Backsplash Ideas for Blue Kitchen Cabinets to Inspire Your Design

Backsplash Ideas for Blue Kitchen Cabinets brings inspiration to help you choose a backsplash material, color, or texture for your kitchen design. Even though cabinetry, appliance, and countertop materials tend to be the big ticket items for a kitchen remodel or new build, a backsplash always makes a huge impact. More than protecting walls from splatters and moisture, splashes often bring style, identity, personality, and architectural interest to the scheme.

Beautiful blue country kitchen by Sarah Blank (Alec Hemer photo) painted Lulworth Blue by Farrow & Ball. #countrykitchens #bluekitchen
Farrow & Ball Lulworth Blue – Design: Sarah Blank; Photo: Alec Hemer

Backsplash Ideas for Blue Kitchen Cabinets to Inspire

Beautiful country kitchen with blue cabinets (BM Phillipsburg Blue). Photo by Josh Grubbs. #bluekitchens #benjaminmoorephillipsburgblue
Benjamin Moore Phillipsburg Blue – Photo: Josh Grubbs

Choosing the Right Kitchen Backsplash to Suit Your Design

My experience with blue kitchen backsplash ideas is fresh in memory since we renovated our kitchen only months ago! We gave 30-year old dark wood cabinets new life with light blue-grey paint and installed Calacatta Gold marble subway tile to coordinate with Viatera Muse white quartz counters.

Pom pom garland at the kitchen sink window - Hello Lovely Studio. #paviliongray #graykitchen #calacattagoldmarble
Hello Lovely Studio – Backsplash: Calacatta gold marble subway tile. I painted cabinets Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray at 66% (with natural light and cool blue undertones in this color, they look light blue during the day and light grey at night).

If you’re not sure what material will best suit your kitchen for the backsplash, I suggest thinking about STYLE, BUDGET, COLOR, CONTRAST and PAST EXPERIENCE.

As real life renovators, we made over our ugly Arizona kitchen with no demo or dust with smart upgrades and swaps. Light grey cabinets, Viatera quartz counters (Soprano), and calacatta marble hex accent wall - Hello Lovely studio.
Hello Lovely Studio – In our Arizona vacation home, even though we painted cabinets a light grey, they appeared light blue with the strong Southern exposure. The backsplash we chose? Viatera Soprano quartz which provided a seamless look with the countertops Backsplash: Viatera Soprano quartz; Cabinet paint color: Behr Classic Silver

How to Choose the Right Style Backsplash

While there are no steadfast design rules for backsplashes in terms of style (a subway tile backsplash can look right at home in a modern or a traditional kitchen), you should consider whether you’re after a particular classic, timeless, traditional, contemporary, trendy, coastal, romantic, glamorous, country, urban, or industrial style look. Viewing images online of kitchens will help you narrow down a style even if you aren’t design savvy.

Moody dark gray blue kitchen by deVOL. #englishcountry #kitchendesign
deVOLBacksplash Ideas for Blue Kitchen Cabinets

As a real life renovator, I recommend sticking with classic materials and patterns over trendy ones so that you don’t feel the need to change it in a couple of years. It can be changed, but it is not fun (no matter how fun they make demo look on TV) to re-do it since demo often damages walls and creates more labor and material expense.

Price Range for Kitchen Backsplashes

The wonderful part about this kitchen design feature is you can create a beautiful look no matter the budget. Installation costs $15 to $40 per square foot, and the cost for material varies significantly. Ceramic tile is a popular choice, widely available, and a relatively easy DIY if you care to save the expense of labor. Subway tile, for example, may cost under $1 per square foot, while a handmade specialty tile could cost $100 per s.f. The cost for marble, stone, or quartz backsplashes can range from $10-$120 per square foot.

Color, Contrast, Sheen, & Grout Issues

With blue cabinets, do think carefully about the color of your backsplash since it will need to harmonize with the cabinetry, walls, and counters. As you view images online, notice the relationship and colors…are there certain combinations to which you are drawn? Notice contrast too. While a white backsplash may sharply contrast with blue cupboards, its contrast with a white countertop will be low.

