20+ Vertical Tile Backsplash
The Showroom with Blue Vertical Subway Tile Backsplash and Wood Floating Shelves
This photograph offers a small peek into a fascinating showroom enriched with blue ceramic tiles and wood. Though the main materials are simple in their most elementary forms, the layout styles and color variations make all the difference to draw attention. As the background tiles are vertically laid out cleverly, they draw the eyes upward both as a space-enhancing factor and to make sure that its voyeurs look up and see every little product on the shelves. Secondly, the use of color contrasts such as dark blue ceramic tiles and light wood creates a striking design to evoke curiosity. Though not to make the space daunting and dark, lighter blue shades are scattered throughout the wall for diversity and to soften the dark look.
The island, likewise, serves as a counter, exhibiting beautiful items. It lends an organic softness to stimulate the users’ senses, while the horizontally laid-out subway tiles at the front keep gazes focused on the island itself. Lastly, concrete flooring makes a solid ground underfoot and finalizes the overall look of the showroom
Pastel Blue Cabinets with White Vertical Tile Backsplash and Quartzite Countertops
In this contemporary kitchen, a sense of serenity and airiness is accomplished through a ceiling-height white tile backsplash and pastel blue cabinets. Thus, this design offers a sanctuary of sorts that activates your imagination as the light and airy tones suggest a natural flow while the vertical tile backsplash expands the kitchen visually, achieving a sense of playfulness. Since the tiles also envelop the range hood, it almost remains out of sight not to break up the uniform look. The quartzite countertops with gentle bluish veins are in synchrony with the cabinets, complementing the overall design harmoniously.
Vertical Tile Backsplash
Would you like to give your kitchen a modern spin only by changing the layout of the tiles? A vertical tile backsplash can do it for you. Recently, vertical tile backsplashes have become a fad that gives the kitchen a modern uplift while still preserving its timeless look. You can go vertical with many tiles, including matchstick, subway, elongated picket-tile backsplashes, or anything that resembles a rectangular at least with longer and shorter sides.
A vertical tile backsplash introduces a new aesthetic value with a modern appeal but can be transferred to the kitchens with a classic look as well. They can be laid out in stacked or running-bond style, depending on the homeowners’ taste and the look they aim for. For rustic kitchen lovers, for example, stone-looking subway tiles such as hand-made terracotta and zellige tiles can be aligned vertically as their protruding edges will clash with each other and create layers of texture and authenticity. As such, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the versatile vertical tile backsplashes are popular and widely used as part of home improvement projects. In this blog, we share multiple design examples to give you a more solid background on how vertical tile backsplashes could be incorporated with other elements and achieve harmonious integrity.
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Black Cabinets with Green Vertical Tile Backsplash and Waterfall Island
The protagonist of this contemporary kitchen is without a doubt the green backsplash laid out vertically to make a statement. It not only introduces a sense of order and clarity but also enriches the ambiance through its subtle tonal variations. It is flanked by black flat-panel cabinets from all sides that frame it beautifully. To add contrast and lend a sense of airiness, white countertops come in to lighten up the otherwise dark-themed kitchen. The waterfall island topped with a black marble countertop adds another layer to function as a utility object within the open-plan layout. It executes elegance with its marble countertop and brings fluidity with the countertop falling over the edges. It feels at home and well-coordinated with the perimeter cabinets by mirroring the black and white combination.
Lastly, the lighting fixture featuring light bulbs of various sizes composes a delightful visual scheme with a reinterpretation of an industrial style element in modern lines.
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Monochromatic Kitchen with White Picket Tile Backsplash with White Countertops
The monochromatic all-white kitchen feels as light as a feather. It features white cabinets with white countertops and a backsplash with a white-on-white palette. The picket tiles of the background add a sense of movement and interest to the walls, while the quartzite countertops’ delicate veins bring subtle beauty to the design. The silverish wall sconce right above the small window lends a gentle amount of light. Featuring patina developed over time, it adds gesture to the all-white kitchen for a sense of change, while its aged look portrays a contrast to the stainless steel appliances.
