10+ Kitchen Backsplash Ideas With White Cabinets To Inspire You

Choosing the perfect backsplash for your white kitchen cabinets can be an exciting yet daunting task.

With so many options to pick from ranging from materials to colors and patterns, it’s hard to know where to start.

By the end, you’ll feel confident and inspired to take on your white cabinet backsplash project with creativity and flair.

So let’s get started designing the backsplash of your dreams!

Subway Tile

First up in our favorite backsplashes for white cabinets is the classic subway tile.

Subway tiles are rectangular with a length twice their height, just like the tiles you see lining subway stations.

This versatile tile has been popular for over a century thanks to its clean, sleek look.

But don’t let the simplicity of subway tile fool you – it offers plenty of room for creativity too.

Subway tiles are available in a huge range of colors from soft pastels to bold primaries.

Stick with a classic bright white for a light and airy look that makes your white cabinets pop.

Or opt for gray, black, or blue hues for a moody vibe.

Subway tiles also come in varied materials like glossy ceramic, matte porcelain, or even glass or marble for extra texture and luminosity.

When designing your subway tile backsplash, don’t just limit yourself to running the tiles horizontally.

Consider interesting patterns like herringbone, staggered bricks, or a vertical stack.

Mixing up the orientation and laying the tiles in interesting shapes breaks up the linear look for added visual appeal.

Another pro design tip is to use subway tiles of differing sizes like 4×8” and 3×6” together or alternate between two complementary colors.

This creates contrast and a uniquely eye-catching checkerboard effect.

The minimal grout lines of subway tiles create a seamless feel so be strategic with your grout color.

Bright white grout suits modern and transitional spaces while gray grout has an artisanal vibe.

Overall, subway tiles are an easy, budget-friendly backsplash option at just $5-$15 per square foot installed.

With limitless color and pattern options, they pair beautifully with any white kitchen cabinet style.

Herringbone Backsplash

For a touch of old-world charm that works in both rustic and contemporary kitchens, the herringbone backsplash is a stunner.

This pattern featuring staggered rows of rectangular tiles pointing in opposite directions has its roots in ancient Roman and medieval eras.

But the herringbone is anything but outdated.

With white kitchen cabinets, a herringbone backsplash in creamy natural stone like marble or travertine has a timeworn farmhouse feel.

The subtle color variations and veining in the stone add depth and interest.

Or modernize the look with stark white rectangular subway tiles or glossy ceramic.

Gray, black, and navy blue herringbone backsplashes also pop against white cabinets for a mod vibe.

Feel free to get creative with the scale too.

Mini herringbone using tiny tiles or mosaics creates visual intrigue from a distance.

Or opt for larger tiles like 4×12” for a bold statement.

When laying larger tiles, use floor-level height and wider grout lines of 1⁄8-1⁄4 inches between them.

This grounds the look and prevents it from feeling too busy.

One tip for pulling off a flawless herringbone design is to use rectangular tiles with a length exactly twice their height.

This ensures symmetry and stops your rows looking uneven.

Natural stone herringbone backsplashes start around $60 per square foot while porcelain tiles average $15-30 per square foot.

Professional installation is recommended but worth the investment.

Marble Backsplash

Glamorous, opulent marble simply steals the show, making it one of the most popular and enduring backsplash choices for luxury kitchens.

The rich veining and textural swirls of marble add visual drama and convey a sense of heritage.

Yet marble still retains a lightweight elegance that pairs beautifully with white cabinets.

For a predominantly white kitchen, stick with lighter marbles like Botticino or Calacatta.

These have a bright white base with gray and taupe veining that adds nice contrast without feeling too overwhelming.

Statuario is another stunner; it’s made from fine, white Carrara marble with barely-there gray veining.

Make a dramatic design statement by opting for colorful marble.

Emperador features mesmerizing brown and white swirls while green and russet marbles burst with exotic vibrancy.

If your style is ultra-modern, sleek white cabinets beg to be balanced by striking solid black marble.

Marble naturally draws the eye so consider limiting it to a single focal feature wall or the rangehood backsplash area.

