Featured Image Source: Peninsula Modern

The primary purpose of a kitchen backsplash is to protect the wall from liquids, usually water. But it also serves as the decor focal point after your kitchen renovation. It defines the style of your work area, radiating your personality and reflecting the mood and feel of your cooking space.

From clean minimalist to chic vintage, there are countless design and style options to choose from. What is most important is to choose a style that makes you happy. This is what matters most after all. Do not be afraid to test out unique and even outrageous options. Remember that this is something that will be a central defining aspect to your overall theme.

Also important to remember is that your choice of backsplash has to blend in with the existing décor. You need to create a harmony from the work area, to the countertops, to the walls and even the floor. This collaboration of color and texture is essential to the function and aesthetics of your cooking space.

If choosing the right backsplash seems too difficult a task, worry not, we have some amazing inspirations for you. In this article, we have brought together amazing kitchen tile backsplash ideas to get you started.

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RTISAN

Fivecat Studio | Architecture

Matte and handmade heath ceramic tiles for the backsplash.

STACKED TILES

NNA CARIN Design

Black honed stacked tiles for the backsplash of this Scandinavian kitchen.

ECLECTIC

lison Besikof Custom Designs

The backsplash is a beautiful handmade tile from Mercury Mosaics.

TRANSITIONAL

Jennifer Worts Design

Honed calacatta subway tiles in multiple sizes for the backsplash.

MID-CENTURY

LA Dwelling

Multi-colored mosaic backsplash tiles for this mid-century modern kitchen.

BLUE OPAL

Howells Architecture + Design

The backsplash tile is Blue Opal by Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, CA.

COPPER

Group3

Oustanding copper backsplash made by a local metal shop fabricator.

PORCELAIN

Laura Burton Interiors

Stunning porcelain backsplash tile from Porcelanosa.

CONCRETE

Haus Concrete Surfaces

This contemporary kitchen features custom backsplash that matches the island countertop.

METAL

K+ARchitects

Stainless steel metal backsplash for this industrial kitchen.

How to Choose a Kitchen Backsplash

Choosing the right backsplash involves many decisions. First, you need to decide what types of tiles you want. Then, you still have to find a nice design that fits your needs while also creating the perfect décor for you. Here are some tips that you will find most helpful.

1. Picking the Right Tile

There are several tile materials to choose from; glass, ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite and even metal. One big factor in deciding which tile material to go for is cost. If you are on a budget, the best options include porcelain and ceramic. If you are able and willing to spend a bit more, you might want to consider more expensive options such as marble, granite, and glass.

The issue of style is not as important nowadays when choosing between various tile materials. Thanks to technology, even ceramic tiles can be designed to resemble marble or even a metal surface. This is beneficial when you want a specific look but at a cheaper price.

QUARTZITE

KSI Kitchen & Bath

Ledgestone quartzite in the backsplash for this transitional kitchen.

BRASS TILES

Woods of London ltd

Brass backsplash tiles are from a Chinese company.

HAND CRAFTED

Full Circle Construction Inc.

Warm and traditional hand made tile (North Prairie Tile) in this Arts & Craft kitchen.

SUBWAY

Eskuche Design

A nice balance of brown and gray so clean and comforting. The elongated subway tiles are a nice fit for this more modern space.

2. Tile Design

Tiles come in so many cuts, colors, and styles. Here are just a few examples;

Diagonal tile – tiles come in a diagonal cut, giving your backsplash a unique look. Note that you will require more tiles than usual when tiling kitchen backsplash. Additionally, diagonal tiles tend to cost more.Laser cut tiles – because of their intricate designs and patterns, these tiles are cut using laser technology. Different pieces are joined like a jigsaw puzzle, resulting in an elaborately designed backsplash. Laser cut tiles tend to be quite pricey.Subway tiles – these are some of the most popular backsplash tiles. They are named after the tiles used in most subway stations. They create a classic and clean cut look.

