Choosing the right backsplash color for your kitchen can completely transform the look and feel of the space. The backsplash serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, so it’s important to select a color that enhances your overall kitchen design. With so many backsplash color options to consider, from neutrals to bold hues, the choices can feel overwhelming. Follow this comprehensive guide on how to choose backsplash color for your kitchen and you’ll end up with a beautiful, coordinated space you’ll love.
Assessing Your Current Kitchen Elements
Before even thinking about specific colors, take stock of your existing kitchen elements. Carefully consider the color scheme, cabinetry, countertops, floors, and appliances.
What is the current color palette?
Scan the entire kitchen and make note of all the colors already present. Are the cabinets a warm wood tone? Do you have a cool gray and white color scheme? Identifying the existing color foundation will help determine what backsplash shades will work seamlessly.
What finish are the cabinets?
Pay attention to your cabinet finish, whether it’s wood, painted, laminate, or another material. The cabinet finish impacts the colors that will look cohesive. For example, you may want a color that pops against white cabinets, while darker wood cabinets pair better with muted backsplash hues.
What material are the countertops?
Granite, quartz, marble, and other countertop materials also factor into your backsplash decision. You’ll want the backsplash color to coordinate with the veining and patterns of natural stone countertops. Or if you have solid surface or repurposed wood countertops, you may have more backsplash color flexibility.
What color is the flooring?
Wood, tile, vinyl, and other kitchen flooring options lend to different backsplash color schemes. The flooring color doesn’t have to exactly match, but you typically want cohesive rather than clashing hues. Lighter floors can make the kitchen feel more open, while darker floors anchor the space.
What are the finishes of appliances and fixtures?
Finally, consider the color and finish of kitchen hardware like appliances, faucets, lighting fixtures, and other metallic elements. The backsplash color should complement these finishes. For example, vintage brass hardware pairs well with warm terra cotta backsplash tiles.
Determining the Kitchen’s Style
In addition to the existing kitchen elements, think about the overall room’s decorative style. Is your kitchen design modern and sleek or does it have a cozy cottage feel? Backsplash colors for a contemporary space differ greatly from a country kitchen. Determine the kitchen’s style to select backsplash shades that enhance it.
Modern Kitchens
Modern kitchens have a polished, streamlined aesthetic often with neutral colors like white and gray. Go for cool-toned backsplash colors like navy blue, charcoal, or emerald green. Stainless steel mosaic tiles or geometric glass tiles keep the modern vibe.
Traditional Kitchens
Traditional kitchens have an elegant and timeless look, with details like raised panel cabinets and carved decorations. Warm antique whites and beiges are ideal backsplash colors that further the traditional style. Natural stone backsplashes in granite, travertine, or marble work well too.
Farmhouse Kitchens
Rustic, vintage-inspired farmhouse kitchens have a casual charm. Incorporate backsplash colors like aged copper, forest green, or terracotta that nod to the natural elements of a farmhouse. Buttermilk and warm white are nice farmhouse backsplash shades as well.
Cottage Kitchens
Cottage kitchens have a cute, cozy look with painted cabinets and distressed details. Pretty pastel backsplash hues like sky blue, lavender, mint green, or pale yellow help achieve the cottage aesthetic. Soft rose pink and sage green work too.
Transitional Kitchens
Transitional kitchens strike a balance between classic and contemporary with clean lines and a bit of ornamentation. Go for versatile neutrals like warm grays, creams, and tans that bridge traditional and modern styles well.
Country Kitchens
Country kitchens focus on comfort with wood elements, cozy textiles, and handcrafted charm. Rustic backsplash materials like weathered wood, brick, or tin backsplashes suit the laidback country style. Buttery yellows and robins egg blues make cheerful country backsplash color options too.
Choosing Backsplash Colors
Once you assess your existing kitchen and determine the decorating style, it’s time to select colors! Backsplash colors span every hue in the rainbow, running the gamut from muted neutrals to bold, saturated hues. Consider the color psychology and mood you want to evoke when choosing shades.
Neutral Backsplash Colors
Neutral shades are always a safe, versatile backsplash color choice. They act as a subtle background that puts the focus on other kitchen elements rather than dominating the eye.
White
Crisp white backsplashes give the kitchen a light, airy feel and reflect light well. A classic subway tile or marble mosaic backsplash in white matches any style.
Beige and Tan
Understated beiges and tans provide a warm, earthy backdrop. Use creamy hues like almond or biscuit to give traditional or farmhouse kitchens a cozy vibe.
Gray
On-trend grays work especially well in modern and transitional kitchens, lending a sophisticated look. Go for cool-toned light grays like pearl or warm greige tones.
