A kitchen backsplash serves both form and function – it protects the walls from splashes and stains while also providing an opportunity to add visual interest to your kitchen décor. With so many backsplash designs to choose from, it can be tricky to settle on the right one for your style and space. If you’re looking for a backsplash that makes a stylish statement, read on for some of the trendiest and most eye-catching kitchen backsplash ideas.
Mosaic Tile Backsplashes
Mosaic tiles remain one of the most popular choices for kitchen backsplashes, and for good reason. Tiny tiles like subway tile and penny tile pack a visual punch when installed in intricate patterns and striking colors. Here are some of the trendiest mosaic tile backsplash ideas:
Geometric Mosaic Patterns
Geometric designs using tiles in contrasting colors or finishes can create serious wow-factor on your backsplash. Try a herringbone pattern, chevron design, or creative shape combinations. Using metallic tiles like penny rounds or hexagons can add even more style. Mixing glossy and matte tiles is another way to make the shapes stand out.
All-Over Color
Take color to the max by doing an entire backsplash wall in a vibrant mosaic tile hue like emerald green or sapphire blue. This colorful style works best against a neutral backdrop of cabinetry and countertops. An all-blue or all-green mosaic tile backsplash can create a real focal point in your kitchen.
Subway Tile Designs
Subway tile is a classic choice that still looks fresh, especially when installed in interesting patterns. Stack tiles vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Try a brick laid or stair step pattern. Use subway tile in a contrasting color just for the inside of a kitchen niche or behind the stove.
Modern Penny Tiles
Penny rounds are another versatile mosaic tile for backsplashes, available in tons of colors, finishes, and materials. Go for a sleek, modern look with glossy black penny tile or try natural stone varieties like marble, travertine or slate. Arrange pennies in everything from running bond to concentric squares.
Marble & Stone Backsplashes
Natural stone tiles lend an elegant, luxurious look to any kitchen. Honed marbles like Carrara and stately granites are gorgeous backsplash options that work with both traditional and contemporary designs. Consider these stunning stone backsplash ideas:
Carrara Marble
The soft white and gray veining of Carrara marble tiles create movement and depth on a backsplash. Use large-scale Carrara tiles or thin brick set subway style. Carrara marble mosaic tile is lovely too, for a refined sprinkling of pattern. Pair with white cabinetry for a light and airy aesthetic.
Travertine Tiles
With its ribbed, textured look, travertine tile brings old world charm to kitchen backsplashes. Travertine comes in warm tan and cream colors that provide a nice contrast next to cabinets or appliances. Use travertine in a brick pattern or fill the entire backsplash with large tiles.
Slate Backsplash
Slate is a great backsplash option for fans of dark, dramatic design. Whether in black, charcoal grey, or midnight blue, slate kitchen tiles have unmistakable visual impact. Combine slate mosaic, listello, or subway tiles in contrasting colors and orientations to create even more interest.
White Quartz Backsplash
For a backsplash with the elegance of marble but more durability, white quartz is a perfect choice. The consistent bright white tone and subtle veining offer a clean, yet soft and organic look. White quartz tiles complement any style, from modern to farmhouse.
Handmade & Art Tile Backsplashes
Looking for a truly one-of-a-kind backsplash? Handmade and artisan tiles offer tons of customizable options, with unconventional shapes, patterns, textures and glazes. Here are some handcrafted tile backsplash ideas full of artistry and flair:
Handmade Ceramic Tiles
Local ceramic artists and tilemakers offer limitless possibilities for artistic backsplashes. Commission custom ceramic tiles or work with ready made tiles in unique shapes, carved designs, brilliant glazes and color combinations. A backsplash full of handmade personality!
Metallic & Iridescent Glass Tiles
Molten glass tile backsplashes make a glamorous statement with lots of shine and shimmer. Look for handmade glass tiles with metallic, opaline, or oil-rubbed finishes. Combining shiny, iridescent glass tiles with natural stone brings striking contrast.
