Coastal kitchen decor schemes are inspired by holiday beach houses, the sea, and the sand. They are characterized by a soft and limited palette of pale hues, fresh white, and natural materials like weathered timber and natural rattan.
It’s important to match the right backsplash with a coastal kitchen to maintain this calm and peaceful aesthetic.
Before choosing a backsplash, you should consider how modern or traditional you’d like your beach house-style kitchen to be. Do you want a classic feel or a contemporary twist?
We’ve put together seven of our favorite coastal backsplash ideas to help you nail the look.
7 Best Backsplash Ideas for Coastal Kitchen
White Subway Tile
A white subway tile backsplash looks clean, crisp, and timeless in a coastal kitchen decor scheme. White backsplashes with a glossy ceramic finish will also reflect natural light into the room, making it appear brighter and more spacious.
A great benefit of subway tiles is that there are many cost-effective options to achieve the look, so your kitchen renovation can come in right on budget.
White Marble
A white marble backsplash takes a coastal kitchen design to new heights, instilling a sense of luxury. This elegant aesthetic is easy to pull off in rooms of all sizes, whether you have a cozy kitchen nook or a spacious arrangement with a central island.
White marble backsplashes complement homes from just about any period, so it’s a look that will stand the test of time.
Blue Mosaic
A blue mosaic backsplash makes a cheerful match for a coastal kitchen scheme, introducing uplifting hues from the sky and the sea. Small mosaic tiles introduce texture to a simple coastal kitchen design, creating visual interest.
Matt mosaic tiles will keep the aesthetic relaxed and soothing, whilst subtly iridescent tiles bring an exciting shimmer, like sunshine over a clear ocean.
Gray Stone
A gray stone backsplash makes a contemporary statement in a coastal kitchen. Cool in color and subtle in texture, gray stone tiles are a perfect backdrop for fresh white kitchen accessories and small appliances, alongside natural wood accents.
Alternatively, brighten up this muted background shade with an assortment of pale pastel additions to suit your personality or the changing seasons.
Hexagon Tile
A hexagon tile backsplash builds a fashion-forward feel in a coastal kitchen design. Geometric patterns instantly upgrade understated kitchen cabinets, so this is a great way to add instant impact and high-end style to a budget kitchen installation.
Take this geometric pattern up to the rafters for a luxurious finish, or skim just below wall cabinets with an abstract waved edge.
Shiplap
Shiplap wall treatments look great anywhere in a beach house-style interior but they work particularly well in the kitchen. Shiplap backsplashes add a new dimension to coastal kitchen design.
They build a relaxed rustic feel that appears warm and welcoming. Continue this relaxed backsplash treatment around the adjacent walls of your room too for a seamlessly cozy and cohesive finish.
Beige
A beige backsplash carries a warm and classic aesthetic into a coastal kitchen scheme. Beige tiles are reminiscent of smooth pebbles and sandy shores, making this a fitting match for a beach house-style interior.
This mild color is a practical choice both in terms of staining and light-reflective qualities. A tonal beige tile will camouflage small splashes whilst making the room appear bright and open.
Conclusion
Coastal kitchens suit a wide range of backsplash styles, so you can push the boat out with your choices or look after the budget. Just remember to keep shades subtle and finishes elegant.
Simplicity is key but if you yearn for a bolder character, a two-tone tiled backsplash introduces playful personality. Choose contrasting shades of gray, beige, or blue tiles to build stepped inclines of pattern or trendy herringbone waves.
Stretch the pattern the full width of your worktop or confine it to the hob area as a focal point. Accessorize with natural wooden chopping boards and rattan light fixtures to complete the beach house look.