The kitchen backsplash is often an afterthought in kitchen design. Yet this relatively small space can have a big visual impact. While basic white subway tile has its charms, there are many dramatic and creative alternatives that can make your kitchen backsplash a true statement piece. From eye-catching colors and patterns to novel materials like metal and glass, today’s backsplash options go far beyond basic.
If you’re looking to upgrade your backsplash from boring to bold, here are eight design ideas that will inspire you to think beyond basic tile.
Vibrantly-Colored Tile
Nothing transforms a kitchen quite like a blast of vibrant color. While an all-white backsplash has its merits, adding a pop of lively color can bring energy and flair to the kitchen. Vibrant backsplash tile comes in many hues, from citrus orange and lime green to cobalt blue and magenta. Complementary shades can be combined in eclectic patterns or soothing ombre fades.
Some ideas for colorful backsplashes:
- Citrus colors: Orange, lemon yellow, and lime green are energizing options. These sunshiny hues bring a fun, retro vibe. Coordinate with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances for a striking color-blocked look.
- Saturated hues: Deep blue, eggplant purple, and ruby red backsplashes make a daring style statement. Pair with crisp white for maximum contrast.
- Tropical tones: Turquoise, seafoam green, and coral recall tropics. These playful pastels work well with both light and dark cabinetry.
- Moroccan tile: Inspired by North African design, these vibrant tiles feature intricate patterns in exhilarating color combos. Traditional options include teal, terra cotta, and yellow.
- Ombre: Fading from dark to light in a single hue or blending complementary colors, ombre tile backsplashes provide a soothing, gradient effect.
Vibrant colored backsplashes work best in contemporary, vintage, or cottage kitchens. Make sure to coordinate the tile palette with your cabinetry, counters, and floors for a cohesive look.
Natural Stone Tile
For an earthy, organic feel, natural stone makes a gorgeous backsplash material. Stone tiles come in a diverse array of types, colors, and cuts. Rustic, chiseled edge tiles have an ancient, Old World style, while polished, brick-shaped stones have a more modern look.
Some natural stone options to consider:
- Travertine: Beige and brown with pitted holes and ridges, travertine has a rustic Tuscan feel. For a textured look, use tumbled stone.
- Slate: Available in shades of gray, blue, purple, and green, slate has an appealing layered, foliated appearance. Use black slate for a dramatic effect.
- Marble: Prized for its elegance, marble comes in many classic patterns like Carrara and Calacatta. White marble provides a statuesque look.
- Limestone: Distinguished by its mottled, pockmarked surface, limestone lends an Old World, French country vibe. Ideal for farmhouse kitchens.
- Granite: With its speckled mineral composition, granite makes a durable, low-maintenance backsplash. Try bold black granite for modern spaces.
- Soapstone: Known for its soft grayish-green hue, soapstone has a smooth, almost creamy appearance. Its softness makes it easy to carve into custom tile shapes.
Mixing stone types, colors, cuts, and sizes creates appealing visual texture and depth. For a cohesive look, match your countertop and backsplash material.
Bold and Colorful Patterned Tile
Patterned tile backsplashes make a big decorative splash. From Moroccan mosaics to Art Deco motifs, patterned tiles feature captivating repeating designs. Geometric shapes, floral prints, and graphic interpretations allow for creative customization. Paired with neutral cabinetry and counters, vivid patterned backsplashes become true focal points.
Some stylish pattern possibilities include:
- Moroccan fish scale: Based on centuries-old Islamic architecture, these intricate interlocking tiles form a mesmerizing mosaic, often in vibrant blue and yellow.
- Herringbone: This classic arrangement of rectangles evokes sleek retro style. Available in glossy colors for an Art Deco accent wall effect.
- Hexagons: Interconnecting six-sided tiles create honeycomb geometry. Choose diverging colors for a kaleidoscopic pattern.
- Subway tile: This rectangular 3×6-inch tile shaped like a subway brick is a versatile classic. Lay in offset rows or herringbone for visual interest.
