Create a Captivating Kitchen Backsplash with Cement Tile

Beyond the Subway Tile: Why Your Kitchen Deserves a Cement Tile Backsplash

The kitchen backsplash. For too long, it's been the overlooked workhorse, a purely functional surface meant to catch splatters. While the classic white subway tile has had its moment (and a long one), a new wave of design is calling for something more—more personality, more color, more you.

Enter the cement tile.

Handcrafted, endlessly customizable, and steeped in history, cement tiles offer a way to transform your backsplash from a background element into the stunning focal point of your kitchen. Unlike glossy ceramic, their matte finish provides a soft, velvety texture that absorbs light, creating a rich and inviting atmosphere. If you're ready to make a kitchen that truly reflects your style, let's explore the artistic possibilities of cement tile.

Table of Contents

• The Power of Pattern: A Statement in Every Tile

• Sophistication in Simplicity: The Plain Cement Tile

• The Modern Mix: Patterned and Plain Hexagons

• The Tile Rug: Art You Can Live With

• A Note on Care

Avente's Mission Giverny Original provides an elegant look with its floral motif.

The Power of Pattern: A Statement in Every Tile

Most people imagine patterned cement tile when they think of this material, and for good reason. From bold geometric shapes to intricate, centuries-old Moorish designs or traditional floral motifs, a patterned backsplash is an instant personality infusion. It's like installing a mural that's also durable and functional. And, if you have the time, you can create your colorway by substituting colors from the palette.

A colorful pattern, Melilla Real, is a cheerful addition to this traditional Arabesque cross-and-star motif, brightening the kitchen of this Los Angeles home.

Calista Blue provides color with plenty of negative spaces for an almost graphical feel.

Anza Classic in Black and White adds interest in this high-contrast colorway.

Anza Classic in Black and White works well with contemporary designs.

Paradise #3 provides a cheerful, fun look that coordinates perfectly with the cabinets.

Design Idea: The "Stove Splash"

Consider creating a feature area instead of tiling your entire backsplash with a busy pattern. Cement tiles, used in a stove alcove, as shown below, can make a statement without being too loud. The other example shows how the pattern can be deliberate and focused for an excellent, eye-catching effect.

Orleans Caramel is used in this stove alcove with dramatic effect--perfect for the pattern shy!

A re-imagined colorway for this Cuban pattern, focused behind the range, works well with this traditional New England Kitchen.

Sophistication in Simplicity: The Plain Cement Tile

Don't let the word "plain" fool you. Solid-colored cement tiles offer a world of creative potential. Because of the natural pigments and hand-poured process, each tile has subtle color variations, creating a depth and movement that machine-made tiles can't replicate.

The real magic happens when you play with shape and layout. Imagine a backsplash of honeycomb-shaped hexagon tiles in a warm, earthy mustard yellow. Or consider fish-scale tiles in a soft seafoam green to create a serene, organic feel. You can also lay simple square tiles in a dynamic herringbone or chevron pattern for a classic look with a modern twist.

Mission 2"x8" Charcoal Tiles in a herringbone pattern offer a classic look that complements traditional or contemporary designs. 

As shown here, Mission 2"x8" Charcoal Tiles provide an organic feel because of the color variation in handmade cement tile.

Mission French Blue 8"x8" Cement Tiles create calm in this modern kitchen.

Mission Arabesque Fish Scale in Charcoal provides a unique look.

The Modern Mix: Patterned and Plain Hexagons

Hexagon tiles are a darling of modern design, and they offer a unique opportunity to blend simplicity with pops of intricate detail. Here are some of our favorite bright, bold green hexagon patterns used in two kitchens. Additionally, you can combine patterned and plain hexagon tiles, which allows you to create a custom look that feels playful yet sophisticated. This approach will enable you to control the "volume" of the pattern, dialing it up or down to suit your taste.

Bakery Hexagon in Dark Green (Vert Fonce) with an irregular edge is surprising and fun!

          Bakery Hex Tiles in Dark Green (Vert Fonce) is a bold, fresh look for this kitchen.

Design Idea: The Honeycomb Fade

Create a stunning visual effect by starting with a concentration of patterned hexagon tiles behind the stove, and then "fading" them out into a field of solid-colored tiles as you move outwards. For instance, use a floral or geometric patterned hex in black and white, and have it transition into solid white, grey, or even black hex tiles. This creates a beautiful gradient-like effect that feels organic and custom-designed. The scattering of patterned tiles among the plain ones mimics a natural honeycomb, adding a whimsical charm to a clean, modern shape. Or create a simple gradient or ombre effect using plain tiles.

Plain Hexagon Tiles in a blended gradient from black to gray to white create a unique and modern look.

The Tile Rug: Art You Can Live With

A "tile rug" is one of the most elegant ways to use patterned cement tiles in a kitchen. This concept involves using a collection of ornate tiles to create a contained, rug-like design, typically framed above the stove or sink. It's the perfect compromise for those who love a bold pattern but want to maintain a more minimalist feel throughout the rest of the kitchen.

Design Idea: The Framed Masterpiece

Create a framed "rug" using a complex, multi-tile pattern for a truly show-stopping effect. Picture a 48x24-inch panel of your favorite pattern and colorway that creates a cohesive image, much like a Persian rug. A stove alcove or a large wall behind the stove or sink is also an excellent place for the tile rug. Frame this masterpiece with a simple, contrasting pencil liner or solid-colored tiles. This approach turns your backsplash into a genuine work of art guaranteed to be a conversation starter. Some patterns even come with a pattern border to work into the design. Do you see how clever a border was used in the design below?

A cross-and-star Cuban pattern in alternating colors adorns the stove alcove and is framed with cement tile molding for a stunning tile rug!

A Note on Care

Cement tiles are porous and must be adequately sealed upon installation, especially in a kitchen. A good sealer will protect them from water, oil, and sauce stains. Once sealed, they are incredibly durable and can be cleaned easily with a pH-neutral cleaner.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home; let it show some heart. By moving beyond the expected and embracing the artistic character of cement tile, you can create a backsplash that's not just a surface, but a story.

Looking for More Inspiration?

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