20 Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
Get ideas for dazzling tile looks, striking slab setups and other designs from these stylish kitchen makeovers
The right kitchen backsplash should provide a durable, easy-to-clean surface that also adds a bit of style and personality to a space. You’ll find plenty of inspiring ideas for colors, styles, tiles, slabs and more in this roundup of beautiful backsplashes. Check out the looks, then click the links to see more photos and details from each kitchen.
2. Lovely Lilac
Slabs of polished marble with lilac veining add drama to the backsplash and the updated island top in this Berkeley, California, kitchen by Form + Field. Custom white oak cabinets with flat-panel fronts create warm, contemporary style.
Backsplash and island top: Lilac marble, Integrated Resources Group
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Slabs of polished marble with lilac veining add drama to the backsplash and the updated island top in this Berkeley, California, kitchen by Form + Field. Custom white oak cabinets with flat-panel fronts create warm, contemporary style.
Backsplash and island top: Lilac marble, Integrated Resources Group
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3. Sleek Slab
A Calacatta Nuvo marble-look quartz backsplash and countertop provide cool contrast to rich green cabinets in this London kitchen by Kitchen Ergonomics, creating an easy-to-wipe surface behind the sleek cooktop. A shallow shelf beneath undercabinet lighting offers a spot to store and display items.
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A Calacatta Nuvo marble-look quartz backsplash and countertop provide cool contrast to rich green cabinets in this London kitchen by Kitchen Ergonomics, creating an easy-to-wipe surface behind the sleek cooktop. A shallow shelf beneath undercabinet lighting offers a spot to store and display items.
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4. Fashion Fan
This updated Paoli, Pennsylvania, kitchen by Pine Street Carpenters & The Kitchen Studio features a focal point range wall with an expansive backsplash of fan-shaped glass mosaic tiles. The pattern adds movement and charm. White oak upper cabinets, dark charcoal base cabinets, a soapstone island countertop and white quartz perimeter countertops create a luxuriously layered look.
Backsplash tile: Fan Club mosaic glass, Artistic Tile
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Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
This updated Paoli, Pennsylvania, kitchen by Pine Street Carpenters & The Kitchen Studio features a focal point range wall with an expansive backsplash of fan-shaped glass mosaic tiles. The pattern adds movement and charm. White oak upper cabinets, dark charcoal base cabinets, a soapstone island countertop and white quartz perimeter countertops create a luxuriously layered look.
Backsplash tile: Fan Club mosaic glass, Artistic Tile
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Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
5. Tonal Texture
In this Torrance, California, kitchen by ME Design Group, 5-by-5-inch white glazed ceramic zellige-style backsplash tiles lighten the range niche. A 40-inch dual-fuel range in a graphite finish, flanked by dark quartzite-look quartz countertops, adds contrast and coordinates with other black details in the space.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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In this Torrance, California, kitchen by ME Design Group, 5-by-5-inch white glazed ceramic zellige-style backsplash tiles lighten the range niche. A 40-inch dual-fuel range in a graphite finish, flanked by dark quartzite-look quartz countertops, adds contrast and coordinates with other black details in the space.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, 5 by 5 inches, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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Shop for bar stools and counter stools
6. Blue Beauty
Designer Kristyn Bock gave this Chapel Hill, North Carolina, kitchen timeless style with custom cabinets in a bright white finish, an island with two-sided seating, refinished ash flooring in a rich stain and a backsplash with glossy blue ceramic tiles in a crackle finish. The tiles add a pop of color that’s picked up in various serving pieces on display. A decorative inset in the backsplash features white Thassos marble that adds gentle movement behind a new 48-inch dual-fuel range.
Main backsplash tile: Peat, Wizard Enterprise; accent backsplash tile: Moscow Petite Cold, Metropole collection, Mosaique Surface
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Designer Kristyn Bock gave this Chapel Hill, North Carolina, kitchen timeless style with custom cabinets in a bright white finish, an island with two-sided seating, refinished ash flooring in a rich stain and a backsplash with glossy blue ceramic tiles in a crackle finish. The tiles add a pop of color that’s picked up in various serving pieces on display. A decorative inset in the backsplash features white Thassos marble that adds gentle movement behind a new 48-inch dual-fuel range.
Main backsplash tile: Peat, Wizard Enterprise; accent backsplash tile: Moscow Petite Cold, Metropole collection, Mosaique Surface
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7. Gorgeous Gray
Moody tones create a sophisticated style in this Louisville, Kentucky, kitchen by designer Bethany Adams. The backsplash consists of handmade tiles with a ribbed texture and a lot of variation, which makes its single grayish color look like multiple colors. Navy cabinets (Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore) pair with walnut accents. Platinum quartzite countertops swirl with complementing gray and blue tones.
