A travertine subway backsplash can add a sophisticated yet natural look to any kitchen. With its earthy tones, varied textures, and long rectangular tiles, a travertine backsplash evokes style and durability. If you’re looking to bring some natural warmth into your kitchen while elevating its aesthetic, a travertine subway tile backsplash is an excellent choice.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ideas for incorporating travertine subway tiles into your backsplash design. We’ll look at how to play with color, texture, and layout patterns to create a look that complements your existing décor. Read on for inspiring travertine subway backsplash ideas to give your kitchen natural look and fashionable touch!
Travertine Tile Properties That Enhance Backsplashes
Before jumping into backsplash ideas, let’s look at some of the inherent properties of travertine tile that make it so well-suited for kitchen backsplashes.
Natural Elegance
Travertine is a natural stone formed by mineral deposits from hot springs. It has an organic, earthy appearance with natural pits, holes, and veins running through the stone. This creates visual depth and texture. The natural variations in travertine tiles mean no two pieces are alike, giving travertine backsplashes a one-of-a-kind look.
Timeless & Classic
While natural, travertine also has an elegant, chiselled look reminiscent of marble. This allows travertine backsplashes to feel simultaneously cosy yet luxurious. As a classic, timeless natural stone, a travertine backsplash will maintain its stylish appearance for years to come.
Durability
As a form of limestone, travertine is a strong, dense stone that can stand up to the splatters, spills, and wear-and-tear of a busy kitchen. Properly sealed, it is resistant to stains and etching from acidic foods. This makes travertine an ideal backsplash material behind stoves and around sinks.
Availability in Subway Tile Shape
Travertine’s rectangular tile shape lends itself perfectly to the classic subway tile style, which features bricks laid in an offset stack pattern. This shape allows for easy installation and creates a streamlined, contemporary look.
Variety of Colors
Travertine’s natural color variations allow it to adapt to any kitchen décor. While most commonly found in soft beiges, ivories, taupes, and whites, travertine can also occur in handsome hues of rusty reds, warm golds, and deep walnuts. This diversity makes coordinating travertine backsplashes with cabinets, countertops, floors, and paint colors simple.
With an understanding of what makes travertine subway tile a great backsplash material, let’s look at some inspiring ways to incorporate it into your kitchen design.
Complementing Kitchen Styles with Travertine Backsplashes
Travertine’s versatility allows it to work with many kitchen aesthetics. Here are some examples of kitchen styles beautifully paired with travertine subway tile backsplashes.
Contemporary Kitchens
The clean lines of travertine subway tiles align perfectly with contemporary kitchen aesthetics. Travertine backsplashes help create a sleek, modern look against contemporary flat-panel cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. For a pop of color, boldly colored grout lines can accentuate the linear look.
Transitional Kitchens
For transitional kitchens blending traditional and contemporary elements, a travertine backsplash brings a touch of natural warmth. Mixing travertine tiles with metal or glass mosaic accents provides visual interest. Neutral, sandy-colored travertine works nicely with two-tone cabinetry in this style.
Rustic Kitchens
Naturally variegated, travertine backsplashes complement rustic kitchen designs featuring elements like exposed wood beams, industrial lighting, and hammered metal hardware. Rich walnut or deep red travertine tiles with tumbled edges enhance the handcrafted vibe.
Farmhouse Kitchens
Ivory, beige, and taupe travertine tiles pair attractively with white Shaker cabinets and vintage accents like apron-front sinks, producing a chic farmhouse look. Contrasting grout lines give depth to the simple subway tile shape.
Traditional Kitchens
For traditional kitchens, classic white or soft gray travertine backsplashes provide an upscale yet welcoming backdrop. Travertine tiles blend seamlessly with ornate moldings, carved cabinets, and marble, granite or quartz countertops for timeless elegance.
Now that we’ve covered complementary kitchen aesthetics, let’s look at some creative ways to lay out travertine subway tiles for sensational backsplashes.
Layout Patterns for Captivating Travertine Subway Tile Backsplashes
One of the joys of travertine subway tile backsplashes is the myriad eye-catching layout patterns possible. Here are some layout ideas for making your backsplash truly stand out:
Stacked Subway Pattern
The simplest travertine subway tile pattern features rectangular tiles stacked in offset rows like brickwork. This straightforward layout lets the beauty of natural travertine shine. Perfectly suited to contemporary kitchens, the stacked pattern creates clean lines and visual harmony.
Herringbone Pattern
For more visual dynamism, install travertine subway tiles in a herringbone pattern. Rows of rectangular tiles lay perpendicularly in a V-shape, creating interest and movement. The herringbone layout works especially well behind a stove, drawing the eye to the decorative focal point.
Basketweave Pattern
Combining vertical and horizontal tile orientation cleverly mimics a basketweave texture. This looks sensational in a full backsplash or as a focal accent. The basketweave pattern adds artsy ambiance that feels both rustic and modern.
Diamond Pattern
Turning square travertine tiles on point creates striking diamond shapes. Lay tiles in rows or a square pattern for a dazzling backsplash mimicking exotic Moroccan tilework. The diamond motif is perfect for illuminating a dark kitchen.
Large-Scale Subway Pattern
Oversized subway tiles are a hot trend that packs visual punch. Using fewer large-scale travertine tiles creates contemporary flair with a touch of urban edge. If your design can accommodate their heft, large subway tiles make a statement.
Inlaid Designs and Borders
Adding decorative inlaid designs of contrasting travertine colors or mosaic tiles creates captivating backsplashes. Inlaid patterns as simple as a row of mosaics or strip of marble can enhance subway tile layouts. For ornate traditional kitchens, inlaid borders with floral and geometric motifs dazzle.
With limitless layout options, travertine subway tile backsplashes can fit any aesthetic. Next, let’s explore how color choices affect the look of your backsplash.
How Travertine Backsplash Colors Set Your Kitchen’s Tone
Travertine subway tiles come in a broad spectrum of natural colors from creamy ivories to rich amber hues. Choosing colors that complement your overall kitchen palette is key to creating a cohesive look. Here’s how travertine backsplash colors can set design tone:
Warm & Welcoming – Beiges, Golds, & Browns
Travertine colors like tan, beige, honey, gold, and light to mid-range browns have a cozy, welcoming effect. They feel familiar, approachable, and perfectly at home in rustic, farmhouse, or traditional décor. Warm-colored travertine backsplashes help kitchens feel lived-in.
Crisp & Classic – Whites & Taupes
On the cooler side, white and taupe travertine backsplashes keep kitchen aesthetics feeling clean and classic. The subtle grey veining in taupe stone adds elegance and versatility for pairing with metal finishes and painted cabinets. White travertine glows against dark granite countertops for timeless beauty.
Bold Drama – Reds & Chocolates
Travertine also naturally occurs in rich reddish-browns and chocolate hues that make a dramatic design statement. These deeper, moodier earth tones bring vintage luxury and a swanky, daring vibe. Dark travertine colors pair perfectly with black stainless steel appliances and metal accents.
Soothing & Calm – Creams & Grays
For a relaxing kitchen sanctuary, soft hues like cream, light gray, and ivory travertine set a peaceful scene. These mellow backsplash colors blend seamlessly into the background, letting accent features like colorful grout or contemporary hardware shine.
Choosing a travertine backsplash color that complements your overall kitchen palette results in harmonious style. Now let’s explore how creative grout choices can transform backsplash visual appeal.
Grout Colors to Make Travertine Subway Tile Pop
While the travertine subway tile itself makes a design statement, creative grout color choices can add extra personality. Consider these inspiring ideas for selecting travertine backsplash grout colors:
Contrasting Hues
Grout lines finished in hues contrasting the travertine tiles themselves make the stone patterns eye-catching. Dark gray or black grout against ivory travertine has a bold, modern look. Conversely, light gray or white grout stands out dramatically against walnut-colored tiles.
Matching Grout
Choosing grout the same hue as your travertine tiles allows the stone to shine. The grout lines recede into the background, accentuating the tile color, veining, and multi-dimensional texture. Matching grout gives travertine the spotlight.
Vibrant Colors
For serious drama, finish grout lines in colors like electric blue, verdant green, or brick red. Vivid grout colors energize and modernize backsplash visual appeal. Keep surrounding décor minimal to let the dazzling color combinations take center stage.
Warm Metallic Hues
Metallic grout finishes like bronze, brass, and copper add backsplash brilliance. Warm metallic grout enhances the natural veining and tones of travertine stone for an ultra-luxe effect.
With endless grout options, it’s easy to put your unique stamp on travertine backsplashes. So experiment and have fun! Next, we’ll explore how adding accent tile shapes can boost backsplash design.
Incorporating Accent Tiles for Added Impact
While travertine subway tiles create a beautifully cohesive foundation, adding tiles in coordinating shapes, sizes, textures, and colors pumps up backsplash visual dynamism. Consider these accent tile ideas:
Mosaics
Tiny glass, ceramic, or stone mosaic tiles add shimmer and reflect light beautifully. Dot or strip in mosaics behind sinks or cooktops, or create geometric medallions as focal points. Metallic mosaics really make travertine tiles pop.
Marble, Quartz, or Granite
Inlaid sections of polished white marble, luminous quartz, or granite tiles in bold colors or patterns add luxury. Pair these harder stones with softer travertine for textural and tonal contrast.
Patterned Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles in bold colors or graphic shapes like Moroccan-style triangles provide artistic flair. Contrast these matte finishes with travertine’s sheen. Limiting patterned tiles to a trim row or inlaid medallion prevents busyness.
Pebble Tiles
Rounded pebble tiles in coordinating hues bring an organic, freeform look, contrasting the linear travertine subway tiles beautifully. Add pebbles along the bottom row or behind the faucet.
Brick or Wood
Inlaid sections of thin reclaimed wood planks or handmade clay brick provide rustic warmth and work especially well in farmhouse kitchens. The natural textures complement travertine tile.
By thoughtfully incorporating accent tiles, you can create bespoke travertine backsplashes that match your personal sense of style. Let’s wrap up with some finishing touches to pull the look together.
Perfect Finishing Touches for Travertine Backsplashes
Finally, don’t neglect the impact that other kitchen elements can have on complementing and enhancing your travertine tile backsplash:
Countertops – Coordinate countertop materials like quartz, granite, marble, or soapstone with travertine colors and patterns. A combination island and backsplash travertine design makes a statement.
Cabinets – Stained wood or two-tone painted cabinets in beiges, taupes, grays, and blues accentuate travertine’s earth tones beautifully. For contemporary designs, opt for glossy cabinets.
Hardware – Update backsplash sense of time by choosing vintage copper or brass handles and pulls paired with travertine tiles for a cohesive, luxe look. Stainless or matte black hardware keeps things modern.
Lighting – Add drama with pendant lights or sconces featuring smoked glass, black metal, natural wood, or vintage filament bulbs that emit a warm, welcoming glow on travertine’s organic hues.
Sink – An apron-front or farmhouse sink looks sensational flanked by travertine subway backsplash tiles. Stainless steel and porcelain sinks match any décor.
Flooring – Extend backsplashes into other living spaces by choosing wood, tile, or natural stone flooring that coordinate seamlessly with travertine colors and textures.
Travertine Backsplashes – Nature’s Luxury for Kitchens
With its subtle beauty, style versatility, and innate durability, few materials make backsplashes shine like natural travertine tile. A travertine subway tile backsplash adds organic warmth, elegant texture, and the joy of nature to any kitchen it graces.
By thoughtfully selecting complementary colors, creative layout patterns, and accenting materials, travertine backsplashes can achieve countless bespoke looks. Whether striving for contemporary chic, cozy vintage charm, sleek modernism, or rustic elegance, travertine tiles rise to the occasion beautifully.
Part rugged limestone, part polished marble, travertine backsplashes bring the best of nature inside. A travertine backsplash installs luxury, longevity, and rich architectural style into the heart of your home. Let your imagination wander among the possibilities! A travertine subway tile backsplash in harmonious colors and patterns transforms kitchens into natural sanctuaries for gathering, cooking, and connecting.
FAQs About Travertine Subway Tile Backsplashes
What colors does travertine tile come in?
Travertine is quarried around the world in a diverse range of natural colors. Most commonly seen are whites, ivories, beiges, taupes, and brown shades from light tan to deep walnut. More rarely, travertine occurs in reds, golds, pinks, and charcoal hues.
What finish options are available with travertine tiles?
Travertine finishes include polished or honed (matte), tumbled (aged, softened edges), and brushed/chiseled for added texture. Filled or unfilled refers to how visible the stone’s natural pits and holes are.
What size are travertine subway tiles?
Standard sizes are 3”x6”, 4”x4”, 4”x8”, 4”x12” and 6”x6”. Oversized subway tile dimensions like 4”x16”, 8”x24”, and 12”x24” are also available.
What are best practices for sealing and caring for travertine backsplashes?
Sealing travertine tiles before and after installation helps resist staining and etching. PH-neutral cleaners safe for natural stone are recommended. Re-seal every 1-3 years depending on usage.
How much does a travertine subway tile backsplash cost?
The typical installed cost ranges $25-$50 per square foot. Factors affecting price include tile size/finish, pattern complexity, accent tiles, and professional installation. High-end designer tiles run $75-$100+ per square foot.
What are appropriate kitchen styles to pair with travertine backsplashes?
Travertine suits a diverse range of kitchen aesthetics from modern to traditional, rustic, farmhouse, industrial, and Mediterranean. Travertine’s natural beauty fits most any style with the right tile colors and layout.