- Penny round: Dot-like circles produce a polka-dot matrix. Use varying colors and sizes for whimsical retro charm.
- Folkloric patterns: Traditional motifs like Talavera, blue willow, and rose medallion designs reference cultural arts and crafts.
- Florals: Blooming roses, tropical leaves, and art nouveau flowers provide a garden motif. Consider icy pastels or bold jewel tones.
Backsplashes dominated by dense, colorful patterns pair best with solid counters and cabinets to avoid a busy look. Allow simple accessories to shine against the dramatic tilework.
Metallic and Glass Tile
For contemporary glamour, metal and glass tiles bring shiny, light-reflecting surfaces to the kitchen backsplash. From copper penny rounds to frosted glass rectangles, these modern materials make a sleek style statement. Solid metals like brass and zinc offer a luxe look, while glass tile provides mesmerizing colors and textures.
Some glamorous metallic and glass backsplash ideas:
- Penny tile: Covered in real copper, these dynamic dots have an vintage, industrial vibe. Allow to patina over time for an aged effect.
- Stainless steel: Sleek, durable, and endlessly reflective, stainless steel tile channels professional restaurant kitchens. Use a clean-lined style like subway brick.
- Back-painted glass: Opaque glass tiles painted on the reverse side come in solid hues, metallic finishes, and graphic patterns. Allows light to pass through color.
- Iridescent glass: Shimmering with oily rainbows like a soap bubble, iridescent glass shifts hypnotically under lighting. Adds subtle but magical shimmer.
- Frosted or etched glass: Glass tiles given a frosted or lightly etched finish have a soft, diffused appearance. Provides muted translucency.
- Mirror tiles: Reflective mirror squares lend high-impact drama. Has a glam Art Deco vibe. Use moderately to avoid sensory overload.
Metallic and glass backsplashes pair well with darker cabinets and granite counters to create stylish contrast. Avoid potential grease stains in glass tile over cooking surfaces.
Wood Backsplash
Defying kitchen backsplash conventions, wood paneling introduces organic warmth and visual texture. Hardwoods like oak and maple bring natural grain patterns, while plywood and MDF offer cost-effective panel options. Use tongue-and-groove boards for a traditional look or mosaic parquet for geometric appeal.
Some inspiring ways to use wood backsplashes:
- Barnwood planks: Weathered salvaged barn boards or faux barnwood panels create cozy farmhouse character. White subway tile trim ties the look together.
- Herringbone parquet: Interlocking wood strips form this zigzag classic motif. Stained in gray for a modern look or natural for rustic charm.
- Tongue-and-groove: Horizontal planks with interlocking edges provide clean-lined nautical style. Painted white or navy for coastal chic.
- Plywood: Affordable sheets of plywood offer a casual, unfinished look. Leave bare or coat with polyurethane for waterproofing.
- 3D hexagonal: Angled wood pieces build an interlocking hexagon pattern, like a honeycomb. Apply bold colors for a playful pop art piece.
- Reclaimed wood: Old barn boards, wine crates, or fencing repurposed into backsplash slats make an eco-friendly statement.
Wood backsplashes require extra sealing to withstand kitchen humidity and grease. Avoid raw wood behind cooktops and opt for washable painted or enameled boards.
Handmade Tile
For a truly bespoke backsplash, handmade art tile adds personalized style through technique and texture. Crafted in small batches, art tiles exhibit imaginative designs, playful imperfections, and the touch of the artist’s hand. Unique glazes, mold shapes, and finishing details give each piece idiosyncratic appeal.
Some handmade tile possibilities to consider:
- Ceramic relief tiles: Clay tiles individually sculpted with three-dimensional bas-relief design and glazed by hand. Achieves a singular folk art look.
- Crackle glaze: Glazes mixed with additives then cooled rapidly produce a signature spiderweb cracking effect. No two tiles crackle alike.