Tile Types and Materials
Tile types and materials for backsplashes are almost limitless. Among the most popular materials, we can count marble, glass, ceramics, porcelain, and metal, which can have a wide array of pattern designs and are moldable to any shape with a high level of customizability, especially ceramic and metal tiles. Not only that they fit classic design kitchens but also make for immersive designs with a modern appeal.
Vertical Subway Tile Backsplash
Subway tile backsplashes have been the most popular tiles for their universal aesthetic value. They date back to 1940s London, thus suiting industrial, farmhouse, transitional, modern, and traditional, all styles of designs, regardless of the function of the room, whether it be a kitchen, bathroom, showroom, or powder room. They can be laid out in many different forms, for example, vertically or horizontally stacked and diagonally or running-bond style. Each layout accomplishes a stylish and characterful design to caress the walls.
For instance, if you are looking for an authentic look, you can use handmade subway tiles, which have their imperfections. Terracotta tiles especially are great to achieve this sort of authentic look with protruding edges, sticking out and not homogeneously blending for the sake of texture and visual richness. Additionally, the vertical layout also plays with the proportions of the room, creating optical illusions and making the kitchen look taller. So, you can lay the subway tiles vertically to benefit from them as a space-enhancing factor if you have a low-ceiling kitchen.
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White Cabinets with Waterfall Island and Gray Backsplash
In this transitional kitchen, the white-gray palette with wood touches channels soothing vibes to speak to the soul and mind of the homeowners. At the rear, the gray subway tile backsplash goes all the way to the ceiling. As it is vertically laid out, it makes the kitchen look taller, while white cabinets punctuate the backsplash and lighten it up. The brass cabinet handles, wood trim of the range hood, and faux leather counter stools bring a pocket of warmth to color the kitchen a bit more through an organic language. In contrast, the bluish-gray cabinets of the island emit cool vibes to add conflict thus a battle of colors and materials to make for a unique look and upscale atmosphere. Lastly, the white waterfall edges of the island land gently on the light wood flooring that highlights the modern character of the design, supported by the black peculiarly-shaped pendant.
Vertical Hexagon Tile Backsplash
Hexagon tile backsplashes, also known as honeycomb tiles, are very popular patterns. Due to their intriguing and geometric shapes, modern and contemporary kitchens benefit from them a lot to create impressive and eye-catching backdrops. Also, as their shapes are nature-inspired, they are incorporated as biophilic design elements into the spaces.
There are various ways of engaging with these tiles. In some designs, they are treated as puzzle pieces to make for impactful asymmetric looks. Secondly, for contrast lovers, white hexagon tiles with black grout or vice versa are highly favorable. Thirdly, ombre is another style of engaging with hexagons. As such, hexagon tiles are very versatile, allowing homeowners to experiment and act free with no restraint.
Aside from these features, they have their subcategories, including picket tiles, which are more eligible to be laid out vertically due to their elongated shape. They orchestrate an eye-catching background and make a statement effortlessly. White, black, blue, and gray hexagon tile colors are the most popular options that you can employ in mid-century, beach-style, contemporary, and transitional kitchens.
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Transitional Kitchen with Blue Picket Tile Backsplash and White Cabinets
This beautiful transitional kitchen saturates the old elements through a modern architectural vocabulary, offering a smooth transition from classic to modern. The ceramic picket tile backsplash, quartz countertops, and modern versions of the cottage-style black caged pendants offer modern appeal, while the chimney hood and white shaker cabinets along with the counter stools are intertwined with classic features that attach a timeless look. Additionally, the wood-paneled torso of the kitchen island adds an antique feeling, which is contrasted by the inset stainless steel appliances. Overall, the warming and neutral materials champion the togetherness and integrity of the old and new, which is perfect for those who can’t give up on traditional elements but also desire to keep up with the trends.
How to install tile backsplash vertically?
Installing backsplash tiles vertically is not different or challenging at all. All you need to do is to flip the tiles and lay them out accordingly. However, the complex part is to align them on the same line to achieve consistency and leave even space between the tiles, which makes the spacing part complicated. But don’t worry you can make this easier with tile spacers. Below, we also will be explaining how to put a tile spacer.
