Bold colors, striking lines, and an indelible panache that’s endured for decades–there’s a lot to love about mid-century modern design, and each of these elements can be brought to life through a well-chosen tile backsplash. A mid-century modern backsplash is no ordinary feature. It’s a testament to a design philosophy that marries form with function, minimalism with warmth, and boldness with subtlety.
Whether you’re drawn to mid-century’s sleek forms or vibrant color palette, we’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite mid-century modern backsplashes to help you express your love of this iconic era with handmade tile. Before we get to the inspiration, take a look at the top tile colors for mid-century modern design (and bring home your favorites–your first five color samples are free when you talk to a rep!).
1. Optically Alluring White Diamond
Tile: Small Diamond White Wash | Design: Bethany Nauert | Image: Anne Vartanian
This handsome kitchen proves that white tile can be just as playful as vibrantly colored tile with an Escher-inspired pattern of our handmade Small Diamond Tile in Calcite Gloss.
2. Retro-Inspired Mustard Seed
Tile: 2x6 Mustard Seed | Design + Image: Emily Bolt
Our retro-tinged Mustard Seed glaze gives this space vintage vibes with a fresh feel, arranged in a crisp vertically stacked pattern that will make any mid-century lover green with envy.
3. Multi-Colored Cascading Hexagons
Tile: 4” Hexagon Feldspar, Cardamom, Blue Velvet | Design: Destination Eichler, Eyerly Architecture | Image: John Shum
A splash of color–or three–can lighten the mood and keep a mid-century modern kitchen from feeling too rigid. We love how this cascading blend of Hexagon Tile puts a fresh spin on the retro character of this home.
4. Radiant Red Glass Subway Tile
Tile: 2x6 Pheasant Gloss | Design: Fish & Co Studio | Image: Molly Rose Photo
For purists who want to stay true to mid-century’s sleek and streamlined aesthetic, a stacked pattern is the ideal backsplash design. Try our USA-made Glass Tile, shown here in Pheasant Gloss, in this enduring arrangement to add depth and a prism-like effect to your space.
5. Escher in Full Color
Tile: Small Diamond Tusk, French Linen, Sunflower, Sea Glass, Gypsum | Design: Kristi Lind | Image: Guillermo Ceniceros
Reminiscent of Bauhaus cubism, the Small Diamond Escher pattern gives a three-dimensional effect to this backsplash with an injection of color courtesy of a random blend of our grey, blue, yellow, and white glazes.
6. Mellow Yellow Mosaic
Tile: 3x3 Haystack | Design + Image: Claire Thomas
Mosaics feel right at home in the mid-century era, with sheeted Square Tile in warm golden Haystack invoking an authentic look that beautifully encapsulates this kitchen’s 1959 roots.
7. Bold Geometric Pattern
Tile: Small Diamond Azul | Design: Destination Eichler | Image: John Shum, Destination Eichler
Graphic design took an innovative turn from the 1930s onward, and its influence can be seen in mid-century modern’s bold shapes and high-impact hues as illustrated by this mesmerizing backsplash.
8. Showstopping Color Variation
Tile: Hexite Antique | Design: Jared Zimmerman & Shannon Badiee | Image: Aerial Canvas
When mid-century design meets handmade tile, magic happens. This bathroom’s Hexite TIle backsplash in Antique handsomely showcases our glaze’s artisanal color variation.
9. Interlocking Elegance
Tile: Chaine Homme Calcite | Design: Lily Spindle Design | Image: Michele Thomas Photography, Joe Atlas Photography
A small backsplash can make a big impact with the right tile, and this mid-century kitchen’s interlocking matte white Chaine Homme Tile backsplash hits the nail on the head.
10. Flora-Forward Green Subway Tile
Tile: 2x6 Palm Tree, 8” Hexagon Sunflower | Design: David Quarles IV | Image: Sarah Rossi, Michael Butler
Sleek lines? Bold pops of color? David Quarles IV’s kitchen has it all and more, a stunning yet approachable look for mid-century lovers to borrow in their own space.
11. Cool Blue Statement Wall
Tile: Hexite Glacier Bay | Design: Lindsey Engler Interiors | Image: Kelly Ann Photography
Minty blue and orange is a color scheme that screams mid-century, and this stunning kitchen pulls it off beautifully with orange appliances and a wall of our Hexite Tile in cool blue Glacier Bay.
12. Small Diamond Confetti Stitch
Tile: Small Diamond White Wash, Chartreuse, Dolomite, Akoya | Design + Image: Destination Eichler
When in doubt, take a page out of Destination Eichler’s book and sprinkle in chartreuse. A playful mix of mosaic tile in a Diamond Stitch pattern adds unmistakable verve to this streamlined kitchen.
13. Blue & Beautiful Bathroom
Tile: 4x4 Lake Tahoe | Design: Organic Interiors Co. | Image: Khoi Ly
This true blue bathroom proves that a bigger backsplash isn’t always better, making an unforgettable statement with just three rows of our bold Lake Tahoe square tile.
14. Handpainted Focal Point
Tile: River Rock Neutral Motif | Installer: Amie Neff - Capable Design
Lending artful dimension to a coveted mid-century Eichler home, our Handpainted River Rock Tile backsplash is the soothing focal point of this space, masterfully blending the kitchen’s colors in one memorable tile moment.
15. Crisp, Contrasting Grout
Tile: Hexite Adriatic Sea | Design: Kelly Martin Interiors | Image: Meghan Beierle
This kitchen is all about the clean lines, with Hexite Tile in cerulean blue Adriatic Sea outlined by crisp white grout. A neat line of flat liner trim completes the backsplash, while pops of orange in the kitchen offer a playful feel.
