Choosing a backsplash to go with oak cabinets can be a fun yet challenging process. The backsplash serves both aesthetic and functional purposes in a kitchen. Visually, it can tie together your cabinetry, countertops, floors, and other design elements. Functionally, it protects your walls from splashes and stains. With so many backsplash options to choose from, it’s important to consider what will pair best with the warm, natural look of oak cabinets. This guide covers the most popular and effective backsplash ideas to complement the beauty of oak kitchen cabinetry.
Glass Tile or Metal Backsplash
Glass tile is one of the most versatile and stylish backsplash options for oak cabinets. The light reflective quality of glass tile adds depth and dimension that calls attention to the rich grain patterns in oak. Glass tile backsplashes come in an array of colors, from bold primaries to muted neutrals like creamy whites, beiges, and grays that blend in with natural wood tones.
Metallic backsplashes in materials like stainless steel, copper, pewter, or tin also make a beautiful match with oak cabinetry. Metallics add a contemporary, sophisticated look that contrasts nicely with the traditional styling of oak cabinets. Their sheen plays off the matte finish of oak in an eye-catching way. Like glass tile, metallics come in an array of hues from bright silver or copper to dark antique finishes.
When choosing a glass or metal backsplash for oak cabinets, select a simple clean-lined tile or panel design. Busy mosaics or large tile patterns can compete visually with the distinctive graining of the wood. A straightforward subway tile layout or rectangular uniformly sized tile is ideal. Install the backsplash all the way up to the underside of the upper cabinets for a seamless, upscale look. Light grout lines will also allow the oak cabinets to take center stage.
Stone or Brick Backsplash
Natural materials like stone and brick complement oak’s inherent organic beauty. Stacked stone, marble, travertine, and granite backsplashes all make excellent pairings with oak because they share similar earthy qualities. Brick backsplashes also highlight the rustic character of oak. However, polished stones like marble or granite have a more refined appearance that creates attractive contrast.
Stone or brick backsplashes should be kept simple and unfussy to balance the decorative style of oak cabinetry. Standard subway brick patterns, stacked ledgestone, or classic marble/travertine subway tile arrangements work well. Let the color and veining of the natural stone be the focus rather than ornate mosaic designs. Neutral white, beige, gray, and brown-toned stone or brick choices make the ideal backdrop to enrich oak’s famous warm, honeyed coloring.
Stainless Steel or Tin Backsplash
For a backsplash that interplays light and shadows to enhance oak’s wonderful wood grain, stainless steel or tin is an excellent option. The high gloss sheen of stainless steel or tin reflects light in a way that adds visual texture and dimension. This helps ground the oak cabinetry while the metallic takes care of filling the kitchen with reflective brightness.
Stainless steel backsplashes pair particularly well with modern kitchens that have sleek cabinet hardware and accessories. The elements play off each other for a cohesive contemporary style. For more traditional spaces, antique finished tin backsplashes complement the character of oak cabinets located in cozier, classically furnished rooms.
As with other types of backsplashes, strive for simplicity when installing a stainless steel or tin backsplash. Clean-lined subway tile patterns or recessed tin panels without decorative etchings make for an ideal combination with decorative oak cabinetry.
Subway Tile Backsplash
In addition to natural stone and brick, ceramic subway tile is another basic backsplash material that allows oak cabinetry to take the spotlight. The slim rectangular shape of subway tiles presents a straight-forward, unfussy backdrop. This allows the beauty of oak grain to come through without distraction.
White subway tiles are a popular choice with oak cabinets because the contrast highlights the wood’s distinct color variations. However, subway tiles come in an endless array of colors from pastel to bold hues. Muted choices like cream, beige, light brown, and gray work well with oak’s warmer wood tones.
To add some interest, consider a three-dimensional effect by installing subway tiles in a herringbone pattern or staggered brick layout. You can also create subtle detail and contrast by using two alternating subway tile colors or sizes. But for the most seamless look, uniform pure white subway tiles in a basic straight grid pattern keep the focus on displaying the oak cabinets.
