What Backsplash Tiles Are in Style for 2026: Zellige, Subway, Slab

Are you updating your backsplash? Or maybe you’re building or remodelling, creating a kitchen palette from scratch. Either way, you’ve probably thought about what’s trendy for kitchen backsplashes.

And let me tell you, it can be hard to keep up with trends. One day, you’re admiring your ‘once trendy’ Tuscan-style kitchen or shiny, golden oak floors; the next, you’re burning it all to the ground.

But guess what, Buttercup? There are easy, more affordable ways to integrate trends in your home. Trends that might cost some money to replace/redo down the road, but don’t have you twitching in the corner as you scribble on the last cheque in your checkbook (does anyone even write cheques anymore?). Anyway.

And what is that easy way to integrate a trend in your home?

On your kitchen BACKSPLASH.

Of course, I’m often on team timeless backsplash, but sometimes, you can get the best of both worlds.

In the scale of kitchen remodels, the backsplash is one of the more manageable, affordable kitchen updates (if you don’t go too balls-out). For example, removing and installing a new backsplash is less expensive than…

• Installing new countertops
• Getting your cabinets professionally painted
• Replacing your cabinetry
• Redoing your tile floor.

Why is it so much less expensive?

It all comes down to square footage. The average backsplash is 30-40 sq ft. Since you pay for tile and labor by sq. ft., it’s much easier to manage costs… depending on the tile you choose.

• Shop carefully and find a Zellige-look tile for $8-10 per sq ft (or the real thing for approximately $20).
• Or go for the timeless look of subway tile and spend around $2 sq ft for your tile – the choice is yours!

And it’s a heck of a lot easier to make that choice once you understand the options and how they relate to your home and RESALE.

Why does resale matter – it’s YOUR home?

Between the countertop, cabinets, and backsplash, the backsplash is the most dated feature.

Well, if you’re staying in your home forever and ever amen and love a particular look, backsplash tile trends are irrelevant (unless you also care about trends). In this case, you can fill your little thigh-high boots (which are also no longer trendy… sadly).

However, if you plan to sell in five+ years, there’s a good chance the tile you choose now won’t be trendy. When a SUPER trendy product isn’t anymore, it dates a home to a specific set of years (everyone recognizes a home built in the early 2000s, and soon, they’ll recognize those from the early 2020s too).

But again, being more affordable than many other kitchen updates, it’s not a bad place to have some fun. 

Hellooooooo 2005! 

And sometimes it’s not the ONE thing that dates a home in the future; it’s an accumulation of design choices (e.g., Zellige tile AND off-white cabinets with marble-look counters).

ANYWAY, am I talking too much? Probably. I do in work as I do in life.

So, let’s get down to the top tile trends for 2026 and whether they’re even a good idea in the first place.

CONSIDER THIS BEFORE YOU INSTALL YOUR BACKSPLASH…

It can be hard to choose with all of the options out there. Asking yourself some key questions is a great way to figure out which option is best.

• Does today’s backsplash tile trend even SUIT your home and surrounding finishes? 
• Do your home’s surrounding finishes NEED a trendy tile or do they suit a more timeless one?
• Does the tile you love have the same vibe as your home (or do you just WISH it did)?
• Will you tire of it in a few years, or will a new owner think it’s janky?
• Is this currently a backsplash TREND, or a timeless choice – is it BOTH?

And I’m not trying to be mean or put down homes that have them – that’s not what this is about. Some homes look gorgeous in the following styles, regardless of whether they’re in style.

This blog post is about whether you should install these particular backsplash tiles TODAY. 

Wait, am I talking too much again? That would be a hard yes.

IS SUBWAY TILE IN STYLE FOR 2026?

While subway tile backsplashes are currently taking a backseat to slab backsplashes, they’re still a great, timeless choice.

A finish doesn’t need to be the current ‘top trend’ to be timeless.

As for how they compare to Zellige tiles, many choose the best of both worlds: a Zellige-look subway tile. This offers lower maintenance and an easier install with a similar, often more structured look…

IS SUBWAY TILE TRENDY OR TIMELESS?

Subway tile is the most timeless backsplash option. While it comes and goes in ‘mass popularity’, it’s a great choice for most kitchens.

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SHOULD YOU INSTALL A SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH?

It’s the rare kitchen where no is the answer. Most kitchens pull off a well-chosen subway tile backsplash like a dream. As for whether installing one in 2026 is a smart choice, I’d do it (in fact, I have it in my own home). Shlong story short – heck yes, please do.

