With so many tile choices to shop from, it can be overwhelming to pick a kitchen backsplash that will enhance your home and withstand the test of time. This post walks you through all the details to consider, including layout suggestions and how to choose the right grout color, so that you can sort through the options and find what works best for you.
DESIGN + STYLE | Published January 10, 2025
PHOTO CREDIT: Honeycomb Home
- What is a Backsplash?
- Options to Consider for a Kitchen Backsplash
- Placment and Layout Ideas
- How to Calculate How Much Backsplash Tile You'll Need
- Options for Grout
- Designer Tips for Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash
- Where to Shop for Backsplash Tile for the Kitchen
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Design Posts You Might Find Helpful
When it comes to selecting a kitchen backsplash, there is more to consider than you might initially expect.
What may seem like a small design element quickly reveals itself to be layered with choices. Choosing from a vast tile selection, deciding on an ideal layout and even selecting the right color grout can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed. And with the cost and permanence of your chioce, the pressure to get it just right can feel heavy.
But choosing a kitchen backsplash tiles doesn't have to be hard.
By breaking the process into a few simple steps, choosing a backsplash become less about stress and more about possibility. In a space where design opportunities are limited, the backsplash becomes your moment to infuse personality, texture, and charm. It’s the finishing touch that brings a kitchen to life and makes daily cleanup a little easier, too..
Whether your taste leans timeless or modern, budget-friendly or luxury, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose a kitchen backsplash that's as beautiful as it is practical.
What is a Backsplash?
The tiled area above the kitchen counter is called a backsplash. While its primary function is to protect walls from splashes, grease, and spills, it also offers a design opportunity to bring color, texture, and personality into your space.
JESSICA HELGERSON INTERIOR DESIGN
For added interest when using a natural stone slab as a backsplash, consider having it cut with a curved shape and decorative edge. It adds interest and makes for a gentle transition from the counter to the top of the backsplash.
Kitchen Backsplash Options: Materials to Consider
Don’t be intimidated by the countless options available in the market when shopping for a backsplash. While it may seem like you’ll never be able to pick the right one when looking at the sea of tiles, you can easily narrow down your choices by first considering these options.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
- Best for: Budget-conscious, high-traffic kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Durable, widely available, and affordable with endless color, shape, and finish options
- Note: Porcelain is more durable but also more difficult to cut and typically more expensive than ceramic.
Glass Tile
- Best for: Modern or high-end kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Reflects light beautifully and adds an elegant shimmer
- Note: Requires professional installation and frequent cleaning to keep its shine
Natural Stone Tile (Marble, Granite, Travertine)
- Best for: Classic, timeless designs
- Why you’ll love it: Each tile is unique, bringing depth and natural beauty
- Note: Needs sealing and maintenance; variation between tiles can be significant
Slab Backsplash
- Best for: Seamless, cohesive kitchen designs
- Why you’ll love it: A single slab of marble, quartz, or granite extends from the countertop for a sleek look with no grout lines
- Note: Elegant, but costly
Metal (Copper, Brass, Stainless Steel)
- Best for: Industrial or modern kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Adds a touch of shine and edge; durable and easy to clean
- Note: Best used as an accent behind a range or stove
Wood (Shiplap, Beadboard)
- Best for: Cottage, farmhouse, or rustic kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Adds warmth and texture
- Note: Must be sealed properly to prevent damage from moisture
Brick Veneer:
- Best for Old-world or farmhouse-style kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Brings charm and character with a weathered, lived-in feel
- Note: Install like tile, but requires sealing
Stacked Stone
- Best for: Traditional, European-inspired kitchens
- Why you’ll love it: Offers dramatic texture and depth
- Note: Heavier material with a bold visual impact
Choosing the Right Backsplash Color
Color sets the tone for your kitchen’s design and should complement your countertops and cabinetry.
- Start with countertops: For complete kitchen remodels, start with choosing your counters and cabinet color and then find a tile that will coordinate.
- Pull from existing hues: Identify one or two of the dominate colors in your counters or cabinets for something that blends seamlessly with your overall design.
- Try contrast: Backsplash can also serve as an accent. Dark tile with light counters (or vice versa) adds dimension.
- Pay attention to undertones which lean either warm (like yellow, red, orange) or cool (blue, green, purple). Undertones are not necessarily the color you see, but rather the shades that go into creating it. The color of your backsplash should have the same as both your countertop and cabinet for a cohesive look.
- Lighter color backsplashes brighten and open up a room, especially if there is limited natural light. This is the more common choice.
- Darker colors may make a kitchen feel smaller, but hide dirt more effectively.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION? Click here for over 150 photos of inspiring kitchen backsplash ideas.
ASHLEY MONTGOMERY DESIGN
A narrow piece of stone laid on top of a vertical slab creates a ledge perfect for holding bottles of oil, spices, or artwork without overwhelming the kitchen design.
What Size Tile Should You Use?
