1. Bright Retro Flowers

This groovy pattern has serious flower power! The seventies color scheme and geometric design of the Star Olive/Grey patterned tile will infuse any space with the brightness of spring and a pop of nostalgia, whether it be a bathroom or kitchen. Also available in Olive/Blue and Star Blue/Blue.

2. Serene Spring Neutrals

The grey skies of a spring rainstorm create a neutral, but still fresh space. The Laura Ashley Wicker Dove Grey shown here enlivens this space with white petal-like stars on a soft grey background. The effect is an elegant, calming space to unwind in after coming in from a thunderstorm. Explore our Laura Ashley collection for more whimsical patterns.

3. Mosaic Pearl Bouquet

The Annie Selke Tulip mosaic tile will turn your wall into a work of art. The mother-of-pearl botanics sparkle with cheer against the beige background, for a subtle, charming elegance. If you love this beautiful, feminine design, explore the other tiles in the Annie Selke collection.

4. Funky Floral Patterns

For a year-long full-bloom look, mix and match your flower patterns. This bright and fun bathroom, designed by Zig & Co., uses a simple blue and green color scheme to tie together the floral patterned wallpaper and Laura Ashley Mr. Jones Midnight floor tile. If this bright and cheery room is your aesthetic, read more on how to incorporate color on the Tile For Every Style: Dopamine Decor blog post.

5. Fondness for Ferns

If florals aren’t your botanical of choice, you can still get a spring look in your home with the Annie Selke Floral tile. Shown here in Coconut Milk, this richly textured tile features a fern leaf pattern for a beautiful, nature-inspired space. Looking for ideas on how to incorporate nature into your space? Check out Tile For Every Style: Biophilic Design for inspiration.

6. Bold Sunflowers

The Laura Ashley Sunflower Charcoal with Cloud Blue tile is a bold pattern that will add springtime cheer all year. This charming bathroom pairs the patterned tile with the Laura Ashley Beveled subway tile and the Laura Ashley Cloud Leaf mosaic tile for an elevated, designed look.

7. Cloudy-Sky Floral Mosaic

Embrace showers and flowers with the Havana with White Nacre Stone Mosaic tile. The soft grey shades in the marble create a sense of movement in this intricate floral mosaic. This is a tile that celebrates the full bloom and beauty of spring.

Ready to add some spring to your space? It’s easier than ever to make your design dreams a reality with our free design services. Or, explore even more whimsical patterns in real spaces on our Customer Room Gallery and Instagram!

The post 7 Fresh & Fun Spring Tile Patterns appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

1. Beautiful Marble Mosaic

A marble mosaic will lend grandeur to a small space. The charming leaf-shaped Bardot Grey tile shown here creates an organic sense of movement that makes this backsplash feel continuous. We love how the natural color variation in the marble adds interest to the wall, without being overwhelming.

2. Chic and Modern Herringbone Pattern

Pattern is excellent for adding movement to a space. The chic subtlety of the Herringbone Gloss White tile makes this small backsplash area flow, while still providing a place to rest your eye. This design is interesting while still maintaining simplicity, perfect for a contemporary kitchen.

3. “English Cottage” Patterns

Backsplash designs for small kitchens don’t need to be unassuming. Make a statement in your small space with a patterned tile. The Laura Ashley Wexbord Fresh Green tile shown here adds “English cottage” charm to this cozy backsplash. If this whimsical design style is your cup of tea, shop our exclusive Laura Ashley collection.

4. Farmhouse Handmade Look

Complete your Modern Farmhouse aesthetic with perfectly-imperfect handmade-look tile. The purposeful variations in color and surface texture will give your backsplash an artisanal look that will complement wooden details and elevated rustic decor.

5. Charming Geometric Patterns

Make the most of the space above your counters with a bold patterned tile. The simple geometry of the Portsea Grey tile shown here creates order through symmetry on this small backsplash. The calming colors are perfect for a variety of styles, but this is a look that is easy to customize to your particular aesthetic. A bold-colored geometric floral pattern like the Laura Ashley Sunflower tile will create a fun, retro vibe.

6. Sleek & Chic White Subway Tile

If you’re looking for a versatile tile that can easily be updated, always on-trend white subway tile might be the style for you. We love how the extra-long handmade-look Splendours White tile looks on this kitchen backsplash, but there are many options when it comes to white subway tile. Add character to your backsplash by using a dark-colored grout or installing your subway tile in a stacked horizontal or vertical, or even herringbone pattern. Looking for small kitchen backsplash ideas on a budget? The popular Metro Bianco Gloss subway tile is a stylish tile that will help stretch your dollar.