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Need help finding a subway tile to coordinate with your cabinets? Check out The Best White Subway Tiles.

IS ZELLIGE TILE IN STYLE FOR 2026?

While I LOVE Zellige tile, and it’s definitely a popular backsplash tile trend, it has pros and cons…

• Will this trend last for a while yet? Heck yes. 
• Does Zellige tile suit as many homes as a more traditional subway tile? HECK NO. The irregular, inconsistent look of Zellige tile limits its use.
• Are Zellige tiles TOO trendy? Yes. While they have their place in some homes, this ‘popularity’ often means they’re used in homes that don’t suit them.

Does this next kitchen suit Zellige tile? That would be a HARD YES – so hard I’m getting a little excited…

The home above has an organic, curated look (I’d move in today… even though I’m not a Zellige fan). Hop onto Pinterest and type in ‘Zellige backsplash.‘ Or, even better, type in ‘backsplash tile trends‘ and you’ll see a shartload (technical terminology). Many of these homes look great with this trendy tile. Here are a few reasons why…

• They aren’t modern-looking homes; they’re more ‘homey’ (this is a good thing). Words like ‘kitschy, eclectic, layered, whimsy, personality, textured’ can all apply to Zellige tile.
• These kitchens often have non-white cabinets and gold hardware.
• Light fixtures, hardware, and other details tend to be a bit more bespoke and unique vs ‘big box style’.
• Wood finishes are almost always nearby, either on the floor, range hood, or decorative accents – this can create a softer, more natural look.
• You’ll see quite a few farmhouse sinks – again, picking up on that homey, lived-in look.

Amongst other things.

If you like clean lines and uniformity, you might not like Zellige tile. 

The Best Zellige Tiles for Backsplashes & Bathrooms

This next kitchen has a STUNNING Zellige tile in a 4×4, running bond/brick layout. These cabinets are a softer, warmer white, and along with the wood range hood detail, really pull off this look…

I’d love to see a wooden cutting board & plant on the counter for texture/coziness! 

However, two things would affect how good the above kitchens look…

1. If either chose a Zellige with a more rustic, uneven edge, they would’ve lost the look entirely – it would be too rustic for the surrounding finishes.
2. The same would happen if they’d chosen a dark grout, which would highlight the tile’s natural, purposeful imperfections.

The slightly tidier, cleaner edges of their tiles nod to the more modern touches in these kitchens. These tiles are a great happy medium between the cleaner look of subway tiles and the rustic look of a super Zellige approach.

Let’s bust back to that first kitchen and take a closer look…

The darker grout accents the tile, whereas a lighter grout would blend the slightly uneven pattern. 

Look at how the warmth of the Zellige tile complements the brick fireplace in the family room (and seriously, LOOK at that freakin’ puppy – I wonder if they got it because it blends with the floor.)

Also, notice (above) the rustic pendant light, gold hardware, and lovely, grainy wood floor. This all adds to the charm of this space, with the Zellige tile playing a big part.

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Again, gold cabinet hardware that’s a bit more ‘thoughtful’ vs generic, as well as unique pendant lights. Add in the rustic wood shelves and farmhouse sink, and this Zellige tile is RIGHT at home.

If we compare the previous kitchens, they’re all stunning in their own way. But if there’s ONE of them that looks the most timeless, it’s this last one.

Why? 

Because it carries the Zellige look, feel, and intention throughout the decor, hardware, and surrounding finishes. This doesn’t make the previous two kitchens bad, not at all, but there will likely come a time when their surroundings outlive them.

Schlong story short…

IS ZELLIGE TILE TIMELESS OR JUST TRENDY?

Both. In the right (but reasonably rare) home, Zellige tile will look gorgeous for many, many moons. However, if it’s not supported by the right finishes, it will eventually look dated.

The Best Zellige Tiles

SHOULD YOU INSTALL ZELLIGE TILE IN 2026?

You bet your boot scootin’ booty you should – heck yes…

• As long as it truly suits your home and its surrounding finishes (and really does, not just because you’re convincing your home to accept it).
• You’re okay with Zellige shifting in popularity at some point.

Zellige is one of the darlings of the backsplash world and should hold up for a while yet. However, as a mainstream backsplash tile trend, it’s not for the average home… by a long stretch, but gets used like it is. 

