Upgrade Your Kitchen Style With These Backsplash Tile Ideas

Hexagon and penny tiles are small, stylish, and geometric, with small round or hexagonal tiles laid between grout. While hexagon and penny tile work really well in bathrooms, they can be problematic in the kitchen and require more frequent cleaning. “Hexagon and penny tile have a lot of grout, which can get messy and oily behind a range,” Andi says.

Since hexagon and penny tiles come on a sheet of mosaic mesh, make sure you hire a skilled expert to do the installation. Andi adds, “If you don’t get the spacing right from one sheet to another, then the tiles won’t line up properly.” 

A backsplash in shades of white is a fantastic option if you’re going for a bright, classic look. “White tiles walk a fine line between being timeless and boring,” Andi says. “If you’re going to go with white, look for something that makes it more interesting, whether it’s an unexpected texture or variations in color and shape.” And if you think that all whites go together, think again. “They don’t have to match, but they can’t clash.”

Even if you’re using all white tiles, choose a grout that has at least a little bit of color to it so that it looks fresher longer.

Green subway tile blends a trendy color with a classic shape. However, not all greens are created equal. Pick a shade that can act as a neutral design element, and steer clear of brighter, louder-looking tones like Kelly green. “If you picture a rainbow with bright colors, those are not the colors you want for your backsplash,” Andi says.

Instead, look for a shade that feels sophisticated, like sage, pine, or emerald. And beware of going too dark, which can make your space seem smaller.

Crayon-shaped tile, also known as elongated hexagon tile, is a softer take on traditional rectangular tile. These tiles come in lots of playful colors, offering fun options that add personality to a kitchen. Due to their unusual shape, elongated hexagon tile is usually only available in ceramic. The precise corners are too fine for stone and glass.

Herringbone doesn’t describe a type of tile, it denotes the way in which the tiles are arranged—in a zig-zag formation. “Herringbone is an easy way to give a standard tile more personality,” Andi says.

You can incorporate herringbone patterns into your backsplash using virtually any material, from glass and ceramic to natural stone. However, be aware that the installation process is going to be more labor-intensive than standard designs. Opt for herringbone styles that come prepositioned on mesh sheets, or have your tiler install them piece by piece in a herringbone pattern. 

Looking to achieve a coastal vibe? Blue glass tile is a solid choice. Blue glass tiles come in loads of shades, shapes, and styles, so you can likely find the right choice to truly make the backsplash feel truly your own. “When blue glass tile is done right, it can be really beautiful and clean looking,” Andi says.

However, just like with green subway tile, be very careful not to pick a primary hue that looks like it belongs on the walls of a nursery school.

When one pattern of tile is installed within another, that’s called inset tile. Inset tile is often framed to distinguish it from the rest of the wall, creating a picture within your tiled backsplash. Inset tile is interesting to look at, but choosing two colors, shapes, and designs that will go together without looking too busy or gaudy takes a bit more thought.

There’s a reason subway tiles have been around forever: They’re simple, classic, and deliver a put-together look. These rectangular tiles are typically either 3 x 6 inches or 2 x 6 inches, and they come in plenty of variations. To ensure that your backsplash doesn’t look like tile you’d find in an actual subway station, consider picking a shape that’s more elongated or exaggerated. “To make subway tile feel more contemporary and less stereotypical, choose something with texture, turn the tiles vertically, or arrange them in a herringbone pattern,” Andi says.

You can also use a colored grout as an accent; try black grout with white tile for an eye-catching contrast, or go for a softer color for a more seamless motif.

Wider tile is a unique way to make subway tile feel more interesting. Andi says, “Using a less-common shape is a great way to illustrate that you can do simple white subway tile, but it can also have personality.”

Not only do wider tiles look chic, but the fact that they’re larger means there’s less grout to clean. Win-win.

Opting for blue is a colorful take on the classic subway tile, giving it a bit more interest. As is the case with all color schemes, you want to avoid tiles that are bright blue like you’d picture in a rainbow.  If you choose blue subway tile, be conscious of ensuring that your cabinets and countertops don’t clash. “Go with a rich jewel tone or calming pastel,” Andi says.

Grey penny tile looks like oversized gray pennies connected by grout. While grey penny tile can appear very chic and hide dirt better than standard white tile, it also uses a lot of grout, which means it will take longer to clean than backsplashes with larger tiles. “Penny tile is going to get really dirty really quickly and be a pain to clean,” Andi says. “I would save it for a bathroom or laundry room.”

Patterns like stars and flowers are a fun way to use tile as art in your kitchen. These tiles can be span from bold and colorful to intricate or subtle, and you can pick colors and materials that complement the rest of the kitchen. “Just be aware that this is your focal point of the kitchen, so you don’t want to bring in other attention-grabbing elements that will compete,” Andi says.

Bonus: The combination of colors and shapes makes star and floral designs much better at hiding chips and stains than non-patterned options. 

What makes a mosaic a mosaic is that the tiles are specifically arranged on a mesh backing. On the front side, however, the options are endless. “You can do multiple materials in one mosaic. Metal accents, marble, glass—there’s no limit to what you can do,” Andi says. Like hexagon and penny tiles, mosaics should be installed by an expert to ensure everything lines up properly. “When you mess up, it’s really obvious. It’s hard to fix without taking it all down and starting again.”