This Alternative Backsplash Design Will Make You Want To Ditch Subway Tile For Good

A kitchen renovation project gives you plenty of opportunities to bolster the heart of your home's personality, and updating your backsplash is one of them. Like all the best kitchen elements, this surface serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose. It protects your walls from water and grease, and it gives you the chance to introduce unique colors and patterns to your space. You'll miss out on this last bit, though, if you go for white subway tiles. They can be overdone and, depending on the finishes around them, can have a cold, builder-grade appearance. If you're searching for something that's bolder and more uniquely charming, you may want to check out plaid backsplash tiles. They come in all sorts of different hues and textures, and can offer you a good balance between sophisticated vibes and whimsical flair.

Plaid patterns have ancient origins, so they're actually a pretty timeless design feature. They also come with a high degree of flexibility. The criss-crossing lines have varying weights, and the color combination options are practically endless. HGTV star and interior design expert Joanna Gaines has even used plaid tile for a backsplash in the past. In one of the renovation projects featured in her show "Fixer Upper", she went for an elegant black and white plaid made from small mosaic-size tiles. When you're renovating your kitchen, however, you could also use plaid as a means of injecting some bolder colors into your space instead. That way, you'll avoid an all-white kitchen, which is one of those modern kitchen trends that everyone hates.

Plaid tiles are incredibly eye-catching, no matter what color they are. When you compare them to the likes of subway tile, they're much more likely to become a focal point within your space. This can be a positive for many kitchens and bathrooms. The pattern makes a statement and can potentially serve as an accent wall when it reaches the ceiling. 

However, plaid tile can also look a bit too busy when you already have other focal points. If you're planning to use a dramatic countertop material, or you're utilizing unique kitchen island ideas, you might already have enough design elements that catch the eye.Your goal should be to create a balance between the busier and more subtle features of your kitchen. So, a simpler backsplash pattern or very subtle, monochromatic plaid may be your best bet.

If you're going to work with small mosaic-style tiles to create a plaid pattern, as Joanna Gaines did in her project, keep in mind that there will be lots of grout lines for you to keep clean. The orientation of your pattern is another aspect to consider. You don't have to stick with straight vertical and horizontal lines, as diagonal plaid is an option, too. It could be suitable for those looking for a trending kitchen design style that adds lots of character to the home.