21 Herringbone Backsplash Ideas

Tired of staring at a blank wall behind your stove? The kitchen backsplash is more than just a shield against spaghetti sauce splatters; it’s a powerful design element that can completely redefine your space. And when it comes to patterns with timeless appeal and modern flair, nothing quite compares to the herringbone.

This classic zigzag arrangement, reminiscent of old-world parquet floors, adds a sense of dynamic movement and sophisticated texture to any kitchen. Whether your style is minimalist modern, cozy farmhouse, or somewhere in between, there’s a herringbone backsplash waiting to elevate your home.

Ready to find your perfect match? We’ve curated 21 stunning herringbone kitchen backsplash ideas to inspire your next renovation. Let’s dive in!

1. Embrace Timeless Elegance with Classic White Subway Tile

You simply can’t go wrong with a classic. But “classic” doesn’t have to mean “boring.” By arranging simple white subway tiles in a herringbone pattern, you instantly elevate them from a safe choice to a design-forward statement. This look is incredibly versatile, creating a backdrop that is both bright, clean, and full of subtle texture.

What makes it so brilliant is its ability to add visual interest without overwhelming the space, making it perfect for both small and large kitchens. To customize the look, play with your grout color! A contrasting dark grout will make the pattern pop for a more graphic, industrial feel, while a matching white grout offers a softer, more seamless look.

Best For: Farmhouse, transitional, and minimalist kitchens.
Expert Tip: Choose a beveled subway tile to create even more dimension and shadow play as the light hits it throughout the day.
Pairs Beautifully With: Almost anything! It’s the perfect neutral canvas for any of your white kitchen ideas or bold cabinet colors.

2. Indulge in Luxury with a Marble Herringbone Backsplash

If you’re looking to infuse your kitchen with a dose of pure, unadulterated luxury, look no further than marble. A marble herringbone backsplash is the epitome of high-end design, delivering sophistication and a “wow” factor that never fades. The natural veining in stones like Carrara or Calacatta means that no two tiles are exactly alike, creating a unique and organic tapestry on your wall.

The pattern beautifully highlights the graceful gray, gold, or charcoal veins, adding movement and a dynamic quality to the stone. It’s an investment piece that not only looks stunning but also adds significant value to your home. When paired with sleek, modern cabinetry or complementing marble countertops, the effect is absolutely breathtaking.

Best For: Modern, classic, and glamorous kitchen designs.
Expert Tip: Marble is a porous natural stone, so ensure it’s properly sealed upon installation and resealed periodically to protect it from stains and etching.
Pairs Beautifully With: Brass hardware, sleek cabinetry, and high-end stainless steel appliances.

3. Go Bold and Dramatic with a Sleek Black Herringbone

Ready to make a statement? A black herringbone backsplash is daring, dramatic, and unbelievably chic. It’s the perfect way to create a powerful focal point and inject a dose of modern sophistication into your kitchen. Whether you opt for a deep matte finish for a moody, textured look or a high-gloss glaze that reflects light and adds a touch of glam, black tile is a showstopper.

This bold choice works wonders in creating contrast, especially in kitchens with white or light wood cabinetry. It also pairs exceptionally well with rich, dark cabinetry for a seamless and enveloping feel. Don’t be afraid of the dark—a black backsplash can make a space feel more intimate and high-design. It’s a natural fit for a kitchen with striking black kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Modern, industrial, and art deco-inspired kitchens.
Expert Tip: Ensure you have excellent kitchen lighting, especially under-cabinet lighting, to illuminate the backsplash and prevent the dark color from making the workspace feel dim.
Pairs Beautifully With: Gold or brass fixtures, white quartz countertops, and natural wood accents.

4. Bring Nature Indoors with an Earthy Green Glazed Tile

Breathe life and tranquility into your kitchen with a gorgeous green herringbone backsplash. Green is the color of nature, renewal, and calm, making it a fantastic choice for the heart of your home. From deep, moody forest greens to soft, muted sage or vibrant emerald, there’s a shade to suit any personality.