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White Cabinets with Blue Island and Brass Accents
In this beautiful kitchen, traditional and modern features synthesize a unique look. The white shaker cabinets follow the diagonal shape of the kitchen, making appropriate extensions to adjust and feel at home, which adds extra interest to the design. The blue island injects a small dose of color to the otherwise all-white kitchen, while the range hood’s wood trim and brass accent contribute warming tones to bring out the warmth of the white cabinets. The glossy finish of the vertically stacked picket tile backsplash create a glittering backdrop to contrast the other matte finish and neutral elements. Lastly, the dark wicker chairs channel rustic vibes that make the overall design cozy and alluring.
Vertical Glass Tile Backsplash
If you are messy while doing kitchen work, glass tiles might be what they need. Thanks to their high resistance to stains, non-porous skins with no need to be sealed, and ease of maintenance, they are one of the best materials you can treat your kitchen walls with. Not even mentioning their sparkling features and the glittering look they bring!
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Chic Coastal Kitchen with Display Cabinets and Wood Floating Shelves
In this stylish beach-inspired kitchen, the ceiling-height glass backsplash, display cabinets, and 3 layers of wood floating shelves make the kitchen look taller, drawing eyes up. Particularly the longest cabinet, starting right above the countertop and reaching the ceiling, makes a huge difference and plays an optical trick. All-white cabinets orchestrate an airy and light ambiance, while the multi-colored backsplash douses the interior space with natural shine springing from the authentic materials. The glittering effect of the glass tiles beautifully gives the illusion of a glittering sea that becomes the visual focal point of the design. In contrast, the wooden corner shelves with a gentle turn add dimension to the wall and gently invade the display cabinet for a sense of play. Lastly, the rustic flavor of the wood soothes the shiny surface of the backsplash, creating a well-balanced atmosphere.
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Multi-colored Vertical Tile Backsplash with Wood Cabinets and Black Countertops
This mesmerizing kitchen design proposes a strong and grounded look taking its power from the organic textures, black soapstone countertops, and a visually dynamic backsplash. The wood’s soothing textural palette softens the black countertops and exposes its users to modern nostalgia, which makes for an enviable design with a glass tile backsplash. The cabinet and perimeter countertops are kept as simple as possible to let this multi-colored glass backsplash become the centerpiece. With a rich material repertoire and an elementary color scheme that will never go out of style, this mid-century-inspired kitchen lures homeowners for longer stays to enjoy the design for the sake of its pronounced yet basic aesthetic values.
Vertical Marble Tile Backsplash
Marble tile backsplashes exude elegance and bring sophistication to the design. If you want the marble to become the centerpiece of the design, you can take it up to the ceiling and layout the tiles vertically. This, in return, will draw the eyes upward. You can additionally apply brass wall sconces or wood floating shelves to accentuate the marble tile backsplash.
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White Cabinets with Marble Tile Backsplash and Wood Accents
In this beach-style kitchen, the ceiling-height marble tile backsplash provides a sophisticated background that oozes with white cabinets, bringing a feeling unique to coastal kitchens. Punctuated by brass handles, the white cabinets keep the kitchen’s heartwarming soul alive. To accompany the soft tones, the wooden beadboard panels, wood trim of the range hood, and wooden legs of counter stools add a rustic flavor, creating a continuous design throughout.
Vertical Ceramic Tile Backsplash
One of the timeless design elements is without a doubt ceramic tiles. What has kept them favorable all this time is their durability, resistance, and easy formulation, which is simple clay that keeps things easier. What is better, ceramic tiles are budget-friendly, and you can achieve any look you desire for your kitchen effortlessly as they are available in a wide array of colors, patterns, and designs. But if you are asking about the most trending ones, ceramic subway tiles are the most popular ones. To give a modern lift, you can flip the tiles and install them vertically either in stacked or running-bond style, which enriches the look of the space immediately. Now let’s see some examples.
