Kitchen backsplash ideas for dark cabinets and light countertops

Another tileless option? Shiplap. It's perfect for a kitchen that has a coastal theme, like this Nantucket-inspired one designed by Kevin Isbell. The white oak counters warm up the freshly painted space.

Oklahoma designer Kelsey Leigh McGregor used charcoal gray Negresco granite on the backsplash and countertops of this kitchen so they would nearly disappear against the dark paint color used on the walls, hood, and cabinets.

That being said, maybe brick is the right choice for your kitchen backsplash and walls. Here, a classic red brick veneer sets the historic, lived-in mood that design firm Landed Interiors & Homes was aiming for. Since it was just for looks, they went faux. So even though looks like it's been there forever, it's actually a newly applied set of tiles that simply look like antique bricks.

4

Full Square Tile Coverage

Designed by Studio Helder, this striking kitchen is completely covered in glossy tiles. It straddles a unique line between retro and futuristic.

In this deVol kitchen, the custom copper countertops stretch up the walls as a backsplash and cover a slim shelf for decor display and extra storage space. The rich patina gives it a historic appeal.

This Eric Olsen kitchen has serious tile game. If you live by the coast but want something moodier or you simply love blue, take inspiration from the rich navy, gray, and cobalt tones throughout.

Or if you're not sold on painted walls and want a bit more natural light, plan your kitchen around a wall you can install counter-to-ceiling windows in. This entertaining kitchen—designed by April Tomlin and owned by Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins—is a prime example.

A corner wet bar within a larger kitchen designed by Sarah Blank is inspiring us to consider a fun paint color in a specialty finish that doesn't age poorly when in the splash zone. The walnut millwork and copper hardware look especially beautiful against the navy texture-rich paint. Check out our Venetian plaster guide for more information on how to achieve a similar look.

Warm up a cabin-style kitchen with walls in reclaimed wood. Extend them to your backsplash and it's full-on rustic charm.

If you live in a rental and can't do a full-on wall tear-down but really aren't feeling the look of exposed brick, just paint it over with white paint. In this kitchen designed by Shawn Henderson, the white brick backsplash allows for a more modern, fresh mood as opposed to the industrial and darker presence of unpainted bricks.

The kitchen sits at the center of this home designed by Meredith McBrearty, so she opted for a colorful and texture-rich tile backsplash that complements the paints featured in adjoining rooms. Her clients “wanted an unassuming feeling of warmth” so she brought in plenty of antique accents, too.

A beadboard backsplash keeps this kitchen designed by Victoria Hagan feeling relaxed and country chic. It's the perfect complement to the zinc countertop (which is nonporous, naturally antibacterial, and will patina over time) and the sweet cafe curtains.

In this dirty pantry by Stephanie Sabbe—designed for our Whole Home 2021—a vertical grain wood backsplash blends with wood counters and open shelving of the same color. The seamless look adds elegance and warmth to the narrow room.

For something a little more special than the go-to subway tile route, consider this high-shine option. Interior designer Danielle Colding used a glass backsplash for a shinier, more modern and cosmopolitan touch in this city apartment. It goes perfectly with the lacquered cabinets.

Subway tile offers tons of room for creativity in the kitchen, so if you want to use subway tile but also want to feature a more unique backsplash, look no further. Here, Chango & Co. created two stripes of olive green to add color and break up the white backsplash. They're placed under the white floating shelves, playing up the linear motif further.

Marble can be as traditional or as modern as you want it to be, based on the materials you pair with it. In this sleek kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke, the marble backsplash blends seamlessly with the countertops and both contrast and complement the gray natural stone island.

To combat the inevitable oil splatter, choose a stainless steel backsplash, like those used in restaurant kitchens. But that doesn't mean they can't also look unique and stylish. In this kitchen designed by GRT Architects, the warm wood countertops, forest green pops, and edgy brass hardware do the trick.

The pattern of the tiles in this kitchen by Studio DB changes ever so slightly as it crawls across the wall, creating a unique and chic non-repeating pattern.