Other types of vintage tiles designs include hand-painted tiles, specialty-shaped tiles, herringbone tiles, and mosaic tiles.  You can take a look at our project portfolio for more home remodeling inspiration.

With so many options to choose from, we recommend that you compare some before you make a decision. Start from our images of kitchen backsplashes. See what your local home store has to offer. In time, you will find a design that is perfect for your kitchen.

MID-CENTURY

Flavin Architects

Heath Ceramics Dimensional Tile — Oval. Very clean and crisp modern space.

DOVE GRAY

Designs of the Interior

Beautiful soft color–wonderful backsplash design.

PENNIES

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Pennies! You can get pre-made penny tile sheets from kvsmintcointile.com. OR there are companies that make metallic mosaic tiles. So fun and sparkly.

SHADES OF GREEN

Mary Ann Downey Interior Design

Various shades of one color makes it a little more interesting.

3. Mixing and Matching

As we mentioned before, achieving harmony is an important part of choosing your kitchen backsplash. You need to think of how your chosen tile design will go with your countertops, floor, walls and even appliances. In our article for example, you will find that kitchen backsplashes with white cabinets are quite common.  A great example is from this kitchen remodel portfolio, take a look.

There are two things you can do when mixing and matching. One, you can choose a design that matches the surrounding décor. For instance, blue tiles would blend perfectly with grey cabinets. A white tiled backsplash would match up very well with black countertops and so on. Two, you could opt for a design that sharply contrasts the existing décor and acts as a standout style, stealing away most of the attention to itself. Mosaic and hand painted tiles tend to have this effect. You could also choose something like bright red tiles against a white wall and white countertops.

GRAY SUBWAY

Traci Connell Interiors

I absolutely LOVE this kitchen. The custom cabinets are nice and not overdone–makes the gray backsplash stand out. Love the choice of the turquoise and yellow accents and the lights are amazing! I wish I lived in Dallas and could afford to hire Traci!

FUN MOSAIC

Ventana Construction LLC

Fun and colorful mosaic kitchen–can’t help but make you happy.

HERRINGBONE

Verner Architects

Beautiful herringbone backsplash.

STAGGER GLASS

Molly Frey Design

Akdo glass tile backsplash–very clean and sleek looking.

LIMESTONE

llard & Roberts Interior Design, Inc.

Honed wooden white limestone from Topcu — Stunning!

HANDMADE CASA

House + House Architects

COLORFUL! How can you not want to grab a margarita and just unwind!! This is local HANDMADE tile on the backsplash, countertops and floor.

4. Backsplash Height

This is another important decision you need to make as it affects the overall style of your kitchen. While most homeowners opt for the standard countertop-to-cabinet height, you could decide to be more radical and go for a full height backsplash. This creates a more attention-gobbling focal point for the kitchen.

TINY BUBBLES

Jason Ball Interiors, LLC

Very whimsical, but in subdued colors.

BRILLIANT BLUE

Brio Interior Design

This Oceanside Glasstile backsplash brings in some great detail and color.

GEOMETRIC

Breathe Architecture

Fresh and different, I like how the yellow and white colored tiles are asymmetrical on the right side.

POLKA DOTS

Nerland Building & Restoration, Inc.

The “polka dot” tile’s dimension is so different and fun! Heritage Tile (Atomic)

WHITE WAVE

Build

Love the white wave tile in this Naples home. Dune Tile from Modulararts.com.

BLACK TILE

Rodolf Noel – Photo

I really like the small scale of this black tile backsplash.

5. Installing Kitchen Backsplash

If you decide to install kitchen backsplash yourself, here are some simple tips.

Plan your layout. This includes determining your preferred backsplash height and the total area to be covered. This will help you calculate the number of tile you will need.After making sure the wall is completely clean, apply thin set mortar or mastic adhesive according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Make sure to purchase a great tile saw, then measure and cut tiles.  Be sure to place them carefully, making sure to hold them down to ensure they adhere. For larger or more complicated tile designs, we highly recommend you get a professional contractor.