- Tiles come in different sizes and proportions. Even a typical 3”x6” subway tile takes on a different feel when it is a longer or wider tile.
- Smaller scale tiles typically better compliment the large scale of a countertop.
- Larger tiles have a more contemporary look whereas smaller scale leans more traditional.
- Smaller mosaic tiles normally come attached to a backing so that many can be installed accurately at one time.
Playing with Pattern
Choosing a patterned tile for a backsplash pulls in a lot of character and charm into your kitchen design and is great at hiding dirt….But make sure that it is a look that you won’t grow tired of seeing everyday over time.
- Larger kitchens are better able to handle pattern.
- If your countertop is very busy, avoid using a patterned tile and instead choose something solid.
- One way to use a patterned tile you love without the large commitment of an entire backsplash is to Install the tile just behind stove for an accent.
Use Patterned Tile for a Focal Point
JENNIFER LEIGH DESIGNS
Don't be scared of choosing a statement-making patterned tile if you find one you love. Jennifer trimmed out the section of patterned tile with subway tile making this alcove for the stove a highlight in the kitchen.
Tile Shape Options
Tiles are available in a variety of shapes, but these are the most common choices:
- Subway: Rectangular shape that is typically twice as long as it is wide.
- Penny: A collection of very small round or hexagonal tiles running in a staggered pattern attached to a mesh backing for easy installation.
- Square: Slightly retro, but very versatile
- Hexagon
- Picket: Elongated six-sided shape that is a modern take on the classic hexagon style.
- Mosaic: Small tiles installed together on a mesh backing to form an intricate design.
Texture and Finish
- Machine made tiles typically offer consistency in color, texture, and shape. They are smooth with even edges.
- Handmade tiles are more pricey, but provide one-of-a-kind character with subtle variations as each tile is crafted individually.
- Glossy tiles wipe free of spills easily, but show fingerprints and dirt. In larger spaces, they may provide too much shine for your liking.
- Matte finished tiles hide dirt better, but are also harder to clean.
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Placement and Layout Ideas
Once you've selected your tile, you must decide how you will install it.
How High Should Your Backsplash Be?
- Standard Height is 4 inches above the counter, typically using the same material. This is a budget-friendly option and takes the guesswork out of what will coordinate best.
- Full Height backsplash typically measures 18 inches tall and fills in the gap between the countertop and cabinet bottom.
- Room Height takes the backsplash clear to the ceiling. The look is dramatic, but is the most costly.
- Unless you plan on going to the ceiling, you’ll want to look for a line that already exists in the room for a natural transition. Too many lines cause a space to look disjointed or chaotic. Examples of where to stop are with the bottom of the upper cabinets, the bottom of a window, or the rangehood.
KOHLRABI ARCHITEKTURA
Your backsplash does not have to end at the same height in different places in the room as long as it is intentional. In this small space, the tile is high enough behind the sink to protect from splashing water, but doesn't interfer with the location of the sconces above.
How Wide Should Your Backsplash Stretch?
- Backsplash installations should stop on an inside corner where the counter connects to a side wall, if possible. A full height backsplash should not cover a portion of the side wall, but a short four inch backsplash is okay if you feel it is necessary.
- On an open wall, end the backsplash with the side of the upper cabinet, even if that doesn’t match up exactly to the end of the counter. Visually, there should be a seamless line created between the tile edge and the side of the top and bottom cabinets to avoid an awkward transition.
MINERAL TILES
Play around with different ways your tile can be laid to find a unique combination for your kitchen, like this one with alternating bands of horizontal and vertical stacked subway tile.
Tile Layout Options for a Kitchen Backsplash
How you choose to layout your tile pattern is where you can take even a basic tile and give it charm. Here are some common suggestions that can be mixed and matched to create a truly customized look.
- Stacked: Tiles line up and can be installed vertically or horizontally.
- Brick Lay (also known as offset or running bond): Longer tiles are laid in an offset pattern where one tile is laid in the middle of the one above or below it, like bricks. You can also install them at 1/3 offset as well or a different look. It is a timeless pattern than is easy to install.
- Herringbone: Tiles laid at a 90° angle forming a staggering zig-zag pattern that is both classic and bold.
- Chevron: Unlike the herringbone, these zig-zag patterned tiles are cut at a 45° angle to meet up to form a V shape.
- Basketweave or Crosshatch: Pairs of tiles laid both vertically and horizontally in a pattern to look as though they have been woven together.
- Checkerboard: Alternating colors of tiles create a checkerboard effect. The tiles can be high contrast colors like black and white or more subtle like beige and tan.
- Horizontal or Vertical Placement: Depending on the shape of the tile, they can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Some may even look nice on a diagonal layout. Squares can be turned to form a diamond shape.
How to Calculate How Much Backsplash Tile You'll Need
Multiply the length and height of each area where you’ll be installing backsplash. Add those amounts together.
