A white farmhouse kitchen is the epitome of classic, timeless style. Crisp and clean, it evokes a sense of airy simplicity and warmth. The pureness of white used throughout provides a blank canvas that allows the beauty of natural materials to shine.
When designing a white farmhouse kitchen, choosing the perfect backsplash is key to bringing the whole look together. The backsplash serves as a focal point that can make or break the aesthetic. For a backsplash that complements the white cabinetry and countertops, while adding dimension and texture, there are several splendid options to consider.
The Use of Natural Stone as a Backsplash in a White Farmhouse Kitchen
Natural stone is an ideal backsplash choice for a white farmhouse kitchen. The variation in tones and colors found in natural stone allows it to stand out against the clean white cabinetry and countertops. Yet, it still complements the overall farmhouse style.
Marble Backsplash Adds Elegance
Marble is a classic natural stone perfect for a backsplash. The white background exemplifies purity, while the veining adds depth and intricacy. Marble backsplashes come in an array of white and gray patterns. Depending on the exact type and color variations of marble chosen, it can lend an elegant or rustic feel.
Some popular options include:
- White Carrara Marble: This Italian marble has a bright white background and faint gray veining that results in a subtle pattern. It provides a light and airy accent to the kitchen.
- Calacatta Marble: This marble has a whiter background and more pronounced veining in gray and gold tones. It makes more of a statement.
- Statuary Marble: With very little veining, this marble has an almost pure white appearance. It offers a clean and bright backdrop.
Marble not only looks superb but is easy to clean and maintain. It endures the test of time and will maintain its beauty for years to come. For a touch of sophistication and luxury in a white farmhouse kitchen, marble is an excellent backsplash choice.
Travertine Backsplash Offers Rustic Warmth
Another natural stone that pairs beautifully with a white farmhouse kitchen is travertine. Travertine is a form of limestone characterized by earthy tones, natural pits, and visible veining. This provides a rustic, organic look that feels harmonious in a farmhouse setting.
Travertine backsplash tiles come in a range of warm ivory, tan, or cream colors. This adds subtle contrast against the bright white cabinetry and countertops. It prevents the kitchen from feeling too stark or clinical. The natural texture and holes found in travertine add charming character.
For a more uniform appearance, filled and honed travertine tiles can be installed. Yet, many prefer the look of pitted travertine tiles to maximize the natural stone aesthetic. Travertine evokes relaxed elegance perfect for a farmhouse vibe. It feels timeworn and welcoming.
As a natural stone, travertine has the advantage of being very durable and long-lasting. With proper sealing, it is an excellent choice for kitchen backsplashes. Travertine brings rustic warmth and craftsman charm to a white farmhouse kitchen.
Slate Backsplash Contributes Rustic Charm
Another natural stone option is slate. Slate backsplashes come in a range of earthy gray, blue, green, and black tones. The layered, foliated structure of slate tiles beautifully complements a white farmhouse kitchen.
Within the slate family, there are certain types especially fitting for a farmhouse backsplash. These include:
- Seafoam Slate: Combining dark grays with hints of pale green, seafoam slate has an organic, ocean-like aesthetic.
- Mint Slate: The soft minty greenish-gray hue of this slate creates a soothing, relaxing vibe.
- Gray Slate: In colors ranging from charcoal to silver, the straightforward grayness of slate tiles contrasts the bright white cabinetry while remaining neutral enough not to overpower.
Slate has a natural cleft texture with slightly uneven edges. This gives it an authentic hand-hewn appearance. The matte, honed surface helps slate tiles avoid looking overly flashy or polished within the humble farmhouse kitchen.
As a metamorphic stone, slate is very hardwearing. Yet, it needs periodic resealing, especially when used in wet areas like backsplashes. Overall, slate backsplashes infuse charming, earthy character into the white farmhouse kitchen.
White Tile Backsplashes Provide a Clean Look
While natural stone backsplashes introduce color and texture, white tile backsplashes keep the look seamless and clean-lined. White tiles allow the purity of the cabinetry and countertops to take center stage.
White Subway Tile Backsplash is Classic Simplicity
The quintessential white tile for a farmhouse kitchen backsplash is the 3 in x 6 in glazed ceramic subway tile. White subway tiles arranged in a bricklaid pattern create a classic backsplash.
The crisp white color mirrors the cabinetry and countertops to maintain the light ambiance. The simple rectangular shape and moderate size provide unfussy versatility. This allows the beauty of natural materials like marble or butcher block to stand out.
White subway tile backsplashes have an enduring, time-honored appeal. They evoke old-world kitchens in European farm cottages. The polished subway tiles have a subtle shine that reflects light beautifully in an airy kitchen.
