Introduction to the World of Backsplash Ideas & Possibilities

How to Create the Backsplash of your Dreams

What makes a backsplash special? Perhaps at the top of the list is that it's an ideal space to express yourself and your design sensibility in an area of your home where you spend a great deal of time. As such, you want it to bring you pleasure and you'd love for it to be a backdrop for comfortable living, conversation, and entertaining. Oh, and maybe cooking.

That brings up an interesting point: you want to find tile that's easy to clean off (i.e., practical) yet also beautiful.

As you'll discover by exploring this page, there are lots of options for creating the backsplash of your dreams. We've organized these ideas and some tips into nine sections.

Enjoy, and let us know if you have any questions. We hope you'll be inspired to visit us at our showroom in Orange, Connecticut where you'll find a rich assortment of tile products to choose from.

We are thrilled with our new backsplash!
We were having difficulty finding the "just right" tile for our backsplash for our kitchen remodel. Janine was great in helping us find the right tile. The tile came in quickly and installation was soon thereafter. Ernest the installer was wonderful too! We will definitely be seeing them again for our other projects!
— Chrisanne B. Orange, CT

Subway Tile & Brick Shapes

Perspective on Subway Tile

The original subway tile from the early 1900s consisted of a 3"x6" white glazed ceramic tile used on the wall of New York City subway stations. Since then, that rectangular brick shape has not only become classic, but we're seeing it interpreted in a variety of ways that make for fabulous backsplash designs.

See Subway Tiles: A Love Story from HGTV »

These interpretations include the following: Size, Material, and Installation. Let's explore each category.

Subway Tile Sizes

In addition to the traditional 3"x6" tile, subway tile is available in sizes like 2"x4", 2"x5", 2"x8", 2"x10", 3"x9", 3"x12", 4"x8", and 4"x16". You can even find brick-shaped mosaics.

In the first image below, you see Medley Grey, a 2"x5" high-gloss glazed porcelain subway tile. Next, you see Linen Dusk Shadows, a 3x12 glass wall tile with a strong surface texture that suggests linen. Speaking of traditional bricks, here' s Chicago in color Chicago, a 4x8 glazed porcelain tile that brings to mind old brick installations from the South Side, State Street and Wrigley Field. This next item is Longitude in color Deep Midnight, a 4x16 high-gloss tile with considerable surface texture. That's quite a stretch from the traditional smooth 3x6 subway tile!

Medley Grey 2x5 tile — Medley Grey — 2"x5" high-gloss glazed porcelain

Linen Dusk Shadows 3x12 — Linen Dusk Shadows — 3x12 glass wall tile

Chicago 4x8 tile — Chicago — 4x8 glazed porcelain

Longitude 4x16 tile — Longitude Deep Midnight — 4x16 high-gloss

Subway Tile Materials

The original subway tile was made from ceramic. Nowadays, you'll find also glass subway tile, porcelain subway tile, and subway tiles made from Marble, Travertine, and other natural stones.

You'll find brick looks made from porcelain tile, in glossy and matte finishes, and a range of edge finishes - from smooth to beveled and everything in between.

The subway tile featured here, for example, features rough, rustic edges.

Ways for Installing Subway Tile

Just as you have a multitude of subway tile materials, you also have many different options for installing subway tile.

In the first image, you see an all-over pattern in a Travertine subway tile with a decorative band to break up the installation and tie in the countertop pattern.

Next, you see a glossy ceramic subway tile in a grey-blue color in a horizontal layout where the tiles are offset.

Another option is a soldier-style installation. You'll see this in a horizontal format as well as the vertical one pictured below.

Travertine subway tile with decorative band

Offset horizontal subway tile layout — Horizontal offset layout in grey-blue

Glass subway tile installed vertically — Soldier-style vertical installation

Or, perhaps you'd rather a diagonal installation such as what you see below. Notice the horizontal mosaic border and how it adds whimsy to the backsplash design.

Here's an interesting subway tile! Notice the decorative subway tile band in the midst of the solid tile. It works perfectly with the neutral-toned granite counter.

As you can see from these examples, the backsplash design possibilities are endless! Just because you're working with a rectangular subway tile doesn't mean you are limited to a boring design.

Squares in Diamond Patterns

Perspective on the Humble Square Tile

As classic as the rectangular subway tile is, the square may be even more so. The most commonly used square size for a backsplash is 4x4 although you may come across 6x6.

Classic Interpretations

Classic 6x6 square tile — Classic 6x6 square interpretation

Decorative graphic pattern square tile — That classic interpretation is particularly effective when your square tile features bold decorative graphic patterns.

