes it ideal behind cooktops, where spills are inevitable. Mixing polished and matte finishes adds refined depth.
3. The rich patina of wood backsplashes brings warmth and texture to white kitchens. Options range from uniform rectangular plank tiles to artistically arranged reclaimed parquet designs. Wood pairs perfectly with traditional and cottage styles. Use natural sealants to protect while enhancing the grain.
4. Painted backsplash tiles unlock a spectrum of custom colors for your white kitchen. Painting over existing tiles is a fast, affordable upgrade. Or start with a fresh blank slate by painting directly onto drywall. Use high-gloss acrylic paints for durability and easy wipe-cleaning behind ranges.
5. Sleek stainless steel backsplashes inject high-end contemporary style into white kitchens. Polished finishes captivate with reflective surface. Match to stainless appliances for a unified look. Durable and seamless, stainless backsplashes make a striking match for industrial and modern aesthetics.
6. Backsplash tiles with integrated LED lighting take any white kitchen to the next level. Different colors can be set to reflect moods or occasions. Ambient glow emanates warmth. Some systems are wire-free for easy installation. Others allow adjusting tile color and brightness via remote or smartphone.