Then multiply the total by 1.1 to factor in a 10% overage in the amount of tile you buy to allow for broken tiles or odd tile cuts. For tiles that are particular fragile, you may want to purchase even more.
Options for Grout
The final decisions when installing a kitchen backsplash are what color grout you’ll use and the width of the grout joint (the space between each tile that is filled with grout).
Grout Joint Size
The average grout joint size is 1/8” but feel free to play around with the idea of something smaller (1/16”) for an almost invisible line or larger (1/4”) for a more defined look.
Typically, for smaller tile, a smaller joint will blend seamlessly and require less cleaning.
Grout Color
Much like comparing your tile and countertop color, you’ll want to look at the shade and undertones of the tile to choose a shade of grout. Here are some things to consider:
- Match for subtlety: Using the same color amkes the lines disappear.
- Contrast for impact: Choose a contrasting shade that works with the tile, counter, and cabinets to make the tiles pop.
- Busy counters are best enhanced with a low contrast tile and grout combination.
- Neutral earthy browns and grays are versatile and forgiving.
- The grout is a supporting player in your backsplash. You don’t want to choose something that upstages the tile.
- Avoid bright white: It is hard to keep clean over time.
- Darker grout: shows imperfections in the tile installation and can stain porous stone.
- High contrast combinations may result in showing undesireable crazing and texture in the tile and may also change the tile color
DECOR HAPPY
Choosing tiles that come in coordinating colors and laying them in a random pattern keeps the layout looking fresh and interesting, rather than that of an expected checkerboard pattern.
Designer Tips for Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash
- Gather Inspiration: Designers have shown so many ways to use tile creatively, so take a little time to look online at options that speak to your style. Explore my Pinterest board filled with many ideas to get you started.
- Stay True to YOUR Style: Don't chase trends. Instead, choose something timeless that reflects your taste and the character of your home.
- Choose Cabinet and Countertop First: Then build your backsplash around them.
- Gather Samples: Before you buy all of your backsplash, invest at least three of each of the tiles you are considering, if possible. Lean them against a white surface next to your countertop and cabinet color. Pay attention to what they look like in different lighting.
- Blend the Boxes: Before installing natural stone tile like Carrara marble, open all boxes and mix. There is a lot of variation in the patterns, but each box is generally boxed with similar tones. Mixing all the tiles before you begin ensures you avoid sections that are darker or lighter.
- Include a Mixture of Tiles: You don’t need to stick to just one style, shape, or color of tile. Install a band of glass tiles running horizontally through marble laid in a subway pattern, for example. Or make the area behind your range a focal point with a coordinating tile.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION? Click here for over 150 photos of inspiring kitchen backsplash ideas.
Where to Shop for Backsplash Tile for the Kitchen
It is always nice to be able to see and feel tile in person, even just to get a better idea of what you are looking for. Home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot have in-stock tile, as will many local tile retailers.
There is also a vast selection available online at a variety of price points. Be sure that you have a good idea of exactly what you are considering in terms of material, size, shape, etc., so that you can easily narrow down your choices.
BEDROSIAN TILE
While you'll typically find that backsplash are a lighter color than the countertop, there is no reason why you can't go darker if you find a tile you like. Keep in mind that this is best for kitchens with lots of natural light so that the room doesn't feel closed in and smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that have been asked about choosing a backsplash. If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to send me an email and I’ll be happy to help.
CLICK ON THE QUESTION TO DROPDOWN THE ANSWER
Backsplashes are important wherever you will have spatters from the stove or splashes from the sink because they protect the wall and are easier to wipe clean.
Peel and stick tiles are a great solution for renters or anyone looking for quick and affordable upgrade while saving for something more permanent. They install easily and now come in a variety or colors and patterns.
Removing the original tile completely is your best option. Otherwise, the old tile must be thorough cleaned and smoothed to allow for a proper bonding and uneven tiles or grout lines may show through.
Most backsplashes are lighter in color than the counter, but this is a matter of design preference, so choose whichever you’d like!
Switches and outlets are not always installed in the best location and you may find that you’ve got one falling in the middle of where your tile should end. Your best solution would be to hire an electrician now to move the wiring so that it is either completely inside or outside of the tile area.
If your upper cabinetry does not extend the full length of the peninsula, end the tile line where the cabinet stops or tile the entire wall to the end of the peninsula.
PHOTO CREDIT: Joanna Gaines
Choosing a kitchen backsplash may come with more decisions than you expected, but when you walk through the process step by step, it becomes less overwhelming and far more inspiring.
This isn’t just about tile. It’s about creating a space that feels like home. A kitchen that reflects your style, serves your family, and supports the rhythm of your everyday life.
Whether you’re drawn to classic subway tile or an artisanal mosaic, let your choices be intentional. Choose what you love and what you’ll love living with.
Because the heart of your home deserves more than a trend. It deserves timeless beauty, thoughtful design, and a little touch of you.
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