Honey oak cabinets can add a warm, traditional look to your kitchen. Choosing the right backsplash to pair with honey oak cabinets is important to bring out their beautiful color and complete the design. The style of your backsplash can make a major impact on the overall aesthetic.
Complementary Tiles and Colors
When selecting a backsplash for honey oak cabinets, you’ll want to choose materials and colors that complement the golden oak tones. Here are some of the best options:
- Warm neutrals – Backsplashes in creamy whites, tans, and warm grays enhance the oak cabinets without detracting from them. Subway tile, travertine, and granite are great neutral options.
- Earth tones – Look for backsplashes in natural shades of brown, beige, and terra cotta that pick up on the oak undertones. Try materials like ceramic tile, stone, or glass tile in these hues.
- Golden accents – Backsplashes with touches of gold, copper, bronze, or other metallic warm tones add a nice accent. Glass or stone mosaic tile is an easy way to incorporate metallic shine.
- Natural stone – Materials like marble, travertine, and limestone make an elegant pairing with honey oak. Their natural veining provides visual interest.
When selecting materials, be sure to pick up a tile sample and hold it next to your cabinets to see it in context. The overall goal is to find a complementary color that enhances your honey oak.
Backsplash Tile Designs and Patterns
In addition to color, the tile design makes a big impact on your backsplash style. Here are some top options that work beautifully with golden oak cabinets:
Subway Tile
Subway tiles in neutral colors are a popular backsplash choice because they are so versatile. Their rectangular shape and beveled edges create a clean, sleek look. Lay the tiles in the traditional brick pattern or get creative with patterns like herringbone. Subway tiles allow you to add interest through grout color.
Stone and Marble Accents
Natural stone slabs or marble tile as an accent or full backsplash provide an upscale, elegant look. Pair large stone statement pieces with a brick pattern of small stone/marble mosaic tiles. On their own, mosaic tiles in marble or travertine create visual depth.
Classic Hexagon Tile
Hexagon-shaped ceramic tile offers a retro vibe. Lay them in a unique pattern or create contrast with multiple colors. The honeycomb effect pairs nicely with traditional honey oak. Use sparingly as a backsplash border or full wall design.
Handmade Tile
For a rustic, artisanal aesthetic, handmade backsplash tiles are a smart match for honey oak cabinets. Handmade tiles show natural variations in shape, size, and color for one-of-a-kind character. Try terra cotta, ceramic, or cement tiles.
Creative Touches
Don’t be afraid to add some personalized touches to truly customize your honey oak backsplash:
- Incorporate different materials like combining stone mosaic sheets with ceramic subway tiles.
- Add decorative accents like borders, medallions, or tiles with hand-painted designs.
- Intersperse glass, metal, or ceramic tiles with unique shapes for visual interest.
- Make a small section pop with bolder colors like sage green or navy blue.
Best Backsplash for Honey Oak Cabinets Stylish Tiles & Beautiful Cabinets
When it comes to selecting the perfect backsplash for honey oak cabinets, you’ll want to consider the whole kitchen aesthetic. But here are some of the best style options:
- Warm travertine tile – Either tumbled or polished travertine stone tiles in earthy beige tones make a seamless match to bring out the golden oak cabinet color. The natural variations in the stone add depth.
- Creamy marble backsplash – For a soft, elegant pairing, marble tile in a cream/off-white color is a top contender. Small marble tiles laid in a brick pattern or mosaic marble sheets create visual texture.
- Subway tile – You can’t go wrong with classic white or tan subway tiles with honey oak cabinets. Their clean lines provide contrast to the traditional cabinets without competing.
- Slate tile – Whether in a matte or polished finish, slate tile in grayish-tan or rustic multicolor tones pairs perfectly with golden oak. The color and natural stone texture complement the cabinets beautifully.
Style Ideas to Try
Honey oak cabinets offer flexibility to create different backsplash styles. Here are a few exciting ideas to inspire your kitchen remodel:
Farmhouse Chic
Capture a cozy farmhouse vibe with wooden open shelves instead of upper cabinets. Use a creamy off-white subway tile backsplash and butcher block counters for a natural feel.
Contemporary Contrast
Modernize your honey oak cabinets by combining them with sleek black granite counters and a bold backsplash like navy blue glass tile. Stainless appliances also add contemporary style.
Rustic Warmth
Embrace the traditional honey oak look with a textured tan and brown ceramic tile backsplash, brick flooring, and bronze fixtures for an inviting rustic aesthetic.
Retro Revival
Go for a retro diner feel with chrome accents, cherry red bar stools, and a vibrant backsplash like classic black & white checkered tile.
Design Considerations
Keep these tips in mind when designing your perfect backsplash:
- Select backsplash materials that are easy to clean and durable.
- Balance colors and textures. Too many different tiles can feel busy or overwhelming.
- Consider how your backsplash choices impact the rest of your kitchen – countertops, flooring, lighting, etc. Everything should flow together.
- Incorporate backsplash ideas that match your preferred design style – modern, traditional, retro, rustic, etc.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about backsplashes for honey oak cabinets:
What backsplash colors best match honey oak cabinets?
Some of the best backsplash colors for honey oak cabinets are cream, beige, tan, light brown, slate gray, warm white, and soft sage green. Stay with neutral, earthy tones.
Do you have to match the countertop color to the backsplash?
It’s not mandatory, but your countertops, backsplash and cabinets will look most cohesive if the colors complement each other. Try to choose materials that share undertones.
Should I get a backsplash for an oak kitchen?
Backsplashes are highly recommended for kitchens with oak cabinets. The backsplash protects your walls from splatters and pulls the whole kitchen design together.
What backsplash goes with oak cabinets and black granite?
For oak cabinets paired with black granite countertops, we’d recommend a backsplash in a lighter beige/brown color or warm white to provide contrast from the dark granite.
Can you put ceramic tile backsplash on oak cabinets?
Yes, ceramic tile like subway, mosaic, or Spanish-style makes an excellent backsplash choice for golden oak cabinets. Be sure to select a tile color that flatters the oak.
Conclusion
The perfect backsplash brings together all elements of your kitchen design into one cohesive look. With so many beautiful tile options available today, you’re sure to find a backsplash that enhances your honey oak cabinets for a functional and stylish kitchen you’ll love. The key is choosing materials and colors that accentuate the warm oak tones rather than compete with them. With a well-designed backsplash, your honey oak cabinets will look better than ever.