Mix and Match Kitchen Tiles

There are a few hard and fast rules when it comes to combining color and pattern in your kitchen tile. But mainly you might like some friendly tips on how to make the best of your kitchen design.

You’ll want to consider the kind of vibe you want your kitchen to have. And look at the color and texture of your kitchen cabinets and flooring.

If you start looking for ideas you’ll find there are a plethora of gorgeous tiles to choose from so increase the fun by picking two and learn how to mix and match!

Inject Color into Your White Kitchen Scheme

If you have a white kitchen with white cabinets, then choosing a white subway tile is a safe bet. But if you feel you could use some color in your kitchen, then what can you choose to accompany it?

A rule of thumb is to match materials or tones. So you may have a matt white with a glazed white tile for example. If you want to add a tile with pattern and color, choose the same finish as the main color tile.

White is a great blank canvas on which to drop in design but a similar finish in a bold print will tie in with the overall design.

Monochrome Magic

A white kitchen is just about the most versatile when it comes to choosing additional color or design so you have a wealth of choice for mix and match tiles.

If you like things classic and minimal then you can add a square black and white print tile to the backsplash of your stove. This will nicely complement the white subway tile on the rest of the backsplash.

It’s All So Black and White

A really simple way to enhance a white subway tile backsplash is to take another color subway tile but lay it in a different way over your stove.

A black or dark charcoal tile can be installed in a herringbone or chevron pattern. Following the rule of using a tile with the same finish, this will give you a stunning, professional finish. And if you’re a dab hand at DIY, you might like to tile your herringbone backsplash yourself.

Shades of Gray

If you have a modern rich taupe gray kitchen you might wonder which are the best tile combinations to pick.

A smooth white countertop can stand to have some texture added in your kitchen. Selecting two or even three tiles in different shades but in a similar natural texture will give grounding to your kitchen.

A small rectangular mosaic tile has a woven look to it, adding character to a sleek, smooth kitchen. Installing these tiles in horizontal bands is an interesting way to approach your tiling here.

Rustic Mosaic and Subway Tile

An advantage of using subway tiles in your kitchen is the cost. Easy to find and cheaper than many other tiles, this is a great way to tile your kitchen,

But if you want to add some detail to a neutral shade of tile, you can pick a rich dark brown tone of tile in a mosaic design. In a simple dark wood kitchen this will lift your look.

Geometric Designs

Now, if you really like to play with design you can extend your design choice over the stove backsplash but rather than creating a separate section, you can blend the design.

Select tiles of a similar size and with the same surface finish but in different shapes and colors. The best way to know how this will look before you start is to lay out the pattern on the floor or a large table.

Begin with your stove as the center point and take the color and design out from there. Once you are happy with your pattern, you can link up the design with small subway tiles in a plain shade and the rest of the backsplash.

Inset Pattern Tile

If you have a plain but shaped tile, you can still add another tile into the equation. Creating an inset backsplash, perhaps with a shallow shelf is a wonderful way of injecting design into your kitchen.

A patterned tile in tones taken from your kitchen will look pretty as a picture when centered in your stove backsplash. For a professional finish, choose a tile molding to surround the inset design.

Farmhouse Tile Design

A modern farmhouse kitchen with a wood floor can have a cute look by using marble subway tiles and a contemporary yet traditional square pattern tile over the cooker.

If you can get your tiles to fit exactly in the space, this will give you a clean finish. Choose minimal decor and accessories so your patterned backsplash becomes the focal point for your kitchen.

Marble Times Two

Marble is a great material to mix and match. If you’re sticking to the same hues, so, for example you have a gray or a white marble, you can easily add other shapes and designs of tile, or go up or down in tone.

Keep to the same finish, so if you want a natural, unpolished slab of marble for your stove backsplash, add smaller tiles alongside in the same kind of texture.

Basketweave Marble Tile Kitchen Backsplash

A delightful marble subway tile looks so delicate as a backsplash and is an unusual type of the traditional subway tile shape.

This will look perfect next to a basket weave style marble mosaic tile over the stove. With stainless steel appliances this looks divine.

Mix Moroccan Tile with a Natural Effect

A most gorgeous combination with wood cabinets and a marble countertop is a natural tile with a pattina that looks almost like wood grain. Installed vertically in different widths, this looks like chunks of wood on the wall so adds a warmth.

And your kitchen island can get some special treatment too when you lay a Moroccan square tile in a variety of patterns. You’ll have the funkiest kitchen around!

Blue and White Tile in Blue Kitchen

In a kitchen with dark blue cabinets, a darling china blue pattern will be just the ticket. Selecting a dainty design for the main backsplash will give a great basis to add maximum design impact through a busy blue and white pattern over the stove.

All you need to do to finish this gorgeous look is to add wood accessories such as chopping boards to contrast with your color combination.

You’ve Been Framed

Adding a patterned tile over the stove, will enhance gray subway tiles. You can either build a recessed backsplash or add a block of patterned tile and add a frame.

If you want to save the cost of employing a bespoke service, you can achieve this look yourself by using your DIY skills to install a framed kitchen backsplash.

In Closing

How you mix and match your kitchen tiles will depend on the mood you’re looking to create. For a simple, classic design, you can contrast varying marble tiles but keep them in the same finish.

A backsplash in a bold tile is a simple way to add interest to your kitchen. Just make sure it looks good with your foundation tile, such as a plain subway tile. 

For a vibrant kitchen, choose a tile to complement the tones of your cabinets and flooring then add a bold design by the cooker or perhaps on the back of a kitchen island. 

With thousands of tiles available, it’s worth noting some of the design rules when it comes to mixing and matching your kitchen tiles.