HGTV star Tarek El Moussa knows how to make a kitchen backsplash really stand out. He’s rocked the dark black backsplash look not once, but twice in his homes. In his previous place, he went with a sleek, glossy black marble tile that was installed vertically for a super dramatic effect. The tile was a show-stopper, perfectly complementing the white shaker cabinets and luxe black countertop on the island.
And Tarek and his wife Heather Rae didn’t shy away from the bold black backsplash in their new home either. This time, they opted for a moody matte black slab that looks amazing with the light wood cabinetry. Heather said they “looked at a lot of options and fell in love with this because it’s so bold.” Dark backsplashes can totally make a statement, but you’ve gotta get the right balance – pair it with lighter elements to keep the space from feeling too intense.
Go moody with dark contrasting colors
Some people think a black backsplash is too much, but you can make it work. The key is pairing it with lighter elements to balance things out. Glossy tiles can help bounce light around, so the space doesn’t feel so heavy and dark. Vertical tiles add height too, so the backsplash feels more expansive. And matching your grout color to the tiles gives a super sleek, modern look.
If you’re not into super glossy finishes, a semi-sheen works great too. Or mix it up with a matte black slab like Tarek and Heather did in their new kitchen. They paired the moody backsplash with light wood cabinets, black hardware, and white accents to create killer contrast. You can get creative with the color too – gray, burgundy, and other rich hues can give you that dramatic look without going full-on black.