Backsplash tile: Ribbed field tile in Lotus, Ann Sacks
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Moody tones create a sophisticated style in this Louisville, Kentucky, kitchen by designer Bethany Adams. The backsplash consists of handmade tiles with a ribbed texture and a lot of variation, which makes its single grayish color look like multiple colors. Navy cabinets (Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore) pair with walnut accents. Platinum quartzite countertops swirl with complementing gray and blue tones.
Backsplash tile: Ribbed field tile in Lotus, Ann Sacks
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8. Pattern Play
Off-white walls with a slight gray undertone (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore) combine with light taupe lower cabinets and rustic hickory accents to give this updated Maine kitchen by
Kitchen Cove Design Studio a warm and inviting style. Patterned 6-by-6-inch stone tiles form the backsplash behind a 36-inch dual-fuel range.
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Off-white walls with a slight gray undertone (Seapearl by Benjamin Moore) combine with light taupe lower cabinets and rustic hickory accents to give this updated Maine kitchen by
Kitchen Cove Design Studio a warm and inviting style. Patterned 6-by-6-inch stone tiles form the backsplash behind a 36-inch dual-fuel range.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
Shop for tile on Houzz
9. Luminous Look
A backsplash with luminous 4-by-4-inch ceramic tiles, a white range hood and vaulted ceilings promote a light and airy feel in this Minneapolis kitchen by designer Victoria Johnson. Custom rift-cut white oak cabinets add warmth, while dark gray quartz perimeter countertops create depth. The island countertop is a marble-look quartz.
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A backsplash with luminous 4-by-4-inch ceramic tiles, a white range hood and vaulted ceilings promote a light and airy feel in this Minneapolis kitchen by designer Victoria Johnson. Custom rift-cut white oak cabinets add warmth, while dark gray quartz perimeter countertops create depth. The island countertop is a marble-look quartz.
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10. Gray Glass
In this Pennsylvania kitchen by McQueen Building, 2-by-4-inch gray glass tiles set in a brick pattern with crisp white grout add an elegant yet playful touch to white cabinets and marble-look quartz countertops.
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In this Pennsylvania kitchen by McQueen Building, 2-by-4-inch gray glass tiles set in a brick pattern with crisp white grout add an elegant yet playful touch to white cabinets and marble-look quartz countertops.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
11. Geometric Glam
A Piedmont, California, couple found designer Nadja Pentic of Knocknock on Houzz and hired her to help them update their kitchen with a cleaner midcentury modern style. To nail the look, Pentic combined flat-panel upper cabinets, walnut lower cabinets and a backsplash with polished Calacatta Gold marble and rich black polished Nero Marquina marble tiles in a modern geometric floral pattern.
Backsplash tile: Acadie Nero Marquina and Calacatta marble, Ivy Hill Tile
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Before and After: 6 Kitchens With Geometric Backsplashes
A Piedmont, California, couple found designer Nadja Pentic of Knocknock on Houzz and hired her to help them update their kitchen with a cleaner midcentury modern style. To nail the look, Pentic combined flat-panel upper cabinets, walnut lower cabinets and a backsplash with polished Calacatta Gold marble and rich black polished Nero Marquina marble tiles in a modern geometric floral pattern.
Backsplash tile: Acadie Nero Marquina and Calacatta marble, Ivy Hill Tile
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Before and After: 6 Kitchens With Geometric Backsplashes
12. Rustic and Refined
In this Ada, Michigan, kitchen by Delight in Designs, a rustic Spanish-villa-inspired backsplash with 6-by-13-inch porcelain tiles in a cement gray coordinate with marble-look laminate countertops on the perimeter. Chocolate brown stained cabinets and brass details add richness and warmth.
Backsplash: Provenzal Alhama porcelain wall and floor tile in gray, 6 by 13 inches, The Tile Shop
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In this Ada, Michigan, kitchen by Delight in Designs, a rustic Spanish-villa-inspired backsplash with 6-by-13-inch porcelain tiles in a cement gray coordinate with marble-look laminate countertops on the perimeter. Chocolate brown stained cabinets and brass details add richness and warmth.
Backsplash: Provenzal Alhama porcelain wall and floor tile in gray, 6 by 13 inches, The Tile Shop
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13. Mediterranean Mood
An empty-nest couple asked designer Joseph Rodrigues to update their 1980s San Clemente, California, kitchen with some Spanish Colonial flavor. For the range area, he did just that with arabesque backsplash tile and a band of handmade tile on the custom plaster hood. Custom oyster gray grout gives the backsplash tiles an elegant pop. Deep pine green cabinets (Tarrytown Green by Benjamin Moore) enhance the style.
Backsplash tile: Arabesque studio field ceramic, Arto
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New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
An empty-nest couple asked designer Joseph Rodrigues to update their 1980s San Clemente, California, kitchen with some Spanish Colonial flavor. For the range area, he did just that with arabesque backsplash tile and a band of handmade tile on the custom plaster hood. Custom oyster gray grout gives the backsplash tiles an elegant pop. Deep pine green cabinets (Tarrytown Green by Benjamin Moore) enhance the style.