7. Jewel Tones

Brilliant Blues and sparkling greens are a gem of a trend that we predict will dazzle us for years to come. A small kitchen backsplash is just the place to add a pop of color that will accentuate the rest of your decor. If you’re ready to embrace a bold color, then why not also consider a uniquely shaped tile? The Wave Blue Reef tile makes a splash in this chic modern kitchen. For more ideas, shop blue tile.

8. Warming Neutrals

For this contemporary kitchen backsplash, the designers at Timber Trails chose the Retro Perla subway tile for its warm grey tones and its lightly textured surface. The gloss on this tile provides some shin as it reflects the light, giving off a cozy radiance that is modern, yet timeless.

9. Authentic Handmade Tile

Infuse your small space with unique charm and character. Individually crafted handmade tile has a beautiful, variance in surface texture, color and edges. Our newly expanded assortment of authentic Zellige tile offers a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to personalize your backsplash.

10. Basketweave

The Sampson Mosaic tile has an elegant, intricate basketweave pattern that will complement a variety of styles from Contemporary to Mid-Century Modern to Modern Farmhouse. We love how the designers at Timber Trails paired this tile with white cabinets and gold fixtures, but this tile would look just as stunning underneath wooden cabinetry.

11. Contrasting Grout

Your choice of grout can make a big impact in your small kitchen. A dark tile with a light grout (or vice-versa) will add interest to a small space. The white grout with the Noir Honed Amalfi tiles shown here adds drama to this modern kitchen.

12. Marvelous Marble Subway

Elevate your basic subway tile design with luxurious and elegant marble tile. The natural veining in the Firenze Calacatta Honed Amalfi tile creates a wonderful sense of movement and character. This is a great option for a stylish take on a classic look.

Bonus: Tile Your Backsplash for Under $200

Is your budget as small as your backsplash? You can still create a chic refresh with our wide selection of tile for every budget and style. This backsplash designed by Timber Trails features the Regent Bianco tile, at just $5.39/sq. ft., you can tile your 20-to 30-sq.-ft. backsplash for under $200. Shop thousands of wall tiles to find stylish options in your price range.

We hope we’ve sparked some ideas to make the most of your small kitchen backsplash. Shop our full assortment of kitchen backsplash tile to get started on your next project.

You can find even more inspiration on Instagram and our Customer Room Gallery where our tiles are used in a variety of real spaces! Or, if you’re looking for some guidance on an upcoming project, set up a free design consultation to get advice from our tile experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size backsplash tile is best for a small kitchen?

Virtually any size tile will work well for a small kitchen backsplash. If you want a cohesive look that will make your space appear more expansive, use a larger tile. A small tile, like an intricate mosaic will add movement and interest to a small backsplash.

What is the best color backsplash for a timeless kitchen?

A crisp white backsplash is easily adaptable as your style evolves. White subway tile is a classic look that can easily be updated with colored accents or by painting your cabinets and shelves.

Should the backsplash be lighter or darker than the countertop?

Your backsplash color depends on your personal style. If you tend towards the bold, a drastic contrast between your tile and cabinet color will add a sense of drama to your kitchen. A backsplash that picks up some of the tones of your cabinets–like a gold-flecked backsplash with gold fixtures on your cabinets –will look cohesive while still being interesting. The important thing is not to choose the same color for your backsplash as your cabinet, that will leave your space with little definition.

The post 12 Small Kitchen Backsplash Tile Ideas for 2025 appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Featured Mosaics: Streamline, Moderne Deco, Skyline

Gilded Glamour, a Tile Shop signature style, blends 1920s art deco design elements with details of modern luxury—and, of course, stunning tile. A gilded touch, which literally means covered in gold, is a hallmark this style is based on. Think the opulence of the Great Gatsby meets the architectural style of the Chrysler Building with a thoroughly current point of view.

Photo by Jonathan Pease on Unsplash

Elements that Define Gilded Glamour

Commonly observed in visual arts, architecture and design, art deco first became popular around World War 1 in France. Then, it was the epitome of luxury, glamour and beautiful craftsmanship. Today, this timeless style still reflects these same aspirational qualities largely defined by five major design elements: geometric shapes, black and white, polished metal, mirrors and shine. Incorporating these elements into a design infuses a space with old-world elegance and allure.