Diamond Patterns

Black and white checkerboard diamond — The humble square works particularly well as a diamond in a black and white checkerboard patterns.

Modified diamond marble-look porcelain — For a modified diamond pattern, try a marble-look graphic porcelain pattern. Notice how four tiles create the diamond motif.

Bold pattern with dark cabinetry — Notice how well this bold pattern works with dark cabinetry

Porcelain is ideal given how much easier it is to maintain than marble is. It's not sensitive to stains or water and will be easy to keep clean.

>> See Feast Your Eyes on Marble Look Porcelain Tile

You can see this installation for yourself in the Floor Decor Design Center showroom in Orange, Connecticut.

4x4 vs. 6x6 Square Tiles

If you have your heart set on an installation with Travertine tile, here's an option for you.

This stunning backsplash consists of 4x4 tumbled yellow Travertine natural stone in a diamond motif. In between each square, you'll find 5/8 x 5/8 yellow Travertine polished mosaics.

The end result is warm, elegant, welcoming and coordinates well with the honey-colored cabinets and the rich warm tones of the countertop.

Something to keep in mind when you are deciding between a 4x4 and a 6x6 square tile is design flexibility.

Using a smaller format tile gives you the ability to do more with your design. Ultimately, it makes the design more visually pleasing.

Even something as simple as turning the tile on an angle makes the space appear larger than it is.

One option if you are truly set on a mainly 6x6 backsplash is to combine a 4x4 as a focal point as you see in the design above on the right.

The one exception is with 6x6 encaustic tiles which feature bold decorative designs that are contemporary and modern in spirit. They pop beautifully!

As you can see, squares offer you plenty of backsplash options whether you're looking for a subtle, understated look or a bold contemporary one.

Decorative Bands

Add Spice to Your Backsplash with Decorative Bands

A terrific way to add color, texture, and visual interest to your backsplash is with decorative touches. You can create those with listellos — long individual, pencil-shaped tile pieces — or mosaic strips that you can cut into bands.

Mid-size hexagon kitchen wall — White subway tile with an elegant reddish glass tile band that runs parallel to the countertop.

Fusion Erosion glass mosaic — Fusion Erosion — multi-colored glass mosaic

Adara Specialty Shapes — Adara — Specialty Shapes Tile Collection with stainless steel

Subway tile with decorative glass band — White subway tile with decorative glass band

Glass tile mixed with natural stone — Glass tile strips mixed with natural stones

Glazzio glass and slate Sag Harbor Grey — Glazzio glass & slate — Sag Harbor Grey focal wall

Limestone mosaic brushed hammered textured — Limestone mosaic — brushed, hammered & textured finishes

Fun colorful glass tile backsplash — Fun glass tile filled with color and movement

Orbit Brushed Metal Backsplash created by Randee Slotkin, Floor Decor's Designer in Orange, Connecticut

Whether it's a decorative band you have in mind or a bigger design statement, you definitely have options!

The experience was great.
Randee was very helpful. The installation went well. I love how it looks — counters and backsplash.
— Jean S. Stratford, CT

Large Tile

Backsplashes & Large Tile Do Belong Together!

Traditionally, backsplashes have been the domain of small tile. What's new is large tile. From 12x12 glass to 18x36 rectangles and wood plank formats, large tile creates a sleek, modern contemporary look.

Large glass tile backsplash — 12x12 glass tile — bold colorful statement (Photo: The Kitchen Collection via Houzz)

Large format 18x36 tile backsplash — 18x36 large format — clean and contemporary (Photo: The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn via Houzz)

White-washed wood plank backsplash — White-washed wood plank with distressed finish

Plank tile backsplash — Wider short plank with tile-to-tile variation

Contemporary wood plank in three tones — Wood planks in three contrasting tones

Hexagon & Other Tile Shapes

Beautiful Arabesque tile Backsplash — It's Not All Squares and Rectangles!

Shapes are what make backsplash designs so much fun. Let's explore a few.

Arabesque Tile

The arabesque shape is all about curves. It looks elegant, whimsical, and contrasts well with the angles of kitchen cabinets. The product below is Traditions Denim, a high gloss satin finish ceramic wall tile.

Fishtail Shapes

The Fishtail (also known as a fan or tulip shape) looks terrific in a backsplash, here combined with a subway tile installed vertically.

