Subway Tile Doesn't Have To Be Boring: Joanna Gaines' Twist Brightens A Kitchen

Subway tile backsplashes have been staples of modern kitchens for years, and for good reason. They have a clean, hygienic-looking design, they're budget-friendly, and they don't really go out of fashion. Some homeowners may shy away from them, however, when they're plain white. At first glance, the neutral color can seem uninspired, and in some cases, a bit cold. But what really makes such a surface appealing isn't the tile alone — it's the various elements of the kitchen that surround it, such as the countertops and cabinets. Interior design expert and HGTV star Joanna Gaines proved that this is the case in season 3, episode 9, of "Fixer Upper." When renovating the home of her clients Jeff and Sara, she painted the kitchen cabinets teal, so that their darker color would offset the brightness of the subway tiles. Gaines also extended the backsplash up to the ceiling, allowing it to become one of the space's defining characteristics.

In a blog about this renovation project on the Magnolia website, Gaines says that "a simple, yet modern, kitchen was important to Jeff. I used classic subway tile, but, to mix in Sara's eclectic style, I added teal lower cabinets." The end result is a pleasant mix of traditional and contemporary elements that match the desires of both homeowners. The bold paint color stands out, but looks slightly darker than it actually is when it's so near the white tiles. The tall backsplash itself reflects plenty of light, but its glare is tempered neatly by the teal. The balance of colors and textures steers the space away from modern kitchen trends that everyone secretly hates.

You can give your white subway tile backsplash more warmth and personality by following Gaines' application of color. You don't necessarily have to stick with teal, but do make sure you're using a similar mid-tone color for your cabinets that, like the teal, looks rich but not overly vivid. Colors that reflect lots of light, like yellow and sky blue, won't create a very dramatic contrast, because the white tiles are already quite bright. Navy blue and dark green, meanwhile, have the grounding effect you're after, and more character than the likes of black and gray. In short, there are all sorts of kitchen colors that'll make your space stand out, but they'll only look elegant when they're a part of a balanced visual arrangement.

The way that Gaines extends her clients' subway tile backsplash up to the ceiling is great for adding texture to the heart of your home — and preventing a white brick-lay pattern from feeling bland. However, it's worth noting that even this dramatic use of tile doesn't necessarily turn the backsplash into a focal point within the space. That's not an issue in the home that Gaines is working in, because kitchen elements like the pendant lights and waterfall countertops draw focus instead, thereby preventing the space from looking disorderly or bland. If you have a subway tile backsplash, you can also use a large range hood or an accent wall as a focal point. There are plenty of kitchen island ideas for any budget that'll draw the eye, too.