Beadboard or Wood Panel Backsplash
Wood panel and beadboard backsplashes allow you to extend natural wood tones from the oak cabinetry onto the walls. This creates a harmonious, seamless look. The vertical lines and recessed grooves of tongue-and-groove beadboard or wood planks complement the similar directional grain patterns in the cabinets.
When choosing a finish for wood or beadboard backsplash, select a hue that is lighter than the oak cabinets to create contrast. For a cohesive look, use wood panels or beadboard made from a complementary species like hickory, birch, maple, or ash that has a similar aesthetic as oak. Unfinished wood that is stained to match allows for the most custom coordinated appearance.
Wood panel backsplashes look best installed horizontally to break up the vertical lines of the cabinetry. Highlight the recessed horizontal grooves by choosing planks wider than the standard tongue-and-groove beadboard panels. Clean-lined contemporary wood paneling offers a more modern feel compared to the cottage-inspired classic beadboard backsplash.
Tile Shape and Color Considerations
If selecting a tile material backsplash such as ceramic, porcelain, glass, or natural stone, pay close attention to the shape, scale, and color. Tile size, design, and hue should enhance and accent the oak cabinetry rather than compete with it.
Petite mosaic tiles or intricate patterns tend to clash and feel too busy alongside decorative wood grain cabinetry. Larger tiles like 4×4 inch, 4×8 inch, or 6×6 inch sizes give the eye a place to rest and allow the oak cabinets to take center stage. Subway tiles around 3×6 inches offer ideal slim proportions.
For color, match the tile’s undertones to the wood cabinets. Oak’s unique muted yellow-orange undertones pair well with creams, browns, grays, and beiges that share the same color temperature. Soft muted cool colors like pale blues and greens can also provide an attractive contrast to wood’s inherent warmth. Avoid tiles with clashing reddish-purple or orange undertones.
Ultimately, lean toward simple clean-lined tile with muted, natural coloration in shapes and sizes that don’t distract from the oak cabinets. This provides the ideal complementary backsplash.
Quartz or Laminate Countertop Backsplashes
Match your quartz or laminate countertop selection to the oak cabinets, then extend the countertop material upwards for a seamless backsplash. This contiguous appearance makes the space look larger and minimizes visual clutter.
Quartz countertops offer durability with an appearance that resembles natural stone. Select a quartz surface and backsplash in a light creamy neutral hue or tone with brown, gray, or beige undertones that complements the oak cabinetry.
For laminate, go for a woodgrain pattern in a lighter tone than the cabinets. You can also choose solid colors like white, ivory, light gray, or almond that pair attractively with the oak cabinet finish. Use caulk that matches the countertop and cabinet colors to create a smooth seamless transition from countertop to backsplash.
This integrated countertop and backsplash treatment works especially well in small kitchens. The continuity showcases the oak cabinetry by eliminating contrasting backsplash lines in a tight space. For a more expansive luxurious look in larger kitchens, you may opt for a contrasting backsplash style.
Avoid Matching Wood Tones
While the textures and grains found in natural wood materials complement each other, matching the exact wood tones of your backsplash and oak cabinets tends to look monotonous. The eye needs contrast to help define the separate elements.
For example, choosing oak wood paneling as a backsplash in the same stain color as the cabinets runs the risk of looking flat and dominated by orange-brown hues. Similarly, natural wood butcher block backsplashes can appear too matchy-matchy.
Instead, go for backsplash wood materials like maple, ash, hickory, or cherry that have lighter beige, yellow, or reddish-brown tones compared to oak. Or use unfinished wood panels and stain to a lighter complementary hue. Distinct but harmonious color contrast keeps the look dynamic.
