18 White Brick Backsplash Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before

18 White Brick Backsplash Ideas You Haven’t Seen Before

White brick backsplashes have been having a moment for a while now, but most of what shows up in searches is the same whitewashed farmhouse look over and over. There’s actually a lot more range here than people realize. Once you start playing with texture, layout, grout color, and finish, white brick can go modern, coastal, industrial, or even a little moody in the best way.

If you’re planning a kitchen refresh or just collecting ideas for later, here are 18 white brick backsplash ideas you haven’t seen before that go beyond the standard whitewash look.

Whitewashed Brick with Visible Red Undertones

Instead of fully covering the brick, a thin whitewash lets hints of the original red or terracotta color peek through. It gives the wall a lived-in, collected-over-time feel rather than looking freshly painted.

This works especially well in kitchens with warm wood cabinetry or vintage-style fixtures. The slight color variation keeps the wall from feeling flat or one-note.

Maintenance is pretty easy since a sealed whitewash wipes clean, though grease splatters near the stove may need a little extra scrubbing in the texture.

Glossy White Brick for a Modern Twist

Most white brick reads matte and rustic, but a glossy or semi-gloss finish flips that expectation completely. It catches light in a way that feels almost tile-like, which makes it a great fit for contemporary kitchens.

This look pairs beautifully with black fixtures and brushed brass hardware, since the shine plays off metallics nicely. It’s a fun way to make brick feel unexpected instead of predictable.

The glossy finish also makes cleanup simpler, since grease and moisture don’t cling to the surface the way they do on raw matte brick.

Thin Brick Veneer in a Vertical Stack

Skip the classic horizontal running bond and stack thin brick veneer vertically instead. It draws the eye upward, which is a smart trick in kitchens with lower ceilings.

Vertical stacking also reads a little more architectural and less “farmhouse,” so it suits modern or transitional kitchens that still want texture without leaning too rustic.

Thin brick veneer is lighter than full brick, so it’s a more DIY-friendly option if you’re comfortable with basic tiling tools.

White Brick Behind Open Shelving Only

Instead of covering the whole wall, some homeowners are limiting white brick to just the section behind open shelving. It creates a framed, gallery-like effect for displayed dishes, jars, or greenery.

This is a great budget-friendly approach since you’re covering less square footage. It also keeps the rest of the kitchen wall simple, which balances out the texture nicely.

It works particularly well in smaller kitchens where a full brick wall might feel like too much.

Herringbone-Cut White Brick Panels

Herringbone isn’t just for wood floors or subway tile anymore. Some thin brick manufacturers now offer herringbone-cut panels that bring that same zigzag movement to a backsplash.

It’s a striking option for anyone who wants brick texture but with a pattern that feels more intentional and designed rather than purely rustic.

Because the pattern is busier, pairing it with simple quartz countertops and minimal hardware keeps the whole look from feeling overdone.

White Brick with Black Grout

Flipping the usual white-on-white grout expectation, black grout against white brick creates serious contrast and highlights the brick’s texture and shape.

This combination leans industrial or modern farmhouse, and it’s particularly striking in kitchens with black windows or matte black fixtures already in the mix.

Dark grout also tends to hide staining better over time, which is a practical bonus near a busy cooking area.

Whitewashed Brick Arch Around the Range

Rather than tiling the whole wall, some kitchens are framing just the cooking area with an arched whitewashed brick surround. It draws attention to the range as a focal point.

This idea borrows from European farmhouse kitchens and gives a custom, architectural feel without a full renovation. It’s a great option if you already have a hood vent that needs a little visual anchor.

Because it’s a smaller footprint, it’s also more approachable for a weekend DIY project.

White Brick Paired with Wood Floating Shelves

Warm wood floating shelves against a white brick wall create a natural, textural contrast that feels collected rather than matchy. The wood softens the brick’s more rugged edges.

This pairing is popular in Scandinavian-influenced and Japandi kitchens, where natural materials and simple lines matter more than heavy ornamentation.

Styling with a mix of ceramic mugs, small plants, and a few cookbooks keeps the shelves functional without feeling cluttered.

Reclaimed White Brick with Visible Mortar Texture

Reclaimed brick with chunky, uneven mortar lines brings serious character to a backsplash. Every brick looks slightly different, which is part of the appeal for people who want their kitchen to feel one-of-a-kind.

This works particularly well in loft-style kitchens or older homes where exposed structural elements already exist elsewhere.