Classic blue kitchen design with traditional architecture, custom millwork, and sophisticated design - Edward Deegan Architects. #bluekitchens #traditionalkithens #classicbluekitchen
Edward Deegan ArchitectsBacksplash Ideas for Blue Kitchen Cabinets

For tile, determine whether you prefer glossy, honed, matte, tumbled, smooth tile, etc. In my experience, bringing samples to view in the actual space is the only way to feel confident. Viewing tile in a store under fluorescent lighting or ordering a quantity of tile from images online are not fun or reliable options. View completed kitchens and lots of photos online to decide on grout color. Your past experience with grout may also inform your decision.

French farmhouse kitchen with copper pans on rack, light blue cabinetry, and stone floors - Le Mas des Poiriers.
Le Mas de Poiriers – a mix of backsplashes including tile, limestone, and plaster; paint color on cabinets: Farrow & Ball Light Blue

Marble Subway & Mosaic Tile Backsplash

I’m crazy about marble mosaics, and it’s not always easy to detect whether it was a mosaic installation or individual tile installation.

Blue and White Kitchen Decor Inspiration from the French farmhouse style kitchen of Dreamy Whites. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Unfitted, uncontrived, and authentically French farmhouse…Dreamy Whites – white marble mosaic subway backsplash tile

Typically, mosaics save lots of labor and time since the spacing is already done.

The kitchen is a favorite place to host casual lunches and dinners. "The mahogany-topped island can easily fit 12 stools," Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Photo: Victoria Pearson; Designer: Parrish Chilcoat and Joe Lucas in House Beautiful. Backsplash: Light grey toned marble subway mosaic tile; Cabinets: FARROW & BALL Down Pipe; island is painted BENJAMIN MOORE Chelsea Gray.

Subway style can mean rectangular tiles that are 3×6, smaller, or larger. Keep that in mind when you’re shopping and be sure to determine which scale appeals to you.

Chic Traditional Kitchen in White and Steel Blue Color Scheme. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Christine Sheldon – marble subway tile with non-white grout

For our recent reno, we went with individual marble tiles because we wanted more traditional sized tiles which turned out to be much more labor intensive than a mosaic.

Wood, Beadboard, & Tongue & Groove Backsplashes

It may not be as popular for backsplashes in the USA, but wood can be beautiful in areas that won’t get too wet.

Light blue kitchen with plate rack - design by Rachel Bardage Barrett (photo: Hector M. Sanchez). #bluekitchens #cottagekitchens
Design: Rachel Bardage Barrett; Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

Wood panels, planks, and products can also be great above an existing 4″ backsplash where you want to fill in the area below the cabinet (in most cases, the 14″ of wall between bottom of upper cabinet and top of standard backsplash).

Night Train (Benjamin Moore) painted blue cabinets in a kitchen by Christina Salway (photo by Tara Donne). #benjaminmoorenighttrain #bluekitchens
Cabinets: BM Night Train – Design: Christina Salway; Photo: Tara Donne

Wood can also offer a rustic or custom look as long as you’re aware of the extra care or protection for it.

Rustic country blue kitchen (cabinets painted BM French Toile) designed by Hadley Wiggins (photo by David A. Land). #bluekitchens #rustickitchens
Benjamin Moore Phillipsburg Blue – Photo: Josh Grubbs

It can even be a showstopper in luxurious kitchens where aesthetics may trump durability issues for a backsplash.

Timeless, tranquil, bespoke traditional style kitchen by The Fox Group. #timelessdesign #kitchendesign #bespokekitchens #bluekitchen
The Fox Group – try BM Hale Navy painted wood to get this look

In this light blue kitchen below, the glass window serves as backsplash!

