Ditch Clean White Backsplashes: Jenny Marr's Neutral Alternative Is Gorgeous

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It's true that sleek, white modern kitchen backsplashes are a popular and versatile choice. And yet, they also have their downsides. As with stark white walls and countertops, clean white backsplashes can be a bit, well, boring. If you want your kitchen or bathroom design to make a real impact, a tiled backsplash should offer something else, and Jenny Marrs has a neutral alternative that's just the remedy: a creamy gray tile that adds texture and visual interest.

The tile idea is revealed in Season 6, Episode 2 of "Fixer to Fabulous". Tasked with renovating a 1950s property, Jenny and her husband Dave design a stunning Midcentury modern-style kitchen, complete with a greige fluted backsplash that extends up the entire wall. Paired with dark wooden cabinetry and countertops, the tile lightens the space while still feeling more moody and dramatic than a bright white tile. As Jenny writes on their blog, "The white sink and cream-tiled backsplash pair beautifully with the dark countertop."

Kitchens can often feel cold and clinical when too many smooth surfaces are used. Besides the color, the effect of the fluting also adds textural appeal. What's more, there are so many ways to use textured tile in fresh and exciting ways.

If you want to replicate the Marrs' backsplash, the exact one used is the Colorplay Fluted Gray Crackled Glossy Ceramic Tile from Tilebar. It comes in five color options, including green, teal, and blue, if you want to make a bolder accent with your backsplash. The added beauty of fluting is that the vertical grooves add texture, reflecting light unevenly for a variegated look. (For a slightly cheaper option, you could opt for the Princess Grigio Polished Porcelain Fluted Subway Wall Tile from The Home Depot, which is about $5 cheaper per square foot.)

The gray tile the Marrs chose has a slightly beige tone that makes it look similar to natural stone. It works well as a Midcentury modern kitchen backsplash because the style emphasizes the use of organic materials, neutral tones, and contrasting textures. That said, there's no reason why this neutral fluted tile wouldn't work in other kitchen styles. For example, if you have a classic Farmhouse kitchen with cream cabinets and butcher block counters, this tile will introduce modern appeal that adds a bit of edge.

One thing to note, however, is the functionality of fluted tiles. Clean white tiles might be more boring to look at, but a smooth glazed surface is really easy to clean. The grooves of fluting, by contrast, make it slightly more difficult to wipe off grease and food splatters. This means you may need to be more thorough with your cleaning. (Messy households, stay away!)