This kitchen is beautiful. Once the floor is updated, I’m all-in! This tile is a Zellige-look porcelain (find it in this blog post)

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IS A ‘SLAB BACKSPLASH’ IN STYLE FOR 2026?

If you hop on Pinterest, you’ll see many kitchens clad in countertop finishes, both on the counters and the backsplash. While a thinner slab is used on the backsplash, the same-same trend is big right now.

But haven’t we seen this trend before? You betcha – it popped up in the 1990s/early 2000s with many of the popular (often darker) granite counters. And then it went away.

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The slab backsplash approach is great if you’re not good at mixing and matching. And while some can be relatively timeless, others need to be careful…

These main cabinets are waiting on a fresh new coat of paint (or three, realistically)

The above look has a lot of visual detail, making it hard to see the focal point of this kitchen. It’s not that it’s not PRETTY; there’s just a lot going on, and it won’t be timeless. It’s ‘good for now‘ based on today’s trends. And sometimes that’s okay if you love the look!

The wilder and more wonderful your countertop is, the less likely it is to pass the test of time.

Once the cabinets are painted (I can’t wait to see the photos!), the effect won’t be as graphic as it is now – the red-stained wood cabinets add a whole ‘nother level of contrast and busyness.

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When using a countertop as a backsplash, I often suggest a modest approach, as a quartz or granite counter with a busy pattern can be overwhelming.

While this next countertop/backsplash is reasonably veiny, it’s calm enough for many tastes…

This kitchen is waiting on a few finishing details, but it has great bones! 

While the above quartz will have its day, it’ll last longer than the previous example.

And then we have this bad boy…

Sherwin Williams Pure White

When my clients sent me their photos, my mouth dropped. Now, a space doesn’t need to be YOUR style to be beautiful, and this kitchen is one classic beauty. While the countertop and backsplash material is a darker quartzite, its pattern is relatively low-contrast. Perfect. The only WEE small detail I’d change is to have a valance/skirt under the upper cabinets to cover the undercabinet lighting.

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IS THE SLAB BACKSPLASH TIMELESS OR JUST TRENDY?

Using your counter as your backsplash (also called a countersplash) is a trend we’re seeing a lot of. And that’s what it is – a trend. It will have its time in the sun; I just hope it’s wearing sunscreen, because eventually it will show its age.

The Best Light & Off-White Cabinet Colors

99.5% of the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, talented photographers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with timeless (and some trendy) home update ideas & the best, proven paint color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

SHOULD YOU INSTALL A SLAB BACKSPLASH IN 2026?

OH, HECK YES! This trend is bang on, and we’re right at the sweet spot; we’ve got momentum, but the scales haven’t tipped to a downward slide. yet. From there, it comes down to which countertop product you choose…

THE BEST COUNTERTOPS TO USE AS A SLAB BACKSPLASH

If you’re wondering whether your countertop is suitable for a backsplash, here are a few popular choices…

• White quartz countertop with minimal to moderate veining
• Darker quartz or soapstone countertops with minimal or low contrast veining
• Most granites won’t make the cut this round
• Low-contrast quartzite patterns
• A marble slab backsplash that doesn’t have high contrast or overly detailed veins
• Another option is to use your countertop behind the stove only (and no backsplash tile elsewhere), creating a strong focal point – a super classic look with marble, in particular.

If you want to go more wild, you do you, but the wilder it is, the shorter its lifespan may be (with a few exceptions).

OTHER BACKSPLASH OPTIONS (UP FOR DEBATE)

While these next backsplash tiles aren’t necessarily ‘hot’, they’re worth some discussion…

TRAVERTINE TILE BACKSPLASHES

While warmer finishes are trendy again, travertine tile backsplashes haven’t made a comeback…yet.

Look at this beautiful 2000s kitchen update – neutral, light-medium depth painted cabinets, travertine, and granite! 

IS A TRAVERTINE BACKSPLASH TIMELESS OR TRENDY?

Neither.

As we learned via the Mediterranean/Tuscan-style trends from the early 2000s, travertine tile backsplashes aren’t timeless. They’re also currently not trendy, even though travertine tile is showing up on kitchen and bathroom floors and shower walls.

However, if you already have travertine and it’s well coordinated with your countertop, it can definitely work.

NEXT!

Backsplash Ideas to Update Your 2000s Home

CHEVRON OR HERRINGBONE BACKSPLASHES

When it comes to hardwood floors, a herringbone or chevron pattern can be stunning and effortlessly timeless.