Look for glazed ceramic or zellige tiles, which often have subtle variations in color and texture. This gives the backsplash a handcrafted, organic feel that is perfectly imperfect. The herringbone pattern adds a layer of structure to the earthy color, creating a look that is both soothing and sophisticated. It’s a fantastic way to add a pop of personality that feels both trendy and timeless, especially when complementing a set of dark green kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Organic modern, bohemian, and rustic kitchens.
Expert Tip: Pair your green backsplash with natural materials like wood shelves, butcher block countertops, and terracotta pots to enhance the earthy, biophilic vibe.
Pairs Beautifully With: Light wood cabinets, creamy white countertops, and aged brass hardware.

5. Dive into Serenity with a Calming Blue Backsplash

Create a tranquil oasis in your kitchen with the soothing power of blue. A blue herringbone backsplash can range from a deep, sophisticated navy to a light and airy baby blue, each setting a completely different mood. Navy blue offers a classic, almost nautical elegance that feels grounded and luxurious, while a lighter shade like sky blue or pale aqua can make your kitchen feel open, breezy, and cheerful.

The zigzag pattern prevents the color from feeling flat, adding movement that mimics gentle waves. It’s a color that promotes calmness and is surprisingly versatile, working just as well in a coastal cottage as it does in a sleek, modern high-rise. For a truly designer look, consider matching the backsplash to a set of stunning blue kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Coastal, contemporary, and classic kitchens.
Expert Tip: Lighter blue glass tiles can be a fantastic choice for smaller kitchens, as their reflective surface will bounce light around and create an illusion of more space.
Pairs Beautifully With: Crisp white countertops, polished nickel hardware, and light wood flooring.

6. Channel Mediterranean Warmth with Rustic Terracotta

Want to feel like you’re cooking in a sun-drenched Tuscan villa? A terracotta herringbone backsplash is your answer. These earthy, red-clay tiles bring an incredible amount of warmth, character, and rustic charm to a kitchen. Their natural, unrefined texture and beautiful color variations—from pale peach to deep burnt orange—create a space that feels lived-in, authentic, and welcoming.

The herringbone layout gives this traditional material a contemporary twist, preventing it from looking dated. It’s perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encourages gathering and conversation. This style is the heart and soul of any rustic kitchen, grounding the space with its natural beauty.

Best For: Mediterranean, rustic, farmhouse, and bohemian kitchens.
Expert Tip: Choose authentic, handmade zellige or terracotta tiles. Their imperfections, uneven surfaces, and slight color differences are what give them their unique, soulful character.
Pairs Beautifully With: Cream-colored cabinets, butcher block countertops, and wrought iron accents.

7. Achieve Understated Chic with Sophisticated Gray

Gray is the ultimate neutral, and for good reason. It’s a master of balance, capable of being both warm or cool, subtle or dramatic. A gray herringbone backsplash offers a sophisticated and timeless alternative to white, providing visual interest without demanding all the attention. A light, dove-gray tile can create a soft, serene backdrop, while a darker charcoal makes a bolder, more contemporary statement.

The beauty of gray is its chameleon-like ability to complement any color palette. It looks fantastic with crisp white, warm woods, or even a bold pop of color like yellow or teal. If you want a kitchen that feels effortlessly chic and put-together, a gray herringbone backsplash is a foolproof choice, especially when paired with matching gray kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Transitional, modern, and Scandinavian-inspired kitchens.
Expert Tip: Play with texture! A matte, concrete-look gray tile in a herringbone pattern adds an industrial edge, while a glossy, crackle-glaze gray tile feels more traditional and refined.
Pairs Beautifully With: Stainless steel appliances, white quartz countertops, and black matte hardware.

8. Get Playful and Pretty with a Pop of Pink

Who says kitchens have to be serious? Inject a dose of fun, warmth, and personality with a pink herringbone backsplash. From soft, dusty rose and blush tones to more vibrant corals, pink can transform your kitchen into a cheerful and utterly charming space. A subtle blush pink acts almost as a neutral, adding a warm glow that is both sophisticated and unexpected.

This is a fantastic way to add color without committing to painting all your cabinets. The herringbone pattern gives the sweet color a structured, geometric edge, keeping it from feeling overly saccharine. It’s a design choice that is guaranteed to make you smile every time you walk into your pink kitchen.

Best For: Eclectic, retro, and modern glam kitchens.
Expert Tip: For a more grown-up take on pink, choose a tile with a matte finish and pair it with sophisticated materials like marble, brass, and dark wood to create a beautiful balance.
Pairs Beautifully With: White or light gray cabinets, gold hardware, and light wood accents.

