55 Stylish Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Aesthetic (2024)

Your dream space is one project away.

By Medgina Saint-Elien and Meghan Shouse
55 Stylish Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Aesthetic (1)

Whether you're completely gutting your kitchen, building a new one from scratch, or looking for a project that will add value to your home, choosing the right backsplash is a crucial step in the kitchen renovation process. Think of your backsplash like the contour of your kitchen: While it may not be the most noticeable feature, the end product would look one-dimensional without it. Like kitchen hardware, the backsplash is an essential ingredient to designing your dream kitchen.

When deciding what you like in a backsplash, designer Jenn Feldman recommends considering "the overall rhythm" of your space and asking a series of questions: "What is your focal point? What other colors, materials, and textures can you bring in to really support this?"

It's important to remember the shape you'll be putting in, as well. Would subway tile fit better, or mosaic? Or maybe it's best if you skip out on the tile altogether and go for a wallpaper backsplash or opt for shiplap. "If I'm really going for something special, I'll select a hand-painted or marbled tile from somewhere like Balineum," designer Avery Cox says. There are endless choices, which can all seem pretty overwhelming, but there's also beauty in that fact: You can really be infinitely creative with your backsplash.

Keep reading to find our list of 55 designer-approved kitchen backsplash ideas that are sure to inspire you. Remember to have fun with it and allow your overall aesthetic to guide your design.

1

Nature-Inspired Motifs

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If plain tiles simply won't do for the backsplash in your sophisticated, traditional-yet-modern home, then opt for something with a nature-inspired motif for a bit more interest and warmth. Interior designer Cortney Bishop installed these Calacatta Matarazzo marble tiles that feature fern fronds as her backsplash to make her low-country family home blend better into the Charleston marshlands.

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2

Rainbow Terrazzo

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Throw speckles of color into your kitchen with a rainbow terrazzo backsplash and matching countertop. Especially if you have a brightly colored fixture, like this vivid yellow range in this kitchen designed by Penelope August, the rainbow pattern easily coordinates with the focal point of the room and provides a seamless connection from one aspect of the kitchen to another.

3

Rustic Stonework

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Bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with stonework that mimics your surroundings, like interior designer Marshall Watson did in the kitchen of this Napa Valley home. Watson—with the help of designer Mercedes Ganes and architecture firm Zimmerman Miller Montanari—used locally-sourced materials to create this German schmear-esque backsplash in the kitchen that can also be found in the living room of the home, tying the rooms together and bringing in textures that can be found in the surrounding historic buildings in the valley.

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4

Antique Tiles

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Whether they're actually antique or reproductions, a backsplash with vintage-inspired designs and motifs are a great way to add character into your home. Interior designer Alison Newman sourced tiles from Solar Antique Tiles for her homey kitchen that's supposed to make guests feel as if they're in the Cotswolds. If you, like Newman, want everything in your home to "look worn," then choosing this unique style of backsplash is definitely a great detail.

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5

Matching Shelf, Backsplash, and Counters

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"We had a vision of a true chef's kitchen for this traditional home, so modern elements like the linear hood and utilitarian gas range are softened so well by the natural qualities of the heavily veined marble we selected for the backsplash and long floating shelf," says Feldman. "It wraps all the walls in the space and was used on the oversized island as well." It's the focal point in this workhorse space for sure!

6

Colorful Patterned Tile

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Caren Rideau, founder of the Kitchen Design Group, believes tile should make a splash. "White subway tile is overused," she says. "I love color! Even if you don't want patterns, choose a tile that's completely blue, green, or pink—it's an opportunity to do something else."

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7

Celebrate the Materials

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Quality wins even when it's a neutral color as shown in this kitchen designed by Feldman. She finds that the handmade, artisanal tile is a high-impact, low-cost way to make a kitchen sing: "The natural variation in color and imperfections in the glaze and edging imbue the space with so much depth." Glossy off-white tile and leathered soapstone are a timeless combination.

