White Painted Shiplap
Pair white Shaker cabinetry with a painted white vertical shiplap backsplash for a low-contrast look that works well in modern farmhouse interior. Marie Flanigan Interiors complemented the white cabinetry and walls with brown countertops and brick tile floors to create a traditional feel in this airy kitchen pantry.
Patterned Tiles
Choose a patterned tile backsplash with a subtle geometrical pattern to create variation against all-white cabinetry while retaining a light neutral feel. Michelle Berwick Design paired white cabinetry with black and rose gold and copper accents in this spacious modern kitchen.
Colorful Patterned Tiles
Blue is a crowd-pleasing color that pairs well with white. Erin Williamson Design paired white cabinets with silver hardware and a vibrant and playful patterned tile backsplash in shades of blue that energizes the bright space.
Gothic Cross Tile
When renovating an older home, incorporate finishes with an antique feel to create a modern mix that honors the history of the space.
Solid Black
Mixing white cabinets with a solid black backsplash adds depth to this Newport, RI, beach house kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors. Oversized black pendant lights and black countertops help to balance the mix of solid and glass-front painted white cabinetry.
Multicolored Mosaic
Pair simple white cabinetry with a custom backsplash to personalize your kitchen. Erin Williamson Design designed a multi-colored graphic backsplash that is a focal point for this open-plan kitchen that is visible from the living room and doubles as wall decor.
Handmade Tile Backsplash
Pair flat-front modern white cabinets with a handmade tile backsplash to add texture to your kitchen. Desiree Burns Interiors kept it neutral with handmade tile in shades of off-white. Black accents and a rustic exposed wood ceiling add balance
Penny Tiles
A classic white penny tile backsplash will never go out of style (and works just as well in a bathroom). This small apartment kitchen from Desiree Burns Interiors features a white penny tile backsplash with white grout that adds subtle texture against simple white cabinets finished with rose-gold hardware.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
If you're a renter who wants to add some color and pattern to your plain white kitchen, consider a peel-and-stick wallpaper (or tile) backsplash. A Beautiful Mess chose a cheerful pink pattern that creates an instant focal point and can be removed without damaging walls when it's time to move or change it up.
Geometric Shapes
A streamlined geometric pattern in shades of black and white can add a graphic element that will add interest to a block of white cabinets. Britt Design Studio chose a soft geometric tile backsplash of elongated hexagons laid in a vertical pattern with dark grout.
Dramatic Stone
A dramatic stone backsplash will redirect focus from plain white cabinetry to create an eye-catching focal point. The stormy gray-and-white backsplash in this beach house kitchen renovation from Hannah Tyler Designs creates a dramatic focal point in an otherwise neutral-toned open space that is warmed up with touches of wood.
Vertical Tile Stacks
Add coastal style to a kitchen by mixing white cabinetry with deep blue backsplash tiles. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors stacked glossy vertical tiles in shades of blue in this coastal Maine kitchen that add contrast with the white cabinets and window trim.
Tin Tile Backsplash
In a modern farmhouse kitchen, use vintage-style finishes to create interest and add texture to plain white cabinetry. My 100 Year Old Home tiled this Texas kitchen backsplash with vintage-style tin ceiling tiles with a weathered patina to complement the rustic shabby chic farmhouse aesthetic of the home.
Navy Blue Subway Tile
Complement streamlined cabinetry in a midcentury modern kitchen with simple backsplash tiles stacked horizontally for a long and lean feel. Cathie Hong Interiors paired a matte navy tile backsplash with bright white cabinetry and wood and leather touches in this renovated midcentury modern home that helps to ground the high-ceilinged space.
Lightly Veined Quartz
Select a white quartz marble-effect backsplash for a polished look that is easy to maintain. JLA Designs paired lightly veined stone with white cabinets finished with gold hardware in this sleek Manhattan apartment kitchen.
Textural Stacks
Handmade vertical tile stacks add a textural 3D quality to a kitchen backsplash. House of Chais paired handmade white vertical stack tiles with a composite wood countertop, and added brass half moon pulls on the white cabinet doors to add interest.
Electric Orange Subway Tile
Tiling your backsplash in a vivid shade of your choosing will add personality and energy to a modern kitchen outfitted with sleek white slab cabinetry. Interior designer Ghislaine Viñas electrified all-white kitchen cabinets with a vibrant orange subway tile backsplash that could just as easily be a bright shade of yellow, green, or any other color.
Herringbone Pattern Tile
Pair white upper cabinets with a white subway tile backsplash in a herringbone pattern, then paint the base cabinets in a warm gray to ground the space beneath the countertops, like this serene space from Cathie Hong Interiors.
Mirror Finish
A mirrored backsplash pairs well with modern flat-front cabinetry, bouncing around light and doubling views. Interior designer Maite Granda used a plain mirrored backsplash to complement glossy white cabinetry and black and silver fixtures in this cool-toned contemporary Florida kitchen. Choose a bronze mirror finish for a warmer effect.
White Subway Tile and Grout
For a modern farmhouse feel, choose white subway tile finished with white grout to complement painted white cabinetry. Sissy + Marley Interiors finished upper and lower cabinets with silver-toned hardware for a cool and calming atmosphere, adding Danish modern lighting and painted wood spindle bar stools to add a Scandi-style feel.
Exposed Stone Wall
White cabinets will modernize a backsplash of exposed brick or stone. Leanne Ford Interiors lightly whitewashed the original stone kitchen wall to create an organic feeling backsplash, skipping upper cabinetry and installing white cabinets with perforated doors to lighten things up.
Square White Tiles
Square tiles have been making a comeback, challenging the reign of the subway tile backsplash in kitchens and bathrooms. Make them look current by pairing square white handmade tiles with light beige grout, and finishing simple white cabinetry with soft gold hardware, like this fresh and minimalist kitchen from Cathie Hong Interiors.
Glazed Tiles
Pair white base cabinets with oversized glazed white tiles to create texture and interest in an all-white kitchen. Leanne Ford Interiors added open shelving on top, and styled the space with vintage pitchers, dried flowers, and framed art to create a timeless feel with a handmade quality.