The One Thing to Know Before Choosing a White Backsplash

Sometimes the popular choice isn't the best choice for your space.

Suzanne Kasler White Kitchen Makeover
Photo: Erica George Dines

When you're taking on a kitchen renovation, there are so many decisions to make and so many options to consider that it can be easy to just go with the popular choice. After all, it's popular for a reason, right? One kitchen element with a clear MVP is the backsplash. If your mind immediately thought of white subway tile, you know exactly what we're talking about.

What to Know Before Choosing a White Backsplash

White subway tile, and white tile in general, has become the backsplash of choice for so many people. And we totally get why. It creates a clean look that's versatile, timeless, and cost-effective. But before you assume a white backsplash is the only choice—or even the best choice—for your kitchen, there's one thing you should consider: There are thousands of backsplash material, color, and pattern options out there. It's smart to consider those in the context of your kitchen design plan, as well as the style of the rest of your house overall, before limiting your search to twelve different kinds of white subway tile.

Scene-Stealing Backspalsh
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

White backsplashes have gained popularity in tandem with the rise of the all-white kitchen. And while all-white kitchens are certainly beautiful to look at, they can have a higher-end, traditional feel that might not fit in with the rest of your house. Additionally, a monochromatic space can sometimes lack visual interest and seem a little flat. If you love color and appreciate a punch of personality in your home design, why not incorporate that into your kitchen design? The backsplash is a subtle way to bring in color, pattern, and texture. Even though it's a small area, it will make a big impact in your space overall.

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These homeowners wanted their great room kitchen to be pretty and sophisticated, and their remodeled space is just that. A new soft and pretty green-and-blue palette immediately created a calming mood for everyone who enters this high-traffic area. Photo by: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling by: Natasha Louise King

What to Know Before Choosing a Colorful Backsplash

Here are some things to consider when deciding how to incorporate color into your backsplash: Do you have a specific color repeated throughout your house (whether on the walls or in artwork) that doesn't make a big appearance in your kitchen? Do you have a lot of china or other serveware on display with a dominant color to it? Does your kitchen connect to another room or adjacent space that uses a specific accent color? All of those are ideal ways to tie your kitchen into an existing color theme throughout your home. Even if you shy away from saturated colors, there are plenty of tiles in neutral tones (greys, tans, and even blacks) that make beautiful backsplash accents without being the predictable white.

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