BLUE ACCENT

mitzi Architects

The navy glass panels create a backdrop so the wood elements in the room capture your attention. Love the pops of orange against the navy also.

MURAL

Key Piece

This kitchen backsplash was made for a magazine expo. Calling all Urban Millennials–this kitchen is for you. What design would you come up with?

PEARL GLASS

Exquisite Kitchen Design

Ann Sacks Beau Monde glass in absolute white and pearl. So pretty.

CORK

CG&S Design-Build

Perfect for the wine lover!

WATER WAVE

McKinney York Architects

I already feel like I’m on vacation just looking at this handmade glass tile.

BACK IN BLACK

Elemental Design

Modern, simple and clean.

MULTICOLOR MANIA

2001 Interiors – General Contracting Firm

What a wonderful pop of color in this modern kitchen.

BROWN HERRINGBONE

Vintage Scout Interiors

The combination of the black color and large herringbone pattern really add interest to this kitchen.

TUMBLED

Twelve Stones Designs

Traditional and timeless travertine backsplash.

BEVELED SUBWAY

Maletz Design

Love how the white beveled subway tile adds some texture to this kitchen.

QUILTED COPPER

mazing Spaces

Quilted copper backsplash–luxurious!

STACKED SLATE

HomeTech Renovations, Inc.

Dry stack running bond slate backsplash. So rustic and warm.

CHOCTAW SANDSTONE

WA Design Architechts

The stone tile backsplash is the perfect focalpoint for this San Francisco kitchen.

FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

Rockridge Fine Homes

Oatmeal travertine is featured in this elegant farmhouse kitchen.

STAINLESS

lloy Solid Metal Tiles

Cool and contemporary brushed stainless steel tile makes a major impact as the accent wall in this white kitchen.

COHESIVE FORCE

Courthouse Design/Build

The marble is the cohesive force that ties everything together and brings this monochromatic color palette to life.

UNIQUE LAMINATE

Space Group Architects

Amazing–the plants were pressed by the clients children and then laid out at a glass design shop between two glass panes.

TINY TEXTURED

Heffel Balagno Design Consultants

Unique, Backsplash is Arctic Honed Textured Field Tile (Artistic Tile)

MARBLE HERRINGBONE

Croma Design, Inc.

Marble backsplash tile placed in a traditional herringbone pattern gives this modern kitchen a traditional twist.

MOROCCAN MARBLE

rtistic Tile

The marble adds elegance while the polished glass outline/design adds the zing to make this back wall pop. Plus, it ties in with all the poished metal surfaces of the range hood, cabinet hardware and faucet.

BRICK

Luis Jauregui

The brick is so warm, traditional and timeless.

STONE SLAB

Dana Benson Construction

Stone slab backsplash that matches the island.

SOFT & SOOTHING

Fiorella Design

I like that it goes all the way to the ceiling and around the entire window. The color of the tile is soft and soothing.

BEACH STYLE

Rachel Reider Interiors

The colors and translucency of the glass are perfect for that beach house feel. Looks like a water feature.

LEATHERED GRANITE

Hollywood Sierra Kitchen

What a great idea, “leathered” Absolute Black Granite for the backsplash along with the white glass panel.

CHEVRON PATTERN TILE

Romanelli & Hughes Custom Home Builders

This chevron tile pattern is so different and modern (Island Stone’s Palms Glass Series). Love this smoke color.

MODERN TAUPE

Space Harmony

No need to worry about picking a paint color when you have this pretty tile to rely on.

CUBAN INFLUENCE

Buckminster Green, LLC

The large Cuban influenced design/pattern of the tile gives this area instant character and charm. Plus it “fills” the space without having to add cabinetry.

GREEN WITH ENVY

Rob Bowen Design Group

So different–you can’t miss this green focal ceramic tile. Tile by Walker Zanger-Studio Moderne.