For a bit more visual interest, white subway tiles can be installed in a herringbone pattern. Or intermittent rows of trim tile in a contrasting color like black can be added. This enables the backsplash to complement the kitchen without detracting from its straightforward elegance.
White Beveled Tile Backsplash Offers Dimension
Another white tile option is white beveled tiles. These tiles have a pyramid shape rather than a flat front, providing dimensionality. The angled faceting and grout lines create shadows and architectural detailing.
Like white subway tile, beveled tiles come in a bright true white that keeps the backsplash fresh and clean-looking. The beveled edge adds just a touch of pattern, while maintaining the simplicity needed to not overwhelm the kitchen.
Beveled white tiles laid in a bricklike arrangement make for an elevated version of a basic white tile backsplash. The texture and shadows introduced by the beveled shape provide subtle visual interest and depth behind the countertop. This enlivens the wall without distracting from the main kitchen features.
White Herringbone Tiles Add Farmhouse Character
Herringbone tiles offer another white tile backsplash option merging simplicity with a hint of pattern. The zigzag shape formed by the tiles brings dimension and a touch of fun.
White herringbone backsplash tiles keep the crisp, pristine look consistent with a farmhouse aesthetic. Yet the interlocking shape adds old-world character reminiscent of historic cottages. It provides geometric visual appeal to elevate a plain white tile backsplash.
Herringbone tiles work well in elongated kitchens, as the pattern helps define the shape of the space. The articulated pattern commands attention, while the white color prevents it from feeling busy or overpowering. For this reason, herringbone white tile backsplashes beautifully balance simplicity and style.
Classic Farmhouse Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
Certain iconic farmhouse backsplash designs evoke the essence of vintage rural style. Traditional kitchen backsplashes often involved repurposing materials on hand to add visual interest and utility.
Repurposed China as Backsplash Nod to Farmhouse Past
A creative way to customize a backsplash while nodding to farmhouse history is by using repurposed vintage dishware. Installing plates, platters or other china provides a charming patchwork appearance.
This quirky vintage style references how dishes too damaged for eating would be creatively worked into kitchen walls as an early type of backsplash. The eclectic mixture of plates and colors makes a visual statement. Whites, blues and florals maintain a classic charm.
Repurposed china backsplashes work especially well in old farmhouses using existing dishware collections. The backsplash becomes a walk down memory lane. For newly built farmhouse kitchens, vintage china can be collected to create a meaningful collage effect.
This salvaged style brings lighthearted personality and heritage to a white farmhouse kitchen backsplash.
Tin Backsplash Evokes Retro-Modern Style
Another way to repurpose materials is by using tin ceiling tiles or flashing as a backsplash. The shiny, metallic tin provides a sleek, retro appearance against the classic white cabinetry.
Tin backsplashes have a vintage industrial edge, while still evoking old-fashioned utilitarian kitchens making creative use of scraps. The reflective surface adds a modern twist, while the natural creasing in the material maintains its antiqued personality.
For a more varied look, tin tiles can be mixed with white subway tiles or natural stone accents. Tin backsplashes add a touch of humble kitsch and rural innovation to the farmhouse kitchen design.
Wood Crates as Backsplash Create Rustic Storage
Incorporating reclaimed wood boxes, crates or containers as a backsplash is another farmhouse style option. This adds rustic, earthy texture and practical storage space.
Vintage fruit crates, cheese boxes or pallet wood can be arranged creatively to construct the backsplash area. The mix of whitewashed and natural wood tones contrast beautifully against pure white countertops.
Open boxes mounted in the backsplash space provide perfect nooks for storing cooking oils, spices, utensils and kitchen towels. This honors the resourceful farmhouse mentality of using every inch efficiently.
The raw, imperfect textures and colors of well-worn wood provide a welcoming, country feel. For a white farmhouse kitchen seeking warmth and practicality, a reclaimed wood crate backsplash offers the perfect solution.
Creative White Farmhouse Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
To really personalize a backsplash and make it shine as a focal point, there are endless creative alternatives to traditional tiles and stone. Thinking outside the box with an unexpected material provides individuality.
Shiplap Adds Dimension and Character
For farmhouse style built-ins, shiplap has become a trend. By using shiplap vertically or horizontally to cover the backsplash area, the same rustic character comes through.
The overlapping boards create clear lines and visual interest behind the countertops. The dimensional shape and visible joints between boards add appealing texture and depth.
White, gray-washed or light wood shiplap keeps the clean simplicity needed in a white kitchen. Yet the unique shape elevates it beyond a standard backsplash material. It provides effortless farmhouse style.