A simple, clean transition in an all-white kitchen, extend the quartz countertops a few inches up the wall. Using the same material will protect your walls and maintain visual consistency. In this modern, bright country kitchen by Romanek Design Studio, the floating shelves are also the same material, creating even more flow.

Yes, even a backsplash can be a work of art. In a small kitchen, every inch should be both functional and communicate the right style statement, so creating a unique backsplash is well-advised. In this deVol Kitchen, the tiles are laid to create abstract shapes. It almost looks like a Cubist painting.

Designed by Matthew Ferrarini, this kitchen is bursting with clever small-space solutions. The folding wood pocket doors conceal the entire counter and cabinet area against the wall, but when they're open, the glossy statement tiles add so much personality.

Though most commonly used in bathrooms, penny tiles can also make for a striking kitchen backsplash. This glossier finish is dynamic, playful, and full of texture.

Mirrored tiles maximize light. If your kitchen doesn't have many windows, this trick will save you—and make you feel like you're in a fun disco ball universe. Case in point? This kitchen designed by ETC.etera for L.A.'s Firehouse Hotel. The mirrored tile backsplash contrasts nicely with the casual wicker stools. The key is to keep them low-profile as to not take up too much visual real estate.

For this Los Angeles kitchen, Jenn Feldman Designs chose a tonal grout to blend in with the navy tile, which is set in a chevron pattern. The tiles feel unexpected and interesting but fit in well since they match the lower cabinets.

26

Half Tile, Half Marble

In this kitchen by Romanek Design Studio, one of the walls is covered in a slab of natural stone while the other is lined with edgy matte black tiles. Not only does this create a cool, unexpected contrast, but it also cuts cost, as tiles are more affordable than natural stone surfaces.

Consider this the edgy version of a farmhouse kitchen. Designed by Chango & Co., the white-tiled walls are set in geometric repeating bond pattern with an inky grout to create a graphic impact.

Small kitchen? Here's your solution. A mirrored backsplash gives the illusion of more space. This one designed by Akin Atelier feels open and airy, thanks to the wall-to-wall mirrors.

Don't be afraid to play with color. Burnt orange can actually look warm and inviting in a kitchen.

Try a bold tile to bridge the transition between a darker and lighter colors. We're obsessed with the blue encaustic tile in this kitchen by Steve Pallrand, especially when warmed up by classic wood cabinets and a little plant collection.

In this space designed by deVol Kitchens, deep turquoise lower cabinets ground the space while the sage walls add a touch of levity. Between them, the subway tiles feel like a natural addition, thanks to the dark green grout.

In this modern kitchen designed by Studio DB, the cool gray marble backsplash pairs perfectly with the kitchen island countertop and the grittier polished concrete floors. The extended height from the range to the hood also adds some intrigue to the wall.

If you tend to be a pretty clean cook, consider no extravagant backsplash. Leave the regular painted wall, and center the focus on a beautiful range hood—like this Jerusalem stone-clad, chimney-style one by designer Lauren Liess.

In this quirky, tasteful space designed by ETC.etera, the earthy zellige tiles bring a warm, homemade touch. Both the texture and color soften the moody artwork and black refrigerator.

The wooden counters and backsplash warm up this kitchen designed by Heidi Caillier, while the inky blue paint makes for an intimate and cozy atmosphere.

Michelle Nussbaumer chose a soapstone backsplash in a moorish shape to ground the bright, whimsical kitchen.

So you know you want to use a bold color for your kitchen walls, but have you thought about texture? Subway tiles inject a room with so much more dimension than a flat paint, as evidenced in this kitchen designed by Catherine Kwong.

In this Tamsin Johnson–designed kitchen, the concrete backsplash accent, architectural lighting, and avant garde artwork help contemporize the more traditional roots of the space without clashing.

If you love the look of marble and other natural stones but don't want to splurge on a marble slab for the entire kitchen wall, opt for marble tiles instead. As you can see in this kitchen from @amuneal, it boasts that same coveted look.