Or frame your white marble tiles with classic subway tiles or brushed brass trim for a polished yet pared-back vibe.

One advantage of marble backsplashes is fewer grout lines thanks to the generous tile sizes like 12×24 inches.

Just be sure to seal the marble regularly to prevent stains and damage.

The dazzling beauty of marble does come at a cost – $70 per square foot and up.

But for making a luxurious statement, your white kitchen backsplash is one place to invest.

The heavenly fusion of marble and white cabinets is destined to be timelessly chic forever.

Stacked Stone Backsplash

Rustic kitchens are hugely popular, and a stacked stone backsplash adds organic texture and nature-inspired style.

The random arrangement of textured stones has a harmonious, free-flowing look reminiscent of mountain streams or woodland walls.

Stacked stone backsplashes blend beautifully with both shaker-style and sleek lacquer white cabinets to create a grounded balance.

For a lighter and more contemporary vibe, stick with limestone or quartzite stones in soft creams, grays, and pearlescent white.

These natural hues complement your cabinets for a unified feel.

Or go bold with obsidian quartzite in inky midnight black or azure blues for colorful pop.

Multi-colored sandstone and slate mosaics also make a dynamic choice.

When designing your stacked stone backsplash, think about scale and borders.

Smaller stones like 4×12 inches have a refined mosaic tile look.

Larger pieces create bolder impact while also being faster to install.

To frame and finish off the space, run vertical border trims in wood, marble, or metal on the edges.

This stylish detail unifies the whole backsplash design.

Embrace the organic irregularity of cut stones for a natural effect.

Stack them at varying depths for added dimension.

Just be sure your installer uses thin grout lines that don’t detract from the beauty of the stone.

Expect to pay around $50-100 per square foot for materials and professional stacking labor for stunning stacked stone backsplash results.

Mosaic Tile Backsplash

Tiny mosaic tiles lend color, artistry, and visual intrigue when used as a kitchen backsplash.

Available in limitless styles and materials from glass and porcelain to natural stone, mosaics can be customized to suit any kitchen decor.

Choose mosaic sheets featuring multiple tile shapes and colors for eclectic charm.

Or pick a single tile style like hexagons or penny rounds for consistency.

Against crisp white cabinets, opt for iridescent glass mosaics to reflect and refract light.

Metallic gold, copper, and mother of pearl cubes add glamour.

For an artistic look, select handmade porcelain tiles with bespoke abstract, floral, or geometric designs.

If you have your heart set on marble, miniature marble mosaic tiles provide the same veining and swirls but cost a fraction of large marble tiles.

For a mosaic with major visual impact, bold black, navy, or emerald green marble mini tiles will make your white cabinets pop.

When designing a mosaic backsplash, balance busyness with breathing room.

Frame mosaic sheets with matching full tiles or neutral grout lines.

Mix large statement tiles in with petite mosaics for variety.

Let some favorites really stand out by surrounding them with plain white tiles.

Just take care to evenly space mosaic sheets during installation for the most flawless finish.

Thanks to their petite size, mosaics run $5-$25 per square foot including installation.

Handmade artisan mosaics are pricier while mass-produced glass types cost less.

But any mosaic you choose is sure to make a spectacular statement against classic white cabinets.

White Brick Backsplash

White brick backsplashes and kitchen cabinets go together like peas and carrots!

The matte, lightly textured finish of brick has a timeworn artisanal feel that pairs perfectly with cottagecore kitchens.

But white brick backsplashes also work wonderfully against modern and contemporary cabinetry for some cool contrast.

For a seamless look, opt for ceramic subway tile-shaped bricks measuring 3×6 or 4×12 inches.

Run them vertically, horizontally, or even diagonally stacked for tailored crispness.

Off-white, beige, and cream bricks look airy against true bright white cabinets.

Or complement soft gray cabinets with light gray bricks.

Alternatively, embrace the charming irregularity of reclaimed or faux antique bricks.

Their variegated whites and slight imperfections have bags of character.

Use accent bricks sparingly on a single wall or as dramatic focal feature.

Mixing brick sizes and leaving visible ragged edges enhances the vintage vibe beautifully.