9. Add Luminous Shine with Reflective Glass Tiles

If your kitchen is craving a little more light and sparkle, a glass tile herringbone backsplash is the perfect solution. Glass tiles have a unique, luminous quality that beautifully reflects both natural and artificial light, which can make your entire kitchen feel brighter, bigger, and more open.

They come in a vast array of colors, from translucent sea greens and blues to opaque, bold hues. The herringbone pattern breaks up the sleek surface, adding texture and preventing the look from feeling too flat or clinical. It’s a clean, contemporary option that is also incredibly easy to wipe down, making it as practical as it is pretty for any contemporary kitchens.

Best For: Contemporary, modern, and coastal kitchens.
Expert Tip: Because glass tiles are translucent, the color of the adhesive used during installation can affect the final look. Be sure to use a bright white thin-set mortar recommended for glass tile to ensure the color stays true.
Pairs Beautifully With: High-gloss cabinets, solid surface countertops like Corian or quartz, and chrome fixtures.

10. Create a Custom Look with a Two-Tone Pattern

Why settle for one color when you can have two? A two-tone herringbone backsplash is a fantastic way to create a truly custom, high-impact design. By alternating two different colors or materials—like black and white, gray and marble, or even a neutral with a bold accent color—you can create stripes, scattered patterns, or a dynamic ombré effect.

This approach allows for endless creativity and ensures your kitchen backsplash is completely unique. It’s a brilliant strategy to tie together different elements in your kitchen, such as picking up the color of your island and your main cabinets. This technique is a perfect showcase for a space featuring a variety of kitchen cabinet color ideas.

Best For: Eclectic, maximalist, and personality-driven kitchens.
Expert Tip: Before you commit, lay out your pattern on the floor or a large piece of cardboard to visualize how the colors will interact. A random scattering often looks more effortless than a rigid, repeating pattern.
Pairs Beautifully With: Simple, solid-colored countertops that won’t compete with the busy pattern.

11. Lengthen the Look with Long, Skinny Tiles

The proportions of your tile can dramatically change the overall effect of the herringbone pattern. While standard subway tiles create a classic look, opting for a longer, more narrow tile—often called a finger or kit-kat tile—results in a more delicate and contemporary pattern. This elongated shape creates a sharper, more dramatic “V” shape, which can make your walls appear taller and more spacious.

This modern take on the classic pattern is sleek, elegant, and perfect for adding a touch of texture without overwhelming a minimalist design. It’s a subtle yet impactful choice that speaks volumes about attention to detail, making it a cornerstone of many modern kitchen ideas.

Best For: Modern, minimalist, and Scandinavian kitchens.
Expert Tip: A vertical herringbone installation (where the “arrows” point up and down instead of sideways) with these long tiles will maximize the height-enhancing effect.
Pairs Beautifully With: Flat-panel cabinets, integrated appliances, and thin-profile countertops.

12. Get Grounded with Textured Natural Stone

Marble isn’t the only stone that shines in a herringbone pattern. Consider other natural stones like travertine, slate, or limestone to bring a different kind of organic beauty to your kitchen. Travertine offers warm, creamy tones and a naturally pitted texture for a rustic, old-world feel. Slate, with its deep charcoal and blue-black tones, provides a dramatic, textured, and earthy alternative to black ceramic tile.

Each stone has its own unique character, color variations, and texture, ensuring your backsplash is a one-of-a-kind piece of natural art. The structured herringbone pattern provides a beautiful contrast to the stone’s rustic, untamed quality, creating a perfect balance for a rustic modern kitchen.

Best For: Rustic, modern farmhouse, and transitional kitchens.
Expert Tip: Natural stone tiles can have significant color and texture variation from box to box. Be sure to mix tiles from several different boxes during installation to ensure a balanced, natural-looking blend.
Pairs Beautifully With: Wooden cabinets, soapstone or granite countertops, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware.

13. Capture Bygone Eras with a Vintage-Inspired Finish

Infuse your kitchen with the charm and character of yesteryear with a vintage-inspired herringbone backsplash. Look for tiles that have special finishes designed to look aged, such as a crackle glaze (or craquelure), which features tiny, hairline fractures in the surface for a beautiful, antique look. Another option is a tile with a distressed or tumbled edge, giving it a softer, time-worn appearance.

