How To Choose The Right Backsplash Tile For Your Quartz Countertop

When designing your dream kitchen or bathroom, few decisions make as much visual impact as choosing the right quartz countertop and backsplash tile combination. Together, these two surfaces define the style, tone, and personality of your space, acting as both a functional foundation and a design statement. The countertop anchors the room, while the backsplash connects every design element above it, from cabinets and lighting to hardware and paint color.

A backsplash does more than add beauty. It protects your walls from splashes, grease, and everyday wear, while introducing color, texture, and pattern that reflect your personal style. The right pairing can make a small kitchen appear larger, brighten a darker space, or add warmth and sophistication to an all-white bathroom. In essence, your backsplash completes the story your countertop begins.

Because there are so many stunning backsplash ideas to explore, from timeless subway tile to contemporary porcelain slabs, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Should you go bold or subtle? Glossy or matte? Neutral or patterned? The key is finding harmony between practicality and personality, ensuring your backsplash not only looks incredible but performs beautifully for years to come.

If you’re updating your home or starting a full remodel, these expert design tips will help you confidently choose a backsplash that complements your quartz countertop, fits your budget, and enhances your entire space.

Choose Counters First

When beginning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, it’s always wise to start by selecting your quartz color first. Countertops often serve as the anchor of the design, influencing everything from cabinet color to hardware finish. Since quartz is available in a variety of tones, from crisp whites and soft neutrals to deep charcoals and dramatic veining, it’s easier to coordinate your backsplash once you’ve seen the quartz slab in person.

After your quartz countertop is installed, observe how the colors shift throughout the day under natural and artificial light. Bring home backsplash tile samples from MSI to test against your surface and see how the tones interact in your own space. This hands-on approach ensures that the final pairing feels intentional, balanced, and cohesive with your cabinetry, flooring, and lighting.

Calacatta Castana Quartz

Establish Your Budget

Planning your backsplash budget early helps keep your project on track. The material and the amount of wall coverage will influence both cost and design possibilities. Extending quartz surfaces from the counter up the wall creates a seamless, high-end appearance, but tile can offer the same visual impact at a more flexible price point.

Decide whether your backsplash will stop at the cabinetry or extend all the way to the ceiling. Covering only key areas—like behind a stove, sink, or vanity—can leave extra room in the budget for higher-quality tiles, unique patterns, or professional installation. Mesh-backed mosaic tile sheets or large-format tiles can also reduce labor time while still delivering a polished finish.

Calacatta Solessio Quartz

Fashion the Focal Point

Great design relies on balance. Before committing to a tile, think about which element should be the main visual focus: your quartz countertop or your backsplash tile. If your quartz countertop has a natural stone look with strong veining or movement, a softer, solid backsplash can provide the right amount of contrast. If the countertop is understated, consider using texture or pattern on the backsplash to add energy and personality.

You can also align your focal point with a specific feature, like a kitchen island or a bathroom vanity. Using a slightly different backsplash pattern or layout in that area draws attention naturally while keeping the rest of the space calm and cohesive.

Aurataj Quartz

Make a Match

Harmony between your countertop and backsplash tile is what makes a room feel finished. Look closely at the undertones and details of your quartz surface. Do you see hints of gray, beige, or gold? Use those tones to guide your backsplash color choice. Matching finishes can also help unify the space. A polished kitchen countertop or kitchen island pairs well with glossy ceramic or glass tile, while a honed quartz complements matte or textured finishes.

You don’t have to match colors exactly; a bit of contrast can make the space feel layered and dynamic. The key is to ensure the transition between countertop and backsplash feels intentional rather than abrupt.

Galant Gray Quartz

Play with Pattern

If your personal style leans creative, your backsplash is the perfect place to express it. A neutral quartz color provides a clean backdrop that allows patterned tile to shine. Whether you choose a herringbone, chevron, basketweave, or encaustic-inspired design, patterns bring movement and depth to the space.

Even simple color combinations, like black and white, gray and beige, or tone-on-tone neutrals, can create visual interest when arranged thoughtfully. In smaller spaces such as powder rooms, patterned backsplash tile can make a big impact without overwhelming the design. For a seamless look, continue the tile into adjacent areas like a shower wall or side return.

Midnight Majesty Quartz

Choose the Right Backsplash 

Your backsplash should elevate both the style and functionality of quartz surfaces. Start by identifying the overall look you want to achieve: modern and sleek, warm and traditional, or rustic and textured. Then narrow down materials that align with your desired aesthetic and maintenance preferences. Porcelain, ceramic, and glass tiles are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal companions for quartz countertops. Natural stone tiles can add depth and luxury, but may require additional sealing. Think about long-term maintenance as well as immediate visual appeal.

With careful planning, your backsplash can transform your kitchen or bathroom design, pulling every element together into a polished, harmonious finish.

Need help deciding which backsplash goes best with your quartz counter or where to buy quartz countertops? Chat with us online now, visit one of our many MSI showrooms nationwide, or find your nearest authorized MSI retailer to view your choices.

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