White bricks can veer towards feeling too stark and cold.

The solution?

Add warmth with classic red brick accents.

A strip of red bricks paired with white bricks and cabinets makes for an all-American country kitchen look.

For a more modern feel, soldier course thin red brick strips.

Budget around $10-25 per square foot installed for brick backsplashes.

Handmade ceramic or reclaimed bricks are more expensive than faux bricks

But whichever you choose, white bricks make an undeniably timeless match for those classic white kitchen cabinets.

Modern Graphic Cement Tile

Bold black and white cement tiles are the epitome of modern graphic edge.

Their high-contrast geometrics, abstract shapes, and graphic line work patterns make an eye-catching statement against pristine white cabinets.

In fact, graphic cement tiles inspire and elevate the whole kitchen’s style.

You can customize cement tile backsplashes down to the last line and color in your pattern for a tailored bespoke feel.

Opt for an alternating black and white tile design that complements your white cabinetry while adding architectural interest.

Use vibrant accent hues like red, yellow or blue sparingly to really make them pop.

Or choose graphic patterns like zigzags, diagonals, concentric squares, or intersecting lines slashing across at bold angles.

Distressed Moroccan-style tiles, iconic pozada tiles, or art deco sensibilities also inspire stunning work.

Just be sure to balance the bold pattern with plain white tiles or framing.

Cement tiles have an undeniable handmade artisanal feel but are actually very durable.

Tiles are hydrated with concrete and pigmented through and through so scratches don’t show.

Their 8-13mm thickness gives great underfoot feel too.

Expect to pay $30-50 per square foot installed but rest assured these tiles will outlive passing trends.

Honeycomb Backsplash

 

The gorgeous honeycomb tile trend is lighting up kitchen backsplashes lately with its hypnotic hexagonal charm.

These six-sided tiles represent efficiency, unity and community in many cultures – symbolism that suits the heart of the home perfectly.

Made from ceramic, porcelain, or glass, honeycomb tiles pack textural visual interest into any white kitchen.

For harmony with crisp white cabinets, opt for a tonal look mixing white, beige, gray, and cream hexagon tiles together.

Alternating subtle gloss and matte finishes adds nice dimension too.

Accent with a bold black, navy, or emerald green honeycomb focal wall or rangehood feature.

Unlike some patterns, the equal-sided hexagon shape couldn’t be simpler to work with for DIYers.

Just lay the courses vertically with joints nicely staggered so no harsh lines emerge.

For pros, herringbone and diamond layouts create further intrigue but aren’t essential.

Just avoid overly busy mishmash designs that make the space feel chaotic.

Surround honeycomb tile sections with contrasting edging like subway tile or unfinished wood.

This frames the honeycomb pattern beautifully without competing.

Budget-wise, ceramic and porcelain honeycomb tiles cost a very affordable $7-25 per square foot including professional installation.

For honeycomb backsplash bliss, embrace the power of the hexagon against your classic white cabinets!

Rustic Terra Cotta Backsplash

Want to infuse a taste of Tuscany into your white kitchen?

Rustic terracotta tiles are your ticket!

Made from natural clay colored with mineral pigments, these tiles are entirely handcrafted lending stunning variation in shade and form.

The raw yet warm burnt orange color of terracotta looks resplendent against pristine whites.

Opt for unfinished low-relief tiles featuring highlights of avocado green, sky blue, and mustard yellow.

These multi-hued tiles lend vibrant character and bring your white cabinetry to life.

Or stick with warming neutral shades like beige, sepia, and ocher for a harmonious effect.

Terracotta’s naturally uneven surfaces beautifully catch light and create entrancing texture.

Yet the material is delicate and porous.

Take care to thoroughly seal tiles after laying to protect them from staining.

And intentionally lay them a little unevenly for that handmade charm.

For added Spanish style romance, add botanical accents.

Trailing vines, palm leaves, and florals in the tiles’ reliefs or cabinet paints, lighting, and hardware channel breezy Mediterranean living.

Terracotta tiles start around just $5 per square foot.

So elevate your white kitchen today with the warm rustic beauty of artisanal terracotta backsplashes.

