10 Kitchens With Beautiful Slab Backsplashes
Dramatic patterns, subtle movement and refined edges make easy-to-clean slab backsplashes a versatile choice
A slab backsplash brings a seamless, polished look to a kitchen while eliminating the grout lines of tile installation and creating a smooth surface that’s easy to wipe clean. Large-format slabs can showcase dramatic veining, subtle movement or rich, solid color, with options ranging from natural stone and quartz to other materials in a wide range of styles. Edges and other details can further shape the look. These 10 kitchens highlight a range of possibilities, including bold focal points and understated designs.
2. Granite With Glamour
Polished Alpine granite brings color, movement and drama to the backsplash and countertops of this elegant white-and-wood kitchen in San Diego, California, by Lori Ramsay Design. The white stone features bold ebony, graphite and gray veining along with forest green crystals. Stain- and scratch-resistant with striking visual depth, the granite became a natural starting point for the kitchen, influencing other design decisions and finishes.
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Polished Alpine granite brings color, movement and drama to the backsplash and countertops of this elegant white-and-wood kitchen in San Diego, California, by Lori Ramsay Design. The white stone features bold ebony, graphite and gray veining along with forest green crystals. Stain- and scratch-resistant with striking visual depth, the granite became a natural starting point for the kitchen, influencing other design decisions and finishes.
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3. Soapstone Alternative
For this warm, modern kitchen in Duanesburg, New York, Marianne Ashley Designs used leathered American Black granite for the backsplash and countertops, including the top of a spacious new island. The granite’s white veining mimics the look of soapstone but offers greater durability and less maintenance. It’s also a more budget-friendly alternative for homeowners drawn to soapstone’s look but seeking a harder-working surface.
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For this warm, modern kitchen in Duanesburg, New York, Marianne Ashley Designs used leathered American Black granite for the backsplash and countertops, including the top of a spacious new island. The granite’s white veining mimics the look of soapstone but offers greater durability and less maintenance. It’s also a more budget-friendly alternative for homeowners drawn to soapstone’s look but seeking a harder-working surface.
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25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas
4. Bookmatched Beauty
Marble-look porcelain slabs bring an elegant look and practical performance to the backsplash, countertops and island top of this San Jose, California, kitchen by Knocknock. The material resists heat, scratches and stains, making it well-suited to a hardworking kitchen. At the range, bookmatched slabs create a striking focal point by mirroring the veining across the backsplash.
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Marble-look porcelain slabs bring an elegant look and practical performance to the backsplash, countertops and island top of this San Jose, California, kitchen by Knocknock. The material resists heat, scratches and stains, making it well-suited to a hardworking kitchen. At the range, bookmatched slabs create a striking focal point by mirroring the veining across the backsplash.
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5. Swirls of Sophistication
Polished Mona Lisa granite gives a sophisticated look to the full-height backsplash and countertops of this cozy, modern kitchen in Shakopee, Minnesota, by White Birch Design. The stone’s creamy background is accented by intricate swirls of gray, gold and brown veining, adding visual depth and a bold focal point to the space.
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Polished Mona Lisa granite gives a sophisticated look to the full-height backsplash and countertops of this cozy, modern kitchen in Shakopee, Minnesota, by White Birch Design. The stone’s creamy background is accented by intricate swirls of gray, gold and brown veining, adding visual depth and a bold focal point to the space.
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6. Just Enough Movement
Polished marble-look engineered quartz brightens the backsplash and perimeter countertops of this updated Apex, North Carolina, kitchen by Co Interiors and HomeBuild, which uses Houzz Pro software. Bold veining adds just enough movement to keep the light-filled space from feeling flat without overwhelming the kitchen’s clean, updated look.
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See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Polished marble-look engineered quartz brightens the backsplash and perimeter countertops of this updated Apex, North Carolina, kitchen by Co Interiors and HomeBuild, which uses Houzz Pro software. Bold veining adds just enough movement to keep the light-filled space from feeling flat without overwhelming the kitchen’s clean, updated look.
Read more about this kitchen
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
7. A Warm-Cool Balance
This functional, refined kitchen in Paradise Valley, Arizona, by AB Design Elements and La Casa Builders features Neolith Calacatta Luxe porcelain on the backsplash and countertops. The marble-look surface has dramatic veining in a mix of warm and cool tones, creating a visual connection between the kitchen’s cooler metal fixtures and the warm hues of the engineered aged French oak floors.
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This functional, refined kitchen in Paradise Valley, Arizona, by AB Design Elements and La Casa Builders features Neolith Calacatta Luxe porcelain on the backsplash and countertops. The marble-look surface has dramatic veining in a mix of warm and cool tones, creating a visual connection between the kitchen’s cooler metal fixtures and the warm hues of the engineered aged French oak floors.
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8. Embracing Natural Marble
This Wellesley, Massachusetts, kitchen by designer Shannon Tate features natural marble on the backsplash and countertops. The stone adds softness and a timeless quality that suits the home’s 1930s Colonial Revival architecture. Tate discussed the marble’s maintenance needs with her clients, including its greater susceptibility to stains and chips compared with other surfaces. The homeowners embraced those potential imperfections, feeling that few materials can match the look and feel of natural marble.
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This Wellesley, Massachusetts, kitchen by designer Shannon Tate features natural marble on the backsplash and countertops. The stone adds softness and a timeless quality that suits the home’s 1930s Colonial Revival architecture. Tate discussed the marble’s maintenance needs with her clients, including its greater susceptibility to stains and chips compared with other surfaces. The homeowners embraced those potential imperfections, feeling that few materials can match the look and feel of natural marble.
Read more about this kitchen
7 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel
9. Old-World Mood
Black Pearl granite on the backsplash and countertops of this Martindale, Texas, kitchen by Bauley Interiors, Monarch Woodworks of Austin and Blanco River Construction complements the moody cottage style of the renovated space. The dark, durable stone gives the kitchen a cozy, old-world feel and provides rich contrast to custom cabinetry in three finishes.
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Black Pearl granite on the backsplash and countertops of this Martindale, Texas, kitchen by Bauley Interiors, Monarch Woodworks of Austin and Blanco River Construction complements the moody cottage style of the renovated space. The dark, durable stone gives the kitchen a cozy, old-world feel and provides rich contrast to custom cabinetry in three finishes.
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10. Light and Elegant
This open, spacious kitchen in Dana Point, California, by Sea Pointe Design & Remodel features an Arabescato Corchia marble backsplash and perimeter countertops that bring light, elegance and movement to the space. The marble’s dramatic veining also contrasts beautifully with the natural soapstone topping the kitchen’s generous island.
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This open, spacious kitchen in Dana Point, California, by Sea Pointe Design & Remodel features an Arabescato Corchia marble backsplash and perimeter countertops that bring light, elegance and movement to the space. The marble’s dramatic veining also contrasts beautifully with the natural soapstone topping the kitchen’s generous island.
Read more about this kitchen
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Browse photos for ideas
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Polished ultracompact slabs with a natural stone look unify the backsplash, countertops and range hood in this calm Vienna, Virginia, kitchen by Winn Design + Build. The low-maintenance surface has a light cream-toned base with fine, pale veining that mimics natural quartzite, along with strong resistance to heat, scratches and stains. The durable material visually simplifies the space and provides subtle contrast to the custom alder cabinetry, which features sleek slab doors and drawer fronts.
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