Want to create a stylish, yet sensible backsplash? Gray is the way to go. As a gorgeous neutral that goes with just about every cabinet color and kitchen style, a gray backsplash is a welcomed alternative to a stark, all-white kitchen. Best of all, gray comes in plenty of versatile shades, making it all the more possible to find a hue that looks downright delicious in your cook space.
To kickstart your culinary inspiration, we're sharing nine terrific kitchen backsplash ideas that celebrate the color gray. See something you like? We're also sharing products so you can get the look.
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1. Make it square.
Want to take your kitchen decor to the next level? Take a cue from this design, which is essentially a masterclass in mixed materials. In this dreamy space, form and function blend beautifully by pairing a gray backsplash with wood countertops, gray walls, white cabinets, and stainless steel fixtures. The result? A space that's warm and welcoming for home chefs and dinner guests alike.
2. Use the same color grout.
Consider subway tile the white T-shirt of kitchen backsplash ideas. Loved for its versatility and simplicity, the classic option looks great in any color — yes, including gray. In this design by Dichotomy Interiors, a gray backsplash acts as the perfect blank canvas for open shelving, blossoming plants, and gilded pendant lights. But just because subway tile is a simple choice, that doesn't mean it's boring. Dichotomy Interiors gave this look a glamorous twist with a matching grout color.
Get the look: Ivy Hill Tile Birmingham Charcoal 3 in. x 12 in. Polished Ceramic Subway Tile, $5.43 per square foot
3. Keep it light and bright.
Choosing the right shade for your kitchen backsplash idea can be a total gray area. With so many shades to choose from — think charcoal, dove, and heather — it can be a bit overwhelming or incredibly easy (depending on how you look at it) to find the right shade for your space. For this small setup, interior designer Emily Henderson paired a light gray backsplash with soft blue cabinets, stainless hardware, and white open shelving. The result? A kitchen that feels light, airy, and significantly larger than 50 square feet.
4. Make magic with mosaic tile.
Believe it or not, you don't have to enlist a floor-to-ceiling gray backsplash to make a statement. In this space, Bria Hammel Interiors strikes a balance between subtle and statement by adding mosaic tile to the wall below upper cabinets in a similar hue. The backsplash adds just the right amount of texture without compromising this room's sophisticated and elegant vibe.
Get the look: Mosaic Tile Outlet Modern 1" Penny Round White Blue Silver Metallic Glossy Glass Mosaic Tile, $37.95 per square foot
5. Stay classy with marble.
We know what you're thinking: "Isn't marble a great option for a white kitchen backsplash?" The answer is of course yes, however, there are other colors of marble to consider, too. Shop around for a gray option like the gorgeous one used in this sleek kitchen design by Blakes London.
Get the look: Walk Zanger Grigio Verona, $21.45 per square foot
6. Keep it slim.
If you want to give your gray backsplash the tiled treatment — but don't want to veer into basic territory with a set of subway or square tiles — opt for a slim option as Dichotomy Interiors used in this stylish kitchen. It provides both retro flair, and adds some much-needed texture to the walls. Sleek, yet inviting, this is one kitchen backsplash idea that deftly marries form and function.
Get the look: Ivy Hill Tile Essential Sandstone Ash 12 in. x 24 in Mosiac Tile, $7.91 per square foot
7. Try a playful pattern.
On the hunt for a gray backsplash that has a bold streak? Take a cue from Chango & Co. and make a fun, funky pattern with your tile. In this East Hampton post-modern, the New York-based design firm used white and gray tile to create a hypnotic, diagonal pattern. While the print itself is certainly eye-catching, the neutral color palette is versatile enough to transcend kitchen trends.
Get the look: Artistic Tile Snail Grey Tile, $55 per square foot
8. Opt for herringbone.
While we love subway tile as much as the next person, we'll be the first ones to admit that this style can run the risk of looking, well, dated and unoriginal. If you're looking for an easy way to revitalize the classic, install a herringbone pattern á la this space by TRG Home Concepts. Pro tip: Use white grout to help define the pattern.
9. Go vertical.
Another way to shake up your subway tile? Install them vertically like Studio Matsalla did in this Tustin, California home, giving the timeless look fun, midcentury-inspired flair. And not only does flipping them vertical complement the kitchen's vaulted ceiling and pendant lights, but the blue-tinged shade really pops in this sea of white walls and wood cabinets.