Backsplash tile: Arabesque studio field ceramic, Arto
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New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
14. Stone-Like Style
Ceramic tile mimics the look of fieldstone in this Boston-area kitchen by Lawless Design. The tile, which was easier to install than actual stone or stone veneer would have been, gives the space a rustic vibe that’s warmed by wood cabinets. A white quartz slab with minimal veining forms the range backsplash. The countertops are honed and sealed marble.
Quartz slab: Cambria
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Ceramic tile mimics the look of fieldstone in this Boston-area kitchen by Lawless Design. The tile, which was easier to install than actual stone or stone veneer would have been, gives the space a rustic vibe that’s warmed by wood cabinets. A white quartz slab with minimal veining forms the range backsplash. The countertops are honed and sealed marble.
Quartz slab: Cambria
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15. Coastal Cool
The owners of this home near a Florida beach asked Lindross Remodeling to help them create a bright coastal style for their kitchen. White glazed ceramic subway tiles in varying tones form the counter-to-ceiling backsplash, establishing a bright look that’s enhanced by white cabinets, walls and countertops.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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The owners of this home near a Florida beach asked Lindross Remodeling to help them create a bright coastal style for their kitchen. White glazed ceramic subway tiles in varying tones form the counter-to-ceiling backsplash, establishing a bright look that’s enhanced by white cabinets, walls and countertops.
Backsplash tile: Cloe in white, Bedrosians Tile and Stone
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16. Handsome Historic
This stylishly homey renovated kitchen in St. Paul, Minnesota, features a mix of white oak cabinets and other oak details with green cabinets and beadboard (Palm Leaf by Sherwin-Williams). The countertops and concave-edge backsplash are soapstone, a traditional touch that nods to the home’s early-1900s vintage.
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This stylishly homey renovated kitchen in St. Paul, Minnesota, features a mix of white oak cabinets and other oak details with green cabinets and beadboard (Palm Leaf by Sherwin-Williams). The countertops and concave-edge backsplash are soapstone, a traditional touch that nods to the home’s early-1900s vintage.
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17. Transitional Treasure
Glossy porcelain hexagonal backsplash tiles with a light gray grout and a raised profile add texture and interest to this elegant transitional-style Colorado kitchen by J Reiko Design + Co. Brushed gray-glaze cabinets complement the backsplash grout, and a hefty alder island balances the space with warmth.
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Glossy porcelain hexagonal backsplash tiles with a light gray grout and a raised profile add texture and interest to this elegant transitional-style Colorado kitchen by J Reiko Design + Co. Brushed gray-glaze cabinets complement the backsplash grout, and a hefty alder island balances the space with warmth.
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18. Nod to Nature
In this Los Angeles-area kitchen by designer Wendy Wilson, a rich blue-green matte tile backsplash complements custom cabinets of stained African mahogany veneer over plywood. The palette takes inspiration from the abundant leafy views surrounding the home, which backs up to the Angeles National Forest.
Backsplash tile: Waveline mini in Lagoon Matte, Island Stone
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In this Los Angeles-area kitchen by designer Wendy Wilson, a rich blue-green matte tile backsplash complements custom cabinets of stained African mahogany veneer over plywood. The palette takes inspiration from the abundant leafy views surrounding the home, which backs up to the Angeles National Forest.
Backsplash tile: Waveline mini in Lagoon Matte, Island Stone
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19. Modern Movement
Glossy white ceramic tiles in a chevron pattern form a subtle yet effective backsplash that adds a graphic element without taking away from the warm walnut cabinets in this Boston kitchen by Helios Design Group and builder Kevin Cradock.
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Glossy white ceramic tiles in a chevron pattern form a subtle yet effective backsplash that adds a graphic element without taking away from the warm walnut cabinets in this Boston kitchen by Helios Design Group and builder Kevin Cradock.
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20. Hex and Haute
Designer Jennie Korsbon used white ceramic elongated hexagonal backsplash tiles to add visual interest and blend with white upper cabinets in this Minneapolis kitchen. Undercabinet lighting allowed her to keep the backsplash free of outlets. Charcoal lower cabinets, dark quartzite perimeter countertops and a butcher block island top anchor the space in drama.
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Designer Jennie Korsbon used white ceramic elongated hexagonal backsplash tiles to add visual interest and blend with white upper cabinets in this Minneapolis kitchen. Undercabinet lighting allowed her to keep the backsplash free of outlets. Charcoal lower cabinets, dark quartzite perimeter countertops and a butcher block island top anchor the space in drama.
Read more about this kitchen makeover
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
For this Medford, Massachusetts, kitchen, designer Jenni Jacobs of McGuire + Co. Kitchen & Bath used ceramic blue and green backsplash tile to complement flat-panel cherry cabinets and evoke a sleek yet cheerful midcentury style. The basketweave variation pattern adds visual movement.
Backsplash: Natural Hues collection in Rain, Ireland and Starlight, Daltile
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