14 stunning splashbacks to bring your kitchen to life

Picking a kitchen splashback can be one of the most difficult decisions of the whole kitchen design process! Yes, it often only makes up a small area but it can make or break your kitchen.

A successful kitchen splashback will tie your materials palette together and will often be the hero of the space. Get it wrong though, and it will be like a stain on your freshly laundered white shirt.

Be inspired to inject colour, pattern or texture into your kitchen with these 14 stunning splashbacks to bring your kitchen to life!

Related article: Top 9 kitchen splashback trends 
Related article: How to design the perfect walk-in pantry

1. Handmade Moroccan tiles

There’s no ignoring the shift in interior design trends towards an earthier, more organic palette of materials. Forget sleek glass splashbacks, the hot look right now is to embrace a more imperfect finish and one of the most beautiful options are handmade Moroccan tiles.

Available in a wide range of colours, the square Zellige or rectangular Bejmat tiles have natural pits and cracks to add texture and warmth to your kitchen.

Zellige splashback tile
Image via Milk Decoration

2. Window or fixed glass panel

If you’re blessed with a green outlook — capitalise on it! A window backsplash is the perfect way to create a sense of indoor outdoor connection, flood your kitchen with natural light, and suits a whole range of interior styles.

It’s also solves the problem of not having to introduce another material into your kitchen, which may not work with the tones of your cabinetry, wall paint or flooring 😉

Concord Residence_kitchen
Sleek and contemporary lighting at Concord residence, see the full home tour

3. Patterned tile

If you play down the cabinetry in your kitchen, you can be more bold with your splashback without worrying about it looking too busy or OTT!

These muted green hexagonal tiles introduce shape, pattern and colour. Our tip, look for a porcelain version like the ones pictured below, rather than a cement encaustic tile as they are porous and have maintenance issues.

Patterned splashback tile
Image via Tile Merchant

4. Metal

Stainless steel splashbacks have been a popular option for many years — easy to clean and no grout joins being just some of the benefits. Recently other metallics, such as copper have become more popular but this gorgeous brass splashback has got to be our fave! It’s understated, yet luxe. Plus, it looks divine with this simple, olive cabinetry.

Brass Splashback

Image via Naked Kitchens

5. Exposed brick

For an industrial feel, this exposed brick is just perfect. Paired with that sleek dark cabinetry, it’s a winner for sure!

Exposed brick splashback

Image via Inside Out

And if cleaning brick makes you nervous, you can place a clear glass panel in front like we did at Bonnie’s house (see the full kitchen reveal here).

Glass and brick kitchen splashback
Bonnie’s new kitchen

6. Mosaic tile

There are PLENTY of mosaic tiles out there, and to give you an idea, we’re listing some of the most popular shapes!

Most popular mosaic tile shapes for splashbacks:

  • micro, regular, large or extra large penny round (circle)
  • grid (square)
  • herringbone
  • chevron
  • hexagon
  • geometric
  • kitkat (our fave)
  • rhombus.

And as if that wasn’t enough choice, you can generally find a huge range within each type of shape — think every colour under the sun, glazed or matte, porcelain, natural stone or recycled glass… it just keeps going.

Sold on sheets, these add a big dose of pattern and colour to a space and although they’re generally a bit pricier, we argue they’re totally worth it!

Kitkat tile splashbacks
Love this kitchen by Kennedy Nolan Architects featuring a white kitkat tile that they even used to tile the range hood! Photography by Derek Swalwell

7. Solid stone

If budget isn’t an issue, a solid stone splashback is one of our top choices! And continuing the stone as the benchtop and island waterfall is ultra luxe.

It’s hard to resist the beauty of natural stone and lately, we’ve seen some truly spectacular varieties being used, such as those with gold or orange veining.

Just be sure to do your research first, as stone density varies significantly between types — read is more porous or sensitive to staining.

Waterfall stone island bench and white cabinets in kitchen splashbacks
Kitchen design by Alexis George interiors. See the full home tour

8. Rendered wall

Embracing the earthy trend, how gorgeous are these rendered walls in the home of Kate Zimmerman Turpin?! She even used the same wall finish in her bathrooms — including the shower! It creates a minimalist, organic feel that’s like a serene holiday at home.

Splashback plaster
Image via Camille Styles

9. Subway tiles

While some may say subway tiles have had their day, they are an undeniably popular choice in kitchens. If you want to add some texture for a different look, use handmade subway tiles like the soft green ones below.

Subways are one of the most versatile tiles — they can be laid in over a dozen ways and come in a huge range of sizes and colours — and more importantly for people on a budget, are one of the most affordable feature tiles, starting from around $35 per metre.

10. Pressed metal

Pressed metal has had a bit of resurgence in recent years, and while it’s not for everyone, it can certainly create a statement. Also available in blingy metal or matte black, this white tin splash back adds a hint of traditional character to this otherwise simple kitchen.

Pressed metal splashbacks
Image via Pressed Tin Panels

11. Terrazzo

Definitely having its time in the limelight right now is terrazzo. There are all sorts of varieties — in monochromatic or colourful patterns, with small or large chips — so you’ll be sure to find one to suit your design style!

GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens_Beaumaris terrazzo tile kitchen
Not just suitable for flooring, terrazzo makes a fabulous material for splashbacks. Kitchen renovation by GIA, see the full home tour

12. Mirror or tempered mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the fairest kitchen of all? Leading interior designer Melissa Lunardon used a tempered mirror splashback in this recent client project as a way of adding warmth to this bright, north-facing kitchen. “I didn’t want to create an all-white reflective box,” she explains.

A mirrored splashback can make your kitchen look twice as big, and as an added bonus is easy to clean. Oh, and if you have kids, you can keep a cheeky eye on them without ever turning around!

Oversized kitchen with tempered mirror splashbacks
Interior Designer Melissa Lunardon shows how fabulous a tempered mirror can look in this recent kitchen, see all the photos

13. Glossy colour

These gorgeous glossy emerald tiles reflect the light beautifully and by wrapping the tiles over the shelving, the overall look is eclectic and fun.

Green tile splashbacks
Image via HZ Interiors featuring emerald green tiles as the splashbacks and to wrap the floating shelves

You can also interpret glossy tiles in a more modern way, as Neale Whitaker did with this kitchen he renovated during Love It Or List It Australia.

14. Engineered stone

Love the look of solid stone but not the price tag? You can achieve a similar look with engineered products, such as Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, Talostone or even extra large panel porcelain tiles.

In this kitchen, Veronica used ‘Superwhite’ by Talostone and you can find plenty more pics of her kitchen and get her design tips here.

Black kitchen with integrated appliances engineered stone splashbacks
See the full kitchen tour

Have you got a favourite from this round up of kitchen splashbacks? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

More kitchen inspo

This article was first published in February 2018 and continues to be updated with latest splashback ideas and images.

Gina Beschorner Style Curator

Welcome to Style Curator, your destination for daily interiors inspiration, styling tips, reno advice, home tours and DIY projects!

We're on a mission to help you create a home you love. And with plenty of tips and tricks, tutorials and other home inspo, we give you all the tools to achieve it!

I’m Gina, Founder and Interior Designer, and you can read more about Style Curator here.

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