9 Eye-Catching Backsplash Ideas For Every Kitchen Style

The original purpose of a backsplash was to keep your kitchen walls shielded from splashes that occur while cooking, but it’s grown to become so much more than a protective mechanism. These days, backsplashes have come to serve as a design statement all on their own. With all the design options to choose from, it can be daunting trying to find the perfect backsplash to match your countertops or your cabinetry. Depending on your personal style, your backsplash can be simple and nondescript or it can be the major focal point of your entire kitchen design. If your goal is the latter, then there are tons of unique and creative design options available to you. Here are nine breathtaking and eye-catching backsplash ideas for just about any kitchen style!

Metals

Generally a staple of contemporary, modern, and transitional kitchen styles, metal materials bring a particular sheen to your kitchen design. They also tend to be more hygienic and easier to clean and maintain than other materials. Despite what you might think, metal backsplashes can be a whole lot more interesting than simple sheets. With a variety of textures and finishes available, there are tons of design possibilities to choose from.

Stainless Steel

If you’re an avid chef or simply in love with the professional statement that stainless steel makes in the kitchen, then it may be the perfect material choice for your backsplash. Stainless steel is a super hygienic material that doesn’t harbor bacteria and it’s easy to clean. There are also a number of finishes available, from satin to brushed to mirrored. If you’re going for a more artistic look, there are several decorative textures and etchings available.

Copper

If you’re looking for a warmer metal tone, then copper is the way to go. Whether you opt for sheets or tiles, you’re bound to make a statement with a copper backsplash. As copper ages, it gains a natural patina that is a beautiful complement to traditional kitchen styles. You can also purchase copper that has been patinated to produce a number of different shades, from deep red to bright aqua.

Mixed Metals

Of course, there are many other metal options available – from chrome to tin to brass and beyond, if metal is what you’re going for, the possibilities are endless. If you’re looking to take it to the next level and be extra creative, try mixing more than one metal for a truly unique look. The kitchen below combines the contrasting tones of chrome and copper tiles.

Stone

If you’re looking for something to elevate your otherwise traditional design style, a stone backsplash can really make a statement. As with metal, there are a wide variety of stones, textures, and finishes available. Whether in the rugged style of unfinished stone bricks or the simple yet majestic look of a seamless granite or marble backsplash, the right stone material can add just the bit of luxury that your kitchen is missing.

Quartzite

Not to be confused with man-made quartz composites, quartzite is a strong, metamorphic rock that is formed when sandstone is placed under high heat and pressure. Like its more commonly used peers granite and marble, quartzite is extremely durable and will last for a significantly long time. And before you write off quartzite as boring, with the right amount of imagination, it can be the basis of the most breath-taking backsplash you’ve ever come across, such as this illuminated backsplash below. This design by Scott Klandl of Concept Tile + Design in Vermont uses a translucent Brazilian quartzite whose gorgeous natural features shine with the help of the lighting behind it.

Marble

As any interior design enthusiast knows, a design doesn’t have to be over the top to be eye-catching. Even the more simplistic, subdued designs can have that “wow!” factor. The common combination of white cabinetry with marble is an example of one such design, where the plain, white backdrop allows the gorgeous, classic veining of marble to shine in a way that is understated, yet magnificent all at once. While carrara marble is cheaper and more common, the fine veining won’t bring as much visual drama as the more majestic, large patterning of calacatta marble.

Mixed Materials

If one solid stone backsplash is too understated for your eclectic design style, there are stone tiles available that feature multiple stone materials in one gorgeous design. The Petite Alliance collection of Tabarka Studio features beautiful stone tiles with materials such as terracotta, limestone, and calacatta marble. Why choose one when you can have it all?

Glass

Glass is another amazingly versatile material for a kitchen backsplash. Found mostly in contemporary and modern kitchen styles, glass backsplashes are available as tiles or slabs, can be made in a wide variety of colors, textures, and finishes, and can even be customized with added metals or minerals for a truly unique and gorgeous look. As you’ll also see below, you can take your glass backsplash to a whole new level by illuminating it with LED lighting. Maintenance is also extremely simple; clean your glass backsplash with a vinegar and water solution and a soft towel to help maintain its characteristic sheen.

Colored Glass

For a bold and distinct pop of color for an otherwise plain kitchen design, try a solid colored glass backsplash. For more shine, you can add a mirrored finish, or for an even cooler visual effect, you can add LED lighting underneath your wall cabinets. If one solid color is a little too simple for you, you can try a printed glass backsplash with the design of your choosing. The ombre color design below makes the backsplash the immediate focal point of this modern kitchen.

Iridescent Glass Tiles

If you’re looking for a more ethereal look, iridescent glass tiles are the way to go. You can find iridescent tiles in just about any color, or tile sheets in multiple colors. What makes iridescent tiles so cool though, is the fact that each individual tile will give a luminescent look that seemingly changes depending on the angle at which you view them. This visual effect is perfect for giving your kitchen a bit of sparkle and shine. Iridescent tiles can be paired with just about any type of cabinetry or kitchen style, just find the shades that match your design best!

Glass w/ LED

For a super contemporary kitchen design that’s sure to make your guests go “wow!”, try a glass backsplash back-lit by LED lighting. You can even take it a step further by using a glass backsplash with an etching or design that will pop in front of the LED lights. The design possibilities here are endless as you can choose just about any light color and any glass design for a unique & futuristic visual combination. While this backsplash choice is more appropriate for contemporary or modern kitchen designs, with the right LED color and glass design, you can customize this look to work with other kitchen design styles as well.

No matter what your design style, you can elevate your kitchen backsplash by getting creative with otherwise common materials. What cool backsplash designs have you come across lately? Let us know in the comments!