Backsplash Tile
Choosing the tile for your backsplash is one of the best parts of redecorating. Why? Since it generally covers a smaller area than your main wall or floor tile, you can have more fun with it! That means incorporating pops of color, unique materials or visually striking shapes feels less risky.
Whether you opt for a detailed mosaic or classic subway tile, you’ll find something you love from our hundreds of options. For more detailed backsplash tile ideas, visit our inspiration page.
Choosing the tile for your backsplash is one of the best parts of redecorating. Why? Since it generally covers a smaller area than your main wall or floor tile, you can have more fun with it! That means incorporating pops of color, unique materials or visually striking shapes feels less risky.
Whether you opt for a detailed mosaic or classic subway tile, you’ll find something you love from our hundreds of options. For more detailed backsplash tile ideas, visit our inspiration page.
Add Style Elements or A Pop of Color with Backsplash Tiles
Updating and modernizing your home can be as easy as updating your kitchen’s backsplash. It allows you to add a pop of color, a distinct shape or a stand-out pattern to your room—and it’s one of the quicker and easier tiling projects to take on yourself. Plus, there’s so much more than classic white subway tile. Explore the multitude of options below.
Color
You can't go wrong with a classic, white tile backsplash, but this design element offers the perfect opportunity to take a little risk — and have a little fun! Create a dramatic contrast to light cabinets with bold, dark backsplash tile, or brighten up a dark room with an unexpected pop of color. If you can't choose just one, a colorful mosaic backsplash has it all.
Shape
After you've selected a tile color, you must decide which shape to use. If you’ve opted for a neutral color palette, a unique shape is a great way to add visual interest to your space. From rectangular subway tiles and squares to arabesques, penny rounds, hexagons and beyond, the design possibilities are endless. Each shape will create a stunning backsplash. It's just a matter of preference.
Material
Tile is one of the most versatile design elements because it's available in a wide variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, glass, natural stone, and more. Each material creates a distinct look full of character and charm. Since backsplashes add an accent or act as the focal point in rooms, this is the perfect time to explore our expansive selection of available tiles.
Pattern
Backsplashes offer so many ways to play with patterns in your tile design. From traditional horizontal placement and vertical stacks to trending herringbone, crosshatch and offset patterns, you may be surprised by how much a tile pattern can change the look and feel of your space. Looking for more? Get inspired by these tile pattern possibilities!
Texture
Nothing adds dimension to a room like textured backsplash tile. Create the illusion with patterned and faux-textured tiles or add depth with 3D tiles. 3D tiles are an excellent alternative to wallpaper that add colors, patterns and textures. Stone, mosaics, geometric, wood-look and patterned tiles can all add texture to an eye-catching backsplash.
Ask the Tile Experts
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A tile backsplash will protect walls from moisture and stains in high-use areas of the home, like behind kitchen and bathroom sinks. As a result, cleaning is easier, and your walls are protected, lasting longer. Best of all, a tile backsplash creates an opportunity to add style, personality and visual interest to any room.
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The thickness of tiles varies widely, ranging from approximately 7 mm up to 12 mm. Ceramic tiles tend to be the thinnest, generally ranging from 8 mm to 10 mm. 10 mm is the standard thickness for porcelain tiles. Natural stone tiles can be up to 12 mm thick.
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Not all tile needs to be sealed. Ceramic or porcelain tiles likely won’t need to be sealed. Stone tiles, on the other hand, usually do need to be sealed because their porous surfaces are more susceptible to retaining the things that come into contact with their surfaces. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Your grout should be sealed for the same reason—if unsealed, its surface is more likely to absorb spills and stains. Grout will last longer and be easier to clean when it is sealed. Some grouts sold at The Tile Shop have sealers built into them to save you a step, so always refer to the instructions to confirm whether or not you need to seal your tile and grout.
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The cleaning procedure for each tile depends on its style and material. The important thing to remember is that, if tile is maintained properly, it should be easy to clean. Porcelain is usually the easiest type of tile to care for. Natural stone is the most sensitive to harsh cleaners so special care should be taken.
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Tiles that are properly installed and maintained should not stain easily. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are the most stain resistant which is why they can sometimes be left unsealed. Natural stone tiles have a more porous surface which is why sealing is usually recommended. Once stone tiles and grout are sealed, they are much less likely to stain and are easier to clean and care for.
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This is where your personal style and taste come into play. You can choose to coordinate your tile with your cabinets and countertops or you can choose to contrast them. Your backsplash can be the attention-getting centerpiece of your room or it can be subtler to let other design elements shine. The key is not having too many focal points in a room at once. Prioritize your favorite elements and let the rest serve to make those elements look good. If you choose to feature your backsplash, the sky’s the limit. Unique colors, materials and shapes can all be utilized here.
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Absolutely! This is the place to experiment and have fun. We encourage you to mix materials to your heart’s desire. And if you need help choosing, stop by one of our locations for expert design help.
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A backsplash generally stretches from the countertop to underneath the cabinets vertically and to the edge of the countertop horizontally.
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We do not recommend installing tile on top of any other materials and always suggest you start with a clean, blank wall or floor.
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Just like you would tile around the toilet or sink in your bathroom, simply cut your tile to fit around electrical outlets in your backsplash. We recommend using The Tile Shop’s Beast brand of tile saw to get a smooth cut every time. You can even get decorative switch plates to coordinate with your tile.