Dark Granite, Tile, or Stone
Bold dark granite, porcelain tile, or natural stone backsplashes provide exciting contrast against light oak cabinets. Deep espresso-colored stone or porcelain tiles with natural gray veining against creamy oak evokes a chic yin-yang color pairing.
For contemporary spaces, sleek wide polished granite slab backsplashes in black, navy, or charcoal granite make a sophisticated style statement and enhance light oak cabinets beautifully.
Alternately, unfinished oak cabinets stained in a darker walnut or ebony tone look stunning displayed against backsplashes of crisp clean white subway tile, marble, or quartz.
Darker tiles or stone backsplashes paired with oak cabinets make small kitchens appear larger due to the color delineation. Just be aware that very dark backsplashes can overwhelm or feel confining if the kitchen itself has minimal natural light.
Open Shelving as an Accent
Incorporating open shelves strategically into the backsplash area can provide handy display space while breaking up potential monotony. Shelves constructed from oak to match the cabinets help unify the look. For variation, use glass, metal, or contrasting wood shelving materials.
Limit open shelving to short spans to keep the focus on a primary tiled, stone, or wood panel backsplash. Only incorporate shelves on a section of one wall or island area. Long expansive open shelving tends to compete with cabinetry rather than complement.
Use the open shelves sparingly to display dishware, cookbooks, or decorative objects. This prevents clutter while adding accent pops of color and interest against the backsplash and oak cabinet backdrop.
What to Avoid with Oak Cabinets
When it comes to backsplash materials to avoid with oak cabinets, steer clear of choices that are too overpowering or ornate. Intense colors like fire engine red tiles or intricate mosaic patterns divert attention from the oak woodwork.
Shiny glass backsplashes can also compete with oak’s natural patina, while reflective mirror or copper metallic backsplashes tend to look dressy alongside oak’s casual elegance.
Porcelain or ceramic tiles with a reddish or orange undertone frequently clash with oak’s muted golden yellow coloration. Keep the backsplash hue in the neutral beige, cream, white, or gray color families for the most pleasing complement.
FAQs About Selecting a Backsplash for Oak Cabinets
What is the most popular backsplash for oak cabinets?
White subway tile is likely the most commonly selected backsplash for oak cabinets. The high contrast appearance is classic and timeless. White highlights oak’s wood grain variations beautifully. Other commonly chosen options include natural stones like marble, travertine or granite as well as glass and porcelain tile.
Do you have to match backsplash to countertop?
It’s not mandatory, but often advantageous, to coordinate your backsplash color to your countertop rather than your cabinetry. Since backsplashes are designed to protect the wall behind a work area, this provides a smoother visual transition. However, don’t be afraid to get creative and choose a backsplash that contrasts with both cabinets and countertops for dramatic effect.
Should backsplash match floor?
Matching a tile backsplash to the kitchen flooring material and color helps unify the whole space visually. However, variance in backsplash and flooring can be used effectively to define separate functional zones. As long as there is some coordination in texture and tones, the designs can work together without completely matching.
What backsplash goes with light oak cabinets?
Light oak cabinets pair beautifully with white subway, brick, marble or travertine backsplashes. Tile or stone with cool undertones like light blues and grays also complement light oak cabinets nicely. Metallic and glass backsplash tile in silvers, greys, and frosted whites are also excellent choices.
What backsplash goes with golden oak cabinets?
Golden oak’s yellowish-orange hues look best with backsplashes in creams, browns, natural wood tones, and white subway tile. Cooler grays and blue-green glass, granite or ceramic tiles help tone down golden oak’s warmth. For a retro diner aesthetic, classic black and white checkerboard tile is a fun match with golden oak.
Conclusion
The ideal backsplash for oak cabinets celebrates the naturally gorgeous grain patterns and rich stain colors. Focus on backsplash materials and colors that accentuate oak’s inherent beauty rather than compete with it visually. Ultimately, choose a look that fits your functional needs and overall kitchen decor style. With the versatility of backsplash options for oak cabinets, you’re sure to find the perfect match.