27 Awesome Backsplash Ideas for Oak Cabinets (Fresh and Charming Combinations)

What color backsplash goes with oak cabinets? Explore 27 colorful and awesome choices to create an amazing kitchen. Written by : Andre A & Roomdsign.com Editors | Last Updated : November 21st, 2023

Whether you’re doing a remodel or building a new home, planning your kitchen involves endless design decisions. And things can be a bit more complicated if you are using wooden cabinetry, like oak. The oak cabinets need a perfect companion that will allow them to unleash all of their organic, natural charm, and set the foundation for warm and inviting kitchen spaces.

Among many different elements, backsplash can be one of the most important things to consider. Besides its functionality, a backsplash can provide additional aesthetics, bringing a different layer of beauty inside your kitchen.

For kitchen with oak cabinets, our interior designers highly recommend black tile, white herringbone, cream tile, brown granite, pale yellow, and olive mosaic tile for the backsplashes. These options not only harmonize beautifully with the charming oak wood but also infuse the kitchen with vibrant energy, creating a rich and lively ambiance. Moreover, these backsplash can easily stand out, becoming a new focal point that elevates the entire kitchen’s appearance.

Read on as we explore all the possible backsplash options that create a perfect harmony with oak kitchen cabinets.

1. Black Tile Backsplash

Black tile backsplash with oak cabinets
Black tile backsplash

Elevate the look of your kitchen in an instant using a black backsplash with a matt finish.

Black can add weight and dimension to your space, as the honey oak color tends to be too yellowish creating a pale look to your room.

If you’re unsure of the strong presence of black in your kitchen, you can go with a lighter hue such as greige which is a mix of beige and gray colors.


2. White Herringbone Tile Backsplash

White backsplash with oak kitchen cabinets
White herringbone backsplash

Since oak is a unique wood with beautiful grain and color, you may want to expose it and use plain white. Using this simple choice can help make your oak kitchen cabinets become stand out, and look so much better.

Furthermore, the sleek and crisp appearance of the white herringbone tiles creates a clean look to your entire space.


3. Light Gray Mosaic Backsplash

Light gray backsplash with oak kitchen cabinets
Light gray backsplash

Add a touch of elegance to your kitchen using a light gray mosaic. This kind of backsplash will easily modernize the looks of any kitchens, including the ones that use oak cabinets.

And since light gray is a strong neutral color, it’s pretty easy for this mosaic tile to blend with any kind of oak, from light oak, white oak, honey oak, or dark oak.


4. Cream Marble Tile Backsplash

Cream backsplash with oak kitchen cabinets
Cream raw marble backsplash

For you who want to create a totally harmonious and seamless design, then you can try this gorgeous option. Raw cream marble had a very similar tone to most oak, making this awesome backsplash go together in harmony with your oak kitchen cabinets.

These everlasting elements also will boost the prestige and glamour vibe, making it not only an enjoyable space to cook, but also an interesting feature of your entire interior.


5. Brown Granite Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with brown granite backsplash
Brown granite backsplash

Another great option to create a visual connection between your backsplash with oak cabinets is by using brown granite.

Brown granite will have a very similar tone to the oak, making them look gorgeous together. While the granite vein and texture add more depth to the entire space.


6. Golden Granite Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with golden granite backsplash
Golden granite backsplash

Alternatively, you can also go with golden granite. This kind of granite will work even better if you are using any type of oak wood that has yellow or orange hues, such as honey oak.

Adding a bit of glam vibrancy, the golden granite will easily turn any boring kitchen into a much more attractive and interesting one.


7. Travertine Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with travertine backsplash
Travertine backsplash

Travertine is another awesome natural stone option that works nicely with wooden cabinets. This kind of stone may not be as strong and intense as marble or granite, but still brings enough earthy vibe to your cooking space.

Furthermore, travertine will easily add some class and style to modernize any old, classical kitchen.


8. Dark Emerald Tile Backsplash

Dark emerald green backsplash with oak cabinets
Dark emerald green backsplash

Since oak has a very strong natural look, why not combine it with other natural colors like green? Almost any green shade can work beautifully alongside oak, but one of our favorite choices is this dark emerald green.

These deep, bold shades of green bring more than just a freshness, but also a touch of glam and modern appearance. Thus, you can still have a fresh, earthy design with a bit of a modern twist.


9. Pale Yellow Tile Backsplash

Pale yellow backsplash with oak cabinets
Pale yellow backsplash

If you are using any variety of oak wood that has a slightly yellow undertone in it, then it will be a great idea to match your cabinets with pale yellow tile.

This kind of backsplash does not offer plenty of brightness and vibrancy like typical yellow, but still quite enough to lift up your entire kitchen while being in the same color tone as the oak.


10. Olive Green Tile Backsplash

Olive green backsplash with oak kitchen cabinets
Olive green backsplash

Another awesome green shade that you can try to pair with your oak cabinets. Olive is a unique green shade with a hint of yellow, making this color feel much warmer than any typical green.

Thus, using olive green mosaic backsplash tile can provide plenty of warmth to lift up the mood of your home.


11. Nyanza Tile Backsplash

Nyanza backsplash with oak cabinets
Nyanza backsplash

Not a famous color name but you’ve probably seen the very light green tint in many showrooms paired with the honey-colored shaker cabinets.

The gorgeous hue has a bluish undertone that adds a wisp of freshness to the warmer cabinet color tone. The result is a lively look where you can add bits of darker green embellishments. 

Either go for the plane surface tiles with a matt finish and laid out in a diagonal square grid for a statement backsplash or create a more traditional surround with glossy subway tiles.


12. Pale Spring Bud Backsplash

Pale spring bud backsplash with oak cabinets
Pale spring bud backsplash

This is a light shade of yellow with a mix of green and blue. If you love yellowish tones but want a more modern take on your kitchen backsplash this is the perfect color to go for.

The pale spring bud goes beautifully with any tone of oak wood and creates a cohesive and mellow interior. 

For a modern twist look for elongated hex-shaped tiles in pale spring bud or any similar hue. You’ll be surprised by how stunning it looks with your honey-toned cabinets.


13. Mousy Indigo Backsplash

Mousy indigo tile backsplash with oak cabinets
Mousy indigo backsplash

The mousy indigo on the onset looks like charcoal gray but it actually comprises blue, red, and green tinges and is considered a medium-dark shade of orange.

The darker tone works nicely with reddish oak cabinets when lined with white grouting. A striking look for your traditional wood cabinets is by having them in a diagonal square grid layout.

You can also go with small squares in a grid layout for streamlined cabinets.


14. Blue-Gray Mosaic Backsplash

Blue-gray backsplash with oak cabinets
Blue-gray backsplash

Since oak brings plenty of warm tones, it may be a good idea to counter it out using some cool-toned backsplash like this blue-gray. This blue-gray mosaic looks pretty awesome alongside oak wood cabinets, creating a well-balanced ambiance to the entire kitchen.

Moreover, adding the different hues creates more depth and richness, resulting in a much more interesting visual appearance.


15. Coastal Blue Tile Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with coastal blue mosaic tile backsplash
Coastal blue mosaic backsplash

If you are creating a kitchen design for coastal theme interior or a beach house, without any doubt, this is the ideal choice. Enjoy the airy, charming farmhouse ambiance by combining this coastal blue tile with oak cabinetry.

However, this option may not work well if you are using dark oak, so we highly recommend you only use this alongside any light-toned oak wood.


16. White Marble Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with white marble backsplash
White marble slab backsplash

White marble is a foolproof choice when it comes to backsplashes. This earthy stone not only will easily fit in into any kind of kitchen, but can also combined with literally any color palette.

So, if you are looking for a risk-free option for your kitchen, then this is surely the safest option for you.


17. Black Soapstone Backsplash

Oak kitchen cabinets with black soapstone backsplash
Black soapstone backsplash

With a beautiful color combination of neutral black with classic veining, black soapstone backsplash will turn any boring kitchen into a stylish and elegant one.

Furthermore, this dark backsplash can unleash the chic and charming looks of the oak cabinets, making all your kitchen elements stand out together elegantly.


18. Gray Stone Backsplash

Gray stone backsplash with oak cabinets
Gray stone backsplash

If your goal is to create a totally natural kitchen with different earthy elements, then without any doubt, the gray stone will be the perfect option for you.

This natural combination brings multiple layers of earthy elements, while still looking pretty elegant and modern. For better results, we highly recommend you choose black stainless appliances to finish up your kitchen design.


19. Stacked Stone Backsplash

Oak cabinets with stacked stone backsplash
Stacked stone backsplash

For an even more earthy and natural appearance, you can also try using stacked stone as the backsplash for your kitchen. This choice will create a rustic feel that works beautifully against wood like oak.

However, you may need to consider the maintenance that can be a bit costly when using this option.


20. Natural Beige Stone Tile Backsplash

Oak cabinets with natural beige stone backsplash
Natural beige stone backsplash

Another awesome natural stone choice, but comes with a more neutral and chic modern touch. The beige natural stone can also emphasize the oak, making it stand out even more beautifully.

While the beige backsplash serves as a charming background to the kitchen.


21. Chinese Tea Brown Backsplash

Chinese tea brown backsplash with oak kitchen cabinets
Chinese tea brown backsplash

Pump the reddish color through your backsplash and surround it with the Spicy red-brown or Chinese tea brown.

The lovely brick color creates a cohesive look with your red oak cabinets and makes your kitchen truly the heart of the home.

Highlight the reddish color variations with warm light and you’ll get the Italian kitchen air.


22. Almond Tile Backsplash

Almond backsplash with oak cabinets
Almond backsplash

If you want to make your kitchen look bright any time of the day without the dullness of the color white, go with a similar hue with a tinge of yellow-brown.

There are a lot of almond-colored tiles and the earthy tone is a favorite choice for stone cladding with varying strains and graining.

Layout 6” x 6” filed tile in a diagonal layout and add black inserts to add a pop of color to your wall.


23. White Coffee Backsplash

White coffee backsplash with oak cabinets
White coffee backsplash

Looks as delicious as it sounds, the white coffee is a very light shade of brown with red, green, and blue undertones. The milky color tone gives a cohesive match to your oak.

If you have an ample amount of kitchen cabinets in a small kitchen, having a monolithic color scheme can brighten up the room and seem visually larger.

White coffee hues are available in almost all types of interior backsplash materials such as ceramic or porcelain tiles. You can use black grout to add contrast and emphasize it if you plan it to be your kitchen’s centerpiece.


24. Orange Tile Backsplash

Oak cabinets with orange tile backsplash
Orange backsplash

Another best backsplash for honey oak cabinets that had some yellow-ish tint. The orange subway tile backsplash will easily make a big difference to any kitchen with its vibrant color, adding beautiful pop to make the entire kitchen fun and cheerful.

Obviously, this choice is not for everyone, but if you are the kind of person who likes to stand out differently from the mainstream, then this can be a great option for you.


25. White and Brown Mosaic Tile Backsplash

White and brown backsplash with oak cabinets
White and brown backsplash

Mix the bold, classical looks of brown with the clean and brightness of white by using this brown and white mosaic.

As we already said before, brown will easily blend together with oak cabinets, while the white elements of the tile create a sleek and clean contrast to light up the entire kitchen. This combination will work even better for any classical-style kitchen.


26. White and Yellow Mosaic Backsplash

White and yellow backsplash with oak cabinets
White and yellow backsplash

Another gorgeous colorful tile that can easily boost the mood of your kitchen. But unlike any plain yellow, this white and yellow provides a totally different ambiance.

The white elements of the tile help make the entire kitchen look sleek and clean, while the yellow brings enough splash to make your cooking time feel more fun and joyful.


27. Black and White Tile Backsplash

Oak cabinets with black and white backsplash
Black and white backsplash

Black and white backsplash will easily upgrade and modernize any kitchen, so it can be a great choice for you who want to redesign your old kitchen into a fresh modern one.

This neutral combo also gives you plenty of room to add any other colors and elements, and one of our favorite ideas is to add some vibrant accent.


Choosing the best backsplash color for kitchen with oak cabinets is both an exciting and challenging feat for any homeowner.

If in doubt it’s always safe to go with the classic tones such as white, black, or gray but don’t forget to inject your personality.

Also, consider the lighting both artificial and natural when choosing colors, as light colors can tend to be too bright during the day or dark colors can look too gloomy without proper lighting.


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Category : Kitchen