Black
For dramatic contrast, black backsplashes pair with white cabinets and countertops. Use black not just on the walls but extend to the backsplash behind the range.
Colorful Backsplash Ideas
Want to make more of a splash? Vibrant, colorful backsplashes inject energy and create a focal point. Consider hues that connect to the overall kitchen scheme.
Blue
From soft sky blue to bold navy, blue backsplashes introduce color in a calming way. Aqua, duck egg, and teal work in many kitchens too. Use blue to echo appliances like a retro fridge.
Green
Earthy green backsplashes give a natural, relaxing vibe. Sage green has a historic Colonial feel. Avocado green backsplashes help give a retro diner look.
Yellow
Cheery shades like lemon, pineapple, and goldenrod breathe life into a kitchen with their sunny disposition. Try jewel tones like amber and citron too.
Red
Dramatic reds, from tomato to burgundy, make for an energizing backsplash. Reds with brick, terra cotta, or cinnamon hues match farmhouse spaces.
Purple
Uncommon backsplash colors like violet, plum, and lavender provide an unexpected pop. Soft lilac purples suit cottage kitchens. Deep jewel tones work in modern kitchens.
Orange
Punches of orange instantly wake up a kitchen. Burnt orange, peach, and copper backsplash tiles have an earthy feel. Vibrant citrus orange makes a bold choice.
Backsplash Ideas for Popular Kitchen Colors
Certain go-to kitchen color schemes lend to specific backsplash shades that will coordinate seamlessly. Here are backsplash ideas for today’s most popular kitchen colors.
Backsplashes for White Kitchens
All-white kitchens are a classic look, with white cabinets, countertops, walls, and trim. Crisp white backsplashes keep the monochromatic vibe flowing. But you can also choose backsplashes that introduce color for contrast, like navy blue, black, or dark wood.
Backsplashes for Gray Kitchens
Cool grays are a top kitchen color choice, with their versatility and sophistication. For gray kitchen cabinets or walls, match with a gray, white, or neutral backsplash. Warm metal backsplash tiles in copper or bronze also complement gray.
Backsplashes for Blue Kitchens
From powder blue to cobalt, blue kitchens are inviting and on-trend. Match the wall or cabinet color with blue mosaic, subway tile, or glass sheet backsplashes. Natural wood backsplashes also balance light blue hues.
Backsplashes for Green Kitchens
Deep green kitchen cabinets make a dramatic statement. Pair with backsplashes in contrasting reds or neutrals like cream. For a more eclectic look, use a mix of green colored tiles.
Backsplashes for Yellow Kitchens
A joyful pop of yellow makes kitchens cheerier. For golden yellow cabinets or walls, opt for backsplashes in complementary blues, gray, white, or stainless steel.
Backsplashes for Wood Kitchens
Wood cabinetry and floors establish natural warmth. Nature-inspired backsplash materials like stone, marble, travertine, or metal tiles work best with wood kitchens.
Factors To Consider When Selecting a Backsplash
Beyond just color, keep these factors in mind when choosing a kitchen backsplash. The right backsplash height, material, and installation pattern all impact the overall effect.
Backsplash Height
Traditionally, kitchen backsplashes extend 4 inches from the countertop to protect the wall from splatters. Full height backsplashes that reach from countertop to cabinets make a bolder impact. An emerging trend is the “faux” full height created with two stacked backsplash bands.
Backsplash Materials
Ceramic and porcelain tile remain classic backsplash materials, available in endless colors, shapes, and textures at affordable prices. Subway tiles, mosaics, and stone tiles are other common options. You can also get creative with materials like metal, glass, and mirror.
Backsplash Patterns
Beyond just a solid backsplash color, the tile pattern makes a difference too. Basic brick patterns and vertical 3×6 subway tiles keep it classic. For more interest, consider herringbone, chevron, hexagon, fish scale, and geo tile patterns.
Coordinating Multiple Surfaces
Don’t forget to coordinate backsplashes with countertops and accent walls or focal areas. Contrasting yet complementary countertop materials, like quartz and ceramic tile, look cohesive yet custom. Paint an accent wall in a shade that ties to the backsplash color for another technique.
How Lighting Affects Backsplash Color
The interplay of natural and artificial light impacts how backsplash colors look. Lighting is especially key for iridescent glass or mirrored tile backsplashes. Make sure to view potential backsplash samples at different times of day.
View in Natural Light
Morning and afternoon sun can wash colors out or intensify them. Hold backsplash samples near the kitchen window and walk the space at night to see how light changes. Cool north light and warm south or west light affect hues differently.