Top Tiles to Get the Gilded Glamour Look

Select tiles from one or more of the below categories, and you will have more than enough inspiration for a Gilded Glamour space of which the Great Gatsby would be envious. Use our recommended products or employ these design elements to create a unique look of your own.

Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes are defined by simple lines, curves or outlines. The versatility of these interesting shapes makes it easy to customize a look anywhere along the spectrum from subtle to bold. To achieve the Gilded Glamour look, use geometric shapes alongside another art deco design element, like black and white or touches of gold, to highlight the lines. Even with all three art deco design elements in the image below, the overall appearance is elegant and clean. Squares, diamonds, hexagons and any geometric mosaic tiles are a good place to start.

Featured: Corbusier Mosaic

Black and White

Tiling in black and white creates contrast, highlights shapes and lends vintage appeal to a design. Avoid too many bold elements competing in a space with a simple black-and-white base that provides simplicity. A black-and-white mosaic, a bold mix of black and white tiles or an all-over wall or floor in either hue are a few options that create varying degrees of boldness in your look. Black and white get an extra jolt of glamour when they’re in a reflective material or mixed with metal.

Featured: Monroe Marquina Mosaic, Hampton Engraved, Noir Travertine Collection

Polished Metal

Polished metals, especially gold, are a quintessential feature of Gilded Glamour style and perfect for adding a gilded touch. Incorporate a metallic accent almost anywhere, from tile to shower heads to the vanity. Hints of soft brushed gold peppered throughout the bathroom below tie the whole space together elegantly.

Featured: Tempesta Neve Marble Mosaic, Bulevar White, Tempesta Neve Somerset, Tempesta Neve Barnes, Tempesta Neve Amalfi Mosaic, Bianco Carrara Curb

Featured: Bulevar White

Dural metal profiles are another decadent way to sprinkle bits of metallic shine throughout a tile design. This subtle sparkle elevates the entire space.

Featured: Dural Metal Profiles, Ashford Carrara

Reflection

Not only does it open up a space, reflection adds an element of shine which perfectly complements the luster of Gilded Glamour. Plus, mirrors and reflective elements allow a small or dark room to feel brighter and lighter. As with all the elements of art deco, the extent to which you use mirrors is up to you. A touch of mirrored tile serves as an accent piece while a fully mirrored wall becomes a statement. Take a cue from this design. The mirrored tiles are a bold element so the rest of the design is simple and monochromatic.

Featured: Camilla w/ Mirror, Antique Mirror Bevel

Shine

Polished stone, iridescent finishes, metallic details—shine is an integral part of Gilded Glamour because it serves to add the luster that enhances a space. Polished marbles and other stones define rooms with subtle shine and retain a neutral hue while bright and bold tiles make a more dramatic statement. Pair tiles with shine with other reflective elements sparingly to avoid competing focal points. Below, the crisp white marble is the perfect complement that lets these gold tiles sparkle.

Featured: Camilla w/ Gold Antique Mirror Mosaic, Gold Antique Mirror Bevel

Our Take on Gilded Glamour

Inspired by a modern take on art deco, The Tile Shop’s design manager, Kirsty, envisioned an elegant bathroom with touches of gold and lots of rich marble. Since it’s impossible to create a display with every tile we carry, she used this inspiration to design a visual that would spark ideas for our customers. It turned out so beautifully that, before long, this design dream became a reality.

An artist’s interpretation of our Gilded Glamour bathroom.

This stunning design has everything we love about art deco in a softer, more modern style. The ornamental opulence of Gilded Glamour is visible in the touches of soft brushed gold and the art deco mosaic, which was inspired by a traditional motif. The floating vanity, light fixtures and cool-grey marble modernize the style. The sleek, rounded corners of the mirror mimic the shape of the mosaic and the gold accents coordinate throughout, effectively creating a cohesive look. Layered trims accent the Moderne Deco mosaic on the framed shower wall and in the functional recessed shelf, creating another luxurious detail.

The result is an elegant and soft take on art deco style that feels timeless and modern at the same time.

Featured: Moderne Deco, Verona Blanco, Roman Silver

From an idea to an artist rendering to a real-life installation, the evolution of this idea is dazzling.

Ready to add some modern Gatsby glamour to your space? Schedule a design consultation or stop into your closest store to get inspired and start your project today.

The post Gilded Glamour: How to Tile in Art Deco Style appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.