- Millefiori: Slices of handmade glass cane embedded in clay, creating flower-like patterns. Traditionally made by Venetian glassworkers.
- Encaustic technique: Molten beeswax infused with pigment is hand-applied to bisque-fired clay then fixed with a heat torch. Has a scratch-like matte finish.
- Mosaic mirrors: Tiny mirror fragments meticulously pieced together to form mosaic motifs. Reflects a magical kaleidoscopic effect.
- Stampedtextures: Clay tiles individually pressed with designs using handmade stamps, embossers, or found objects like leaves or lace. Imparts an artsytouch.
- Irregular edges: Tiles trimmed into curvy, asymmetrical, or distressed shapes with special handheld cutters. Achieves an antiqued, weathered effect.
Handcrafted backsplashes work well in rustic and eclectic kitchens. Ensure irregular tiles have uniform thickness for even installation. Allow extra time and budget when planning this specialty feature.
Bold Kitchen Backsplashes Using Unique Materials
Beyond basic tiles and natural stones, some imaginative options for kitchen backsplashes include materials that are unexpected yet striking. From salvaged finds to high-tech surfaces, these innovative materials bring creative character to the kitchen’s back wall.
Some uncommon backsplash materials to consider:
- Recycled glass: Crushed recycled glass and bottle bits create an earthy, eco-friendly surface with varied texture and color. Bonus: ambiently sparkles!
- Wine corks: Collected from your own bottles or an event space, wine corks attached to a board make a conversation piece “cork mosaic.”
- Corrugated metal: Ribbed metal roofing material or salvaged tin ceiling tiles add utilitarian edge. Excellent choice for industrial style spaces.
- Lacquered plywood: High-gloss paint transforms plywood sheets into a sleek, mod backsplash surface. Durable and water-resistant.
- Stainless steel: Typically seen in commercial kitchens, stainless steel backsplashes impart an ultra-modern vibe. Stands up to hot grease splatter.
- Galvanized metal: Raw galvanized sheet metal develops a worn, clouded patina from kitchen heat and moisture. Imparts urban industrial appeal.
- Blackboard paint: Transforms the backsplash into a chalkboard surface for leaving messages, recipes, and art. Use with chalk markers for permanent vinyl look.
- Succulent wall: In lieu of tile, install a vertical succulent garden of cacti, hens and chicks, and stonecrop. Provides a living backsplash.
Unique backsplash materials require careful prep and sealing to withstand kitchen conditions. Research durability, heat-resistance, and cleaning requirements before installing.
Creative Backsplash Layouts Beyond The Standard
Kitchen backsplash tile is typically installed in straight vertical rows from counter to cabinet. Yet breaking out of the expected arrangement allows for exciting new design possibilities. Using shape, layout, and installation technique, backsplashes can make a boldly original statement.
Some creative backsplash layout possibilities include:
- Geometric: Go graphic with tessellated diamond, octagon, hexagon, or triangular tile patterns. Create optical illusions using color and shape.
- Paneled: Frame sections within metal trim strips or beveled wood battens for a paneled effect. Highlights specific areas like behind the stove.
- Checkerboard: Alternating black and white tiles establish this playful grid pattern. Also works with bolder colors like navy and yellow.
- Subway brick herringbone: Set subway tiles in an interlocking zigzag arrangement for livelier linear texture. Elongates the space visually.
- Inset niches: Display decorative plates or glowing candles by incising oval, round, or rectangular hollows into the tilework. Provides captivating visual depth.
- Pattern blocking: Create cohesive zones of pattern using tile shape. Example: square tile by the range, staggered brick behind the sink, hexagons by the prep area.
- Vertical: Running rectangular subway tile vertically instead of horizontally provides an edgy rotated look. Works on one accent wall or the entire backsplash.
- Pixelated graphics: Arrange small mosaic tiles to depict photos, art images, logos, or icons for personalized pop art appeal.
Non-uniform backsplash layouts pair well with simple cabinetry and counters to avoid a frenetic look. Have an experienced tiler handle unusual layouts and challenging tile cuts.
