Our Favorite Kitchen Backsplash Tiles

Often times, when we post a kitchen photo on Instagram, we are frequently asked the same question… ‘what is that tile backsplash?!’. And we’re not surprised! When it comes to designing a kitchen, the backsplash can truly become the standout element adding flair, color, and even texture to the space. And, of course, it provides a functional purpose as well – protecting your walls from all the inevitable messes and splatters that can happen in this high-traffic space.

An incredible tile backsplash can really set the tone for the entire room. Whether you choose to go with a simple, classic subway tile or a colorful, patterned tile to add drama, this aspect adds so much to the overall design. We’ve designed dozens and dozens of kitchens over the years and, through that, we’ve curated a list of our favorite vendors and styles that are sure to deliver.

Today, we’re excited to share our roundup of our favorite tiles (with project examples!) depending on what your aesthetic may be. From simple, glam, and colorful, hopefully our list inspires you when choosing your own kitchen backsplash!

Classic
When our client wants something more simplistic and timeless, we’re always drawn to the classic subway tile. For us, subway tile is an easy choice for a bathroom, but we often feel it needs a bigger moment or fresh twist for the kitchen. We’ve like to opt for a beveled edge version to add a bit more dimension or used a taupe or charcoal grout to make the tile pop even more.

Left: Oxford Ceramic Subway Tile (Tile Shop)| Right: Imperial Bianco Bevel Gloss Ceramic (Tile Shop)

Textured
Zellige tile is often referred to as the ancestor of subway tile. It’s a glazed Moroccan tile with the subtle ripply texture that adds dimension and roughness in the most beautiful way. We’ve used this weathered style tile in two of our recent projects (one in a modern farmhouse and one in a traditional bungalow) and we absolutely love the uniqueness it brought to each home although they differ in overall aesthetic.

Both Above: Weathered White Zellige Subway Tile – (CleTile)

Glam
To give a space a more luxe feel, we often times gravitate towards a marble tile. In our eyes, there’s nothing more sophisticated or elegant. This type of backsplash works best with white, grey, or black countertops so that you don’t have too many competing colors.

Left: Hampton Carrara Amalfi Marble Mosaic Tile (Tile Shop)|Right: Pearl White Fan Marble Mosaic (Elon Tile & Stone)

Colorful
We were recently asked what our favorite kitchen backsplash trends was and we immediately responded with ‘anything with color!’. I’m a bit biased to this considering my own kitchen featured a light blue backsplash but I truly feel it adds so much life to a typically sterile and neutral room!