Choosing the right backsplash tile for your kitchen can completely transform the look and feel of the space. With so many backsplash tile options to pick from—like ceramic, glass, marble, and more—it can be overwhelming figuring out which material and style is best for your kitchen design. Follow this guide on how to choose kitchen backsplash tile to turn your kitchen into the beautiful, functional space of your dreams.

Assess Your Needs

Before selecting a tile, think about how you use your kitchen and how the backsplash fits into your goals for the space. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What’s your kitchen layout? Do you need a backsplash that’s easy to clean around your range and sink?
What’s your design style? Choose a backsplash tile that matches your aesthetic, whether modern, farmhouse, traditional, or something else.
What colors, patterns, and textures do you prefer? Keep those elements in mind when picking tile material, shape, and design.
Do you need the backsplash to be highly functional and durable? Or is the look more important? Take into account your priorities.
What’s your budget for the backsplash? Consider tile material costs, installation, and maintenance. Porcelain or ceramic may be most affordable.

Knowing the answers to these questions will guide you towards the perfect kitchen backsplash tile for you.

Choose a Tile Material

The material you select for your backsplash tile impacts the design, functionality, durability, and cost. Review your options to determine the best fit.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic is one of the most popular choices for kitchen backsplash tile. It’s an affordable, durable option available in tons of colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. Glazed ceramic tiles have a glass coating for an extra shine.

Pros: Budget-friendly, easy to clean, heat resistant, durable, and stylish. Many design options.

Cons: Can be prone to chipping or cracking if struck. Porous and requires sealing.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is very similar to ceramic but even more dense and durable. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens. Porcelain is non-porous, stain resistant, and waterproof.

Pros: Extremely durable and easy to clean. Resists stains, scratches, and moisture. Long-lasting.

Cons: Heavier than ceramic and may require specialized installation. Can be more expensive.

Natural Stone Tile

Elegant options like marble, travertine, limestone, slate, and granite make beautiful backsplash tile choices. Natural stone offers distinctive veining, colors, and patterns.

Pros: Beautiful and unique visual appeal. Can increase home value. Durable and heat resistant.

Cons: Can be more expensive. Requires re-sealing. Softer than ceramic or porcelain.

Glass Tile

Glass tile is colorful, reflective, and translucent for a modern backsplash look. It comes in tons of textures, finishes, and colors. Glass tile is also very easy to clean.

Pros: Sleek, contemporary visual. Available in wide range of colors and finishes. Resists moisture and mildew. Easy to clean.

Cons: Not as durable as ceramic or porcelain. Vulnerable to chipping or cracking. Difficult for do-it-yourself installation.

Select a Shape and Size

The shape and size of your backsplash tile impacts the overall look and feel. Here are some of the most common options:

Subway tile: Classic 3”x6” rectangular tile in horizontal rows. Simple, clean, versatile.
Mosaic tile: Small 1” square or colored tiles arranged to form a pattern. Great for modern, eclectic looks.
Hexagon tile: Six-sided tiles that create honeycomb-like patterns. Fun, geometric style.
Large format tile: Tiles 12” or larger. Fewer grout lines create a seamless appearance.
3D tile: Multifaceted tiles for unique shapes and dimensions. Modern, sculptural appeal.
Penny tile: Small, round tiles that look like retro pennies. Vintage farmhouse vibe.

Consider the scale of the space when choosing tile size. Small spaces often suit smaller tiles. Larger tiles can make a small kitchen feel cramped. Mosaic tiles add drama while larger subway tiles create contemporary appeal. Choose a shape and size that aligns with your design goals.

Select a Color Palette

Determine the color palette for your kitchen backsplash by thinking about the overall design and aesthetic you want. Here are some popular options:

Neutral Tones

Neutrals like white, beige, gray and black backsplashes blend seamlessly into kitchens with any cabinetry or countertop colors. They create a clean, classic look.

Matching Cabinetry

Choose backsplash tile in the same shade, finish or granite pattern as your cabinets for a cohesive appearance. Tones of white, espresso, gray and wood are common.