Hexagon Tile Shapes

Contempo Graphite stretched hexagon — Contempo Graphite — high gloss stretched hexagon

Large hexagon fireplace — Large-scale hexagon on a fireplace

From Hexagons to Other Geometric & Organic Shapes

Hexagon-inspired tile shapes — Hexagon deconstructed into triangles, rhomboids & diamonds

Organic stainless steel pebble backsplash — Organic shapes — stainless steel pebble installation

A classic wall tile shape is the hexagon. You'll find it in a multitude of scales - from tiny to large, and even tiny hexagons that create a larger hexagon shape. The shape works beautifully in stone as you see here where we're experimenting with a Travertine hexagon and 2x2 glass mosaic decorative band to dress up this elegant Cambria countertop.

Ready to Get Creative with Your Backsplash?

With a backsplash space, you have the opportunity to get truly creative. In this section, we'll share ideas for combining and interspersing different tile products for a truly unique statement.

Brick-look subway tile with cement tile decorative pattern — Brick-look subway tile + cement tile-inspired decorative pattern

Glass subway tile with mixed glass horizontal strips — Glass subway tile with mixed glass horizontal strip mosaics

Bold All-Over Geometric Patterns

Another approach for backsplashes and feature walls is to take a tile with a bold geometric pattern and create an all-over design. Here are three ideas based on waterjet cut patterns using marble.

Cold Mountain from Paradiso

Features a striking pattern that juxtaposes classic white marble with icy blues and greys — chic and dramatic as an all-over pattern.

The Great Balsam Collection

Pairs pristine white marble with gorgeous, steely-colored marble cutouts — stunningly unique, modern, yet evocative of a classier era.

Alps Tile from Paradiso

Offers a modern, asymmetrical design that captivates the eye. The soft color palette lends luxury — a sure conversation starter as a feature wall.

Bored with Flat Tile? Add Some Dimension!

Tile manufacturing has come a long way. You'll find tile with interesting textures and patterns, some quite pronounced. Dimensional tile isn't for everyone — in a busy kitchen around a stove, it can make cleaning challenging — but in the right setting, it can be quite a show-stopper.

Subway Lab 3x6 geometric pattern — Subway Lab 3x6 — subtle geometric pattern in ice white

Dimensional square tiles with color — Colorful square tiles with alternating dimensional surface

Large rectangular dimensional tile — Large rectangular tile with movement & angular irregularity

Dimensional square with reflection — Square shapes with a dose of reflection

3D cube dimensional tile — 3-D cube tiles jutting out into space

Ledger stone backsplash — Ledger stone — lighting highlights beautiful surface texture

Perfect experience selecting and installing a tile backsplash.
Everyone was helpful and friendly!
— Laura Z. Shelton, CT

Frequently Asked Questions About Backsplashes

Which is Better: Porcelain or Natural Stone?

Porcelain vs. natural stone comes down to maintenance. Natural stone is porous and should be sealed; porcelain requires no sealing and is generally easier to maintain.

What is the Lowest Maintenance Option?

Porcelain tile with no surface texture is the lowest maintenance option — it doesn't require sealing and is easy to clean.

What Options are There for Finishing Backsplash Edges?

Instead of bullnose edging, consider a pencil liner tile or a Schluter strip (available in vinyl or metal) for a clean edge finish.

My Kitchen Already has a 4" splash. How do I Integrate That with a Backsplash?

Removing the granite 4" splash typically results in a cleaner look and gives you more design flexibility with the new backsplash.

What Kind of Design is Better for a Backsplash?

It depends on your preference. You might do a simple solid color tile over most of the area with a more decorative design in a high-impact area — such as behind the stove — where medallions, framed mosaic inserts, and other decorative elements are often placed. As the examples on this page demonstrate, the possibilities are truly endless.

Before/After Kitchen Backsplash Transformations

What dream do you have for your kitchen? Here's one specific transformation — from an extremely drab kitchen to a beautifully tiled space.

New Backsplash Tile Arrivals

New From Glazzio — Ceramic Backsplash Tile

You will love these unique hexagon shapes and how they make a backsplash or accent wall pop. These ceramic tiles from Glazzio are stain resistant and easy to maintain.

Wexille Hall Tile Collection — 5 Colors

Tile From Paradiso

You'll love the options available from Paradiso and Proximity Mills on display at the Floor Decor Design Center Showroom in Orange, Connecticut.

All your tile and flooring needs
Floor Decor is a beautiful showroom filled with the most popular products from tile to flooring. You are greeted with a smile and the knowledge from Mike and Janine from years of experience. Whether you are redoing your bathroom, kitchen or any space in your house they are there to hold your hand if need be.
— Jen M. Orange, CT — 12/12/2018

Honest and Responsive!
Floor Decor did a good job for me. They installed wood floors in the house and a tile backsplash for my kitchen. Michael was great. The flooring looks great. These are honest people — I truly appreciated his honesty and would hire him again because of that.
— Eric F. Shelton, CT — 7/30/2018