The Complete Guide to Selecting a Backsplash for Quartz Countertops

Upgrading your kitchen with luxurious quartz countertops? Don't stop there. Choose the perfect backsplash to complement your new counters for a fully pulled-together look. With the right backsplash, you can take your kitchen from drab to dramatic.

But with so many backsplash materials, colors, textures and patterns to pick from, where do you start? This complete guide covers everything you need to know to find a backsplash that accentuates your new quartz countertops. We’ll walk through the key factors to keep in mind, from determining your overall kitchen style to selecting complementary colors and textures. Read on for pro tips that will help you confidently choose a backsplash that showcases the beauty of your quartz.

Determine the Style You Want to Achieve

The backsplash you select should align with the aesthetic you envision for your kitchen's overall design. Is your stylemodern and sleek? Farmhouse chic? Traditional with ornate accents? The backsplash plays a big role in creating a cohesive style. Consider the following popular kitchen design styles and backsplash options that can bring your vision to life.

Modern Style

The modern kitchen is marked by clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and an airy, uncluttered feel. Backsplashes that enhance this pared-back style include:

• Metal backsplashes like stainless steel, brushed nickel or embossed copper
• Glass tile in glossy finishes and simple color schemes
• Porcelain or ceramic tile in solid hues or basic grid patterns

These sleek, contemporary backsplash materials complement the streamlined look of modern kitchens.

Rustic or Farmhouse Style

Rustic farmhouse kitchens are cozy and inviting with natural textures like exposed wood beams and visible wood grains. Backsplash choices that align with this style include:

• Classic white subway tiles for a timeless farmhouse feel
• Handmade artisan tiles for added character
• Brick backsplashes that exude vintage charm
• Natural stone tiles like marble, travertine or slate

Weathered, earthy materials in the backsplash enhance the welcoming vibe of farmhouse kitchens.

Traditional Style

For traditional kitchens with ornate cabinetry and elegant finishes, consider a backsplash that dialsup the sophistication. Ideal options include:

• Marble or granite slabs that exude timeless elegance
• Intricate mosaic tile patterns for visual interest
• Ceramic or porcelain tiles with decorative borders and moulding details

Richly patterned, polished stone and ceramic backsplashes complement the refined traditional kitchen aesthetic.

Contemporary Style

Contemporary kitchens feel fresh and current with an emphasis on clean lines, pops of color and modern elements. Some backsplash choices that enhance this look include:

• Glass tile in bold, vibrant hues like emerald green or cobalt blue
• Handcrafted ceramic tile with artful shapes and patterns
• Polished natural stone like quartzite arranged in interesting geometric designs

From eye-catching glass mosaics to innovative stone layouts, backsplashes with artistic flair and modern sensibilities complement the contemporary kitchen's stylish vibe.

Choose a Backsplash Color That Complements the Quartz

Selecting a backsplash color that works in harmony with your quartz countertops is key. Cool tones, warm undertones, natural veining - consider the colors and patterns in your quartz when choosing a hue for your backsplash.

Selecting a Color Scheme

Do you want your backsplash color to seamlessly blend with the quartz? Or would you prefer contrast and vibrancy? Factors like the undertones in your quartz and the color scheme of cabinets, flooring and other kitchen elements impact the backsplash colors to consider.

Some top options include:

• Neutrals like white, gray, beige and black to complement almost any quartz color
• Bold hues like navy blue, emerald or crimson for dramatic contrast
• Vivid colors like turquoise, lemon yellow or orange that make both the quartz and backsplash pop

Backsplash Colors for White Quartz

White quartz countertops provide a neutral canvas to build upon. Backsplash colors that enhance white quartz include:

• Pretty pastels like airy blue, pale green and soft gray
• Crisp whites in glossy tile or natural stone for a seamless look
• Earthy neutrals like beige, cream and brown that pick up on white quartz's subtle veins

Keep it simple with a white on white pairing or choose a hue that subtly complements or contrasts the white quartz.

Backsplash Colors for Darker Quartz

Pairing rich brown, black or gray quartz with the right backsplash color prevents your kitchen from feeling too dark. Ideal shades include:

• Bright whites that illuminate and expand darker spaces
• Warm creams and light grays to soften dark quartz hues
• Pops of color like sky blue or sage green to offset the deeper tones

Lighter backsplash colors and strategic bold hues keep kitchens feeling bright and lively despite darker quartz counters.

Consider Backsplash Textures and Patterns

The textures and patterns of your backsplash and quartz should work in tandem. Pairing sleek quartz with a polished glass backsplash plays up the modern luxury. Or rough-cut stone quartz complements naturally textured slate backsplash tiles. Think about how textures attract the eye and work together.

