Backsplash Ideas For Kitchens With White Cabinets

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White kitchen cabinets are classic, but they can be a little bit boring if thought is not put into the surrounding design. Choosing a stylish backsplash that works well with your white cabinetry will not only make your kitchen design gorgeous, but will highlight the classic beauty of your cabinets, too!

Determine Your Color Scheme and Style

Before choosing the perfect backsplash for your kitchen, there’s a few factors that should first be considered. You’ll need to discover your own personal style and preferences.

Are you looking for something modern and trendy? Or a timeless look that is classic and refined? Are your white cabinets a stark bright white with cool undertones? Or are they a warmer, creamier white? Do you like bright colors or neutral colors?

Taking these design style elements into account will help you narrow down the correct colors and backsplash materials. For instance marble will forever be a popular choice and its cool gray tones work really well with both cool and slightly warmer white cabinets.

The trendy Cloe tile that’s everywhere right now has a classic feel and is a great way to still look modern and trendy. It’s warmer tones work well with a slighter warmer white cabinet.

On the other hand, you can inject color into a very plain white kitchen with a vibrant patterned or colored tile.

If you’re not quite sure which backsplash design to go with, maybe one of these kitchen backsplash ideas that go with white cabinets will inspire you!

Marble Backsplash Ideas

Embrace cooler tones in your kitchen by using marble for the backsplash. It provides a natural, clean look no matter the design and helps your kitchen feel pristine and luxurious.

For my kitchen remodel, I chose to balance the cooler tones of the marble backsplash and white quartz with warmer tones from brass and wood. It provides the perfect compliment to the white cabinets and stops the kitchen from feeling cold and sterile.

Take the backsplash right up to the ceiling, whether marble or any other tile, is also a great design feature that packs a serious punch and makes any kitchen look high end.

White marble is always a classic choice, but you’re not limited to the standard brick pattern.

A slab of marble provides visual interest, and makes for easier cleanup since there’s no grout lines! I prefer to use the same material as the countertop, or keep the countertop a solid color similar to the lightest color in the marble and then do a statement marble up the backsplash.

Marble Slab Kitchen Backsplash that goes with white cabinets. — Marble Slab Backsplash by Sarah Sherman Samuel

Marble two-toned zig zag herringbone kitchen backsplash idea — Two Tone Marble Chevron Tile Backsplash by Southern Living

Marble Flower patterned tile on kitchen backsplash with white cabinets. — Marble Mosaic Flower Patterned Backsplash by Backsplash.com

Alternatives to Traditional White Subway Tile

For a basic white subway tile look, it doesn’t have to stay basic. Subway tile is an incredibly affordable option for a kitchen backsplash but it can look really beautiful when laid in a fun pattern. You can still keep the white feel with different tile shapes.

Kitchen Backsplash of white square tiles with straight lines — Subway Tile Alternative – Square White Backsplash from Kitchen Seer

kitchen backsplash idea for white cabinets_white staggered long tiles — Long White Subway Tiles in Random Pattern by Neil Kelly

If choosing white, grout color choice is important. Bring tile sample with you when picking out grout colors to get the perfect match for your kitchen.

White grout ensures a uniform, clean appearance. Darker grout will accentuate the shape of your tile. For marble, many prefer a grout that blends the tiles and doesn’t “frame” the tile. In the end, it’s personal preference as well as the type of look you want to go for.

If you struggle with maintaining the clean appearance of your grout, try painting grout for a new look!

marble kitchen backsplash with white grout

White Kitchen cabinets with vertical herringbone design and dark grout — Subway Tile Alternative – White Vertical Herringbone by The RTA Store

Vertical White Picket Tile by CC and Mike

woman pouring coffee in kitchen, white cabinets with patterned and textured seashell white tile backsplash

If you want to stick with plain subway tile for budget reasons, consider adding some decorative tile over your stove to break up the sea of white.

white subway tile with patterned tile pattern over the stove — Patterned White Seashell Tile Backsplash by A Taste of Koko

This patterned tile is a subtle blue/gray that looks stunning with white cabinets and white subway tile. Again, similar to my kitchen, note how the warmer tones from the brass offset the cool tones of the stainless steel, white tile and white cabinets.

Colorful Backsplash Ideas

Concerned all white cabinets will be boring? Add a pop of color! Create a focal point with a bright backsplash of blue, green accent glass tiles and bright orange. The beauty of white cabinets is that they can go with any color and you can easily achieve a modern look with accents.

navy patterned kitchen backsplash tile with white cabinetry, double oven, kitchen island and rubbed bronze pendant lights — Navy Patterned Tile Backsplash by Southern Living

Sea blue glass kitchen backsplash with fruit on kitchen island and window on left — Cool Sea Blue Glass Tile Backsplash by Southern Living

Royal blue kitchen backsplash with white cabinets, wood floors and copper hardware — Bold and Bright Blue Backsplash by Bergen Granite

light green chevron tile kitchen backsplash with white cabinets and white open shelving — Green Herringbone Backsplash by Digs Digs

bright yellow vertical tile kitchen backsplash with white cabinets — Bright Yellow Backsplash from Digs Digs

Mirrored Backsplash Ideas

Want to add intrigue while making your kitchen space feel larger? Mirrors could be the perfect choice! You can find mirrored tile, or simply have reflective glass custom designed for your mirrored backsplash.

large kitchen with island and mirrored backsplash that go with white cabinetry — Mirrored Tile Backsplash by Charbonneau Interiors

Large mirror used as kitchen backsplash — Mirrored and Lighted Backsplash by Emily Fornet Interiors

Brick and Stone Backsplash Ideas

Bringing outside inside is one of my favorite elements in decorating. Raw natural stone, stacked stone, layered brick are all rustic backsplash options that may fit your style perfectly.

Whitewashed brick backsplash with white cabinets and wooden stove hood — Whitewashed Brick Backsplash from DecorPad

Whitewashed stone backsplash that goes with white cabinets, wooden open shelving, marble countertops — Whitewashed Stone Backsplash from DecorPad

stacked stone kitchen backsplash that goes with white cabinets — Stacked Stone Backsplash from Norstone USA

Backsplashes can be created with a variety of materials. Think outside the box and maybe you’ll find a material no one else has thought of! Here are some backsplashes made of more unique materials.

kitchen with white cabinets and white beadboard backsplash — Beadboard Backsplash from Southern Living

Hand painted white kitchen tiles with black countertop and white cabinets — Hand Painted Backsplash from Martha Stewart

Geometric patterns add a modern touch and create beautiful backsplash looks!

Final Thoughts

While choosing the perfect backsplash to work alongside your white kitchen cabinets can be as simple as picking up some cheap white subway tile, taking the time to really think through your vision will ensure your kitchen design really wows.

Whatever you decide, I highly recommend getting samples of everything and seeing how the colors work together. Most tile shops will sell a single piece of tile so don’t be afraid to buy multiples of different colors and textures – you may surprise yourself with what you like the most!