Mural & Decoupage Backsplashes
Tell a visual story with a custom mural or decoupage backsplash made from hand-painted tiles, collected fragments, photos printed on tile, and more. Work with an artist to design a backsplash mural that’s a personal work of art for your kitchen.
Found Object & Recycled Material Tiles
One of a kind recycled tiles lend industrial edge, rustic charm, and eco style to kitchen backsplashes. Choose tiles made from repurposed pottery shards, china, glass, circuit boards and other found objects to fashion a creative upcycled backsplash.
Wood Backsplashes
Wood brings natural warmth and texture to backsplashes, with an endless array of plank styles and finishes to choose from. Wood backsplashes pair beautifully with natural stone countertops and work in styles from traditional to modern. Get the rustic look with reclaimed barn wood or keep it sleek with rich exotic hardwoods.
Reclaimed Wood Planks
With its weathered appearance and natural variations, reclaimed wood captures wood’s organic beauty on backsplashes. Salvaged barn wood, wine barrels, fencing and more can be milled into planks for a timeworn backsplash with loads of character.
Shou Sugi Ban Wood Tiles
For a unique charred wood backsplash, try shou sugi ban. This ancient Japanese technique literally burns the wood to create a textured, multi-toned surface. The carbonized wood offers a sculptural, mod look on backsplashes, with protective qualities too.
Teak Wood Tiles
Known for its rich color and natural water-resistance, teak is a stellar choice for kitchen backsplashes. Teak offers a warm golden brown tone and beautiful grain patterns. Use it in planks, parquet designs, or modern multidimensional tiles.
Bamboo Backsplash
As a sustainable backsplash material, bamboo has lots to offer. Bamboo can be milled into planks, shingles, and textured tiles with eye-catching vertical or horizontal grain patterns. Bamboo’s varying natural hues bring visual depth to backsplashes.
Metal & Stainless Steel Backsplashes
Industrial, modern, and ultra-durable, metal backsplashes are a bold option for the kitchen. Stainless steel, copper, brass, and tin tiles add a reflective, high-end look and texture. Consider these metal material backsplash ideas:
Stainless Steel Tile
With serious shine and luster, stainless steel tile brings sleek sophistication to a backsplash. Use large stainless tiles or mosaic penny tiles for lots of reflective sparkle. Pair stainless tile with cool whites and greys for contemporary style.
Rustic Tin Tiles
For an antiqued metal look, tin backsplash tiles have timeless character. Tin ceiling tiles in traditional shapes or punched tin in modern motifs make a textural statement. Unfinished tin develops a lovely darkened patina over time.
Copper Tile Backsplashes
Gleaming copper tile brings a bright, cheerful look and a timeless appeal to kitchen backsplashes. The color of natural copper evolves beautifully over time, developing a rich patina and warmth. Use copper penny rounds, medallions, or irregular mosaic sheets.
Brushed Brass Backsplash
The lux look of brass gets a modern, matte update with brushed brass backsplash tiles. The subtly textured finish has a sophisticated look with less shine and flair than polished brass. Try bold geometric brass tiles or tiny hammered brass mosaic.
Glass Sheet Backsplashes
For a sleek, seamless backsplash, glass sheets are a fantastic option. From colored and textured to mirrored and shiny, glass sheet backsplashes make a minimalist modern statement. Consider these eye-catching glass backsplash ideas:
Colored Glass Sheets
Colored glass sheets in deep hues like cobalt blue or emerald green create a dramatic impact on backsplashes. The color is visible but subdued. For added texture, look for colored glass tiles with striations or bubbles.
Textured Glass Backsplashes
Instead of shiny and slick, go for glass tile with texture. Options like frosted, pebbled, cracked, or hammered glass have dimensional interest. Installing the glass in a brick pattern highlights the unique textures even more.
Mirrored Glass Backsplash
One reflected surface deserves another! For serious glamour and dazzle, try a mirrored glass backsplash. Mirrored tiles amplify light and the overall feeling of space in a kitchen. Use large mirrored sheets or small mosaic tiles.