Wavy White Tile Backsplash

For a backsplash that packs textural magic against minimalist white cabinets, wavy tile is an inspiring choice.

These tiles emblazoned with curving lines, circles, and abstract organic shapes have an ultra-modern vibe with a sense of movement and fluidity.

3D wavy tiles create mesmerising illumination effects as the light dances across their sculptural ridges and valleys.

Opt for glossy white or creamy wavy tiles to complement your cabinetry while adding amazing dimensional impact.

Take your wavy tile backsplash to the next level by using:

– Two contrasting tile finishes like matte and high-gloss

– Metallic gold, silver or copper wavy tiles for mid-century glam

– Bold blues, greens and purple colors to make the curves pop

– Mixing wavy sculptural tiles with plain white tiles for balance

– Framing wavy sections within wood or metal borders

Wavy tiles demand attention so avoid busy countertops and limit them to a single backsplash statement wall.

Their sculptural nature also makes wavy tiles trickier for DIY installation, so call in a professional tiler.

These special tiles cost more, around $50-100 per square foot installed but their stunning aesthetic impact is truly priceless.

Moroccan Tile Backsplash

Transport your white kitchen to an exotic riad in Marrakech with the magic of Moroccan tile backsplashes.

These intricate decorative tiles called zelliges are handcrafted using traditional methods unchanged for centuries.

Each colorful tile is molded from clay, glazed in vivid hues, kiln-fired and then hand-cut to form intricate geometric mosaics.

Typically zelliges feature bold blues, greens and yellows for a look brimming with punchy personality against white cabinetry.

Opt for smaller tiles in star, triangle and octagonal shapes for hypnotic patterns.

Use white tiles as spacers between the vivid colors to let each one sing.

Consider bold zellige centerpieces in elevated areas like behind the stove or framing the window.

For a more muted and peaceful ambiance, choose tiles in terracotta, sand and sky blue hues.

Forming borders along the edges ties the look together stylishly.

Just take care not to overcrowd your backsplash with too many competing colors and patterns as this traditional style demands breathing room.

Thanks to the extensive handwork involved, Moroccan zelliges range from $30-60 per square foot installed.

But their joyful energy and craftsmanship promise to lift your heart for decades to come.

Your white kitchen backsplash is the perfect canvas to unleash their full vibrant charm.

Natural Stone Slate Backsplash

Get inspired by the raw, organic beauty of natural slate backsplashes.

Available in earthy shades of blue, green, taupe and rich chocolate browns, slate has incredible color depth and texture.

The natural cleft surface of slate tiles beautifully complements both sleek contemporary cabinets and homey country styles.

Against bright white cabinetry, opt for aquamarine sea green slate with delicate white veining for gorgeous contrast.

Or choose muted blue-grays for a soothing spa-like ambiance.

Pair cream cabinets with light brown multi-toned slate mosaic sheets to create a harmonious effect.

Take advantage of slate’s naturally irregular split tile shapes to create an organic abstract collage on your backsplash.

Use square tiles on the border to frame the interior slate mosaic artfully.

The variegated colors and cleft texture of natural slate bring your backsplash to life without overcomplicating the space.

Sealing is important post-installation to prevent stains on porous slate surfaces.

Fortunately, this natural stone is more budget-friendly than marble or granite, starting around $40 per square foot installed.

Let the raw yet refined beauty of slate backsplashes lend your white kitchen a charmingly grounded feel.

We just walked through 13 striking yet timeless backsplash ideas to inspire your white cabinet kitchen revamp beautifully.

Remember to tailor your backsplash to balance your cabinetry.

Delicate marbles and glossy mosaics pair perfectly with sharp white lacquers while rougher bricks and slate suit shaker-style cupboards beautifully.

Focus statement tiles behind cooktops or use sparingly as accents.

And don’t overlook the power of creativity in color, shape and texture to bring your white cabinet backsplash dreams to life!

With this inside design advice and wealth of trendy yet timeless backsplash inspirations, you can approach your own kitchen project full of confidence and ready to craft a space that’s distinctly yours.

Just take it one tile at a time!