Elegant, refined, and masterfully designed, this kitchen with farm sink and arched window is but one moment in our tour of unforgettable interiors with European inspired charm. #farmsink #FrenchCountry #lightblue
Paint color on cabinets: FARROW & BALL Light Blue in the Southeastern Designer Showhouse. Design: Lauren DeLoach in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles – would you, could you, use pretty plates as your backsplash?

Beaded board can be a budget friendly way to protect the wall, add architectural interest, and enhance a country look.

Blue kitchen base cabinets and white uppers in a beautiful country design - photo by David Hillegas. #bluekitchens #lightbluekitchen
Photo: David Hillegas

Not only is it a cost effective solution (with no grout!), since the material can be painted to match cabinets or counters, it is a way to completely customize the look.

Rustic dark blue English country kitchen by Plain English. Similar paint color is Behr Opera Glasses. #bluekitchens #englishcountry
Plain English – Similar paint color: Behr Opera Glasses

Wallpaper Backsplash in a Blue Kitchen

It may not be the most popular way to decorate a backsplash, but wallpaper can be a whimsical and bold addition. How will it stand the test of time? In a real working kitchen that is used daily, it will definitely show signs of wear – so common sense will tell you whether it makes sense for your project.

Holly Williams' beautiful blue Tennessee kitchen with blue cabinets and grey scenic wallpaper - photo by Annie Schlecter. #bluekitchens #modernfarmhouse
Benjamin Moore Blue Daisy – Design: Holly Williams; Photo: Annie Schlechter

Encaustic Tile (or Cement Tile “Look” Tile) Backplash

Keep in mind authentic encaustic/cement tiles are going to be much more expensive than ceramic or porcelain tiles that look like cement.

Cement tiles are also thicker and heavy. There are plenty of options that look like the real thing!

Stunning blue and white graphic tiles on sink wall of a kitchen with navy blue cabinets and farm sink. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Whittney Parksinson Design – a whimsically folklore-ish encaustic square tiled backsplash

Classic White Subway Tile Backsplashes

There’s a good reason they are so popular, and you need not worry about this being a trend that is not a safe choice.

Amazing grey blue pained Shaker cabinets in a NY townhouse kitchen with open shelves, subway tile, brass hardware, and black Lacanche range. Ali Cayne of Haven Kitchen. #graykitchen #greyblue #kitchendesign #openshelves #lacanche #subwaytile #graycabinets #brasshardware
Ali Cayne – Haven Kitchen – backsplash tile is white subway with dark grout; paint color is SW 6257 Gibraltar

Even if “modern farmhouse” style falls from favor, white rectangular tiles make sense for a variety of design styles and kitchens.

Subway style tiles can be machine made, handmade, tumbled, reflective, or matte.

Paddington Blue (Benjamin Moore) painted kitchen cabinets - design by Grace Mitchell and photo by Lisa Petrole. #bluekitchens #bmpaddingtonblue
Color on cabinets: BM Paddington Blue – Design: Grace Mitchell; Photo: Lisa Petrole

White grout will impart a different feel than grey or dark grey grout.

Beautiful white and blue kitchen. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen #bluekitchens #bluedecor #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenremodel #blueandwhitekitchen
Cynthia Hayes – blue plays a starring role on the island; backsplash is white subway tile with white grout

And there are plenty of colors beyond white.

Beautiful white and blue kitchen. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen #bluekitchens #bluedecor #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenremodel #blueandwhitekitchen
Photo: Zeke Ruelas Source: Ginny Macdonald Design Director for Emily Henderson – taupe-grey toned subway tile backsplash

Subway tile can be ceramic, porcelain, marble, glass, or cement.

Navy blue kitchen with cement tile floor, subway tile, and midcentury modern pendant. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #modernfarmhousekitchen
Design: Rebekah Zaveloff of Kitchen Lab Interiors/Photo: Michael Alan Kaskel – reflective tumbled white subway tile backsplash

In the blue kitchen above, you can see how a reflective subway tile will really bounce the light around.

Blue modern farmhouse kitchen with farm sink and brass hardware - Becki Owens.
Becki Owens – white subway backsplash tile with dark grout

In the kitchen above, the tile appears more matte and subdued.