Smooth, Sleek Surfaces

For a seamless contemporary look, pair quartz with backsplashes featuring shiny, smooth textures. Pros include:

• Reflective, luxurious appearance
• Sleek and stylish for modern kitchens
• Easy to clean and maintain

Great options include glass, metal and polished stone like marble.Mirrored glass or stainlesssteel backsplashes complement glossy quartz.

Natural Stone Textures

To add organic depth, try a naturally textured stone backsplash with your quartz. Benefits include:

• Inviting, earthy feel from visible grains and veining
• A naturally varied look with rich character

Travertine, marble, slate, limestone bring natural beauty that works with quartz’s radiance.

Novel Patterns and Shapes

Intriguing patterns and shapes in the backsplash add visual punch. Opt for:

• Mosaic tiles or 3D cube tiles for depth and dimension
• A mix of complementary shaped tiles - circles, zigzags, diamonds
• A combination of different tiles and layout patterns

Artistic backsplashes with eye-catching designs enliven sleek quartz counters.

Select a Suitable Backsplash Material

Consider the advantages of different backsplash materials against your priorities - cost, maintenance, durability and aesthetics. Key types include:

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

A ceramic or porcelain tile backsplash offers:

• Affordability and wide availability
• Highly durable and stain resistant
• Easy maintenance - just wipe clean
• Versatile sizing from small mosaics to oversized tiles

Subway tiles, mosaic sheets or colorful accent tiles are budget-friendly options.

Natural Stone

For a touch of luxury, natural stone like marble, travertine or granite brings:

• A classic, timeless elegance
• Naturally varied veins and patterns
• A substantial, solid feel underfoot

The high-end splurge offers a seamlessly integrated stone focal point.

Glass Tile

Glass backsplash tile lends stylish depth through:

• Glossy, reflective surfaces that catch the light
• A sleek, contemporary vibe
• Myriad colors and finishes like frosted, clear, or metallic

Consider sealing the grout lines for easier cleaning. Partner glossy glass with polished quartz.

Metal

For an ultra-modern statement, metal backsplashes like:

• Stainless steel make cleanup a breeze
• Copper and brass bring warmth and patina over time
• Nickel, chrome and other metals add shine

Sleek metal beautifully showcases contemporary quartz counters.

Determine Installation Factors

Nailing the installation details ensures your backsplash aligns seamlessly with your quartz countertops. Keep these factors in mind:

Layout Patterns

Beyond basic bricks, get creative with backsplash patterns like:

• Herringbone for visual interest
• Geometric mosaic arrangements
• Oversized tiles with very thin grout lines

Grout Considerations

Determine if you want grout that matches or contrasts your tile colors. Finishes like glossy grout are easier to clean. Apply a grout sealer to porous natural stone tiles.

Basic Installation Steps

Proper install is key. Be sure underlying walls are prepped and apply mortar adhesive evenly. Use spacers between tiles for consistent grout lines. Let grout cure fully before sealing and normal use.

Enhance the Full Kitchen With Other Accents

Finish your kitchen makeover by accessorizing with lighting, hardware and other details that link the backsplash and quartz.

Countertop to Backsplash Transition

For a streamlined transition between the countertop and backsplash, try finishing touches like:

• A coordinating colored caulk bead between the quartz and tile
• Small metal trim that matches the backsplash finishing the edge

Tying in Cabinetry

Have your cabinetry color complement both the quartz and backsplash through:

• Wood stain or paint in a shade that coordinates with the tiles
• Matching the cabinet hardware finish to the backsplash metal tones

Incorporating Lighting and Hardware

Pull everything together with pendant lights, fixtures and faucets in metal finishes that integrate with the backsplash and quartz counters.

With the right backsplash choice, you can beautifully showcase your new quartz countertops while creating a fully styled kitchen design. Keep these key tips in mind:

• Select a backsplash suited to your overall kitchen style - modern, farmhouse, traditional, etc.
• Choose a backsplash color that aligns or contrasts your specific quartz color and pattern
• Balance sleek or textured backsplash textures against your quartz finishes
• Ensure your backsplash installation seamlessly integrates with the countertops
• Complete the look with cabinetry, lighting and hardware accents that tie it all together

With an endless array of backsplash materials, colors, sizes and designs to choose from, get creative! A metallic glass mosaic backsplash can bring a contemporary pop next to cool grays and whites in the quartz. Or warm up an earthy brown quartz with organic slate tile and bronze fixtures. Use your backsplash to enhance the beauty of your new quartz countertops.