Statement Backsplash Ideas To Avoid
While creative backsplashes can elevate your kitchen’s style, some statement designs fail to impress. Gaudy materials, overly busy patterns, and dark colors can make a backsplash feel heavy rather than fresh. When planning your eye-catching backsplash, steer clear of these pitfalls:
- Dated designer tile: Once trendy embossed and grape cluster tiles now read as stuck in the past. Simple patterns and materials have longer staying power.
- DIY mosaic: Handmade can be charming, but irregular grout lines and sloppy tile setting scream amateurish. Stick to uniform manufactured tile or hire a pro.
- Too-dark colors: Inky navy, jet black, or blood red backsplashes can make a small kitchen feel closed in. Opt for lighter tones or use dark colors sparingly.
- All-over chaotic pattern: Random busy patterns create dizzying, distracting visual noise. Stick to a single geometric motif or use selective pattern accents.
- Materials that stain/discolor: Porous natural stones like limestone can easily stain from cooking splatters. Opt for impenetrable glass and ceramic tiles instead.
- Hard-to-clean grout: White or light grout looks crisp when new but discolors and stains over time. Use dark grout that disguises grime and is easier to maintain.
- Mirror tiles: These glitzy tiles seem chic at first but show every little water spot and grease smudge. Too high-maintenance for busy kitchens.
Avoid backsplash regret with smart design choices you can live with long-term. Samples, mock-ups, and expert input help ensure your dream statement backsplash exceeds expectations.
Design Tips for Creating the Ultimate Statement Backsplash
Approaching your kitchen backsplash design thoughtfully will help you fashion a stunning focal point that expresses your personal style. Keep these tips in mind for backsplash success:
- Set a budget: From $25 to $250 per square foot, backsplash costs vary widely. Setting expectations ensures you don’t overspend on tile alone. Include installation and any special backerboard requirements.
- Make a mood board: Collect inspiring backsplash images that reflect your preferred colors, materials, and motifs. This helps articulate spatial goals and solidify ideas.
- Get samples: Order tile samples directly from manufacturers to get a true sense of colors, patterns, and finishes. Size samples prevent surprises.
- Hire a specialist: Opt for an experienced tile setter rather than attempting complex designs yourself. Pay for mastery now – not mistakes later.
- Use backerboard: Cement board provides a hard, non-porous surface for durable tile adhesion. Consult experts on best practices.
- Consider function: Position the splash zone directly behind the cooking surface for optimal protection. Check heat and grease resistance if tiling near stoves.
- Envision the whole: Your backsplash should coordinate and complement your cabinetry, counters, flooring, and decor. Ensure your choices enhance the overall space.
- Illuminate properly: Pro-level lighting shows off a dramatic backsplash’s true colors and details. Add task lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant fixtures.
With careful planning and design, your kitchen backsplash can transcend the ordinary to become an extraordinary expression of personal style. Which look speaks to you – vivid color, natural stone, or handcrafted tile? Take your pick from the possibilities and make your design vision a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions About Statement-Making Kitchen Backsplashes
What are some popular backsplash trends right now?
Some hot backsplash trends include bold geometric patterns like hexagons, creative materials like wood slats and penny tile, dynamic colors, and handmade artisan tile. Sleek modern styles are also in, like glossy lacquered glass, black stainless steel, and back-painted glass tile.
How do I choose a backsplash that complements my kitchen?
Select backsplash colors and materials that coordinate well with your existing cabinetry, counters, flooring, and overall decor. A backsplash should enhance the kitchen’s overall style, not compete with it.
How much does a high-end backsplash cost?
For dramatic materials like natural stone, metal, glass, or handmade tile, costs typically range from $50 to over $250 per square foot installed. Simple ceramic tile can cost under $10 per square foot.Include the cost of any special backerboard or accent strips in your budget.
What backsplash patterns work best in small kitchens?
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