This is a common tile dilemma: You've fallen in love with a decorative accent tile you'd like to feature above your stove, but what tile do you put on the rest of the backsplash? 

Shown Above: Bloom Handmade Tile in Deep Blue Crackle. Shop available colors here.

I get this question often from clients, so let's dive in!

Should you choose the same color for the accent tile and field/subway tile? 

Shown Above: Bloom Handmade Tile with subway tile, all in Sky Blue Crackle. We're all sold out of subway tile, sorry! Shop available Bloom tile colors here.

This really comes down to personal preference, and the look you’re trying to achieve. The photo above is an example of choosing the same color for the accent tile and subway tile – this creates a more continuous, flowing look.

You might choose this option if:

-You like a more calm, subtle look with less contrast

-You have a smaller kitchen and want it make it look larger- having one continuous color on the backsplash will help as it doesn’t break up the space as much.

When should you choose a different color for the accent tile over the stove?

Shown Above: Hiser Handmade Tile in Light Gray. Shop available Hiser colors here.

You might choose this option if:

-You want to create a strong focal point and draw attention to the stove area

-You’d like to show off the pretty accent tile you chose!

PRO TIP: The higher the contrast between accent and subway/field color, the more attention you'll draw to this area. For example, white and off-white is low contrast. Black and white is high contrast.

And what if you're using tile from two different manufacturers?

Shown Above: Cobham Handmade Tile in Latte. Shop available Cobham colors here. Subway tile from unknown manufacturer.

For example, let’s say you choose accent tile from us and subway tile from somewhere else.

SIDE NOTE: Our Small Batch tiles are often the perfect quantity for a decorative accent over the stove. You can shop them all here. They're currently 50% off too!

In other news, since we're no longer producing tile and have sold out of our subway tiles, purchasing subway tile from another manufacturer would be your best bet! 

I do, however, think you have to choose your colors strategically in this situation.

The obvious solution is to choose one color for the accent tile, and a completely different color for the subway/field tile like in the photo above.

But what if you want a more continuous look with one color for the accent and subway?

Here’s what I would do.

Choose similar colors from each manufacturer, but make sure the finish is very different. In other words, maybe you choose a glossy white tile from us, but a matte white tile from the other manufacturer.

This way you get the continuity of color you’re after and the finish makes it obvious that they are indeed two different tiles.

I think people get into trouble when they try to match two colors exactly – then if one color is just a little bit off, it looks like a mistake and will drive you crazy forever. (Or at least it would drive me crazy forever!)