14 Backsplashes That Complement Stainless Steel Kitchens

A backsplash is a practical in your kitchen: It protects your walls from splashes of water, splatters of grease and pasta sauce, and whatever abuses it may suffer on a daily basis. Far from being only practical, however, there is also a decorative element to backsplashes, which makes them capable of elevating your space and providing a one-of-a-kind expression of your personal style. If your kitchen has stainless steel features — such as appliances, handles, or drawer pulls — you'll want to ensure that your backsplash complements this metallic finish. Fortunately for you, there are many backsplash options that blend beautifully with your stainless steel kitchen. 

When perusing backsplash tile options, it's completely normal to get overwhelmed by the plethora of choices. You can go basic with something square or rectangular (think white or gray subway tiles for a clean and minimal look), or go a little more rustic (like deep green tiles or even a brick backsplash). If you want to have more fun with the shape of your backsplash tiles, why not explore less-common forms, like hexagon tiles or picket tiles? Of course, you can also strike a happy balance by choosing conventionally shaped tiles but arranging them in a more interesting layout, such as in a herringbone pattern. Even flipping tiles that usually are horizontal into the vertical position can create an interesting look and make your space feel taller. Whatever options you're considering, here are 14 backsplashes that will complement your stainless steel kitchen.

If you're planning to revamp your kitchen's backsplash and already have stainless steel features (like a sink or appliances), you cannot go wrong with gray subway tiles. As pictured, a glossy-finished tile backsplash can give a polished and chic look (especially when you bring in elements that are black and white, too). Should a more understated appearance be your preference, you can shop for matte-finished tiles, which will look a little more natural and subdued. 

Herringbone backsplash tiles have long been a favorite in the decor world, and for good reason — they look so intricate and lovely. A stainless steel kitchen can benefit greatly from a herringbone backsplash as pictured above, which incorporates white and other neutral-colored tiles for a modern and minimalist result. While a new herringbone backsplash wont't turn your crowded kitchen into a minimalist space all on its own, it helps to promote a clean appearance that may inspire you to get on top of your countertop inventory.

A stainless steel kitchen can't do much better than a beautiful blue tile backsplash. The blues in the tiles play incredibly well with the stainless steel, and you'll be left with a very cool-looking kitchen that has plenty of brightness. You can choose tiles that are all the same shade of blue for a more uniform appearance, or opt for gradient blue tiles for a more creative and playful vibe.

Hexagon tile backsplashes have been wildly popular since the 1920s and are still all the rage today. They offer just enough visual appeal to be interesting without overpowering your space with a loud design. A combination that is certain to work well in your stainless steel kitchen is hexagon tiles crafted from marble or gray ceramic. With this sleek tile backsplash alternative that's far from basic tile, you'll strike a great balance: Hexagon tiles are neither outdated nor too modern, and like the gray subway tiles mentioned before, it's a color scheme match made in heaven.

Nothing says sleek luxury like a marble slab backsplash paired with stainless steel kitchen elements. This is a design trend that looks wonderful and is especially easy to clean (far easier than scrubbing small tiles on a typical backsplash), making it more straightforward to maintain. As is clearly visible, the gray streaks in the marble slab backsplash complement the silvery stainless steel visual for an utterly seamless kitchen design scheme. In order to keep your marble surfaces sparkling, you'll want to use a safe cleaner: Rubbing alcohol will ensure everything remains shiny and well-maintained. 

Jewel tones are perhaps not always front and center when it comes to decorating your home, but they are secret superpower if you're hoping for a timeless romantic look. Choose sage, emerald, moss, or some other such colored green tile (remember that glossy tiles look cleaner and brighter, while matte-finished tiles have a more modern appeal) and watch your stainless steel kitchen's magnetism and dynamism go off the charts.

To this point, most of the backsplashes have been an interesting geometric pattern or traditional subway tiles. For a simple but unique change of scenery, consider using white square tiles and staggering them during the installation for a layered look rather than a gridded one. Matte finished tiles will look amazing when paired with the shiny, brushed stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, and despite not being anything too wild, you'll likely achieve a look that many people aren't used to seeing often.

Try choosing small rectangular tiles that are in neutral shades, then installing them vertically rather than horizontally. This work especially well if you are seeking to create an elongated feel to your kitchen. While still modern in their appearance, these tan, gray, and off-white tiles have a more natural look to them, making it easier to tie in cozy elements like cutting boards that are layered on the countertops, handmade pottery, or a small herb garden. 

Want a kitchen that is interesting without being too experimental? Try using subway tiles for the majority of your backsplash but leaving a portion that can be finished with a mosaic statement section. You can adopt mosaic tiles of any color: Light grays and blues look fresh and have a breezy appeal, while brighter colors like yellow, blue, and red can have a Spanish vibe. Remember to tiles that work well not only with the stainless steel appliances you have but also the cabinetry.

Tried and true, a stainless steel kitchen will work well with neutral, earthy colored tiles. It's nothing that's flashy or spectacular, but the complementarity of the two features is undeniable, and you'll get to enjoy what is a comforting visual. The benefit of this combination is that the finished product is modest without looking cheap. The warmth of the brown tiles also mean that you can go either warmer or cooler with other elements: Wooden cabinets will bring more of the former while white cabinetry will embrace the latter.

If you want to say goodbye to tile backsplashes, there's one sleek alternative that's more unique: bricks. Unlike many of the aforementioned backsplash options, a brick backsplash offers a rustic appeal that has a more textured finish. You'll find that the brick and stainless work well together, since you have some contrasting elements going on: cool and smooth for the stainless, and rough and warm with the bricks. The result? A kitchen that delivers an intriguing visual that you're unlikely to see in every other home in your neighborhood.

Red is a bold move, but if you find that the energy of this color appeals to your decorative sensibilities, it can be a good choice. By pairing stainless steel and a red backsplash, you'll achieve a visual that is very modern and certainly makes a statement, so it's best to not commit to this option without a good degree of certainty. If tiny backsplash tiles aren't your cup of tea, you can try larger subway tiles or even geometric-shaped ones to draw the eye to this corner of your kitchen even more.

Picket tiles have become a popular choice in kitchen backsplashes — their elongated shape makes them similar to subway tiles, but their pointed ends provide a layer of sophistication that is lacking in plain, rectangular tiles. For an extra splash of personality, you can embrace picket tiles that have speckles of color tied into them. Choose wisely, and you can choose to accentuate the silver or gray from your stainless steel in the gradations of speckles from the picket tiles.

If the aforementioned vertical picket tiles are too dainty for your taste, you can absolutely opt for something more bold. Larger picket tiles can be a fun choice and will be less subtle that the tinier version of tiles as they have more distinct and noticeable lines. Turn them horizontally for a visually stretched effect for your kitchen counter area — an especially helpful trick if you feel that your space is somewhat cramped.