These subtle imperfections add a layer of history and soul to your space, making it feel curated and personal. It’s a wonderful way to give a new kitchen a sense of lived-in comfort and is the perfect finishing touch for a truly charming vintage kitchen.

Best For: Vintage, farmhouse, cottage, and French country kitchens.
Expert Tip: Pair a crackle glaze tile with a darker grout to highlight the beautiful web of tiny cracks and enhance the aged effect.
Pairs Beautifully With: Cream or soft-colored cabinets with ornate detailing, a classic farmhouse sink, and antique-style brass fixtures.

14. Embrace Unconventional Warmth with Wood Herringbone

For a truly unique and unexpectedly warm backsplash, consider wood. While not a traditional choice for wet areas, a wood herringbone backsplash can be a stunning feature in a dry area of the kitchen, like behind a coffee bar or in a butler’s pantry. Alternatively, engineered wood products or wood-look porcelain tiles offer the same aesthetic with far greater durability and water resistance.

The natural grain and warm tones of wood create an inviting and cozy atmosphere that is hard to replicate. The herringbone pattern elevates the material, turning it into a sophisticated architectural feature. It’s a bold choice that pays off in texture, warmth, and style, especially when complementing a set of beautiful oak kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Modern farmhouse, rustic, and Scandinavian kitchens.
Expert Tip: If using real wood, ensure it’s thoroughly sealed with multiple coats of a high-quality, waterproof polyurethane finish to protect it from moisture and splatters. For high-splash zones like behind the sink or stove, a wood-look tile is the safest bet.
Pairs Beautifully With: Dark soapstone countertops, white cabinets for contrast, and matte black hardware.

15. Channel Retro Cool with a Mid-Century Modern Pattern

Pay homage to one of the most iconic design eras with a mid-century modern-inspired herringbone backsplash. The key here is a combination of shape and color. Opt for elongated, slim tiles in classic mid-century hues like mustard yellow, avocado green, burnt orange, or a deep teal. The clean lines of the herringbone pattern are a perfect match for the geometric sensibilities of the era.

This look is all about confident color choices and sleek forms. It’s a fantastic way to create a vibrant focal point that is both nostalgic and incredibly current. Your kitchen will feel like a perfectly preserved set from a classic film, ready for you to mix up a cocktail and enjoy the stylish surroundings of your mid-century modern kitchen.

Best For: Mid-century modern, retro, and eclectic kitchens.
Expert Tip: Keep the other elements relatively simple to let the backsplash be the star. Flat-front cabinets, especially in a warm walnut or teak finish, are the quintessential pairing.
Pairs Beautifully With: Walnut or teak cabinetry, simple laminate or quartz countertops, and minimalist hardware.

16. Add an Organic Touch with Handcrafted Zellige Tiles

If you love a look that is perfectly imperfect, Zellige tile is your soulmate. These traditional, hand-cut Moroccan clay tiles are known for their uneven surfaces, slight size variations, and rich, beautiful glaze inconsistencies. When laid in a herringbone pattern, the effect is simply breathtaking.

Each tile catches the light differently, creating a shimmering, water-like surface that is full of depth and character. This choice brings an incredible amount of texture and an authentic, artisanal feel to your kitchen. It’s the cornerstone of an organic modern kitchen, blending clean lines with natural, handcrafted beauty.

Best For: Organic modern, bohemian, coastal, and eclectic kitchens.
Expert Tip: Embrace the imperfections! The charm of Zellige is in its variations. Don’t strive for perfect, razor-thin grout lines; a slightly wider, more forgiving grout line will complement the rustic nature of the tile.
Pairs Beautifully With: Plaster or limewash walls, natural wood shelving, and unlacquered brass fixtures.

17. Go Graphic with an Oversized Tile Pattern

Create a bold, contemporary statement by scaling up! Using oversized or large-format rectangular tiles in a herringbone pattern results in a look that is less busy and more graphic. The larger tiles mean fewer grout lines, creating a cleaner, more seamless appearance that feels distinctly modern.

This approach is particularly effective in larger kitchens where a small-scale pattern might get lost. It allows the inherent beauty of the tile material—be it a beautifully veined porcelain or a sleek ceramic—to take center stage. This less-is-more approach works wonders when paired with other simple surfaces like quartz countertops.

