How to Match Countertops and Backsplash in Your Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How to Match Countertops and Backsplash in Your Kitchen? ›

Complex or colorful backsplashes go best with solid countertops. Likewise, bold patterned countertops work best with backsplashes that have a subdued uniform color palette. “If everything is a similar shade, we recommend contrasting the backsplash,” Kelly says.

Your backsplash can match your countertop when you want to create a uniform look. However, it is not a necessity. You can explore different countertop and backsplash color combinations to add more depth and dimension.

You can easily showcase statement-making backsplash tiles when paired with countertops in plain colors as well, such as cream, grey, or even black. When you have dark solid color countertops, coordinating backsplash tiles in glass or porcelain and ceramic with a glossy finish is a great idea to brighten up the space!

A great choice for your backsplash and countertops is complimentary colors. If you have any trouble making this choice, having a color wheel on hand can come in handy. Once you have a color chosen for your countertop, drawing a straight line across the wheel will give you your color choice.

There is no right or wrong answer for how high a kitchen backsplash should be, however, the rule of thumb is to make your backsplash end at the bottom of your kitchen wall cabinets.

Match colors, mix materials.

Tape color and tile samples to the walls to see what they look like throughout the day as natural light changes, suggests Stephen Kahn, president of Anchor Bay Tile in Phoenix, Ariz. Choose one main color and a couple of accent colors to use throughout the kitchen, including the backsplash.

Typically, countertops dictate the color of the backsplash but everything must flow in the kitchen to look fantastic so you should never underestimate the importance of also matching the kitchen cabinets.

Rather than have your backsplash be a light shade as well, it should be darker than the counters. This example from another happy CBD customer shows you what it could look like. The pristine white counters match the white cabinetry in this kitchen. If the backsplash was also white, that'd just be overkill.

A backsplash rendered in a light neutral color lends a crisp and clean appearance to the kitchen work area. It allows the eye to rest as you look around the kitchen. However, if you want to add some more personality to the space, you can add pops of bright and bold color in cookware, curtains, or artwork.

It's simple: countertops should be installed before the backsplash. Why? Our experts gave the top reasons: Countertops have been considered the focal point and centerpiece of any space for decades.

Should countertops be lighter or darker than floors? ›

1) Contrast Light and Dark

Instead of seeking out the exact same color, consider a deliberate contrast of light and dark. For instance, polished concrete, gray stone, or even onyx counters will look stunning against pale oak wood flooring with a cool-toned finish.

Match Cabinets with Your Countertops and Backsplash

Kitchen cabinet and countertop combinations can be designed to complement or contrast with one another. For example, a modern kitchen with a bright white color scheme might have white cabinets with countertops that are mostly white as well.

According to our Standard Kitchen experts, your countertop should complement your floor and cabinets but shouldn't directly match either of them.

The backsplash connects the two sets of cabinets, which helps the room feel bigger and more cohesive. Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall. In most cases, the space behind the fridge is not visible anywhere in the kitchen.

In most cases, installing the countertops before the backsplash makes the most sense. However, in some cases doing the backsplash before the countertop may make more sense for your particular situation. It all comes down to what you want as the focal point of your kitchen.

These tiles can make your kitchen feel more open and visually spacious. Large Format Tiles: Using larger tiles for your backsplash can reduce the number of grout lines, creating a cleaner and more open look. Fewer grout lines can make the space appear less busy and cluttered.

Traditionally, yes, backsplashes are usually lighter than countertops. They're kind of like a partial wall, and walls are more often light-colored. That said, there are no real rules. We've seen some striking kitchens with dark backsplashes and light countertops, along with many monochrome design schemes.

Installing your backsplash after your countertops allows you to call any audibles that may be needed as you go through the kitchen design remodel. Rarely does everything go as planned, so having a degree of flexibility to make changes on the fly can prove beneficial to your project.

The similarities in the materials allow you to maintain a consistent flow from one room to the other, providing a design synergy that wouldn't work otherwise. However, if the layout of your home has the bathroom and kitchen on different floors of your home, you don't necessarily have to use the same materials.