Observe Under Artificial Light
Turn on all overhead fixtures, pendants, and under cabinet lighting. Incandescent and LED lights cast different color hues. You want to make sure colors look harmonious under both natural and artificial kitchen lighting.
How Light Reflects
Lighter and more reflective backsplash materials like glossy subway tile or stainless steel mirror the light, making the kitchen seem brighter and more open. Darker and more matte surfaces absorb light, creating a moodier, cozier effect.
Backsplash Installation Tips
Proper backsplash installation is key to achieving the flawless finished look you want. Follow these tips when installing a kitchen backsplash:
- Thoroughly clean the installation area and make any needed surface repairs beforehand.
- Plan the tile layout ahead, including outlet and fixture placements. Mix tiles from several boxes at once.
- Use temporary spacers between tiles for consistent grout lines. Let tile adhesive cure fully before grouting.
- Grouting takes practice; use a grout float at a 45° angle pressing into joints. Immediately clean excess grout.
- Caulk between the backsplash and countertops/cabinets. Seal grout and tiles after installation.
Bringing It All Together
Choosing the ideal backsplash color ultimately comes down to thoughtfully blending with your kitchen’s existing elements, identifying the decorating style, and selecting attractive, coordinating hues. Always view color samples in your actual kitchen space before making a final backsplash commitment. With a streamlined selection process, you’ll end up with the perfect backsplash colors to take your kitchen design to the next level.
FAQs about Choosing Kitchen Backsplash Colors
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about selecting the right backsplash color for your kitchen design.
What backsplash color makes a kitchen look bigger?
Lighter backsplash colors like white, off-white, light grays, and soft blues will reflect light and make a kitchen appear larger. Smaller backsplash tiles like mosaics or subway tiles also give the illusion of expanded space.
What is the most popular backsplash color for 2023?
Trending backsplash colors for 2023 include warm neutrals like beige, cream, and tan, inspired by organic and earthy hues. Soft pastels like sage green, sky blue, and lavender are popular too, along with texture-rich whites like marble.
What backsplash goes with oak cabinets?
For golden oak cabinets, consider moody backsplash colors like charcoal gray, black, navy, or emerald green to create striking contrast. Lighter oak cabinets pair well with beige, cream, or brick-hued backsplashes. Natural stone and wood backsplash treatments also complement oak.
What color backsplash goes with white quartz countertops?
White quartz countertops provide a clean, bright backdrop for many backsplash colors. Gray, blue, green, yellow, and metallic backsplash tiles all look modern with white quartz. Neutrals like off-white and beige keep the palette soothing.
What backsplash goes with cherry cabinets?
The rich reddish-brown tones of cherry cabinets look best with backsplash colors in cool, contrasting hues like gray, black, white, navy, or sage green. Nature-inspired backsplashes in stone and wood also complement the vibrant grain of cherry.
Can you put dark backsplash with dark cabinets?
Yes, pairing rich dark backsplashes with espresso, charcoal, or black cabinets can create a sophisticated, cohesive look. For best results, opt for backsplash tiles in a material like metal or glass that provides contrasting texture.
What backsplash color makes kitchen look clean and bright?
White backsplashes instantly give kitchens a clean, fresh look that reflects light and feels open. Light grays, beiges, yellows, and blues also lend to a bright, cheerful kitchen aesthetic. Glossy tile materials also boost brightness.
What backsplash goes with navy blue kitchen?
For navy blue kitchen cabinets or accent walls, stick with compatible cool-toned backsplash pairings. Hues like gray, black, deep emerald, and metallic silver suit navy well. Crisp white backsplashes pop against the blue.
Can you put dark backsplash in small kitchen?
In a small kitchen, super dark backsplashes can feel oppressive or overwhelming. Lighter backsplash colors open up the space better. That said, you can still use darker backsplashes strategically, like just behind a focal area stove wall.
What backsplash color contrasts with white cabinets?
White cabinets allow you to get creative with bold backsplash colors for contrast like navy, charcoal, crimson, chocolate, or emerald green. Black stainless steel backsplashes also dramatically juxtapose clean white cabinetry.
How to Choose Backsplash Color for Kitchen: Final Thoughts
Selecting the perfect backsplash color may seem tricky, but just take it step-by-step. First, look at all the existing kitchen elements so you can find hues that coordinate seamlessly together. Think about the decorating style as well to find a color suited to the desired aesthetic. Then consider what mood you want to establish through backsplash shades – energizing, calming, cheerful and so on. Be sure to view backsplash samples under both natural and artificial light to confirm the colors work. With an understanding of color psychology and planning, you’ll end up with a fabulous kitchen backsplash design that elevates the entire space.