Is herringbone the new subway tile? This kitchen backsplash in a space by Simo Design makes a strong case for it.

This hip kitchen features a bold marble backsplash and corresponding kitchen island with a waterfall edge from Artistic Tile. It instantly draws you in.

Here, designer Heidi Caillier chose Pental Onixaa Honed quartz for the kitchen countertops and backsplash. Quartz is a great option if you're looking for something a little more low-maintenance than natural stone but with that same luxe appeal.

The red natural stone counter surface climbs up to the cabinets in this kitchen designed by Michelle Nussbaumer. "The whole room has a sexy, smoky vibe," she says.

Guess what? This backsplash is not actually brick. This rough-hewn terracotta tile could have fooled us, though. It's the perfect solution for those of us who aren't blessed with exposed brick at home.

White cabinetry contrasts a bold blue kitchen backsplash. (But also, check out how the brass drawer pulls complement the knobs on the La Cornue range perfectly.)

Want to add instant sheen your kitchen? Go glazed. Emily Henderson did so here to create contrast in an all-white kitchen.

One-inch squares of black and white tile make a graphic statement in a retro kitchen. The recessed opening, defined by a pencil detail, acts as a convenient shelf for condiments.

Country French decor lovers, this one's for you. These blue and white tiles have us dreaming of Provence and they fit with the pretty periwinkle swirls painted on the adjacent wall.

The homemade quality of these off-white zellige tiles make this entire Arent & Pyke–designed kitchen feel perfectly approachable. They also brighten up the room.

When the kitchen's visible from the living room, the backsplash can't be basic. Baby blue Moroccan tiles add color to oak cabinetry and reflect the colors in the runner.

A sophisticated take on subway tiles, these crackled ceramic ones are glazed a pale blue, livening up this streamlined cooking space. It's just the glam touch to really make that black and gold hood shine.

53

Outdoor Encaustic Tiles

Don't forget about your outdoor spaces! Blue patterned tiles create contrast with lacquer-treated copper countertops on this outdoor bar.

Does this remind you of the classic Burberry print? That's because designer Christopher Peacock was inspired by it.

A blue backsplash takes over one whole wall in this Fire Island kitchen. The 2-by-6-inch Veneto glass tiles remind you of sea glass.

57

Dark and Dramatic Tiles

Black glazed tile makes a graphic backsplash. If you're afraid of it being too dark, keep the walls crisp white. And remember, the more grout you show, the more grid-like and geometric the aesthetic.

This updated coastal cottage has shipshape windows set in glass tile. Not your average kitchen backsplash.

Think beyond tiles—wallpaper your backsplash instead! Coated with Teflon, this geometric-print linen wipes clean.

Choose a tile inspired by the sea. This blue-green backsplash creates a calming environment and looks totally gorgeous.

61

Kitchen Backsplash FAQ:

What's the most popular backsplash for the kitchen right now?

It's safe to say that zellige tile is having a major moment when it comes to backsplash trends in 2022. Though zellige tiles make for a beautiful and unique backsplash in the kitchen, they also work really well in bathrooms and even as heat-resistant accent walls behind wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.

We're also been seeing lots of industrial looks, including stainless steel backsplashes. On the other end of the spectrum, kitchen designers have been channeling the countryside with beadboard backsplashes, as exemplified in the roundup above.

What is the easiest backsplash to install?

While you'll likely want to hire a professional or at least consult a contractor before installing your own backsplash to make sure it's done right, there are some materials that are easier to DIY. Peel-and-stick wallpaper (or tile!) is the easiest, but it's also the most temporary option and might not actually be durable enough for your cooking and cleaning needs. Painting a backsplash or installing a beadboard is your next best bet as far as ease of installation and affordability.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

Should backsplash be lighter or darker than countertop?

What backsplash goes well with dark cabinets?

Should backsplash match cabinets or countertop?

Should backsplash and countertop be same color?