Poured Concrete Backsplash Offers Industrial Edge
For an edgy update to the traditional farmhouse backsplash, consider poured concrete. The thick, smooth texture provides contrast and weight.
Poured concrete can be tinted during mixing to gain a light gray that complements the white cabinetry. The matte, mottled surface adds natural variation. Concrete offers a more industrial take on farmhouse than typical rustic materials.
Part of the backsplash can be left exposed in the raw concrete form. Additional accents like tiles or corrugated metal provide an eclectic mixture. The concrete pours in a fluid, organic shape for a modern backsplash unlike any other material.
Oversized Subway Tiles Create Statement
Oversized subway tiles take the classic shape associated with farmhouse kitchens and update it to modern proportions. Extra large tiles, like 8 in x 16 in, make an ultramodern statement.
The oversized scale provides clean lines on a grander level. The bigger tiles create fewer grout lines and a more continuous feel than traditional smaller sizes. Yet the elongated rectangular subway shape gives a nod to farmhouse roots.
Going oversized with subway tiles keeps the backsplash fresh and current. It avoids feeling too quaint or literal. Boldly scaled white tiles make the backsplash feel crisp and architectural. This oversized twist works with farmhouse or more contemporary styles, as an innovative use of a traditional material.
Bold Wallpaper Backsplash Enlivens Kitchen
For a completely fresh take on backsplashes, use wallpaper. Bold, graphic wallpaper patterns and prints make a lively substitute for traditional tile.
Modern designs, like black and white chevron stripes,provide the classic contrast once achieved by beadboard. Pretty floral patterns evoke country charm with a modern color palette. Consider framing out the backsplash area with trim, then applying wallpaper inside for a framed accent wall effect.
The possibilities are endless for putting wallpaper on its side and letting it shine in the backsplash zone. This creative option brings lively personality to a white farmhouse kitchen.
FAQs About White Farmhouse Kitchen Backsplashes
What backsplash colors look best with white cabinets and countertops?
For white kitchen cabinetry and countertops, excellent backsplash color options include:
- Cream or light ivory tiles for a subtle warm contrast
- Gray tiles or stones for a more weathered look
- Pastels like mint green for a cheery accent
- Bold black and white patterns for dramatic effect
- Natural wood tones for rustic contrast
Stick with relatively light hues to keep the kitchen feeling bright and airy. Dark or intense backsplash colors can overwhelm the light cabinetry.
What kind of backsplash is easiest to keep clean?
Glass, metal, and glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles are the easiest backsplash materials to keep clean. Their non-porous surfaces prevent kitchen splatters and grime from soaking in.
Avoid unsealed natural stone that requires resealing to prevent staining. Small grout lines found in subway tiles also capture dirt readily. Larger format tiles have fewer grout lines for simpler cleaning.
What’s a quick affordable backsplash idea for a rental kitchen?
Self-adhesive vinyl tiles provide an affordable, temporary backsplash solution for rental kitchens. The sticky backing lets you install them directly onto the wall without tools or adhesive.
Look for vinyl tiles with a white subway tile design or faux brick pattern to match farmhouse aesthetics. When moving out, the tiles peel off cleanly.
Should backsplash tile match cabinetry or countertops?
It depends on the look you want. Matching the backsplash tile to white cabinetry maintains a cohesive monochromatic look. Choosing tile that matches the countertop material pulls the whole area together.
Contrasting the backsplash adds interest. For example, a white marble countertop could have a gray slate backsplash. Go with whichever choice highlights your favorite materials and colors.
What backsplash height is typical with standard 8-9 foot kitchen ceilings?
For 8-9 foot ceilings, a typical backsplash height is 4 inches. This provides adequate protection from splashes behind appliances and countertops. Full height backsplashes reaching up to the cabinets give a more integrated, built-in look.
How do you cut backsplash tiles?
Use a wet saw to accurately and cleanly cut backsplash tiles to fit your wall space. Make precises measurements before cutting tiles. For irregular cuts around outlets and switches, use a grinder with a diamond tile blade. Use edge liners to finish any unfinished tile edges.
Conclusion
The backsplash makes a big impact in defining the style of a white farmhouse kitchen. Natural stone like marble, travertine and slate provide texture and warmth. White subway, beveled and herringbone tiles keep the palette crisp. Farmhouse materials like reclaimed wood, tin and china create character.
Get creative with shiplap planks, poured concrete, oversized tiles or wallpaper. Ultimately, the “pureness of white” can be maintained while still allowing the backsplash to showcase creativity and originality.
Balance simplicity in the overall kitchen with a backsplash that highlights your personality. By thoughtfully integrating materials that share the farmhouse spirit, your white kitchen backsplash can become a stunning focal feature.