It does require a bit more care when cleaning, since the rougher mortar can trap grease, so a sealant is worth considering here.

White Brick with Under-Cabinet Lighting

Adding warm LED under-cabinet lighting above a white brick backsplash creates gorgeous shadow play across the brick’s texture at night. It’s a small addition that makes a big visual difference.

This layered lighting approach is especially useful in kitchens that don’t get much natural light, since it highlights the texture instead of leaving it looking flat under a single overhead fixture.

It’s also a relatively simple electrical upgrade if you’re already renovating cabinetry.

Whitewashed Brick in a Butler’s Pantry

Instead of putting all the visual interest in the main kitchen, some homeowners are saving white brick for the butler’s pantry or coffee station. It gives that secondary space its own personality.

This is a smart move if your main kitchen has a more streamlined look, since it lets the brick feel special rather than repetitive throughout the whole floor plan.

Pairing it with brass hardware and a small built-in shelf for glassware rounds out the vintage-meets-functional vibe.

White Brick with a Matte Concrete-Look Finish

Some newer brick veneer products mimic a matte concrete texture while keeping the brick shape and joint lines. It’s an interesting middle ground between industrial concrete and traditional brick.

This finish suits minimalist or modern industrial kitchens where you want texture without anything that reads too cozy or farmhouse.

It’s also fairly low-maintenance, since the matte concrete-style coating resists staining better than raw brick.

White Brick Extended to the Ceiling

Rather than stopping at standard backsplash height, some kitchens are taking white brick all the way up to the ceiling on one wall. It makes a bold architectural statement.

This full-height approach works best in kitchens with higher ceilings, since it emphasizes verticality without feeling overwhelming. It also creates a natural backdrop for a statement range hood.

Because it covers more surface area, it’s a bigger investment, but the visual payoff is hard to match with a partial installation.

Whitewashed Brick with Open Wood Beams

Pairing whitewashed brick walls with exposed wood ceiling beams creates a cohesive farmhouse-meets-cottage look that feels warm rather than sterile. The natural wood tones balance the coolness of the white brick.

This combination is especially popular in kitchens with vaulted ceilings, where the beams and brick both get room to be seen properly.

It’s a good example of how neutral color palettes still leave plenty of room for texture and warmth.

White Brick with a Peel-and-Stick Option

For renters or anyone hesitant to commit to a permanent installation, peel-and-stick white brick panels have gotten a lot more realistic-looking in recent years. They mimic the texture and shadow lines of real brick surprisingly well.

This is one of the most renter-friendly ideas on this list, since it typically removes without damaging the wall underneath.

It’s not as durable as real brick or veneer, so it’s better suited to lower-splash areas away from direct heat and heavy grease exposure.

White Brick with Integrated Pot Filler

Building a pot filler directly into a white brick wall above the range adds a functional, almost European kitchen feel. The brick gives the fixture a textured backdrop instead of a flat tile surface.

This is more of a splurge idea, since it requires plumbing work, but it’s a detail that makes a kitchen feel custom-designed rather than builder-grade.

Brushed brass or matte black pot fillers both look great against white brick, depending on your overall hardware finish.

Whitewashed Brick in a Small Galley Kitchen

In tighter kitchens, whitewashed brick can actually help a narrow galley layout feel less cramped. The light color reflects light well, while the texture keeps the walls from feeling too plain or boxy.

This is a great budget-conscious option since galley kitchens have less wall space to cover overall. Pairing it with lighter countertops keeps the whole room feeling open rather than closed in.

It’s also a forgiving choice for beginner DIYers, since smaller wall sections are more manageable to tile.

White Brick with Colorful Grout Accents

Instead of standard white or gray grout, some homeowners are experimenting with soft colored grout, like a muted sage or warm terracotta, to bring in a subtle pop of color.

This is a fun way to personalize a white brick backsplash without committing to a bold accent wall or colorful tile. It reads more playful and current than traditional grout choices.

Since colored grout is less common, it’s worth testing a small sample area first to make sure the tone works with your cabinetry and lighting.

Every one of these ideas proves that white brick backsplashes don’t have to look like a copy-paste farmhouse kitchen. Whether you go glossy, vertical, dark-grouted, or peel-and-stick, there’s a version of this trend that fits almost any style and budget. The best part is you don’t need a full renovation to try one out. Start with a small section, see how it feels in your space, and build from there.