Backsplash Tile Patterns, From a Designer Who Installs Them
Herringbone, chevron, subway, hexagon, picket — which pattern fits your kitchen, which grout to pick, and where each one shines (or doesn't).
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When it comes to designing kitchens, the backsplash is where a room's personality gets decided. The right tile pattern doesn't just add character — it can define the entire atmosphere of the space.
My name is Josh Turgut, and I'm a designer at My Kitchen and Bath. With years of designing kitchens across Northern Virginia, I'll walk you through the patterns we install most, where each one works best, and a few opinions I've earned the hard way. Whether you're doing a full kitchen or refreshing only the backsplash, this is the conversation we'd have at the showroom counter.
Why it matters
Patterns change how big your kitchen feels
Beyond looks, tile patterns influence how spacious or intimate a room feels. Diagonal and chevron layouts visually expand the room — a real advantage in compact kitchens where every perceived inch counts. Simpler layouts, like stacked or straight-set tiles, create a seamless, uncluttered look that opens the space up.
Coordination matters too: echoing similar shapes or complementary layouts across the floor, walls, and backsplash creates a harmonious flow. In the kitchen below, which I designed for a client in Wolf Trap, VA, pairing a 50% offset subway backsplash with a simpler floor layout balanced the design without overwhelming the room.
Our Wolf Trap kitchen — see the full project here.
Installation styles
Eight ways to lay the same tile
Before you even pick a tile, know this: the same rectangular tile can produce completely different looks depending on how it's installed. These are the eight layouts we quote most:
½ OFFSET
⅓ OFFSET
STACKED HORIZONTAL
STACKED VERTICAL
STEPLADDER
HERRINGBONE
CHEVRON
BASKET WEAVE
Stacked vertical with elongated tiles is what the industry calls a picket or "kit-kat" layout — more on that below. Herringbone and chevron look similar at a glance; the difference is covered in the FAQ.
The patterns
Six backsplash patterns, honestly reviewed
The backsplash is the highest-visibility surface in the kitchen, which makes it the right place to experiment. But it doesn't have to be bold — sometimes a simple white subway tile is the best answer. Here's where each pattern earns its keep:
How to choose
Matching the pattern to your kitchen
Choosing a backsplash isn't only about taste — it's about complementing every decision you've already made: layout, cabinets, countertops, flooring. Three things guide the call:
- Size of the kitchen: in smaller kitchens, herringbone or diagonal layouts add depth and movement that make the space feel more open. Larger kitchens can carry intricate designs without them taking over.
- Color and grout: neutral tile with matching grout reads seamless and minimalist; contrasting grout defines and emphasizes the pattern. White subway with dark grout is timeless — bold grout on patterned tile turns the backsplash into the room's focal point.
- Overall style: sleek modern kitchens pair naturally with chevron and picket; rustic and traditional kitchens are beautifully complemented by brick-offset and basketweave layouts.
| Pattern | Modern | Contemporary | Transitional | Farmhouse | Modern Farmhouse | Traditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herringbone | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Subway | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hexagon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Picket | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Chevron | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Unique Pattern | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Herringbone is the only pattern that clears every style column — which is why it's our most-recommended "can't miss" choice.
Glossy, matte, or satin?
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5. Handmade & artisan tiles
Handcrafted tiles with subtle color variation and texture are gaining serious traction — they add character and individuality that machine-perfect tile can't fake, and they reflect a growing appreciation for artisanal craftsmanship. A favorite example: Edward Martin's Natasha in matte bone.
Natasha 2×6 in Matte Bone
Edward Martin — handmade-look porcelain
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about backsplash tile
What is the most popular backsplash tile pattern?
Subway tile in a ½ offset (brick) pattern remains the most popular kitchen backsplash, with herringbone close behind. Herringbone is the most versatile — it works in every style from farmhouse to modern.
What's the difference between herringbone and chevron?
Both form a V shape, but herringbone uses rectangular tiles offset at an angle, creating a broken zig-zag, while chevron tiles are cut at an angle so the V forms one continuous, seamless line. Chevron reads sleeker and more modern; herringbone reads more classic.
Can a backsplash pattern make a small kitchen look bigger?
Yes. Angled layouts like herringbone, chevron, and diagonal installs add depth and movement that visually expand the room, and vertically laid picket tile makes the space between counter and cabinets feel taller.
Should backsplash grout match or contrast the tile?
Matching grout creates a seamless, minimalist look; contrasting grout defines each tile and emphasizes the pattern. White subway with dark grout is a timeless graphic look, while white-on-white nearly erases the grid for a softer effect.
Which tile finish is easiest to keep clean in a kitchen?
Glossy and satin finishes wipe clean the most easily, which is why we recommend them behind ranges. Matte hides smudges best but holds onto grease a little more once it builds up.
Let's find the tile your kitchen deserves
From classic subway to patterns that need a craftsman's hands, our design team helps you choose it, source it, and install it right. Consultations are free at all three showrooms.
Get a Free ConsultationBrowse the tile brands we carry or explore full kitchen remodeling
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Written by Josh Turgut, Designer · My Kitchen and Bath is a Class A licensed & insured design-build remodeler with showrooms in Vienna, Herndon, and Alexandria — remodeling Northern Virginia homes since 1994.
16 Comments
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