Travertine tile is a classic and timeless choice for kitchen backsplashes. With its natural texture and soft beige tones, travertine provides a warm and organic feel that is perfect for bringing life into the heart of your home. Unlike ceramic or porcelain tile, travertine is quarried from natural stone, giving each tile its own unique patterning and veining that adds visual interest and depth. This guide will walk through the key benefits of using travertine tile for your backsplash and provide design ideas to make the most of its distinguished material and soft color palette.
What is Travertine?
Travertine is a form of limestone that is created by mineral springs. As the water flows over rock beds, calcium carbonate deposits accumulate and crystallize, forming the porous and pitted texture that gives travertine its signature look. While travertine can form in a range of hues from grey to rust-colored, the most desirable for backsplashes are those with warm, creamy beige and ivory tones. These soft colors allow travertine to serve as a subtle and neutral backdrop in a space while still providing texture and visual charm.
Some key characteristics of travertine tile include:
- Porous surface – The natural pitting and holes give travertine a rough, textured appearance. This porous quality also makes travertine more prone to staining, so it requires sealing.
- Unique patterns – No two travertine tiles are alike. Variations in veining and coloring make each piece one-of-a-kind.
- Natural tones – Travertine is quarried in warm, earthy hues like beige, ivory, gold, and rust. The soft color palette provides a calm, grounded feel.
- Historic origins – Travertine has been used as a building material since ancient Rome. Its long history gives travertine an antique, Mediterranean look and feel.
Benefits of Travertine Tile Backsplash
Installing a travertine backsplash provides a number of advantages for your kitchen design:
Timeless, Classic Appeal
With origins dating back millennia, travertine tile immediately gives a space a timeworn, antique elegance. The backsplash serves as a focal background that anchors the room’s traditional charm. Ivory travertine, in particular, has a soft, old-world feel that suits Tuscan, Mediterranean, or farmhouse styles.
Natural Texture and Depth
Travertine’s naturally irregular surface, filled with holes and indented veins, gives backsplashes intriguing texture and visual depth. The bumpy patina and muted color mimic the look of plaster or concrete for organic tactility. When properly sealed, the natural pits become accent points that reflect light and add movement.
Warmth and Neutrality
The predominantly beige, ivory, and creamy tones of travertine tiles provide warm, welcoming energy to a space. Unlike stark white backsplashes, soft travertine radiates subtle earthiness. Yet as a neutral shade, travertine remains versatile enough to coordinate well with a wide range of cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and décor.
Eco-Friendly Material
As a natural stone, travertine offers a sustainable green option for backsplashes. Made from quarried limestone, travertine avoids the energy-intensive manufacturing processes required of ceramic or porcelain tiles. Travertine’s eco-friendly roots appeal to homeowners with an environmentally conscious mindset.
Durability and Strength
Although porous, travertine is incredibly durable, hard-wearing, and can stand up well to heavy use in busy kitchen spaces. Properly sealed and maintained, travertine backsplashes will last for decades with minimal maintenance required. The sturdy stone tiles can withstand drops, stains, and heat much better than ceramic.
Design Ideas for Soft Beige Travertine Backsplashes
When incorporating travertine backsplashes into your kitchen, there are several design considerations for coordinating the soft beige tones with the rest of the space:
Matching Cabinets and Countertops
Select cabinetry and countertop materials that coordinate well with travertine’s subtle palette. For cabinets, medium wood tones like oak, walnut, or chestnut pair nicely, as do painted finishes in beige, cream, or white. Countertop options that suit travertine include marble, quartz, limestone, concrete, butcher block, or soapstone.
Contrasting Accents
While travertine backsplashes serve as a subdued background, you can provide contrast with bolder accents throughout the kitchen. Black granite countertops, dark wood shelving, stainless steel appliances, or vivid mosaic tile inserts provide pops of color and interest against the soft beige backsplash.
Backsplash Layout Patterns
Travertine’s natural pitting allows for beautiful arrangements in everything from basic brick patterns to ornate mosaics. Large-format subway tile designs maintain travertine’s organic look, while mini tiles, basketweave, or medallions can highlight the veining. Mixing travertine slab and tile pieces adds even more character.
Extended Backsplashes
Carrying travertine tiles from the countertop to ceiling draws the eye up and makes it a more dramatic design feature. Extending the backsplash around to side walls or into open shelving maintains visual flow. Use extra-large format travertine for seamless, clean lines.
Natural Accents
Accessories and accents made from natural materials like wood, wicker, jute, and greenery complement soft travertine backsplashes. Open shelving and fixtures in reclaimed wood provide warmth. Plants, herbs, baskets, and candles enhance the organic ambiance.
Ambient Lighting
Proper lighting brings out the depth and dimensions in travertine tile. Use pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting, natural sunlight, and recessed fixtures to spotlight the backsplash. Dim lighting casts an ambient glow over the stone for striking impact.
Metallic Fixtures
The beige tones of travertine pair perfectly with metallic accents for a hint of glamour. Gold or brass hardware, handles, lighting fixtures, and appliances lend a subtle shine. Copper pots and pans pop on open shelving before the ivory backsplash.
Caring for Your Travertine Backsplash
To keep your travertine backsplash looking its best:
- Seal regularly – Seal travertine tiles during installation and reapply sealant yearly to protect from stains and bacteria. Use an impregnating stone sealer, not a topical coating.
- Avoid harsh cleansers – Use only pH-neutral dish soap or stone cleanser, and avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can eat away at the surface.
- Rinse spray cleaners – Be sure to rinse off any cleansers or chemicals from travertine surfaces to prevent residue buildup.
- Blot spills quickly – Clean up spills immediately before the liquid has time to soak in and stain the porous tile.
- Re-hone over time – Eventually travertine will need its finish re-honed to smooth out etching and improve appearance. This may be needed every 2-3 years.
FAQ About Travertine Backsplashes
Is travertine too high maintenance for a busy kitchen?
With proper sealing and care, travertine can perform very well in any kitchen. The main maintenance required is reapplying sealant every 1-2 years to prevent staining. As long as spills are wiped up quickly, travertine will provide a beautiful, durable backsplash.
What finish options work best for travertine backsplash tiles?
Travertine can be finished polished for a slick, shiny look, but the most popular finish is tumbled or honed. The lightly textured surface highlights natural veining while still looking clean and subtle. A brushed finish provides a nice in-between option with sheen and texture.
Should I avoid white tile grout with light travertine?
While white grout provides a crisp modern look, it does require more maintenance to keep clean next to porous travertine. To avoid having to constantly scrub grout, use a beige or ivory grout that blends with the travertine tones for a seamless look.
How thick should travertine tile be for kitchen backsplashes?
3/4″ thick travertine provides adequate strength for backsplashes while maintaining the stone’s natural beauty and tooling options. Extra-large format travertine slabs can be installed at 1/2″ thickness but may be more prone to cracking or warping.
What are the different veining patterns found in travertine tile?
Several distinct veining looks define the types of travertine tile. Silver vein travertine has grey lines reminiscent of marble. Chiselled vein features jagged indented veins. Water vein’s wavy lines mimic rivers. And cross-cut travertine has linear cuts across the surface.
What adhesive should I use to install travertine backsplash tile?
It’s crucial to use a high-quality, flexible stone tile adhesive to account for the natural warping and irregularities in travertine. A polymer-modified mortar provides flexibility and strength for a long-lasting bond. Avoid mastic adhesives which can stain.
Travertine Offers Timeless Warmth and Charm
With its subtly elegant beige, tan, and ivory palette, travertine tile brings an ageless, welcoming beauty to kitchen backsplashes. The natural veining, holes, and distressed character offer uncommon depth and visual appeal. As a classic yet versatile neutral, soft-toned travertine suits any style while adding organic texture. With proper care, travertine backsplashes will furnish timeworn charm for decades to come. Allow this ancient stone to provide the foundational warmth that makes your kitchen the heart of the home.