Is your all-white kitchen looking a little dull? Are you seeking ways to add visual interest and give those pristine white cabinets a stunning focal point? Look no further than the backsplash! Choosing the perfect backsplash design can utterly transform the look of your white kitchen and take it from bland to brilliant.
Backsplashes not only serve a practical purpose–protecting your walls from splatters and spills–they also provide an opportunity to infuse color, texture, shape and style. Whether you prefer gleaming metal tiles, vibrant glass mosaics, or natural stacked stone, your backsplash can make a statement and become the piece de resistance of your kitchen.
Keep reading for foolproof tips, ideas, and options to help you achieve backsplash success in your white kitchen.
Complement Your White Cabinetry
The first step in selecting a backsplash is considering the undertone of your existing cabinetry. Is your white paint warm, cool, or neutral? Warm white paint contains yellow/beige undertones, while cool white leans gray/blue. Neutral white falls somewhere in between without obvious color skewing.
Identifying your cabinets’ undertone will help you choose a complementary backsplash color. For warm white paint, look for backsplashes in shades like cream, tan, light brown, terracotta, warm gray, or pale yellow. These earthy tones will accentuate and enhance the warmness of your cabinetry. Cool white cabinets pair best with backsplashes in colors like glacier gray, pale blue, violet, sage green, and light cool-toned grays or beiges. For true neutral white, you have maximum flexibility in color choice.
Be sure to get physical tile or color samples to view in your space before finalizing a backsplash color. Natural and artificial lighting can alter appearances, so seeing choices in your actual kitchen is key for making the perfect selection.
Explore Timeless Tile Options
Tile reigns supreme as a backsplash material for several solid reasons. It’s available in a vast array of styles, materials, colors, shapes and patterns. It’s durable, easy to clean, and offers unlimited design potential. For white kitchens, classic white subway tile never goes out of style. But don’t be afraid to branch out!
Glass, ceramic, porcelain, and even recycled tiles in whites and neutrals make an elegant statement. Carrara or Calacatta marble tile brings graceful veining and upscale appeal. For texture, glossy ceramic or glass penny tiles add retro charm. Geometric shapes like hexagons create visual interest and work in any color scheme.
To boost visual dynamics, consider a decorative tile border or bold tile backslash focal point. Contrasting grout lines also add flair. We recommend a neutral grout color near your tiles’ hue. Stick with a grout no darker than 50% of your tile color’s value to avoid a too-harsh line contrast. Make sure to seal porous grout regularly.
Make a Statement with Stone
For organic warmth and texture, natural stone makes a striking yet earthy statement. Rustic slate or travertine bricks arranged in a stacked stone pattern infuse rustic charm. Pebble backsplashes in subdued neutral hues lend subtle visual depth. Or go bold with vivid coral, emerald, or sapphire blue stones.
Marble, with its delicate grey veining, has epitomized timeless luxury for centuries. Carrara and Calacatta marble backsplashes elevate any white kitchen to new heights of sophistication. Deeply veined statuary marble makes a bold visual statement.
Pro tip: Hone stone to a satiny finish to downplay etching and staining. weekly sealing is essential for stone backsplash maintenance. This protects the porous material and makes cleaning spills easier.
Add a Pop of Color
Colorful backsplashes breathe new life into an all-white kitchen. Vibrant glass, ceramic, or even upcycled broken china mosaic tiles are eye catching. Limit colorful tiles to a focal area, border, or geometric accent pattern for maximum impact.
Consider the undertones of your cabinet paint when selecting backsplash colors. Warm whites pair best with warmer hues like sunflower yellow, coral, terra cotta, sage, and sky blue. Cool white cabinets favor cooler tones like emerald, teal, plum, and violet.
Tread carefully with an all-over brightly colored backsplash, as this can overwhelm and date your space. Instead, look for tile colors with a subtle brightness, like sea glass aqua, buttermilk, lilac, or birch tree gray–an invigorating pop of color without going overboard.
