This post is an update of a current project I am working on here in Santa Monica – a total gut & re-design of an existing kitchen. Nothing is better than starting with a clean slate. I have spent the last few weeks (lets be serious, months, years…) looking into tile ideas for kitchen backsplashes. There are a lot of interesting trends out there and here is my take on what’s currently hot:
Geometric Shapes:
All sorts of simple geometric shapes are popping up in modern kitchen backsplashes. Something I have been discussing with my current client, is the diamond. Sounds simple, but the results can be really impactful.
In all white, this look is minimal but chic.
Diamonds provide a lot of different options for configuration. Here are some examples from our friends at Fireclay Tile who I am currently working with:
Other various geometrics shapes showing up include the pentagon, hexagon, elongated diamond, and other shapes I don’t even really know how to name, but look pretty awesome. 
I love the use of white tile with black grout in some of these spaces, making them even more modern and dynamic.
Moroccan Inspired:
Now for something completely different! I love love love the trend of Moroccan inspired tiles. Used in tandem with white, clean lines they can make a contemporary space feel special and unique. I am yet to pull the trigger on something as eclectic as this (I am more of a classic, timeless kind of girl) but I still appreciate their beauty. Again, Fireclay Tile has a good selection of options as well as Cement Tile Shop.
If you are on the fence about this trend and want to use it while still keeping things streamlined, try using it as a feature wall behind an oven as seen here:
Next step would be to use it as an entire backsplash, as shown here:
Or go big and do the whole damn wall, like Studio Surface did in this showstopper kitchen:
Tiny Tiles:
I am a lifetime fan of the penny tile and I love to see it, and other tiny tiles, used in a non-traditional way like a kitchen backsplash. There are endless options of shape, color, and grout that create many different design outcomes:
White pennies, black grout. Timeless, bold, and all around cool.
50 shades of gray penny tiles.
Look closely, these are tiny hexagons.
Did you know subway tiles come this small? (Will get to the rest of subway tiles later).
Mini metallic subway tiles. Not sure I could live with it, but this picture is to die for!
Subway tiles:
The trend that never ends. Around since the early 1900’s, used literally on the subway walls in NYC in a 3×6 size, these babies are here to stay. They are a classic, some say safe, choice, but considering using them in a non-traditional way to shake things up.
Herringbone pattern can be done several ways, here shown in traditional and diagonal configuration.
For a more twist on herringbone, have the subway tiles cut in half lengthwise.
Run the tiles vertically (so obvious yet so genius).
Again, subway tiles come in many shapes and sizes. Square is making a big comeback, giving a nod to Scandinavian design.
Muted colors:
The kitchen backsplash isn’t generally a place where one uses a lot of color, but consider a muted blue or green color in a simple shape. I love blue in the kitchen, it always makes me feel calm and peaceful and that can come in handy considering the kitchen is one of the most high-traffic rooms in a home:
Did you notice how many of the above images included subway tiles again?
Pretty clear I gravitate to white kitchens based on this post. Will keep you guys posted on what we decide for this project! xo, AE
