I was talking with a client recently who had just installed white cabinets and was having a really hard time choosing a backsplash tile.

I told her this wasn't overly surprising to me.

Why? 

There are SO many colors go with white cabinets, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options.

To give you some ideas, I pulled together a few kitchen color schemes that show different ways you can pair white cabinets with backsplash tile and countertops. 

I've also linked the products shown below in case there are any ideas you'd like to replicate! Side note, some of these may be affiliate links so if you choose to purchase, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my business!

Kitchen Color Palette #1: Add A Pop Of Color

If you feel like a fully white kitchen might be a little too white for you, consider adding some color with your backsplash!

This is a kitchen I designed that features our Sky Blue Crackle 3x6" subway tile. While we're not making tile any more, I did find a similar subway tile from another manufacturer - Check out Bedrosians 2.5 x 5" Marin Tile in Misty Blue. It's a slightly smaller size, but similar in color to ours and has the same slight color variation between tiles.

Shop the Look Here

Here's a closeup of our Julep subway tiles above. The Bedrosians tile is similar to ours in that it also isn't perfectly rectangular so it looks like it's handmade. Plus the price point is much lower than we could ever have produced our subway tile for in our little studio!

Green would also be a nice color here - Bedrosians has a really pretty green Marin subway tile that funny enough is very similar to a green glaze of ours (Julep Crackle for those of you who have been around for a while!).

If you like this look, the countertops are Cambria Smithfield and the cabinets are Benjamin Moore Simply White. 

Kitchen Color Palette #2: Neutral Beige Mosaic Backsplash

Products featured in photo above: CABINET: Wedgewood Raised Panel Cabinet in Melted Brie; TILE: Bloom Handmade Tile in Cream Crackle; COUNTERTOP: Silestone in Lusso; WALL COLOR: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (Bottom Right)

If blues or greens are too much of a color commitment, consider a neutral beige backsplash. It's a slightly more subtle choice, and is also a great way to warm up a white kitchen.

The tile shown above is our Bloom Handmade Tile in Cream Crackle. We still have some stock of this tile (at least at the time of writing this article!). 

If we don't have enough Bloom to cover your full backsplash, you could use the Bloom as a decorative insert over the stove and use a white subway tile for the rest. The Bedrosians Marin collection actually has a nice white subway tile called Pearl White.

If you choose a neutral beige backsplash, make sure you pick a slightly warmer white cabinet color like the one above. A true white (like Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace, for example) would look too stark and cold next to the warm beige backsplash color.

 

Products featured in photo above: CABINET: Wedgewood Raised Panel Cabinet in Melted Brie; TILE: 2-Color Cobham in Cream & Wheat; COUNTERTOP: Caesarstone Organic White Quartz; WALL COLOR: Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan (Bottom Right)

Here's another option which is our Two-Color Cobham handmade tile in Cream & Wheat. What's interesting is that the color for the Cream Crackle in the last photo and Cream in this photo is not the glaze color itself - these are both just clear, translucent glazes so the warm beige color is actually the color of the clay underneath.

I digress. Sorry for the tile nerd moment!

Anyway, at the time I'm writing this we only have ONE tile insert left of the Two-Color Cobham shown above. So grab it if you love it!

Kitchen Color Palette #3: Classic White Cabinets with Beige Countertops

Shown Above: Benjamin Moore White Dove Cabinet / Taj Mahal Countertops with field tiles and Pearl Liner Trim (SOLD OUT, sorry!) / Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (50% Strength) Walls (Upper Right) / Damask Handmade Tile in Glossy White (Lower RIght) 

Instead of introducing color on the backsplash, you could consider introducing some color with your countertops. 

The photo above shows Taj Mahal quartzite which is a favorite among clients! I can see why - it's beautiful, durable countertop with a lovely subtle pattern.

The only trouble with Taj Mahal is that because it's quartzite (and not quartz which is made in a factory) the colors can vary quite a bit depending on where your slab is mined.

You shouldn't have any trouble if you keep with a nice, slightly warm white for your cabinets and countertops (the cabinet above is Benjamin Moore White Dove).

The trouble comes when you try to match the neutrals in Taj Mahal - depending on the slab, they can range from creamy beige to more of a gray. 

I hope that helps give you some ideas on backsplashes and countertops that would look great with white cabinets (which in my opinion are a very timeless and classic choice!).