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Should Bathroom Backsplash Match Countertop?

3 Ideas to Match the Backsplash tile with a Vanity Countertop

By Blake Lockwood | Curated by Blake Lockwood | Reviewed by Blake Lockwood | 

Blake Lockwood, the seasoned interior designer behind Decor Snob, has made a name for himself with over 30 years of industry experience. As a member of esteemed associations such as the NCIDQ, CIDA, NAAB, and CCIDC, he upholds high standards in his work.  His content is always people-first, reliable, and engaging.

bathroom backsplash

Renovating the bathroom is a process in which you have to make many decisions about materials and design. Should the bathroom backsplash match the countertop?

As a general rule, your bathroom backsplash should match the vanity’s countertop if you want a cohesive look to your bathroom. You can use complementary colors and textures to match the backsplash with the countertop or use the same material for both.

Matching the backsplash and countertop in the bathroom can help unify the interior design of the space. Keep reading for more tips on how to match your bathroom backsplash with the countertop.

Why Should the Backsplash Match the Countertop

When you are designing a bathroom, one of the difficult decisions that you have to make is what kind of counters and what kind of backsplash you want. The counters and backsplash should visually tie together for a unified and balanced space.

If the counter and backsplash tiles are mismatched they can actually make the bathroom feel smaller because of the competing colors or textures.

bathroom backsplash

Matching the backsplash with the countertop can help the bathroom feel more open, modern, and cohesive.

The bathroom is usually a peaceful place where we retreat for self-care and privacy. If you want to achieve a calming interior design for your bathroom then you need to make sure that you are matching the materials and colors in a way that is cohesive and balanced.

The backsplash tile and countertop can do a lot when it comes to influencing how the room looks and feels overall.

How to Match the Backsplash with the Countertop

Now that we have established why it is a good idea to match the backsplash with the countertop, we are going to go into more detail on how to approach this.

1. Choose the Countertop First

Experts recommend choosing the countertop first. The countertop is the greater investment, costing more time and taking more time to install. Instead of matching the countertop with the backsplash, you should be matching the backsplash with the countertops.

Once you have chosen a countertop material, it will be easier to choose a matching backsplash.

Countertops get a lot of use and are one of the most visually noticeable things that people will see when they walk into the bathroom.

bathroom backsplash

So it is worth spending extra time and money to make sure you get the counters that you want. The backsplash can come after.

After the countertops are installed it will be easier to get an idea of what kind of backsplash will look best. With these bathroom tile ideas, you will have an opportunity to bring home mosaic tiles and sample backsplash to see how it looks when paired with the counters.

In addition to the counters, the backsplash should also compliment the walls, furniture, and fixtures of the bathroom.

2. Choosing the Colors

The color of the backsplash may be the most important factor when it comes to matching it with the counters.

Matching colors does not always mean that the colors are the same. You can also use complementary colors which are on opposite sides of the color wheel and bring out the most in each other.

Examples of complementary color schemes would be blue and orange, red and green, and yellow and purple.

If there are spots of color in the countertops, such as white marble with brown texture, then the backsplash would match with that color. This helps to tie everything together visually.

Colors and textures can be used to create a focal point in the bathroom on the counter, sink, and vanity area.

3. Choosing Textures and Patterns

In addition to the color, there are also a variety of textures and patterns which you could consider using for the backsplash.

If the counters have a busy pattern then consider using a more subdued option for the backsplash.

For countertops that have minimalist features, such as a solid color material, then you can get creative with the backsplash and incorporate marble, mosaics, and tiling.

bathroom backsplash

One of the goals of design is balance in addition to unity, so try to pick materials, textures, and colors to balance each other out. If you have mismatched patterns it can make the bathroom feel busy and crowded.

The backsplash and countertops should not be competing with each other, but instead should complement each other.

To match or not to match?

When you are designing the bathroom, start with the countertops and worry about the backsplash later. It will be easier to match the backsplash with the countertops when they are already installed because you can hold up the backsplash samples against it to see what it will look like. The countertops are a bigger investment and get more use, so it is smart to start there and then match the backsplash.

Matching the backsplash with the countertops helps to create a unified and cohesive design for your bathroom space. You can use complementary colors and textures to bring out the most in the materials. Get creative with your backsplash and countertops and you can create a focal point around the sink and vanity area.

Photo: Kristina Wolf Design
Photo: Christine Kimberlee Designs
Photo: Heather Garrett Design
Photo: Lilian H. Weinreich, Architects

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