Your Kitchen: Great Backsplashes For Wood Cabinets

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC Like many of the backsplashes shown above, I designed this backsplash for a client to highlight the beautiful grain of the natural cherry cabinetry. The field tile is cut down from a 24"x24" tile with a subtle "linen" texture with creams, browns and yellows. The glass mosaic above the cooktop then takes center stage, but doesn't compete against the cabinetry

ds design studio Looks great Jason! Thanks for posting.

Karen Ho Fatt I will be installing glass tiles for my kitchen backsplash. Multicolored that will tie all the colors of the space together. Glass tiles come in a tremendous varietyof shapes and colors nowadays albeit can be extremely expensive but does give that 'zing'. A reminder to your readers to ensure that they get an experienced tiler to do this sort of work (and as per stained glass) requires specialty tools and a fine hand.

UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES disappointed with selection - many green tiles. Do you have more ideas for cabinets with espresso finish, pale yellow on walls? the one that interests me the most is the red/silver combo, as I have red accents in my kitchen.
Any more ideas would be appreciated.

Sheri Gibson - With so many magazines featuring the "White" Kitchen, I was thrilled to see your ideas. We decided on honey maple cabinets, to work with the way we lived, but have always loved the subway tile backsplash...think the subway tiles can work with the honey maple?

Shannon Kirby Interiors Perhaps because I am an antique dealer as well as a designer I just don't like full height backsplashes. They seem cold to me and honestly, when is the last time you washed your backsplash or even "splashed" on it? I agree something needs to be behind a sink and stove but why everywhere else?
I like to hang small paintings in the space or add a sheet of glass with wallpaper or fabric behind it for an easy change when you grow tired of the design. Even painting the back of the glass adds some design element without retiling.

ds design studio khofatt, thanks for pointing out that glass tile installation requires an experienced person to do the job well.

upstaging, I'll hunt for some more photos.

ds design studio sgibson, there are so many to choose from, so consider the style of your kitchen and the other elements (counter, floor, appliances) when making your selection. That being said, in my opinion a basic 3x6 ceramic tile goes with just about every style. Good luck with your kitchen remodel.

kbgnc I love that green marble tile. We did a honey onyx marble subway tile in our new kitchen. The different tones in the marble really play up the color of the wood and the concrete countertops.

dancingfish Thanks so much for showing darker counters with wood toned cabinets this time!! So many great ideas here! Love the green glass

ds design studio kbgnc, thanks for sharing your lovely kitchen. Honey onyx is a beautiful stone!

upstaging, here are a few with espresso cabinets:

fletchy Thanks so much for doing this ideabook! I was one of the ones who asked for tiles in kitchens with wood cabinets. I liked several and added them to my files. Thanks again!

kdoolittle More, more, more! These are beautiful inspirations for kitchens that aren't trendy right now, but timeless and often overlooked. I appreciate this ideabook greatly, I urge you to make another, debbiesnider!

ds design studio kdoolittle, I was just thinking it is time for another idea book on backsplashes! Thanks and stay tuned...

wanda3 I hope this isn't being sent twice. I'm new to this posting. I am just about done with my kitchen remodel and having a difficult time choosing a backsplash that will add interest and perhaps a bit of color without being "too busy". I found some beautiful 1x3 glass mosaic with nice colors, but it is just "too much". Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

ds design studio Wanda3, try looking for a tile in one tone or a color blend that has colors close in tone so there is not a lot of contrast. It is the contrast that makes it busy. The good news about waiting til the end to choose the splash is you can bring home the samples and see how they look with everything else in place. If you want more advice, post this in the questions section for others to see. Good luck.

ModCraft It's also a great look when the backsplash tile compliments not only the tone of the cabinetry but also the lighting fixture in shape and color as in this kitchen install...

jnltucci I need help. My granite is called raps a beta. It has black white and a beige. The cabinets are maple fox very simple. I love it but can't decide on a backsplash. Went to a couple of places and suggestions were grayish and brown. I was looking for more color any suggestions or pictures would be appreciated.

ds design studio jnltucci, I could not find granite by that name, only Rosa Beta. It would be best if you could post photos of your stone and cabinet finish.

jnltucci sorry for the spelling I thought I corrected it. Rosa Beta is the color. I will upload pictutes as soon as I can. thanks for the help.

jnltucci here are a couple of pictures.