Contrasting Tile

Make the backsplash pop with contrasting colors to your cabinets and countertops. Dark cabinetry against a light backsplash or vice versa creates striking contrast.

Bold and Vibrant

From ruby red to citrus orange, bold backsplash tile colors make for exciting kitchen accents. They work best against neutral cabinetry and counters.

Metallic Finishes

Metallic backsplashes in copper, brass, bronze and more infuse kitchens with contemporary glamour. Pair with glossy cabinetry for extra sheen.

Select backsplash tile colors that complement your cabinetry, countertops, flooring and overall kitchen design for a cohesive look.

Choose a Layout Pattern

The layout pattern of your backsplash tile brings visual interest to the space. Here are some top options:

Stacking patterns

Stacking layouts involve straight horizontal or vertical rows, often in a brickwork-style configuration. Common for subway tile. Clean and classic.

Mosaic patterns

Small mosaic tiles make beautiful centralized patterns against a larger backsplash tile. Provides contrast and visual vibrancy.

Geometric patterns

Geometric shapes like hexagons create modern honeycomb patterns. Or use square and rectangular tiles in geometric designs.

Picture frame layouts

Picture frame or box layouts contain an inner tile design within an outer frame of contrasting tile. Great for focal points.

Irregular patterns

Mixing up tile sizes, colors and prints creates an artistic, eclectic look. Works with vintage, rustic or global style kitchens.

Minimalist style

A single oversized tile with little to no additional ornamentation keeps the backsplash look seamlessly minimal. Excellent for modern kitchens.

Have fun laying out tile patterns. You can make simple or complex designs depending on your kitchen needs.

Determine Functionality

While aesthetics are important for your kitchen backsplash, functionality should also factor into your tile selection. Consider these elements:

Moisture Resistance

The backsplash endures lots of splashing and spills around the sink area. Choose a tile like porcelain or glass that repels and resists moisture. Avoid porous tiles like unglazed terracotta.

Heat and Stain Resistance

Your backsplash tile surfaces take lots of high heat. Opt for a very durable material like porcelain or natural stone that won’t scorch. Stain-resistant glazes also make cleaning easier.

Easy Maintenance

Pick tiles that are simple to wipe down and keep clean, without extensive sealing or specialized care needed. Stay away from materials that easily show soap scum, water deposits or food stains.

Durability

For a long-lasting backsplash, select very durable tiles that can withstand accidental bumps, bangs, cracks, and scratches through daily kitchen use. Porcelain and ceramic are most durable.

Prioritize functionality in your tile to keep your backsplash looking immaculate and performing beautifully over time.

Add Special Touches

Personalize your backsplash tile with special handmade, antique or recycled tiles. Here are some ideas:

Incorporate Mexican talavera tiles, Italian glass mosaics or encaustic cement tiles for global design flair.
Use salvaged or reclaimed tiles, from vintage penny rounds to antique subway tiles with character. Adds cottage charm.
Frame out sections of your backsplash to showcase heirloom porcelain tiles or colorful hand-painted tiles.
Accent the backsplash with metallic tiles, smalti mosaics, iridescent glass or mother of pearl tiles.
Add tiles with creative shapes like starbursts, fish scales, circles and scalloped edges.

Specialty tiles provide artistic focal points and personality within any kitchen backsplash design.

Hire a Professional Installer

Proper backsplash tile installation is key to creating a finished look aligned with your design vision. Consider hiring a professional tiling expert for best results, especially for intricate designs or challenging layouts.

Look for experienced tile installers with extensive kitchen backsplash experience. Be sure they are insured and licensed if required in your state. Ask for a portfolio of their past backsplash projects to evaluate work quality.

A qualified tile pro can handle important steps like:

Properly preparing and waterproofing the wall surface.
Carefully applying thinset mortar before tilesetting.
Cutting any specialty pieces needed around outlets, corners, or built-in appliances.
Grouting with proper technique to avoid moisture issues.
Sealing grout and tile surfaces as needed.

Investing in a pro backsplash installation means your new tile finishes will last for many years of beauty and function.

