69 Stunning Kitchen Backsplashes You’ll Want to Pin For Later

updated Apr 14, 2020
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(Image credit: Lily Glass for Oh Joy via Cle)

The backsplash! It’s always fun when something added for utility — in this case, to protect kitchen walls from water and worse — is used as an excuse to add beauty. From tiny subway tiles to grand slabs of marble, and from hand-painted ceramic tiles to spray-painted plywood, backsplash materials are as beautiful and varied as they are practical and protective.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

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In this Professional Project, concrete encaustic tile is the star. (Image credit: Nicholas Calcott)

There’s an excitingly wide world of backsplashes out there. You’ve got brick, shiplap, mirrored backsplashes (they’re not just for the ’70s anymore!), sheets of glass, sheets of metal, marble, “marble,” pegboard, pressed tin, painted, painted brick, whitewashed “brick,” unfinished edges, simple subway tile, and super-special backsplashes that can only be described as next-level. If you’re looking for a backsplash, there’s definitely one in these slideshows that’s perfect for your home.

White Kitchen Backsplashes

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A Beast of a Kitchen Is Now a Blue Beauty
This extended-height backsplash is made of painted bricks, a subtle change of pace from the more ubiquitous subway tile. (Image credit: Erin Little Photography)

White is a great color for a kitchen: it’s easy to tell when it’s dirty, it’s bright in rooms that are often small, and it’s a clean and simple backdrop in rooms that have a lot going on. But clean and simple doesn’t mean boring, as white backsplashes are available in a variety of fascinating materials—and even plain white tile can be plainly beautiful.

Glass Tile Kitchen Backsplashes

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A “Joyfully Minimal” Chicago Apartment
There’s a fascinating interplay between the seaglass green subway tiles, the vertically “striped” lower cabinets, and the glossy white upper cabinets. (Image credit: Jill Ruzicka)

When it comes to backsplashes, glass is a A Lovely, Low-Maintenance Alternative to Tile. And while it comes in a ton of colors, we’re particularly partial to a serene seaglass green.

Subway Tile Backsplashes

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A Clean & Classic 1920s Michigan Home
The classic subway tile arrangement stretches most of the way up the wall for a new look. (Image credit: Diana Paulson)

We are in the subway tile era, which means we’re seeing a lot of it, and we’re seeing it used in fascinating ways. Subway tile has a classic look that’s easy to clean and to fit into many different decors. The plain white version looks just as good in ultra-modern kitchens as it does in charmingly old-fashioned ones, while other colors and configurations add near-infinite possibilities. If you love these 5, definitely check out 10 Inspiring Uses of Subway Tiles in the Kitchen.

→ Badass Ways to Use Subway Tile in the Bathroom

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas on a Budget

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DIY Backsplash by Stylizimo
This dramatic and modern backsplash is simply stained and oiled plywood. (Image credit: Stylizimo)

Backsplashes can be shockingly expensive, but they don’t have to be. Plywood, pegboard, Formica, faux shiplap, and microbacksplashes are 5 great options, as are these 7 Inexpensive (and Timeless) Backsplash Ideas.

→ Beautiful Affordable Backsplashes Made With Simple Sheet Materials

Peel and Stick Kitchen Backsplashes

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Before & After: A Mini Yet Mighty Rental Kitchen Makeover
This little kitchen got a major makeover thanks to Carrara Marble Peel and Stick Tiles from Home Depot (only $1.19/square foot!). (Image credit: Samantha Hauger)

If you want a fresh backsplash but you also rent, don’t despair: peel and stick options are getting better and better. You can use removable wallpaper, install a sheet of faux tiles, enhance your existing tiles with vinyl decals, or get all the glamour of marble for a tiny fraction of the cost. The best part (besides all the rest of it) — most of these projects can be tackled in an afternoon.

DIY Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

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Glossy Removable Backsplash by One Kings Lane
This gorgeous, reflective backsplash was made out of just a sheet of copper and a few copper nails. (Image credit: One Kings Lane)

Don’t be intimidated by the backsplash — just think of it as a tiny wall! You can totally handle a tiny little wall! Whether you’re a homeowner up for attempting a gorgeous wood tile upgrade or a renter more into 9 Temporary Solutions for an Ugly (or Just Plain Boring) Backsplash, there’s a DIY option that’s right for your kitchen—and skill level.

Brick & Stone Backsplashes in the Kitchen

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A New York Loft-Style London Flat
This exposed brick wall serves as a unique backsplash in this cozy kitchen. (Image credit: Viv Yapp)

It might be counterintuitive, but brick and stone backsplashes whether real or faux, plain, painted, or whitewashed can look just at home in sleek, modern spaces as they do in cozy, rustic kitchens.

Metal Backsplash Ideas

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Scott & Jerre’s Creative Chicago Loft
Of course, a lot of metal tiles add a LOT of gorgeous grey shine. (Image credit: Arthur Garcia-Clemente)

An all-too-often overlooked material for kitchen design is metal. Stainless steel countertops are a joy to keep clean and add a bit of sheen to a practical space, and metal backsplashes take things a step further by being shimmery, reflective, delicate—and yes, still easy to clean.