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC Since both your cabinets and counters are mid-tones, you really should either go very light (maybe creams with some type of accent for color) or dark (with some type of accent color). Anything else and it might all just visually run into each other.

ds design studio I agree with Jason. And your accent tile could be glass or stone mosaic or a blend of both, if it works with your main tile, counter and cabinets. My recommendation is that you take your samples and work with a designer at a tile showroom to help you pull it all together. Best of luck.

Lola Campbell Trying to decide on a backsplash with this Uba Tuba granite and oak cabinets. Concerned that if I go with the linear glass tiles that are so popular now will be too busy with the cabinet grain. Any ideas?

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC Lola - you are spot on with your assessment. Oak tends to have a very linear grain and the long, linear tile mosaics popular today might be overwhelming. Try something a little more regular in pattern - a 1x1 or 2x2 mosaic would be a nice contrast to the oak grain.

conw I have cherry cabinets with a choc glaze and golden beaches granite countertops. I need a backsplash. Am looking at smaller glass subway tile or smoky looking small convex basket weave. HELP!

ds design studio Conw, I like the idea of smoky glass to bring out the grey tones of your granite. Would have to see the convex basket weave you are referring to. Could you post a photo of the tile you have in mind? Also, what is the style of your kitchen and what are you putting on the floor?

conw My cabinets are actually maple - don't know why I wrote cherry! Am sending photo of tiles under consideration.

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC @conw - something to think about...the tile you've selected is very close (tonally) to the counter top. Think about if you want more contrast between the different materials. You might look at a darker backsplash for a real impact. There's a great example by Logan's Hammer Building (in the original Ideabook post) with charcoal gray tiles on the diagonal. The tones in the counter and cabinetry are very similar to yours.

ds design studio Thanks for the photos, conw. I like the glossy glass mini subway tiles. I think you will like the way the light reflects off of them!

ds design studio I also agree with Jason. Smokey tones would set off the colors of your cabinets and countertop.

honolulululu Conw: regarding your two tile selections. I have something similar to the one on the bottom. You will be sorry if you select that wavy style to put behind your sink and range. It's a real bear to clean. I had to clean each tile with a toothbrush individually to get grease spatter off. Likewise behind the sink. My grandchildren tend to be sloppy and soap residue imbeds in all the little nooks and crannies. BEWARE. Looks beautiful when clean though.

the5days We recently purchased a condo in Florida that was a spec so we did not have a choice on cabinet or counter top. I am struggling with the backsplash. The cabinets are maple and the counter is UbaTuba. Green (lime green) is our dominate color with grey/beige walls. I need help with tile choice, tile size and tile colors. Plus one store said to remove the granite that goes up the wall and one side can not be removed. (I can provide more pictures) I just need a good direction to go. Any suggestions or pictures would be very helpful to me. I want to love this place and I don't yet....

pudlma Our renovated kitchen will have frameless natural maple cabinets with rosewood colored molding. We plan to use Lapidus granite (cream, gold, grey, rust/brown) on the counters. We would like a simple modern backsplash. Will stainless steel work (picking up the grey in the granite) or would we be better off with a neutral tile?

jasmine0 I have java cabinets and kashmir granite top. Having extremely hard time finding backsplash that wouldn't make my gallery kitchen too busy. Was going for white subway tiles but have lots of natural light coming in and so wondering about the glare. I don't like grey - it's enough on the granite top.

Joey Lei Doing a new construction.. Wanted to do backsplash after closing. Problem is they don't let you close with no backsplash bc safety code requires one at the oven and six inch all around everywhere else. Am I limited design wise if I want to add a backsplash to this setup? It will be brown maple with a white countertop

Joey Lei Forgot to add the required backsplash is an extension of the countertop.

ds design studio @JoeyLei, yes installing a backplash over an existing 6" high countertop extension limits your design choices. In my area, the space between the counter and the bottom of the cabinet is 18". If yours is the same, then one third of your backsplash will be white. Also, assuming the builder will also use the countertop material above the cook top or range, your tile will butt into a large white area. I would select a tile that matches or works really well with the countertop color. Be sure to take a sample of your wood and counter when shopping for tile. Is there any way you can select and provide the builder with your backsplash material before they finish?

ds design studio @jasmineO, if you are still looking for tile, you might try ceramic or glass tile in a matte finish or honed stone tile, and avoid the glossy and polished tile.