Maintenance Tips

Once your new backsplash is professionally installed, follow proper maintenance steps:

Use a gentle cleaner meant for tile instead of harsh chemicals. Avoid abrasive scouring pads.
Re-seal grout every 1-2 years and re-seal natural stone as needed.
Immediately clean up spills and splatters to prevent staining.
Let any cracks or missing grout be repaired quickly to prevent damage.
Use caulk instead of grout at corners or changes in plane for flexibility.

With proper care and cleaning, your kitchen backsplash tile will continue looking fantastic for decades to come.

Let Your Style Shine Through

Kitchen backsplashes make excellent focal points to reinforce your interior design vision. By assessing your needs, carefully selecting tile materials and colors, and installing properly, you can realize your dream backsplash design. Express your personal style through artistic tile patterns, fun motifs, or bold geometric designs.

With so many backsplash tile possibilities—from natural stone mosaics to graphic subway layouts—you’re sure to discover the perfect option to give your kitchen that fashionable finished look. Let your inner designer shine by crafting a stunning, functional backsplash you’ll love.

FAQs About Choosing Kitchen Backsplash Tile

Practical questions often come up during the process of selecting beautiful, durable backsplash tile. Review answers to frequent questions on how to choose kitchen backsplash tile:

How much does a kitchen backsplash cost?

The total cost typically ranges from $400 – $2,500. Factors like tile material, size, specialty shapes, and pro installation impact pricing. For comparison:

Ceramic or porcelain tile = $5 per sq. ft. installed
Natural stone tile = $40+ per sq. ft. installed
Glass mosaic tile = $10-20 per sq. ft. installed

What tile is best for kitchen backsplash?

Porcelain and ceramic are best for durability and moisture-resistance. Glass mosaics and marble provide upscale visual appeal. The material should align with your design and functionality needs.

How do I choose backsplash color?

Pick a backsplash color that matches your cabinetry for a cohesive look. Or contrast the tile against your cabinet color to make it pop. Neutral, earthy, or vibrant hues work beautifully.

What is the most popular kitchen backsplash tile?

Classic white 3×6 subway tile is the most common choice for clean, timeless style. But trends shift with penny tile, geometric patterns, and glass mosaics also popular.

How long does a backsplash last?

With proper installation and care, a quality tile backsplash can last 20-30 years or more. Porcelain and ceramic have especially long lifespans. Re-grouting and re-sealing extends a backsplash lifetime.

Can backsplash tile go to the ceiling?

Yes, you can install backsplash tile from countertop to ceiling for a bold statement. Use caution cleaning upper rows. An accent strip is often sufficient.

What’s easier to clean, glass or ceramic tile?

Both clean up well, but ceramic tile is slightly easier due to its durability, smoothness, and impervious nature. Glass requires gentler scrubbing to avoid scratches or cracking.

A stunning, functional backsplash tile design starts with researching the right materials, colors, sizes and layouts for your kitchen. Knowing the cost factors, installation steps, and maintenance also helps ensure backsplash satisfaction.

Conclusion

Installing a fresh backsplash provides the opportunity to completely transform the look of your kitchen. With an endless array of materials, colors, shapes and designs to select from, the options may seem overwhelming initially. Focus first on determining your own needs and style preferences.

Keep practical factors in mind, from easy maintenance to heat resistance around the cooking zone. Pick tiles that speak to your aesthetic vision, whether calm neutrals or bold patterns with an artistic edge. Setting a budget also helps narrow down choices.

With research and planning completed, the fun part begins of selecting beautiful, distinctive tiles to decorate your backsplash area. Hiring a professional installer takes the project to completion. And maintaining your new backsplash means you’ll enjoy the brilliant update for decades to come.

Let your backsplash renovation reflect your personal taste and enhance the experience of using your kitchen. Achieving the backsplash design of your dreams is readily within reach. With a bit of thoughtful decision making and expert installation help, you’ll love entering a kitchen upgraded with the perfect backsplash tile finishing touch.

How to Choose Kitchen Backsplash Tile