Best For: Modern, minimalist, and contemporary kitchens.
Expert Tip: Using a grout color that closely matches the tile will enhance the minimalist, graphic effect by making the pattern more subtle and texture-focused.
Pairs Beautifully With: Handleless flat-panel cabinetry, waterfall islands, and integrated appliances.

18. Draw the Eye Upward with a Vertical Orientation

Give the classic herringbone a fresh twist—literally! By rotating the pattern 90 degrees so the “arrows” point up and down, you create a vertical herringbone. This simple change has a powerful visual effect: it draws the eye upward, creating an illusion of height and making your ceilings feel taller.

This is a brilliant designer trick for kitchens with lower ceilings or for narrow galley kitchens where you want to create a sense of more space and grandeur. It feels fresh, dynamic, and just a little bit different from the standard layout, making it one of those clever kitchen decorating ideas that makes a huge impact.

Best For: Kitchens with low ceilings, galley kitchens, and contemporary spaces.
Expert Tip: This orientation works especially well with long, skinny tiles, as it exaggerates the vertical lines and maximizes the height-enhancing effect.
Pairs Beautifully With: Tall pantry cabinets, sleek pendant lighting, and minimalist hardware.

19. Create Maximum Impact with a Floor-to-Ceiling Installation

Why stop at the cabinets? For the ultimate design statement, take your herringbone backsplash all the way from the countertop to the ceiling. This creates a stunning, uninterrupted feature wall that serves as a dramatic backdrop for your entire kitchen. It’s a luxurious, high-impact choice that makes the room feel taller, grander, and completely custom.

This technique works beautifully to frame a range hood or a set of open shelves, turning a functional wall into a work of art. It’s an especially effective strategy when paired with a bold tile choice, like a deep color or a striking marble, turning up the drama on a wall of dark kitchen cabinets.

Best For: Kitchens with open shelving, high ceilings, or those seeking a dramatic focal point.
Expert Tip: If you’re creating a full feature wall, consider how it will interact with your lighting. Wall sconces mounted directly on the tile can add another layer of sophisticated design.
Pairs Beautifully With: Floating shelves, a statement range hood, and minimal or no upper cabinetry.

20. Embrace the Warmth of Hickory or Walnut Tones

Channel a warm, inviting, and slightly rustic vibe by choosing a herringbone backsplash that mimics the tones of beautiful hardwoods. Porcelain tiles that look like wood are incredibly durable and offer the rich, varied appearance of hickory or walnut without the maintenance concerns of real wood. The warm brown and reddish tones create a cozy, cabin-chic atmosphere.

This look pairs exceptionally well with cabinetry in similar wood tones, like beautiful hickory kitchen cabinets, for a rich, layered, and cohesive design. It’s a sophisticated way to do rustic, grounding the kitchen in natural warmth while the herringbone pattern keeps it feeling polished.

Best For: Rustic, modern farmhouse, and transitional kitchens.
Expert Tip: Choose a wood-look tile with a high degree of variation in the “grain” and color to achieve the most realistic and natural appearance.
Pairs Beautifully With: Black or soapstone countertops, shaker-style cabinets, and oil-rubbed bronze hardware.

21. Define a Nook with a Jewel-Box Backsplash

A herringbone backsplash isn’t just for the main kitchen walls! Use a small-scale or mosaic herringbone tile to create a “jewel-box” moment in a smaller, dedicated zone like a coffee bar, a built-in bar, or a charming breakfast nook. In a smaller space, you can afford to use a more luxurious material like mother-of-pearl or a pricey marble mosaic.

This technique adds a special, custom touch and helps to visually define the area’s purpose. It’s a delightful surprise that adds a layer of detailed craftsmanship to your home and is a perfect way to execute your breakfast nook ideas with style and sophistication.

Best For: Coffee bars, butler’s pantries, breakfast nooks, and wet bars.
Expert Tip: To make the small area feel extra special, install dedicated lighting, like a small picture light or an under-cabinet puck light, to highlight the beautiful, detailed pattern.
Pairs Beautifully With: Glass-front cabinets, elegant stone countertops, and specialized appliances (like a built-in espresso machine).

A Pattern for Every Personality

As you can see, the herringbone pattern is a design powerhouse. Its incredible versatility allows it to be classic or modern, subtle or bold, rustic or glam. No matter your style, this timeless pattern offers a foolproof way to add texture, movement, and a major dose of style to the heart of your home.