Choosing a Backsplash with Your Granite or Marble Countertops

If you’ve fallen in love with a beautiful slab, pair it with a backsplash material that shows it off at its best.

You have chosen granite countertop for its beauty and durability. Still don’t know what to use for your backsplash? We’ve amassed some popular options made by various designers, homeowners, and builders.

Granite is complicated. There are so many different color and pattern options. Some are very busy with movements or faded tones, while others are subtle. Some are dark, some are light. Some have large natural spots (which some of us love for being “natural”), while others are wacky or splattered.

Every slab of granite or marble is unique, so it’s impossible to make sweeping generalizations about what will work with each color of granite. But if you look at why and how these combinations are nice and important, you’ll get some great ideas for a material to match the particular stone you’ve fallen in love with.

1) The same granite or marble, up to the top:

The full tall backsplash is quite common. Not only can you see the beauty of the stone vertically (and blend the veining horizontally) to create a book combination, but it also makes cleaning and maintenance easy. Just a regular swipe with soapy water does the magic. When you’re considering a full-height backsplash (as they call it), choose the portion of the slab (while selecting it) that you’d like to highlight. It could be a particular section of colors or a dramatic lens or a fairly consistent movement. Think of it like an art painting on a kitchen wall.

two) The “standard” 4-inch backsplash on the same countertop:

This is usually called “standard” as most manufacturers provide them with the countertop to hide the gap between the countertop and the wall. This helps them complete the transition. If you prefer the white wall or just paint the wall with your color theme, this is the way to go. You can always add glass tiles or subway tiles later when you’re ready.

3) Large rectangular tile:

Large subway tiles are all the rage right now. 4×12, 4×16 and even 6×12 or 6×24 planks. They make the room seem bigger. Combine these mosaic and subway tiles in travertine, porcelain and ceramic or even glass to create the kitchen backsplash that is minimalist and warm.

4) Subway Tiles:

The 3×6, 4×4 or 6×6 evergreen subway tiles come in travertine, slate, glass, porcelain and ceramic and take you back in time when they were first used in the New York subway system. You can choose a color of your granite or marble countertop or the dominant color to choose the tone of your subway tile.

5) glass tile:

The glossy finish of glass tile complements many granite and marble countertops. Consider a neutral shade that closely matches the main color field of the granite.

6) Interlocking mosaic tile:

It is a beautiful combination of glass and stone mosaics or glass and stainless steel. Not only are they newer and more modern, but they help you create or take the theme to another room. Combine it with the fireplace in your living room or with the bar in the next room. The changes of tone in each of these handmade mosaics are calm and charming. Mesh-backed tiles are easier to cut and install. Interlocking tiles lock into place for the next piece for a smooth grout line finish.

7) Brick mosaic tile:

This one may seem counter-intuitive (no pun intended), but 2×4 or 1×3 brick tile and other sizes are stylish tiles that go very well with your color scheme. It might seem like it would be two busy patterns, but the material and color of the backsplash is a reassuring counterpoint (pun intended).

8) Metal inserts and listello accents:

The plain subway tile might have been too plain here, but the stippling in the eclectic tile pattern drawn from the range tile adds a fun twist. Use chair rails and pencil liners to complete the project in style. Using metal inserts with natural stone backsplash such as travertine mosaic and marble tile gives it a rich look. If you are looking for a palette that has a vivid travertine pattern but feels like simple white or cream colored tile blocks, then you should consider livening up the range. Creating a frame inside the backsplash (behind the range) with chair rails or pencil molding creates a push-off effect.

9) Tumbled marble tile:

Tumbled subway tiles come in marble, travertine, and slate mosaics. Jagged edges create that mid-century look on the backsplash. With wide grout lines they have no competition. When choosing your backsplash tiles, you’ll have a few places to choose the right hues. Look at the range of colors in your countertop pattern to find the right darker shades. Look at the color of your cabinet too. Tie cabinets to countertops with these tumbled subway tiles.

Now that you’ve seen a few designers’ ideas, you can start playing around with the colors, sizes, shapes, scales, materials, finishes, and patterns of your backsplash and countertop combination until you get it right. Remember to pay attention to the colors and materials of the cabinets and walls as well.