BUT (it’s a BBL-sized one), a herringbone or chevron pattern isn’t a backsplash tile trend anymore. It doesn’t matter if it’s porcelain, marble, or pure gold; this pattern peaked around 2020 and is well on its way out.

This doesn’t mean people aren’t still doing these patterns on their backsplash – they are; it’s more a question of SHOULD they?

Herringbone has greater longevity on a floor than on a wall.

IS A HERRINGBONE OR CHEVRON BACKSPLASH TRENDY OR TIMELESS?

Generally speaking, neither. The older your home is, the more authentically you can pull off a patterned tile like chevron or herringbone. However, it’s more often on the floor than on the backsplash.

SHOULD YOU INSTALL A HERRINGBONE/CHEVRON BACKSPLASH IN 2026?

Ermmm, you can if you like it, but I wouldn’t if you care about the long haul.

On the other hand, a kitchen backsplash is one of the less expensive updates, and it’s okay to do something just because you love it (it’s your home!). If you or your Realtor feels it affects the resale value, it won’t break the bank to change to something more timeless/trendy later.

This kitchen is lovely, but a subway tile backsplash would be a lot better.

FUN FACT! Did your favorite Color Consultant and Design Blogger (ahem) install a chevron pattern backsplash at her lake home (below)? YOU BET I DID!

Why?

Because I love it, and it’s a lake home, and it’s mine, so I filled my little chevron boots…

Again, (I can talk until the cows come home – truly, I can), if you love something and YOU think it suits your home – you do you, boo!

If you love chevron or herringbone patterns, one of the best choices you can make is to do it with marble or a white subway tile backsplash, like this gorgeous kitchen…

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This next kitchen is in our last home. I didn’t design the hard finishes (cabinets, counters, backsplash, floor); I did the wall colors and decor. While I love the overall look, the chevron marble backsplash isn’t timeless (and is slightly too cool for the cabinets)…

If we still lived in this home, I guarantee I would’ve replaced the backsplash with a less busy, more timeless subway tile.

SUBWAY TILES: 5 Ideas to Add Personality to Your Backsplash

HEXAGON OR TRELLIS-SHAPED BACKSPLASHES TILES

Trellis shape for 2015? Yes. For 2026, no. While I’d love to tell you they still have a place in the average home, they left about 5-6 years ago. Almost any shape, other than a traditional subway tile rectangle, will date itself at some point in most homes.

Hexagon is still having somewhat of a moment, and we see some slightly larger tiles on floors.

• But is it a timeless backsplash choice? Nope.
• Is it currently a huge backsplash tile trend? Nope (but it is cool).

When the hexagon is out, changing the grout to white will soften its effect and prolong its life! 

That said, a small-scale hexagon marble tile on the floor can be a timeless look. Even on a larger scale, the floor in the right home will have some longevity… just not the kitchen backsplash.

This next room has a backsplash; it’s just in a bathroom. All the same, it shows a marble hexagon tile. Being a timeless marble (with a budget-friendly laminate countertop), it will go further than other materials/colors…

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However, along with the gray cabinets, it screams 2015.

It’s not always a single finish that dates a home, it’s often a combination of finishes. 

PENNY TILE BACKSPLASHES

When it comes to penny tile, it’s gone the way of rectal thermometers (apparently not a thing anymore), indoor smoking, and dial-up phones. She gone.

This is contrary to the fact that, in my powder room, I have two no-longer-trendy tiles – a hexagon and a penny. AND THEY’RE BOTH GRAY (also…not trendy).

But guess what, Buttercup?

I didn’t design this bathroom for resale; I designed it for me (and I still love it, although I am getting a bit bored).

SHOULD YOU INSTALL PENNY TILE IN YOUR KITCHEN (OR ANYWHERE) IN 2026?

Nope. With very few exceptions.

The great thing is that while they aren’t IN style at all, they’re still acceptable for the next few years. However, beyond that, if I want to sell my home for top dollar, I might consider replacing them (this being said, well-styled small bathrooms or powder rooms rarely make or break a deal).

PATTERNED BACKSPLASH (OR FLOOR) TILES 

Sadly (or not), patterned tiles are no longer a thing, unless they suit the decade your home was built in (and it can’t start with a 20 anything or even in the mid to high 19s).

This is one of the few kitchens that can pull this off for the long-term – LOOK at those curated finishes- I LOVE MY CLIENTS! 