8

Accent the Range

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Cox used square teal tiles in this kitchen to bring attention and depth to the cooking alcove. On either side of the range are white tiles with a teal blue trim to carry the color throughout the space.

9

Go Sustainable

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Ceramic tiles glazed with pigments derived from industrial metal waste are an excellent option for giving your backsplash a refresh. We love how this kitchen by designer Jaqui Sherman combines the tiles with a richly veined slab for the counters and partway up the walls.

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10

Glossy Herringbone Tile

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In this kitchen designed by Cate Dunning, glossy tiles laid in a herringbone pattern contrast with the matte greige cabinets and dark stone counters. Marrying both, the floor tiles are a custom mosaic pattern reminiscent of an old-school Paris bistro.

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11

Plaster Paint

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The kitchen in Liz Lange's New York City home isn't large, but she wanted it to feel as bright and airy as possible despite a smaller footprint. "Rather than going pre-war in its aesthetic, we gutted it and went very clean and modern," she says. She coated all hardware-free cabinetry in white lacquer and used white plaster paint on the backsplash, which looks unfussy and isn't too precious.

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12

Single Row of Tiles

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The colorful stained glass window steals the show in this eclectic kitchen by Reath Design. Honey-hued paint envelopes the room, giving the space a surge of warmth. Wood countertops and a single row of merlot-toned square tiles complete the look.

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13

Mirrored Surfaces

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The classic details make this look like the original kitchen, but designer M. Lavender actually did a complete gut job. Even the layout is new, with a window right over the range so the entire room gets illuminated by western exposure light. The mirrored backsplash over the counters and under the cabinets bounces the light even further.

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14

Dark Matching Counters

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New York City-based designer Garrow Kedigian chose Soft Chinchilla by Benjamin Moore to give the kitchen cabinets a light, cheerful energy. “I always like my kitchens to feel like rooms and not utilitarian spaces, so I always encourage my clients to paint their kitchens with a lively color,” Kedigian says. The backsplash and counters are the same material, black granite from SMC Stone, for a seamless effect.

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15

Shiplap

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Another tileless option? Shiplap. It's perfect for a kitchen that has a coastal theme, like this Nantucket-inspired one designed by Kevin Isbell. The white oak counters warm up the freshly painted space.

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16

Copper Backsplash and Counters

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In this deVOL kitchen, the custom copper countertops stretch up the walls as a backsplash and cover a slim shelf for decor display and extra storage space. The rich patina gives it a historic appeal.

17

Waterproof Stucco

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A corner wet bar within a larger kitchen designed by Sarah Blank is inspiring us to consider a fun paint color in a specialty finish that doesn't age poorly when in the splash zone. The walnut millwork and copper hardware look especially beautiful against the navy texture-rich paint. Check out our Venetian plaster guide for more information on how to achieve a similar look.

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18

Reclaimed Wood

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Warm up a cabin-style kitchen with walls in reclaimed wood. Extend them to your backsplash and it's full-on rustic charm.

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19

Painted Brick

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If you live in a rental and can't do a full-on wall tear-down but really aren't feeling the look of exposed brick, just paint it over with white paint. In this kitchen designed by Shawn Henderson, the white brick backsplash allows for a more modern, fresh mood as opposed to the industrial and darker presence of unpainted bricks.

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20

Beadboard

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A beadboard backsplash keeps this kitchen designed by Victoria Hagan feeling relaxed and country chic. It's the perfect complement to the zinc countertop (which is nonporous, naturally antibacterial, and will patina over time) and the sweet cafe curtains.

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55 Stylish Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Aesthetic (2024)

FAQs

What backsplash will never go out of style? ›

Choose a classic backsplash

Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.

What is the trend in backsplash in 2024? ›

However, the 2024 trend is using stone tiles to add texture and style to your kitchen. Whether you decide to use tiles with a weathered finish or ones that have an acid-wash look, your kitchen backsplash will be spectacular with stone tiles.