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Red Vertical Tile Backsplash with Brass Range Hoods and Wood Cabinets
Visually striking and well-balanced, this contemporary kitchen hooks its voyeurs at first sight and possibly leaves them asking how a red ceramic tile backsplash could look this peaceful. The excellence of the matte finish of the tiles is what endows the backsplash with a sense of soothing energy, which feels at home without a doubt. To soften the red, the light wood cabinets come into play and get coordinated with the ceiling clad in wood panels and brass cylinder-shaped range hoods that enhance the warmth of the design. To preserve the consistency and enrich the material palette, marble countertops are integrated to top the wood cabinets gently, blending into the environment harmoniously.
How to put tile spacer on the vertical backsplash?
Tile spacers are small and reusable plastic items ( if kept in good conditions) that are used to install tiles evenly and achieve consistency. Thus, they are one of the essential materials to be used during the tile application process both by professionals and DIY lovers. However, there are a couple of nuanced details to consider. Let’s see what they are.
The size of tile spacers: The spacer can be cross or T-shaped, and their sizes vary from 1/8-inch to 3/8-inch. In this case, the grout line determines the size of the spacer. It is better to keep it thin so that there won’t be much space for dirt and stain to accumulate.
Installation part: After deciding the spacer size, you can start installing. The first tile is the most important part. To make things easier, you can start by the wall-side and benefit from the cues of the wall line. Then you can start with the second layer after applying the adhesive to the wall. Put at least two spacers as the vertical tiles are much longer. You can even put more to ensure consistency. Lastly, let the spacers stay there until the adhesive completely dries up to prevent any misalignment, which will take up to 20- 30 minutes.
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Contemporary Kitchen with Blue Backsplash and Three-Tone Cabinetry
The combination of white, blue, and wood makes for an unforgettable design in this modern kitchen. The wood floating shelf accentuates the walls, while the blue subway tile backsplash adds a splash of color. The ultra-modern brass lighting fixture and matte finish plumbing fixtures blend with the rest of the design to add extra character to the kitchen.
Vertical Tile Color Options
Choosing colors is one of the best and most entertaining parts of home improvement projects, especially when you have countless options for backsplash tiles. Though, it gets complicated and harder to decide as too many options might leave you dazzled. From black to blue, green, white, gray, yellow, brown, and red, you have countless colors and shades to choose from. If you ever feel confused, while deciding, you can ask yourself a couple of questions such as which color keeps you more motivated? Or, what kind of mood do you expect your kitchen to reflect? Depending on the answers, you can choose what will suit your interests best.
However, if your focus is on vertical tile color options and is looking for a change and diverse look, you can try ombre, which is the gradual application of various colors of the same pattern and works well with vertically laid tiles. It not only expands the kitchen vertically but also creates an eye-catching and memorable design. Especially, for cinematic effects, you can give it a try. With the right tiles, you can even accomplish a look that will make you feel in a simulation game or matrix.
White Vertical Tile Backsplash
White is a timeless color that will never go out of style as it suggests purity, cleanliness, and peacefulness. It can naturally carry summerish vibes and freedom, making the space look larger than it is. And it has something to contribute to the overall look in every design whether it be a sense of airiness, light ambiance, a softening contrast, minimal aesthetics, Scandinavian flavors, or a sense of serenity. More importantly, it charges the kitchen with positive vibes and upgrades the mood of the space and its users without a doubt.
White can be a great addition to the kitchen through a backsplash and white cabinets or both as the main defining bones of the design. The best part of the white backsplashes is that they offer a perfect backdrop for everything to blend harmoniously. But just because it is plain white, it doesn’t mean that it looks boring or too naked. You can always add movement and character through the textural organic materials such as terracotta, marble, and granite and intriguing patterns such as hexagon, diamond, herringbone, and more. Thirdly, you can benefit from the vertical layouts of the tiles, which will energize the background and introduce order and movement. Below, we share some examples of white vertical tile backsplash that perfectly showcase the white’s soothing and exciting impact.