Clear Glass Tile
Perfectly clear glass tile keeps the clean, refined look that makes glass backsplashes so popular. Clear glass shows off the surface underneath for an illusion of invisible grout lines. Try mixing clear, frosted and colored glass for contrast.
Unconventional Material Backsplashes
Tired of expected porcelain, ceramic, or glass tile? Think outside the box with these unique, unexpected kitchen backsplash materials:
Seashell Tile Backsplash
Bring beach house style to any kitchen with a backsplash covered in real seashells. Use a variety of shells, corals, sand dollars, starfish and more. Combine shells in their natural shades or colorful painted finishes.
Pebble & Stone Sheet Backsplash
Sleek sheets of pebbles, crystals, agglomerate stones, and other minerals make a textural, sparkly statement. Modern slim stone sheets have a futuristic vibe. Try bold black quartz or glittery mica schist sheets.
Metal Pennies Backsplash
For industrial edge, try a backsplash of solid metal pennies like copper, zinc, or steel. Use actual pennies for a found object look or custom machined metal discs. Pennies can be arranged in precise grids or random eye-catching patterns.
License Plate Backsplash
Make a personalized DIY statement and repurpose old license plates into a shiny metallic backsplash. Use plates from your own collection or buy fun vintage finds. Arrange the plates in an artistic composition or basic grid.
Wine Cork Backsplash
Put those leftover wine corks to good use on an eco-crafty cork backsplash! Shape and size don’t matter since corks can be cut to fit. Use natural cork tones or add color with dye. Arrange corks in neat rows or abstract designs.
Unique Shape & Tile Backsplashes
Update standard rectangular tile with uniquely shaped tiles and innovative materials that add modern personality or rustic charm to backsplashes.
Fish Scale Tile
Overlapping semicircle tiles mimic the beautiful iridescent appearance of fish scales. The resulting backsplash has a fluid, watery look. Try glossy tiles in bold colors like jewel tones for maximum impact.
Penny Round Backsplash
Penny tile gets a fresh update with rounds made of porcelain, ceramic, or glass instead of stone. Use different size pennies and bright colors to create retro polka dot patterns and playful pop art backsplashes.
Geometric 3D Tiles
Three-dimensional geometric tiles build unique depth and shadow effects on backsplashes. Look for concave tiles, ridged tiles, or nested tile shapes that protrude from the wall. Combine geometric 3D tiles in glossy hues.
Arrowhead & Chevron Tiles
For a southwestern vibe, arrowheads and chevrons bring dynamism and attitude to backsplashes. Try natural earthen hues like terracotta and adobe, or go bold with colors like navy blue and marigold yellow.
Irregular Freeform Tiles
Randomly shaped, handmade porcelain tiles create flow and energy on backsplashes. The organic tiles resemble stone, coral, leaves or flower petals. Layer the irregular tiles in an arrangement that mimics natural textures.
Triangle Tile Patterns
Triangular tiles can be aligned in different directions for geometric impact. Try right triangles, equilateral triangles or parallelogram-shaped tiles. Use contrasting colors and glossy finishes to accentuate the angular designs.
Creative Backsplash Layouts
The tile arrangement presents loads of opportunity to showcase your personal style:
Vintage Inspired Layouts
Use tile shape and layout to achieve vintage style on a backsplash. Style subway tile in a brick pattern or zigzag design. Try a retro monochrome color scheme with unique pops of color.
Moroccan Zellige Patterns
Recreate ornate Moroccan architecture with colorful handmade zellige tiles laid in intricate repeat patterns. Use tile shapes like diamonds, stars, and octagons in brilliant Fiesta colors.
Contemporary Random Patterns
For totally modern style, break all the traditional layout “rules” and get creative. Mix different tile sizes, set them at random angles, alternate colors and textures. Symmetry begone!
Graphic Kitchen Art
Turn your backsplash into a work of art by designing it like a giant mosaic canvas. Choose tiles in bold solid hues and lay them out in geometric patterns, lines, waves or other graphic shapes.