Casart Coverings Here's another suggestion: faux glass mosaic tile available in 9 colorways and can be customized. The substrate has a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing and does not require professional installation. It's available in regular opaque white background color or a clear background if you love the base color of your wall and want that to show through as the "grout" color. For extra shine and protection, roll on a coat of our glossy, water-based sealant. Good solution especially for renters who may not have many options to personalize their space.

ashlosh What about a backsplash that adds color, functionality, and texture and that isn't a tiny tile? I personally like large slaps of stone, or glass- whether it be colored, white or clear. Would love to see some of those options.

embracegrace The second photo (At Six) was one of our inspiration kitchens. We have espresso maple cabinets and while I loved the green marble, our final choice was Solistone Mardi Gras glass tile in Carrollton. I love the subtle variance it provides, and the glass is easy to clean.

http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com/2012/02/my-beautiful-backsplash.html

ds design studio, the photos you posted are gorgeous!

designfor250 I am looking for a backsplash idea for a kitchen with light Maple cabinets and black granite countertops. The kitchen cabinet style is ala Poggen Pohl in that they have wide wood borders with narrow wood inset on all the doors. The drawers are without detail and we have stainless steel appliances. The room opens out to our entry/dining area and the room receives indirect light throughout the day. Right now we have the backsplashes painted a shade of orange as well as the back accent wall. Looking for a change and think something somewhat contemporary would work. Have considered stainless tiles or sheets at some point, some sort of mirrored look with stainless accent divider tiles, glass....Help! Would like to paint a color in adjoining room that would tie in as well...Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, TT Clark

mjdevitomd I'm looking for a contemporary type backsplash that will go well with my contemporary cream-white cabinets. Kitchen faces water view if that helps with what type/color might be best. Thanks

ds design studio designfor250 and mjdevitomd, it would be helpful if you could post photos so we can see all the finishes (including the floor) and the adjoining spaces. And if you post your question with the photos in the questions/discussion section, you will receive many suggestions. Good luck with your backsplashes.

mjdevitomd Unfortunately floor is not installed and neither are cabinets yet - and neither are purchased to take photos. Any guidance at least for design type rather than color for a contemporary kitchen with 8x4.5 ft island and kitchen faces waterview. Cabinets are called Devon cream with chocolate glaze from solidwoodcabinets.com.

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC It would really help to understand the style you're aiming for. Nearly impossible to provide design advice in a bubble.

thoelke Our kitchen remodel was completed last summer and we have yet to find a tile for the backsplash. The cabinets are cherry in a medium-brown finish (pecan). The granite on our counters is called "Top Star" and features beautiful creams, browns and blacks. Most tile stores recommend using a travertine such as honed noche. But, when I bring samples of travertine home, I find that the color looks too pink or too grey up against my granite and in the natural light of the kitchen. Any suggestions for a beautiful creamy tile that is flattering against browns and blacks? I've read many decorating blogs about using white subway tiles with cherry, but I think white would really dominate the room and take away from the overall warmth of the kitchen. Our style is pretty traditional, and I have been thinking about using a herringbone pattern over the range. Should I keep this "focal point" the same color as the rest of the backsplash? Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated!

djmoyes Pudima. What did you decide and how did you stop at the edge of the counter and the wall

pudlma I became concerned that the Lapidus on the counters would be too busy and also I was never quite happy with the colors. I was not sure enough about the stainless steel to try it and decided to stay away from tile because I thought it might be too busy and we had had a less than positive experience with our tile sub elsewhere in the house. As a result, we took a more conservative approach. We used 3mm Caesarstone Eggshell quartz on the counter and then used 2mm Eggshell as the backsplash all the way up from the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets. Behind the cooktop up to the vent hood, the backsplash was pulled out a bit from the wall with half bullnose edges to give some relief and avoid seams. We used African Ivory granite on the island counters and riser. All edges other than those behind the cooktop were pencil edges. The combination yielded a clean, simple bright look with just enough interest to suit us. We had a wonderful granite/quartz fabricator/installer. Our renovation is not finished yet, but I think we are going to be quite happy with the kitchen.

Murals and More Decor Imaged marble murals look great with these warm wood tones too.

jacksonbeth Another idea would be to take advantage of this tile backsplash from Web Don, called Kitchen Palette. We just used this in our kitchen and its awesome. You can interchange the over piece over the stove or sink.
http://www.web-don.com/our-products/adhesives-tools-misc/kitchen-palette/