Achieve a Modern Look
For contemporary flair, think outside the box with your backsplash materials and design. Sleek metal or stainless steel tiles lend industrial edge. Lucite, glass bricks, or color-blocked ceramic tile create modern geometric impact.
alternate smooth tiles with textured ones like 3D wave glass tile. Penetrating grout lines between glass blocks and tiles add modernist separation. Arrange rectangular tiles vertically, or play with uneven layout patterns. A combination gloss and matte tile mosaic makes a bold statement.
Limit your color scheme to two or three complementary modern hues like black, white, gray, deep blue, scarlet, chrome, or pearl. Keep accent colors clean, avoid ornate decorative tiles, and let innovative materials and shapes shine.
Embrace Farmhouse Charm
Warm, organic backsplashes complement farmhouse style kitchens beautifully. Subway tiles in warm whites paired with wood open shelving create breezy vintage appeal. Stacked antique brick or stone backsplashes add artisanal flair.
Play with subway tile arrangements like herringbone patterns or combining differently sized tiles. Classic hexagon floor tile used in a vertical backsplash injects farmhouse personality. For a reclaimed look, upcycle tin ceiling tiles, salvaged barn wood, or antique flash-freezer plates.
Earthy, subtle hues like cream, tan, slate gray, and terra cotta work well in farmhouse kitchens. Incorporate natural materials like butcher block, rattan baskets, and live edge wood for harmony throughout the rustic space.
Refresh with Painted Tile
Breathe new life into a dated existing backsplash with a coat of paint instead of a full replacement. Use a bonding primer followed by semi-gloss exterior latex paint. For extra gloss, consider painting with colorful enamel. Geometric patterns, vertical stripes, or an ombre fade using two hues add modern flair.
Painting over existing ceramic, porcelain, or glass tile creates a fresh custom look at a fraction of the price of new tile. Be sure to properly prep and clean the tile, sand glossy surfaces, apply two coats of primer, and use a foam roller for the paint. Add a protective sealant over painted tile grout.
Set Your Budget
Backsplash costs vary widely depending on material, tile size, specialized labor, and installation area. Here are rough averages:
- Ceramic tile – $5-$20 per sq. ft. installed
- Glass tile – $15-$30 per sq. ft. installed
- Mosaic tile – $5-$25 per sq. ft. installed
- Stone – $40-$100 per sq. ft. installed
- Metal – $15-$50 per sq. ft. installed
Ways to cut costs include installing a smaller focal point area of pricier tile instead of full wall coverage, choosing smaller tile sizes, or installing the backsplash yourself if you’re up for the challenge.
Remember a high-quality backsplash is a long-term investment that will pay off in amplified kitchen style. Don’t be tempted to cut too many corners–cheaping out could compromise durability and appearance over time.
Achieve Your Dream Backsplash
Choosing the perfect backsplash is an exciting process full of possibilities. Take time to gather inspiration from interior design sites, blogs, or Houzz. Visit local stone and tile showrooms to view options first-hand. Consult with knowledgeable tile experts. Bring home samples, perhaps in a few different material types, to get a true feel for each before deciding.
During installation, use a laser level and take care to evenly space tiles and grout lines. If doing it yourself, invest in proper tile cutting and adhesive application tools for a quality result. Add tub and sink caulking or trim molding for polished finishing touches.
With the right backsplash design, your dream kitchen is within reach. No longer visually dull, that spectacular new focal point will utterly transform your white space. May your newly invigorated kitchen bring you joy, inspiration, and many memorable meals!
Mosaic Backsplash
If you’re looking for a unique and eye-catching backsplash design for white cabinetry, consider a mosaic tile. These small, individually-shaped tiles can be arranged in various patterns to create a stunning and intricate design. The colorful tiles are perfect for adding pops of color to a white kitchen and can be found in a variety of materials, including glass, ceramic, and stone.
Stone Backsplash
Stone is a beautiful and natural choice for a backsplash, and it pairs perfectly with white cabinetry. Whether you prefer a classic marble or a rustic limestone, stone backsplashes are timeless and elegant. They add texture and depth to your kitchen and are available in a variety of finishes, from matte to polished.
Tile is a classic and versatile choice for a backsplash, and it’s perfect for adding personality and style to a white kitchen. Whether you prefer a traditional subway tile or a modern geometric design, tile backsplashes are available in a variety of materials, including ceramic, porcelain, and glass.
