Turn your classic subway tiles on their head for a sleek, vertical pattern. Here, the glossy tiles extend from the stove to the range, complementing the all-white kitchen and flat cabinets to create a seamless look. Stainless steel appliances elevate the modern kitchen with their sleek, industrial look.
17 Vertical Tile Backsplash Ideas to Accent Your Space
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Published: March 27, 2024
Updated: February 21, 2024
Backsplash is one of the easiest ways to infuse character into the kitchen. There are various features to consider — from material to color, finish, and of course, pattern. Horizontal backsplash is perhaps the most common tile pattern, often seen with classic subway tiles or shiplap. Vertical backsplash, on the other hand, doesn’t tend to get as much love.
The style, however, has lots of benefits. The slimmer profile looks particularly striking and can create a unique statement, whether it’s glossy emerald tiles coating an entire wall or a satisfying neutral ombre effect above the stove. Not to mention, vertical tiles draw the eye upward for the illusion of a higher ceiling. This can make a space feel more open and spacious. You can even customize the color of your grout to make the tiles pop — or feel more subtle. Curious how it looks? Check out these vertical backsplash ideas for inspiration.
02 of Mix-And-Match Vertical Backsplash Idea
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Vertical tiles look especially striking with a mix and match of shades. Here, various neutral hues are scattered over the tiles in no particular pattern for a lived-in, natural look. The tiles are slim and short, extending up to the ceiling on the back wall to engulf the space in texture.
03 of Maximalist Kitchen Tiling
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These tiles have a half-speckled and half-marbled effect, infusing the kitchen with a maximalist touch. The tiles only extend part way up the wall, while the rest of the surface is kept white, providing breathing room from all the patterns. The backsplash’s brass outline matches the brass hardware of the faucet and tray beneath it for cohesion.
04 of Gray Vertical Tiles in Earthy Kitchen
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Glossy gray tiles with white grout soothe the senses in this kitchen. The sink and stove extend to the ceiling, almost creating an accent wall. Meanwhile, vertical tiles by the bar only extend halfway, allowing the decor on the floating shelves to have a clean display.
05 of Geometric Vertical Backsplash
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Rectangular-shaped tiles aren’t your only option! These ones, for instance, feature triangular ends also known as picket pattern tiles. The pointy edges offer a more contemporary, angular feel. Dark grout also helps tie the tiles in with the gray-veined marble counters.
06 of Wide Vertical Tile Backsplash Idea
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Similarly, your tiles don’t have to be thin to be vertical. Here, the tiles are kept extra wide almost the width of a floor tile to allow for a more spacious feel. The tiles are slightly textured with an ombre effect to add depth. The neutral shade matches the countertops in a calming, neutral shade.
07 of Slim Tile Pattern
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Petite vertical peel-and-stick tiles stack over the stove in this kitchen, adding texture and sheen to the otherwise blank canvas walls. The cloudy hue complements the rich blue cabinets, highlighting their moodiness and depth. The dark rug over the hardwood floors mimics the butcherblock countertops and grounds the space with darker colors lower down and lighter shades toward the ceiling.
08 of Natural Stone Backsplash
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These vertical tiles are matte and textured, exuding a natural stone look. The effect immediately relaxes the senses, in tandem with crisp white cabinets and lush houseplants. The grout is also kept white to emphasize that airy, clean style. Minimal countertop clutter keeps the space feeling pristine.
09 of Picket Pattern Tiles
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Picket pattern tiles provide geometric flair to this otherwise minimalist kitchen. The tiles have a gray-leaning white hue that varies slightly on each piece, allowing for organic balance and a not-so-overly-precious look. The backsplash extends just below the floating shelves so that the decor above can still have its own spotlight.
10 of Marble-Swirled Vertical Tiles
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Picket pattern tile again embellishes this kitchen, though each piece is kept shorter and stout so that the pattern proliferates the backsplash. A dark grout allows the individual tiles to stand out, while a swirling marble effect swaths over it all to infuse movement into the space.
11 of Teal Backsplash Inspiration
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Shiny teal tiles add a pop of color to this white and bright kitchen. The hue is complemented by more subdued pink tones in the glass and serve ware softening the vivid hue. Meanwhile, the grout is kept white to match the surrounding walls. Choosing an unusual color for your backsplash is a fun way to give your space a modern twist.
12 of Cottagecore-Style Tiles
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Vertical subway tiles are a classic option that never fails. These ones span the full length of the back wall to imbue the space with lots of creamy texture. Wispy curtains and pretty florals round out the cottagecore vibe. Don’t forget to accessorize with potted plants to elevate the natural design.
13 of Minimalist Vertical Tiling
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Simple matte white tiles keep this kitchen feeling fresh and crisp. The white grout is the perfect choice to avoid distracting from the kitchen accessories and ceramics which also act as decor. You can install floating shelves and pot fillers over the backsplash; vertical tiles don’t mean sacrificing functionality.
14 of Small Surface Area Tiling
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The backsplash doesn’t have to span the entire length of the wall. In this bathroom, marbled pink tiles form a pretty accent against the sink. The tiles are kept extra small so you can still see the pattern in the small surface area. Gray and brown tones are present on the floor and accessories for balance.
15 of Textured White Tiles
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Glossy white tiles still maintain a slightly rugged texture in this kitchen, preventing it from feeling sterile. The tiles slightly differ in tone for a ubiquitous look while also bringing balance to the more monochrome, flat surfaces. Neutral grout keeps the pattern looking subtle.
16 of Slender Picket Pattern Tiling
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The picket tiles in this bathroom are long and slender, making the space feel tall. It also allows for more tiles to span the width of the space so that the vertical pattern pops out. Above, a pink-swathed wall offers contrast and a similarly soft look. Fun, bright colors introduce a playful feel to the space.
17 of Grounding Vertical Backsplash
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Slight variations of gray and white tiles form the backsplash of this breezy kitchen. While the rest of the space is light and bright, the tiles’ gray hue helps ground the room, as well as play off the stainless steel appliances. The trick with varying tile tones is to still keep the colors within the same palette without having one tile shade be much darker or lighter than the next.
