How to Choose the Right Backsplash for Your Kitchen
HANNAH A · MAY 10 , 2025
Consider Your Overall Kitchen Style
Start with the big picture. Is your kitchen modern, traditional, farmhouse, or transitional? Your backsplash should reflect and enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic.
For Modern kitchens, clean lines, simple color palettes, and slab or minimal grout options work beautifully.
In a Traditional space, classic subway tile, intricate patterns, or marble mosaics add timeless elegance.
For an Organic Modern or European-inspired look, consider zellige tiles, natural stone, or handmade ceramic tiles that offer soft texture and subtle variation.
Pro Tip: When we design kitchens with a warm, understated elegance, we often use handmade or matte-finish tiles that add a lived-in, artisanal feel without overpowering the space.
Think About Color and Contrast
Your backsplash should complement your countertop, cabinetry, and flooring—not compete with them. Decide whether you want your backsplash to be a statement or a subtle backdrop.
For a seamless look: Choose a backsplash in the same tone or material as your countertops (e.g., quartz or marble slab backsplash).
To create contrast: Pick a bold tile color or pattern that stands out against neutral cabinets.
To keep things light and airy: Use whites, soft neutrals, or light reflective materials like glass or polished tile.
Design Insight: In our Tarzana project, we used a subtle tile that echoed the warmth of the wide-plank wood floors, letting the slab island and open layout shine.
Select the Right Material
The material you choose affects not only the look but also the maintenance and durability of your backsplash.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are affordable, versatile, and easy to clean.
Natural stone like marble or travertine adds luxury but requires more care.
Glass tiles offer a sleek, contemporary finish and reflect light beautifully.
Metal or stainless steel backsplashes work well in industrial or chef-style kitchens.
Slab backsplashes (made from quartz, granite, or marble) create a high-end, seamless effect with fewer grout lines.
Don’t Forget Grout
Grout color can change the entire look of your backsplash. Matching grout gives a clean, subtle appearance. Contrasting grout highlights the shape and layout of each tile—especially in patterns like herringbone, chevron, or stacked tile.
Pro Tip: For our Culver City project, we used soft curves and textures throughout the kitchen. The backsplash featured a tile with slight variation and a grout color that gently blended in, keeping the aesthetic soft and cohesive.
Test Samples Before You Commit
Lighting, wall color, and nearby finishes all affect how a tile will look in your kitchen. Always test a few tile samples in your space before making a final decision. Observe how they look in natural light and with your cabinet and countertop materials.
Final Thoughts
A backsplash is one of the most personal touches you can add to your kitchen. It’s a chance to express your style—whether that’s bold and artistic or calm and minimalist. At ENE BUILDERS, we help clients choose backsplash materials that not only enhance the function of their kitchens but also elevate their home’s overall aesthetic.
If you’re ready to transform your kitchen, reach out to our design team. We’ll help you select finishes that strike the perfect balance of beauty and practicality.
Contact us today for a consultation and let us show you how we can transform your vision into a space you will love.
ENE BUILDERS | LA + OC Remodeling
Family owned affordable design+build firm
Specializing in Spanish revival , Modern Mediterranean Organic Design
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