What is the most timeless kitchen backsplash? ›

Marble, granite, and limestone are all popular options because of their timeless, organic look. They come in a range of colors and they can be installed with minimal grouting so they offer a uniform surface with less visible seams.

What is the current trend for backsplash? ›

Bold Patterned Backsplash

Bold colors and patterns are currently popular in interior design, and this trend is also being incorporated into tile work. Decorating a wall with tiles can transform it into a work of art.

What backsplash to avoid? ›

Cement tiles are a no-go for the kitchen backsplash (as is limestone, the chief component of cement) because it's just too porous. A cement backsplash will absorb particles from the kitchen and become irreparably dirty much too quickly, making it a bad choice for cleanliness and longevity.

What is a timeless look for a kitchen? ›

What is Timeless Kitchen Design? Timeless refers to classic design choices that are simple, subtle, understated, and can adapt and withstand the ever-changing styles of interior design. “Light, white, and simple. Nothing over the top – something that will appeal to most people.” – Darien Wilson, Deslaurier Designer.

What backsplash makes your kitchen look bigger? ›

Any room can appear wider by using horizontal lines to your advantage. Try a long horizontal backsplash tile or subway tile to draw the eye across the room. You can achieve the same effect with horizontal tiled or herringbone flooring while enhancing the kitchen design.

Are 4 inch backsplashes outdated? ›

Although a 4 inch backsplash is generally considered outdated, it is possible to create modern kitchens with this style. It can be used in any area according to the style and taste of the person.

Is the Subway tile backsplash outdated? ›

White subway tile will never go out of style and will never feel or look dated. How can we say and claim that with such certainty? It's easy! White subway tile is a staple of modern kitchens and presents a modern classic that easily fits in any kitchen style and goes perfectly with any kitchen cabinets colors.

Should backsplash be lighter or darker than countertop? ›

So, if you have lighter cabinets and countertops, you should incorporate a darker backsplash to provide more visual interest and depth to your space. When you have darker cabinets and countertops, you should bring in a lighter backsplash to make your kitchen feel fresh and inviting.

What color tile never goes out of style? ›

Characteristics of Classic Tile That Never Loses Its Style

When choosing tile for your next home renovation project, try to check at least one, if not several, of the following boxes: Neutral shades, like black, white, beige, tan, and gray. Classic patterns and designs, like black and white checkerboard and herringbone.

What is the most practical kitchen backsplash? ›

Ceramic. The original backsplash material, ceramic retains its popularity today as an easy-to-maintain, durable, versatile, and often inexpensive choice. Ceramic tiles come in a large array of shapes, colors, and sizes, making them easy to fit in with your vision.

What backsplash will not go out of style? ›

"Hexagons and herringbone's patterns don't seem to ever go out of style. A herringbone pattern with a Calacatta marble finish makes for a little subtle interest in an all-white kitchen." Angling your tiles is a great way to add interest without breaking the bank for special patterns or adding colored tile.

Where should you not put backsplash? ›

The backsplash connects the two sets of cabinets, which helps the room feel bigger and more cohesive. Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall. In most cases, the space behind the fridge is not visible anywhere in the kitchen.

Is Subway tile out of style in 2024? ›

There are a few staples when it comes to bathroom tile, the design equivalents of your favorite white T-shirt. Simple subway tile and black-and-white patterns are timeless and aren't going anywhere anytime soon. But we're not here to talk about the classics.

What kitchen tile won't go out of style? ›

Metro Tiles

Their parallel and brick like design makes these a great option for a wide variety of kitchen styles. From traditional and chic to contemporary and modern, these tiles will work in just about any kitchen. This makes these tiles a great option, as they never go out of style.

What is the easiest backsplash to maintain? ›

Porcelain, ceramic, metal, and glass tile top the easy-care list because they resist staining, are naturally nonporous, and don't require any special cleansers to do the job.

What color kitchen cabinets will never go out of style? ›

"White, black, browns, and grays have been historically integrated into both traditional and contemporary designs, proving that these colors are universally ageless."

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