Gorgeous modern farmhouse kitchen with beadboard ceiling and grey Shaker style cabinets. #SarchRichardson #brasshardware #modernfarmhouse
Sarah Richardson – clean reflective backsplash of white subway tile

Even if you know for sure you want subway tile, it’s a good idea to look at lots of images online (expand them!) to determine what size subway tile appeals to your eye.

Beautiful arched window over farm sink in blue grey kitchen by Sally Wheat.
Sally Wheat Interiors – white subway tile backsplash

Then get a sample to view in the kitchen with your cabinets and counters to be sure you like the scale.

Turquoise blue subay tile behind range in gorgeous kitchen with rustic range hood. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Homesthetics – soft aqua subway with light grey grout backsplash

Traditional Handpainted & Handmade Tile

Light blue kitchen cabinets and zellige tile backsplash in a historic French farmhouse in Provence (Le Mas des Poiriers).
@ProvencePoiriers

While most folks want something fairly neutral for their kitchen’s backsplash (like the handmade Zellige above), adding patterned tile to a particular area (like behind the range) can be beautiful.

Traditional kitchen with classic style, simplicity, and sophistication from Park & Oak. Come see inspiring photos and learn 16 simple yet sophisticated kitchen design ideas.
Park & Oak

How much of the handmade or handcrafted tile you decide to use is a subjective matter. Sometimes bold is the way to go if you know you’ll never tire of the pattern!

Handmade tile backsplash in blue and white coastal cottage kitchen by Lisa Furey.
Lisa Furey Interiors – handmade handpainted square tile backsplash

And sometimes budget will dictate how much of a handmade tile you’ll use.

Delft Tile in the Kitchen. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Michelle Rein of American Artisans Designers & Fabricators – Old World cobalt blue and white handmade tile backsplash

A checkered pattern is one of those timeless classics that is as relevant now as it was a century ago.

The kitchen features blue and white tiles found in a French market and a wooden table once used for drying cheeses. “Our interior decoration is not something we managed in a short period,” says Clementine, “but is the result of a lifetime of collecting nice brocante furniture and vintage items.” Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Victoria Magazine – periwinkle and white checkerboard tile backsplash with terracotta toned grout
The custom vent hood above the Thermador range is mostly wood with a band of stainless steel closest to the heat. The patterned concrete backsplash tiles have color that goes all the way through. Come see 36 Best Beautiful Blue and White Kitchens to Love! #blueandwhite #bluekitchen #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #decorinspiration #beautifulkitchen
Traditional Home magazine – white subway tile with white grout plus a Moroccan style encaustic tile above range

Stone or Quartz Same as Countertop

A custom marble, granite, or quartz backsplash can be beautiful when you want to repeat the same material.

Big Crittall style windows flooded the Chester Kitchen with the loveliest light and there were stunning views out onto the customer'sâ¦
deVOL – marble backsplash with window shelf

If you’re a DIYer, it can also save a lot of labor to get countertops AND backsplash installed by someone else in one fell swoop.

Beautiful blue traditional kitchen with white cabinets - design by Mark Sikes. #bluekitchen #blueandwhite #kitchendesign
Mark Sikes – a continuation of the marble on counters rises for the backsplash

Let’s face it. Choosing a tile or material to coordinate with your countertop material can be challenging so having a sure thing decided is one less headache!

Breathtaking kitchen with light blue by Matthew Quinn. The sink wall with arched window is a shining moment amidst countless others! #bluekitchen #farrowandballlightblue #timelesskitchen #kitchendesign #traditionalkitchen
Southeastern Designer Showhouse 2017 – AHL; Paint color on cabinets: FARROW & BALL Light Blue

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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2 Comments

  1. Ann
    March 10, 2023 / 6:54 pm

    I love your blog. Just love it. Ann

    • Michele
      Author
      March 11, 2023 / 9:52 am

      Thanks for being here! Yay! 🙂 Have a lovely weekend.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing