12 Captivating Backsplash Ideas for Hickory Cabinet Kitchens

With their natural, rustic beauty, it's no wonder hickory cabinets are a perennial favorite for kitchen designs. The rich, reddish-brown wood tones lend a cozy, timeless feel. When paired with the right backsplash, hickory cabinetry can be absolutely stunning.

The backsplash serves as a canvas to add visual interest to your hickory kitchen. Varying colors, textures, materials and designs complement the wood cabinetry and bring the whole space to life.

Cool Tones Add Contrast

Cool-toned backsplash colors beautifully accentuate warm hickory cabinets. Shades of tranquil blue, sage green, and dove gray provide an attractive contrast to the wood's organic reddish and brown grains.

While stark whites can appear too harsh against the cabinets' saturation, soft creams, beiges and other warm neutrals also make for elegant pairings. The key is harmonizing the backsplash color with the specific stain or finish of the cabinets.

Soothing Blue Backsplash Ideas

From pale sky blue to bold navy, a blue backsplash brings a crisp, refreshing ambiance to the kitchen. Subway tiles in classic white with blue grout lines epitomize the cottage charm of hickory cabinets. Or make a statement with navy blue tiles in a herringbone pattern.

For a more eclectic look, try a Moroccan-inspired backsplash mingling various blue and white tiles. Tiny, iridescent glass mosaics cast mesmerizing reflections of light across the wall.

Rejuvenating Green Backsplash

Verdant green backsplashes ranging from mint to emerald breathe new life into hickory cabinet kitchens. Marble hexagon tiles in soothing sage green nicely complement the wood's natural swirls.

Vintage-look penny rounds arranged in patches of mint, olive, and pistachio green add a playful pop. Or go bold with lively kelly green glass subway tiles.

Elegant Gray Backsplashes

On trend and versatile, gray makes a sophisticated backsplash pairing for hickory cabinetry. Soft, weathered grays work in harmony with the wood's rustic appeal.

Carrara marble with subtle gray veining has an airy, elegant aesthetic. Pair large-scale gray ceramic tiles with white grout for a modern vibe. Or opt for sleek stainless steel subway tiles with gray finishes.

Natural Stone Backsplashes

Natural stone tiles like marble, travertine, limestone, and granite make an excellent upscale choice for hickory cabinet backsplashes. The stones' swirling patterns and veins add organic texture and dimension to complement the wood grain.

Honed travertine in creamy beige or gold conveys old-world charm. Black granite tiles framed in brushed metal lend drama. Blue-gray marble mosaic tile gives a refined, tailored look.

The Beauty of Marble

Prized through the ages for its elegance, marble wears beautifully over time. The white stone is defined by its delicate gray veining in varied patterns.

Marble subway tiles organized in a classic brick layout make a timeless backsplash pairing. For more visual dynamism, marble hexagons alternate direction in a geometric design.

Rustic Travertine Tiles

With its rough-hewn, pitted texture, travertine tile brings old-world character to hickory kitchens. The stone's creams, tans and browns intermingle organically with the wood tones.

For a harmonious look, line up honed travertine planks horizontally along the backsplash. Or use small mosaic tiles to develop an intricate repeating pattern.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles present a sleek, modern complement to rustic hickory cabinets. These affordable tiles come in a boundless array of colors, finishes, sizes and shapes.

Sleek white ceramic subway tiles generate a crisp, clean look. Handpainted Spanish ceramic tiles, with traditional floral motifs, bring Old World flair.

Subway Tile Beauty

A subway tile backsplash serves as a classic, versatile choice with hickory cabinetry. The rectangular tiles laid in offset rows create sense of order.

For a traditional look, basic white 3" x 6" subway tiles outlined in charcoal grout lines exude sophistication. Varying the grout color dramatically impacts the vibe.

The Dimension of 3D Tiles

Three-dimensional ceramic and porcelain tiles add an extra layer of tactile appeal. Cubic tiles develop an intricate geometric mosaic covering the wall in cubes.

Metallic glazed porcelain tiles in bronze and pewter tones take on the look of custom metalwork. Overlaying tiles at angles builds intriguing dimensionality.

Backsplash Shape and Materials

Shapes, patterns and layouts make a big visual impact with hickory cabinet backsplashes. Geometric designs in glossy tiles or natural stones create compelling focal points.

Mosaics arrange tiny tiles into eye-catching designs. Elongated styles like subway tiles introduce clean lines. While marble and travertine bring an organic flow.

The Intrigue of Hexagons

Hickory kitchens achieve an ultra-modern yet natural look with hexagon backsplash tiles. The interlocking six-sided tiles develop mesmerizing geometric shapes.

Mini white marble hexagons alternate direction in rows for subtle modern elegance. Bold cobalt glass hexagons energize the space in electrifying color.

Chic Chevron Patterns

A chevron backsplash sets an angular zig-zag tile pattern in motion, leading the eye across the wall. The dynamic lines pair excitingly with hickory's natural visual texture.

Sleek porcelain chevron tiles in alternating black and white maneuver the eye across the kitchen. Or bold orange chevron tiles make a brazen style statement.

Finishing Touches for a Cohesive Look

Pull your hickory cabinet kitchen together by selecting complementary finishes. Satin nickel hardware and fixtures enhance the contemporary vibe of a cool gray stone backsplash.

Warm antique bronze faucets and knobs accentuate the old-world charm of a travertine subway tile backsplash. Let your creative spirit run free.

Recommended Hickory Cabinet Stains

If selecting hickory cabinets, rich coffee and caramel stains like Java, Hazelnut and Amber help accentuate the wood's captivating grains.

Deep espresso stains like Truffle or Coffee Bean also pair beautifully with light and dark backsplash tiles.

Set the Backsplash Height

For a fully integrated look, extend the backsplash to the underside of the upper cabinets. A standard backsplash height falls between 4 to 6 inches above the countertop.

You can also take the backsplash all the way to the ceiling for a dramatic statement wall effect.

With countless colors, materials, shapes and designs to explore, you're sure to find the perfect backsplash pairing for your hickory cabinets. Cool grays, tranquil blues and verdant greens provide satisfying contrast. While warm travertine, marble and granite harmonize elegantly.

Set your kitchen apart with eye-catching geometric designs or opt for the refined beauty of natural stone. Your backsplash can elevate your hickory cabinet kitchen from mundane to marvelous.