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Sophisticated All-White Contemporary Kitchen with Half-Waterfall Island
This monochromatic contemporary kitchen abounds in white that executes elegance, while its clutter and pattern-free design deliver a sense of airiness, emphasizing the geometric forms. Clad in all-white materials, the kitchen oozes peacefully. The marble-look porcelain tile backsplash communicates a sense of luxury in the background, complemented by white quartz countertops delicately. Its vertical layout mimics the rectangular cabinets that reach the ceiling. On the right, the arched opening breaks away from the conventional rectilinear forms to introduce a nature-inspired curvilinear shape, eliminating the visual and acoustic barrier between the adjacent rooms, while light wood flooring in its elementary form guides users throughout the space. The half-waterfall island adds a gentle touch, paired with minimalist counter stools. Accent lighting replaces the pendants to keep consistency with the clutter-free look and leaves eye-level empty.
Blue Vertical Tile Backsplash
As the color of the backsplashes is an essential feature to dictate the overall ambiance of the space, it is always better to be familiar with the language of the colors. Therefore, before deciding on the color, you can think about which color motivates you most and choose accordingly. Since blue is associated with outdoor spaces, the sky, and the sea, it also connotes freedom even when it is incorporated indoors. So, why not try a blue vertical tile backsplash to upgrade the mood of the space and give your kitchen a modern spin?
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Wet Area with Blue Cabinets and Blue Vertical Tile Backsplash
In this contemporary wet area, every element acts as a piece of art to offer a sleek and comforting aesthetics. The blue vertically stacked subway tile backsplash becomes the visual focal point, bringing serenity to the design. The white grout between the tiles feels in synchrony with white sleek countertops and beautifully harmonizes with dark blue flat-front cabinets. The display shelves and wood floating shelves add dimension and interest to the wall, while accent lighting brings another layer of lighting to illuminate this basement floor. If you have a large collection of wine, you dedicate a wall of the room to the wine bottles, which will turn the dull wall into an eye-appealing surface and let you exhibit the beautiful wine bottles.
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White Cabinets with White Countertops and Open Shelving
The contrasting colors of dark blue and white achieve a stylish look in this sleek kitchen design. While the white recessed-panel cabinets compose a delicate and crispy background image, the blue vertical tile backsplash introduces a bold color to add interest and contrast. Additionally, the open shelvings with blue-painted interiors and brass cabinet handle enrich the color scheme with warming elements.
Is vertical tile a fad?
Though vertical tiles have been around some time, they earned their popularity more or less recently. And, yes, vertical tiles have become a fad and are perfect to give a modern uplift to the design, creating an “elevator shaft” effect and optical illusions easily.
These vertically oriented tiles aligned on top of one another also exhibit a profile in total synergy and coordination creating eye-appealing, symmetrical, and linear patterns.
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Blue Cabinets with Copper Fixtures and Butcher Block Countertops
This small yet cozy kitchen speaks through the bold blue upper cabinets that color the kitchen. The unexpected touches of copper finish faucet and lighting fixtures in contrast to the modern elements synthesizes nostalgic feelings cocooned in modern features. While the butcher block countertops douse the design with organic softness, the resulting scheme of the design feels luxurious yet quotidian with a high-end look.
Gray Vertical Tile Backsplash
For sophisticated and elegant looks, gray is one of the favored colors with a high capacity to adjust to any style and neutralize bold colors effortlessly, including mustard yellow cabinets that come with a masculine flair. If you would like to get your kitchen design closer to a natural look, you can choose materials that can imitate a stone or marble look such as gray porcelain tiles to achieve a more natural look rather than man-made.
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Wood Cabinets with Gray Vertical Tile Backsplash and White Countertops
This fabulous contemporary kitchen dialogues with its surrounding through a full-height window and takes a snapshot of a beautiful scene that inspires the interior design significantly. This natural scene translates into light wood cabinets, wood floating shelves, exposed custom-made ceiling beams, and gray backsplash with protruding edges. The oozing shelves with potted plants across the window mimic the forest outstretching a little further, which captures a timeless design encoded with natural elements. The white countertops lighten the space up while the gray backsplash adds sophistication that gives the Scandinavian simplicity and elitist minimalism.
