5 Kitchen Backsplash Ideas You'll Love

If you want to turn your kitchen from just another room to a centerpiece in your home, an unforgettable backsplash is key. Your backsplash offers a distinct personality and style, where tiles add more than just function–they weave together color, pattern, and texture to tell a story that’s uniquely yours.

Whether you’re after the clean lines of a subway tile backsplash or the intricate detail of handpainted elegance, we’re highlighting five of our favorite backsplash design ideas to turn your kitchen backsplash into the pièce de résistance of your interior design project.

But first, we’re answering some common questions about kitchen backsplashes.

FAQs About Kitchen Backsplashes

What’s the Best Type of Backsplash for a Kitchen?

The best type of backsplash for a kitchen is one that combines durability with personal style. Ceramic Tiles are a popular choice due to their resistance to heat, stains, and splashes–plus, Fireclay’s Ceramic Tiles are stronger than your average porcelain tile. Glass Tiles are also favorable for their reflective qualities that can make a kitchen brighter and bigger.

What Backsplash Tile Never Goes Out of Style?

Subway tile is a classic choice that never goes out of style. Its simple, rectangular shape and versatility in arrangement make it a timeless addition to any kitchen. Neutral colors like white or cream can complement various color schemes and design styles, ensuring longevity in style.

Should the Backsplash be Lighter or Darker than the Countertop?

The choice between a lighter or darker backsplash than your countertop comes down to the visual effect you wish to create. A lighter backsplash can make a space feel larger and more open, especially in smaller kitchens or areas with less natural light. On the other hand, a darker backsplash can add depth and contrast, making a bold statement.

Now let's get to the inspiration!

1. A Colorful Classic

One of our favorite designs will always be the classic subway tile in one of our signature hand-mixed, lead-free glazes. Named after its common appearance in subway stations, this tile’s timeless rectangular shape–which includes sizes like 3x6, 2x6, 2x8, and more–will never go out of style and is extremely adaptable, seamlessly integrating into any kitchen style from traditional to modern.

Our colorful subway tile is a versatile choice that adds life to any kitchen, effortlessly complementing a variety of color schemes and kitchen cabinets. Go for a classic, restrained look like the 3x6 Rosemary shown above, or capture a serene oceanic feel with 2x8 Salton Sea below–the beauty of a subway tile backsplash is that it can be as subdued or bold as your vision allows.

2. Playful Pattern

For those looking to infuse some artistic flair into their kitchen, our specialty shapes’ patterned tile designs offer endless possibilities–and the kitchen backsplash is the perfect place to get playful with patterns.

From Hexagon and Star & Cross to Ogee Drop, these tiles add a playful yet sophisticated touch to the room. We love how the cool neutral kitchen above adds personality with our geometric Kite Tile pattern that creates visual interest while maintaining a bright white cleanliness.

Please note, Kite has been discontinued. See more of our unique shapes here or chat with our tile experts to find the best match for your project.

If you’re drawn to a richer palette, try our specialty shapes in another one of our 140+ glazes like Antique shown below. The earthy mosaic focal point steals the show, showing off the glaze’s beautiful handmade color variation in a classic On Point pattern. Mix and match to your heart’s content and create a backsplash that’s a true reflection of your own spirit.

3. Timeless White

A white kitchen is a canvas for timeless elegance, simultaneously on-trend and yet always classic. The cornerstone of these enduring spaces is a beautifully done white backsplash–and there are endless ways to make it custom to your needs.

An interior designer-approved look is pairing white tile with a variety of contrasting textures as the modern kitchen above does with our mosaic square tiles and open shelving. Incorporating warm accents like wood paneling or marble countertops with your white tile keeps your space feeling warm and inviting.

We love how the kitchen below pairs a herringbone pattern with matching upper white cabinets, adding the perfect touch of color with grey base cabinets. And don't forget that you don't need to stay stuck inside the box of standard field tile, white looks great in specialty shapes as well!

4. Handpainted For You

Our Handpainted Tile collection is where your kitchen backsplash can truly become a piece of art. With a stunning array of designs and colors to choose from, you’ll be sure to find a pattern that fits your personal style.

Each tile is handpainted to order by our skilled artisans and is a testament to craftsmanship and design. Step inside our California Factory and watch how this tile is created in the video below:

We thoughtfully designed our standard Handpainted Tile motifs to fit seamlessly into an array of design styles from modern and eclectic to traditional and old world. However, Handpainted Tile is also highly customizable with custom colorways available through our tile experts so you can create a backsplash that’s uniquely yours. We also offer select bestselling options in our Quick Ship Shop that ship in 5 days or less for those on a tight timeline.

If you love this look but a full backsplash isn’t in your budget, consider a Handpainted Tile focal point. Typically installed above the stove, this look will give your kitchen a sense of artisanal craftsmanship at a fraction of the price if you surround the focal point with more budget-friendly field tile like the gorgeous traditional kitchen below did.

5. Modern Rustic

The modern rustic look is all about blending the old with the new, and our Glazed Thin Brick offers a rustic charm that harmoniously blends with modern aesthetics. With its clean lines and textured surface, brick is an ideal choice for a kitchen in need of a little warmth and sophistication.

Pair a brick backsplash with modern accents like stainless steel appliances to create a look that leans industrial, or try traditional cabinetry and appliances with brick for a modern farmhouse look–brick fits beautifully into a plethora of design styles.

Play with height to find the look that speaks to you. A half backsplash of Brick, like the modern Columbia Plateau installation above, can exude restrained elegance. Go for a counter-to-ceiling brick backsplash if you want to fully embrace the texture and color variation found in our Glazed Thin Brick, as the stunning kitchen below illustrates.