Love a White Splashback but Not Subway Tiles? 11 Options Revealed
If you want to go beyond the classic rectangle, consider these 11 white splashback tile options
Kitchen splashbacks come in all flavours, from the bold and colourful to the subtle and calm. If you like the look of white subway tiles but would prefer to try something more adventurous, consider these 11 fresh alternatives. All are white, which keeps them understated, yet each has a shape or size that makes it special.
Here’s how elongated hexagon-shaped tiles look in a San Francisco kitchen splashback.
See more contemporary kitchens
See more contemporary kitchens
2. Oversize herringbone
Large splashback tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern bring a classic layout to this contemporary kitchen. Subtle grey colouring adds extra interest.
Large splashback tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern bring a classic layout to this contemporary kitchen. Subtle grey colouring adds extra interest.
3. Hexagons with shimmer
Iridescent mosaic tiles bring a jewellery-like feel to the white hexagonal tiles they surround in this Manhattan kitchen. This up-close photo shows the shimmery mosaic-and-hexagonal combo…
Iridescent mosaic tiles bring a jewellery-like feel to the white hexagonal tiles they surround in this Manhattan kitchen. This up-close photo shows the shimmery mosaic-and-hexagonal combo…
…And this image reveals the subtlety of the detail when viewed from afar.
4. Hexagonal tiles with dark grout
Hexagonal tiles bring clean, contemporary geometry to this kitchen in Los Angeles. Dark grout underscores the honeycomb pattern, adding contrast.
Let Hex Tiles Put a Spell on You
Hexagonal tiles bring clean, contemporary geometry to this kitchen in Los Angeles. Dark grout underscores the honeycomb pattern, adding contrast.
Let Hex Tiles Put a Spell on You
5. Rectangles inside squares
This splashback pattern comes from rectangles paired to create the look of a single square. It’s a pleasing surprise in this New York kitchen.
This splashback pattern comes from rectangles paired to create the look of a single square. It’s a pleasing surprise in this New York kitchen.
6. Geometric
The tiles in this San Jose, California, kitchen look like angular fans or slices of origami paper arranged one on top of the other.
The tiles in this San Jose, California, kitchen look like angular fans or slices of origami paper arranged one on top of the other.
7. Diamond tiles
In this London kitchen, small diamond-shaped tiles are arranged in a pattern of stars or tumbling block shapes, depending on how you look at them.
Fans of the artist MC Escher might enjoy this tile shape and pattern.
In this London kitchen, small diamond-shaped tiles are arranged in a pattern of stars or tumbling block shapes, depending on how you look at them.
Fans of the artist MC Escher might enjoy this tile shape and pattern.
8. Fish scales
If you prefer more texture with your tile, you might appreciate the splashback in this home in Svetlogorsk, Russia.
The sculptural tiles bring a scale-like feel to the kitchen walls – appropriate for a home located near the Baltic Sea.
If you prefer more texture with your tile, you might appreciate the splashback in this home in Svetlogorsk, Russia.
The sculptural tiles bring a scale-like feel to the kitchen walls – appropriate for a home located near the Baltic Sea.
Here’s how a full wall of the fish scale tiles appear above the kitchen sink. A spiral shell reinforces the seaside theme.
See more of this home with the Baltic Houzz Tour: A Slice of Tropical Summer in Russian Winter
See more of this home with the Baltic Houzz Tour: A Slice of Tropical Summer in Russian Winter
9. Circles and curves
Swoops and circles add texture to the splashback in this Charlotte, North Carolina, kitchen, which has a subtle yet mesmerising pinwheel pattern.
Swoops and circles add texture to the splashback in this Charlotte, North Carolina, kitchen, which has a subtle yet mesmerising pinwheel pattern.
10. Square trays
The textured edging on these tiles gives each the appearance of a miniature square tray. It’s a look that’s both current and classic.
The textured edging on these tiles gives each the appearance of a miniature square tray. It’s a look that’s both current and classic.
Here you can see that the tray-like tiles rise to the crown moulding in this Los Angeles home, which belongs to Drew Scott of Property Brothers fame, a home makeover series airing on HGTV in the US.
11. Back-painted glass
If you want a really simple white splashback, a sheet of tempered glass back-painted white by a professional might be the way to go. There are no grout lines and you get a wipeable and smooth-looking surface.
Tell us
Do you have a beautiful white splashback that doesn’t use subway tiles? We’d love to see it – share your photos in the Comments below, save your favourite images and like this story – join the conversation.
More
Find tile, stone and benchtop professionals near you
If you want a really simple white splashback, a sheet of tempered glass back-painted white by a professional might be the way to go. There are no grout lines and you get a wipeable and smooth-looking surface.
Tell us
Do you have a beautiful white splashback that doesn’t use subway tiles? We’d love to see it – share your photos in the Comments below, save your favourite images and like this story – join the conversation.
More
Find tile, stone and benchtop professionals near you
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This tile offers a fresh approach to both hexagonal and subway tiles with its elongated shape, which can be laid horizontally or vertically. Here, taupe grout emphasises the tile’s contemporary form.