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Beach-Style Kitchen with White Display Cabinets and Blue Island
In this beach-style kitchen, various shades of white and gray unfold, dominating the interior space. The lack of upper cabinets feeds the spacious feeling and provides extra space for the backsplash to occupy the whole wall above the countertops. The zellige tiles with protruding edges add organic texture and perfect imperfections loaded with narratives to enrich the overall look. The same straightforwardness comes with display cabinets that reflect the kitchen’s and its owners’ true identity. In the center, the multi-functional blue island offers an eating space paired with backless light wood counter stools, work surfaces, and storage. Lastly, the light wood flooring completes the overall look to seal the beach-style theme.
Black Vertical Tile Backsplash
Black backsplashes are characterful and strong additions to affirm a sense of strength. Even though black seems to be a daunting color and concerns homeowners about whether it will make the space darker and feel smaller, it is more successful at achieving depth. Thus, with black backsplashes, particularly, you generally get the illusion of a receding wall, which in return creates the illusion of depth. It is also safe to go all black and create a monotonic theme, which will result in a satisfying design. In case you want to soften the black, you can incorporate pastel tones, light wood, and white cabinets.
Furthermore, matte finishes are great to reveal the authenticity of the black tiles, which is especially impactful for terracotta and soapstone tiles. But for a more sleek and eye-catching look, you can use tiles finished with gloss. Or, if you want a contrast, you can use white grout to highlight the patterns, which is popular with hexagon, square, and subway tiles. The same applies to the black vertical tile backsplashes that are great to add movement and expand the visual scheme vertically.
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Black Vertical Tile Backsplash with Beadboard Cabinets and Wood Floating Shelves
Sophisticated yet approachable, edgy yet cozy. This farmhouse-style kitchen feels enriched with black soapstone backsplash and wood floating shelves that bring a sense of earthiness. Leaving the backsplash intact and in its elementary form hints at the free spirit of the kitchen, not necessarily cultivated but nourished with basic elements. To subdue the impact of the dark tiles, white countertops, and white beadboard cabinets make a counterpoint against the dark. Though the colors are in contrast, the textural palette is relatively similar. The beadboard doors run parallel to the vertically stacked subway tiles to create a continuous design, while light wood floating shelves add movement to the wall.
Can you put the subway tile vertically?
Yes, indeed, the vertically stacked subway tiles are one of the most popular tile layouts. They introduce a sense of order to the space while making the space look taller in the meantime and drawing eyes upward to evoke curiosity. You can use them in various settings such as bathrooms, powder rooms, fireplace surroundings, kitchens, wet bars, etc.
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Modern Kitchen with Two-tone Cabinetry and Matchstick Tile Backsplash
In this modern kitchen, the combination of white, black, and wood conveys the design’s closeness to natural tones and soft contrasts that characterize the design skillfully. Firstly, the black matchstick backsplash gives the illusion of a dazzling waterfall effect that promotes engagement with the space, while the white and wood flat-front cabinets bring clean and sleek lines. The backsplash’s vertical alignment creates a better movement as if the patterns were falling. It is mesmerizing and the visual focal point that ties all the pieces together. Additionally, to complete the overall theme, wood cabinet handles add dimension to the white cabinets, whose inherent veins bring character and natural appeal, achieving consistency throughout.
Should I lay tiles horizontal or vertical?
Conventionally, the tiles are laid out horizontally. That’s why in traditional and cottage-style kitchens, you mostly come across horizontally laid out tiles. Nowadays, both are used prevalently, and the answer to this question rather depends on the impact homeowners aim for. While horizontally installed tiles expand the visual scheme on the horizontal axis, vertical layouts give the illusion of a taller space. If you have a space with a low ceiling that feels too enclosed, installing the tiles vertically will be a strategical and clever use of space. But, aside from all these, in case you would like to use both, you can consider crosshatch, aka the basketweave patterns, to create a versatile and well-blended look.