Patterned tiles, popular as recently as three to four years ago, are not in style—they came and went FAST. Personally, they should’ve never been a thing for backsplashes. As for floors, you have to be darn careful that the tile you choose suits the style of your home.

Most homes can’t pull off patterned tiles.

This laundry room is amazeballs as the surrounding finishes fully support the patterned tile…

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black and High Reflective White with roarin’ red washer and dryer! 

Two things the above tile has going for it are its slightly marble look and classic pattern. This look is way different from the ‘big box’ patterned tiles (more Moroccan sometimes).

This next space isn’t a backsplash or a kitchen, but it’s a great example of a patterned tile floor that suits its surroundings (Modern Farmhouse)…

Anything even remotely close to this on a backsplash is too much UNLESS it’s a small, cottage-like kitchen with character. Even then, I probably wouldn’t do it.

This next kitchen is a stunner…

Sherwin Williams Pure White & Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Why does the above work so well?

The kitchen is perfectly styled and coordinated with the patterned accent tile behind the stove.

Should you put a different tile backsplash behind your stove? 

HECK NO. While I fully support the above kitchen – it’s fabulous for the people living there- it limits this kitchen’s ability to move forward. Now, if you love blue and will always love it and never change it, you can fill your little blue suede shoes. However, if I moved into the above home today, it would be the first thing to go, as it’s not my style. Again, it’s pretty – I LOVE IT, but if we’re talking ‘timeless for the sake of resale,’ it goes just a wink too far into the ‘personality’ range.

Long story short, if you’re doing it, you’re doing it for you, not for trends and not for resale – and that’s okay!

WHAT ABOUT MOSAIC TILE BACKSPLASHES?

A thousand times, no. Most of the time, mosaic tiles are paired with counters that are too busy. Let me rephrase that. Mosaic tile backsplashes are usually too busy looking for the average countertop and average kitchen.

In particular, avoid…

• mosaic glass tiles
• slate or travertine blends
• mosaic tile in general

I have much love for this next kitchen for a variety of reasons. While the backsplash is well-coordinated, it’s too busy for the granite countertop.

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This is a situation where it ‘looks good’ overall; it just isn’t modern. I wouldn’t change it for now, but when I’m ready for a change, I’d head away from this look and into a subway tile.

But Kylie, aren’t there some exceptions where a pattern is perfect?

ABSOLUTELY, there are always exceptions.

If you have a home with a particular style (maybe even one that’s long past, like mid-century modern), some of the above tiles and patterns will last forever because they suit the home and homeowner.

Looking at this next bathroom, this marble hexagon floor tile suits the space so well. It wasn’t picked because it was trendy.

But what about the gold and chrome hardware? I thought that was a no-no.

Again, there are always exceptions. In a more modern, slightly more streamlined bathroom, this wouldn’t work. However, because this bathroom is a bit more eclectic, it does the layered metals super well.

This next combo of tiles is another timeless look as they’re all from similar decades and likely suit the home they’re in (maaaybe early 20s?)…

Obviously, this shower is waiting for its glass doors – otherwise, that’s one WET room! 

I looove this next space. While not many homes can pull it off, given this home’s character and age, this tile floor will go a loooong time…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Tricorn Black

However, if we’re talking timeless design choices, since Modern Farmhouse style isn’t in style anymore, there will be some details to change in this space, which is okay! As Shrek once said…

‘Change is good, Donkey.’

To sum it all up…

WHAT BACKSPLASH TILES ARE TRENDY FOR 2026?

I’m letting you know what’s trendy for 2026. Whether these backsplash tiles are timeless is a whole different topic (which you read about earlier).

In order of what I’m seeing in my recent Online Color Consultations and Instagram feed…

• ZELLIGE TILE: Light, dark, colorful – you name it, Zellige is hot. Just please, be careful with how rustic your edges are. There’s also a range of sizes, from 3×6 and 4×4 to more random sizes. Here are my favorite Zellige tiles.
• SLAB BACKSPLASH: This trend is hotter than hotcakes. Just be careful about how strong your veins are. Only the odd home can pull off a powerful vein for the long term.
• SUBWAY TILE: Subway tile is always on point and the most timeless. Here are my favorites.
• STONE BACKSPLASHES (like the ones you’d put around your fireplace) are still reasonably popular (have fun wiping spaghetti sauce off them!). They’re fading though, so don’t get too excited.
• MARBLE TILE BACKSPLASH (OR SLAB): Marble is pretty darn timeless, especially in subway tile format

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