CCESSORIZED

New Mood Design LLC

I feel like the backsplash is the jewelry to this kitchen. Since everything is so neutral, the shiny colored mosaic gives it the panache it needs.

TIMELESS TEAL

L&M Interior Design

The backsplash design coordinates all the different colors used in this kitchen. Such a rich unique look.

METALLIC RUSTIC

pplegate Tran Interiors

A mix of rustic and modern elements. The metallic backsplash brings it all together beautifully.

BASKETWEAVE

tmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Subtle yet pretty basket weave backsplash.

BEACH HEAVEN

Noelle Interiors

This is just a beautiful beach kitchen! This tile is so pretty and almost mimics water.

OLD WORLD CHARM

Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

The mural over the range of the vinyard adds to the old world charm of this kitchen. The color within the mural blends the cabinetry and tile nicely.

ORANGE CRUSH STRIPE

Zinc Art + Interiors

The extension of the color from the range to the wall was nothing but ingenious. I am left wanting more.

QUA GLASS

QMA Architects & Planners

The Aqua glass subway tile adds such beautiful color to this space.

SEA FOAM GLASS

lloy Homes Incorporated

Pretty soft color adds to the crisp and clean look of this kitchen. Also really like the pattern of the tile.

MASCULINE METALLIC

Jordan Iverson Signature Homes

This very masculine porcelain metallic backsplash adds so much personality to this unique kitchen.

FEMININE TOUCH

Ficarra Design Associates, Inc.

The backsplash in this casual coastal kitchen just screams feminine and pretty.

JADE BEAD

Sarah Greenman/New Leaf Construction

Love how the Jade Bead glass tile from Dal-Tile goes all the way up the focal wall. Pretty color.

ORANGE POP

Dyna Contracting

What a fun burst of orange color in this bright kitchen.

EDGY UPDATE

Tom Stringer Design Partners

This traditional kitchen cabinet layout gets an edgy twist by using an updated gray glass subway tile.

TEXTURED

Segreti Design

Beautiful textured tiled wall with glass mosaic tile insert. The tile is made with a square cut out–they used silicone to secure the glass mosaic piece in place.

TRADITIONAL WARMTH

Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd

Beautiful stone backsplash. This is such a well-done traditional kitchen, so welcoming.

DEEP GLOSSY PURPLE

NWI Contracting Ltd

A deep pop of purple color!

DIAMOND

Lucvaa Ltd

Gorgeous Arabesque tile in this WHITE kitchen. What is nice–you can add any pop of color to change up the look.

NTIQUED MIRROR

Danconia Interiors

Large 6’x6′ sheets of mirror were treated with an acid-wash treatment to create an antique effect.

RED HOT

Shannon Pepper Design

I think red can be trick and a little severe, but in this kitchen just enough red to do what it needs to do.

YELLOW DIAMOND

Rich Mathers Construction, Inc.

Love the shape of this tile land the softer yellow color.

GREY HERRINGBONE

Cornerstone Architects

Landing I love the recessed channel of the herringbone pattern tile just behind the range to the ceiling–with none on either side. Perfection!

VERTICAL STAGGERED TILE

LKID

The vertical direction of this tile is so different–pretty color too. Great for this Turks & Caicos contemporary kitchen.

Our photos showcase common backsplash ideas, kitchen backsplash trends, creative designs, and so much more. Hopefully, you have been inspired with some great ideas for your own kitchen. As you choose your preferred type of tile and tile design, remember that what matters most is choosing a style that will make you happy.

Too often, homeowners see the backsplash for just its practical benefits. But it can be so much more than that and the images above are proof. So what are you waiting for? Transform your drab and boring work area into a beautiful and unique space. For any help on choosing and installing kitchen backsplash, do not hesitate to leave a comment below.

 

This is an image roundup post, curated to showcase and promote other reputable contracting companies’ and their amazing work.  To have any of the images removed, please reach out to us and we would be happy to do so.

The post 83 Exciting Kitchen Backsplash Trends appeared first on Luxury Home Remodeling | Sebring Design Build.