Statement Niche Design
Make the most of a kitchen niche or alcove by filling it with eye-catching tile. Try a contrasting tile color, intricate mosaic or medallion tile design surrounded by a simple field tile.
Backlit Onyx Wall
For brilliant luminosity, use vibrantly colored onyx or resin tiles lit from behind. The translucent tiles create a glowing stained glass effect on the backsplash when illuminated.
Stylish Backsplash and Countertop Combos
With endless options for both backsplashes and countertops, choosing materials and colors that work well together can be tricky. Keep design cohesive with these chic backsplash and countertop pairings:
- Carrara marble backsplash + White quartz countertops
- Black slate backsplash + Soapstone countertops
- Navy glass subway tile + White marble countertops
- Travertine backsplash + Butcher block countertops
- Green glass tile backsplash + Black granite countertops
- Stone mosaic backsplash + Concrete countertops
- Wood plank backsplash + Stainless steel countertops
- Black penny tile + Butcher block island & White quartz perimeter
- Mixed metal backsplash + Laminate countertops
- Subway tile backsplash + Farmhouse sink & Wood countertops
Backsplash Design Tips
- Select backsplash tile that complements your cabinetry, flooring and other finishes instead of clashing with them.
- If choosing a bold backsplash tile, opt for neutral countertops & cabinets so the backsplash can be the focal point.
- In a small kitchen, stick to small-scale tile like mosaic, subway or mini hexagons to avoid overwhelming the space.
- Make sure your backsplash tile spans the entire length of the countertops and extends to the bottom of the upper cabinets for a seamless look.
- Use your backsplash as an opportunity to layer in extra color, texture, shape and personality that you may not have in other kitchen finishes.
- Consider function as well as form – look for backsplash materials that are water-resistant and easy to clean like glass, metal and non-porous natural stone.
- Install backsplash tile in a layout that suits the tile shape, for example staggering rectangular subway tiles, fitting penny rounds together in a grid, or working with the irregularities of handmade tile.
- If implementing a special feature tile like a medallion or decorative listello, make sure it aligns perfectly with the focal point of your kitchen, for example above the stove or sink.
- Use caulk in a matching color instead of white grout in corners and along countertops or cabinets for a tidy finished look.
FAQs About Stylish Kitchen Backsplashes
What is currently the most popular backsplash tile?
Subway tile remains the quintessential backsplash tile, beloved for its versatility to fit any style. New takes on subway tile like staggered patterns, bold colors, and elongated sizes keep it fresh and current.
What backsplash colors are in style right now?
Earthy natural tones like beige, brown, taupe and terracotta are popular for organic style. Deep shades like forest green, navy and charcoal make a sophisticated statement. Vivid colors like cobalt blue, marigold yellow and emerald green create retro flair.
What is the easiest backsplash to install?
Large format tiles like 12×24” ceramic or porcelain slabs go up faster than small tiles, requiring fewer cuts and less grout. Glass sheets and metal backsplash panels install seamlessly as well. Subway tile is beginner-friendly. Avoid intricate patterns or tiny mosaic tiles for an easier install.
How do I pick a backsplash that matches my countertops?
Coordinate backsplash and countertops by color, finish, and texture. For example, pair marble subway tile with granite countertops in similar earth tones. Or combine metal backsplash tiles with concrete counters for industrial edge.
What backsplash styles work with white cabinets?
White cabinets pair beautifully with any color backsplash for contrast. Go bright with green, blue or pink tile. Stay neutral with off-white, beige, brick, wood or stone backsplashes. Or try dark metal or patterned tile for interest against white cabinets.
Is it cheaper to install tile or glass backsplash?
Glass sheets typically cost more than ceramic or porcelain tile but are quicker and easier for DIY installation. Individual glass mosaic tiles run about the same as premium ceramic tile. Overall tile backsplashes are generally the more budget-friendly option.
Can you put tile backsplash directly over drywall?
It is possible but not recommended. Cement backerboard should be installed
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