As most of you know, I’m in the middle of remodeling our kitchen. Well, more of a giving it a big face lift! The cabinets are almost all done and now it’s time to finish painting the walls and think about a back splash.
I am loving the white subway tile trend that is currently taking kitchen design by storm. I have always wanted it in my kitchen BUT, I have a teeny tiny kitchen and now I’m starting to wonder if a backsplash is even necessary. Up until this point I have been completely sold on doing white subway tile but I’m slowly starting to change my mind…. you’ll have to get to the bottom of the post to see why :)
Via Pinterest
I love the white subway tile paired with a farmhouse chic kitchen. The tile stops half way up the wall and includes gorgeous floating shelves leaving room for artwork or additional storage.
Via House and Home
This kitchen incorporates an entire subway tile wall with rustic shelving and stainless steel accents. The wall creates such a statement space and I adore the shelving, it’s a must for me!
Now let’s talk grout. The darker grout picture above gives a real modern and contemporary look and feel. But is it too dark?
via Decor Pad
I find myself drawn to the white grout paired with the crisp white kitchen cabinets. This is such a clean look yet comforting at the same time.
This kitchen is what changed everything for me. I absolutely love every detail, including the white planked wall. So yes, you guessed it. Now I’m leaning towards something like this. I’m so indecisive!
So what are your thoughts? I feel like if I go with the subway tile I either need to go big or go home. As in, I need to do an entire wall (thankfully my kitchen wall is really small). Or do I go with half a wall like the first picture? Or do I take a chance and go for the wood planked wall?!
Help!
About Taryn Whiteaker
Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!
I would go with the planks…. That looks great!!
Oh certainly gorgeous Taryn- I find myself craving a bright & airy feel to a room. Need to find the balance between the feel of white & the desire to have some color on the walls.
I have that picture pinned too. I love it and would go with the planked walls. Both are beautiful though. :)
Oh my gosh. I’m doing my kitchen this summer and I’ve been going back and forth back and forth between the very same things. You know what I decided…white plank walls and white tile backsplash. Ha!! That’s the way to get both. I wonder which is easier to keep clean. That’s what I would like to know.
Janel, For ease of cleaning tile is the way to go for a backsplash. I had this same dilemma a few years ago. To save $ I went with a bead board (narrow plank) backsplash rather than white subway tile. I wish I had chosen subway tile! So easy to wipe clean.
We did white subway tile with white grout all the way up to the crown molding in our kitchen and 5 years later I still love it! It’s so classic that it goes with everything so I don’t have to worry about trends. We DIYed concrete counter tops that I adore! I’ll be sad to leave them behind if we ever move!
I love the white subway tile with a medium gray grout {ex. The Inspired Room
Love the planks. Feels very French!
I would do with the subway! So clean and refreshing you can always bring in “weed” elements…blank shelving?
– Katie
As much as I love the look of the planks, I would lean toward the subway tile. I’m not sure about you, but things can get crazy in the kitchen at our house and being able to just wipe off the tile with a wash cloth or rag seems to suit “kitchen life” better than wood planks (at least for us).
I did white plank in mine and LOVE it! Everyone thought I was crazy for doing wood in my kitchen, but it’s held up awesomely. I still love subway tile though (and I lean towards really light grout). Can’t wait to see!!
I highly recommend doing a subway tile backsplash! You don’t need to do a whole wall, but its actually quite easy if you decide to! We have a teeny tiny kitchen (our house is 800 sq ft) and I did a subway tile backsplash – it instantly transformed our kitchen from old and blah and really brightened up the kitchen, I also went with white grout to make sure it would be light, crisp and clean (it’s also a bit more forgiving… It won’t show like dark gray, if you’re not a professional like me). It easy and cheap – everything cost me about $100 and its easy! I did it myself, with a 6 month old while my hubby was out of town.
Great question! I have white subway in my kitchen and LOVE it! In my basement kitchen I have white planks! I love both, but for a well used kitchen I would do the subway tile and save the planks for a less used space, kitchen or accent wall. You have great taste :)
I’ve been facing the same dilemma! We re-did everything else, but I can’t find a backboard I love. I was thinking of doing planks or beadboard, but my husband thinks it might need a splash of color. Such a hard decision, isn’t it? I do know that I prefer the light colored grout, it just looks cleaner and more inviting to me. Good luck!
Hard choices, the plank wall for me but guess it depends on what kind of feel you want. I also love the subway tile but thoughts of having to clean that tile and grout, don’t think so. What does your hubs like? Or will he go with whatever you love? Good luck, whatever you pick will be wonderful. God bless you.
First of all, great name! :) I’ve always loved white, bright kitchens and I’m really drawn to the pic of the all white kitchen with yellow appliances. I prefer the white grout look over the darker gray grouts – to me the darker grout just looks dirty and I like the simple, unbroken surface white tile + white grout creates. But I’m also really liking the plank wall – I think you have a tough decision to make, but honestly you can’t go wrong with either. I can’t wait to see what you pick!
Subway tiles or the planks are a timeless look. I would keep in mind if the planking is over your sink you will have to seal so you do not have water damage. If you do decide to go with subway tiles, I would not go with such dark grout. If you are worried about cleaning white grout, then use a light to medium gray grout. The grout wont be so stark. believe looking at a photo with the dark grout may look appealing but having to look at that severe contrast on a daily basis will drive you crazy shortly. I can’t wait to see what you do!
Thanks for this post as we are going to be redoing our kitchen this summer, some great ideas here. I was sure I liked the subway tiles until the last picture, now I am confused but I am liking the planks, its so nice to look at. Good luck, let us know what you decide.
Planks look nice but I have a need for color too! Subway tile extends the clean, crisp look but still leaves room for some color on the rest of the wall!