9 New Kitchens With Beautiful Backsplashes
Get ideas for backsplash tile and slab details that create a striking style statement
A backsplash isn’t just a practical feature to protect walls from cooking messes. It’s also an opportunity to make a powerful style statement. Here, pros share details on nine beautiful backsplashes that show a range of ideas for tile and slab looks.
2. Marble Slab
Designer: Jessica Koltun Home
Location: Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas
Size: 352 square feet (33 square meters); 16 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner specifically requested a natural marble stone slab backsplash, so the entire kitchen was arranged around this,” says designer Jessica Koltun, who used Houzz photos to inspire the look of the space. “Natural stones come in a variety of sizes, so this was very important to first select the slab prior to framing in the kitchen. We could bring the walls in if necessary and drop the header if necessary to accommodate the perfect slab.”
Backsplash. Honed Carrara marble (2 centimeters thick). “What’s special about marble is its unique properties — no two will ever be the same,” Koltun says. “It’s so beautiful it’s almost like a piece of art. We kept the rest of the kitchen neutral to allow the backsplash to be the feature in the room.”
Other special features. The countertops are the same slab Carrara marble as the backsplash. “The slabs only came in 2 cm, which is smaller than the standard 3 cm, so I mitered all the edges of the countertops,” Koltun says. “This is relatively low-cost and gives an expensive look because the countertops appear twice the size of a standard countertop. But it’s achieved with an apron piece with invisible seams.”
Designer tip. “Natural stone can be a great way to add a unique, custom feature to your home,” Koltun says. “When using natural stone, always make sure to confirm your cabinet dimensions, especially an island, as you can change this to accommodate your slab size without having to do unsightly seams.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging part of this kitchen was deciding exactly what part of the slab to cut the backsplash from,” Koltun says. “We bought about six slabs in total for the entire house and had the backsplash size mapped out in blue tape across different sides of the slab, even rotating the slab 180 degrees to make sure that the movement in the stone would look the best when up on the wall. It took a few hours and several people to get the layouts for all slab cuts perfect.”
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Designer: Jessica Koltun Home
Location: Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas
Size: 352 square feet (33 square meters); 16 by 22 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner specifically requested a natural marble stone slab backsplash, so the entire kitchen was arranged around this,” says designer Jessica Koltun, who used Houzz photos to inspire the look of the space. “Natural stones come in a variety of sizes, so this was very important to first select the slab prior to framing in the kitchen. We could bring the walls in if necessary and drop the header if necessary to accommodate the perfect slab.”
Backsplash. Honed Carrara marble (2 centimeters thick). “What’s special about marble is its unique properties — no two will ever be the same,” Koltun says. “It’s so beautiful it’s almost like a piece of art. We kept the rest of the kitchen neutral to allow the backsplash to be the feature in the room.”
Other special features. The countertops are the same slab Carrara marble as the backsplash. “The slabs only came in 2 cm, which is smaller than the standard 3 cm, so I mitered all the edges of the countertops,” Koltun says. “This is relatively low-cost and gives an expensive look because the countertops appear twice the size of a standard countertop. But it’s achieved with an apron piece with invisible seams.”
Designer tip. “Natural stone can be a great way to add a unique, custom feature to your home,” Koltun says. “When using natural stone, always make sure to confirm your cabinet dimensions, especially an island, as you can change this to accommodate your slab size without having to do unsightly seams.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “The most challenging part of this kitchen was deciding exactly what part of the slab to cut the backsplash from,” Koltun says. “We bought about six slabs in total for the entire house and had the backsplash size mapped out in blue tape across different sides of the slab, even rotating the slab 180 degrees to make sure that the movement in the stone would look the best when up on the wall. It took a few hours and several people to get the layouts for all slab cuts perfect.”
Shop for kitchen island seating
3. Soapstone Slab
Designers: Jesse Jarrett and Jill Jarrett of Jarrett Design
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This charming kitchen is in a guesthouse adjacent to the homeowners’ main home,” says designer Jill Jarrett, who shared Houzz ideabooks with her clients to collaborate on ideas. “Their daughter was brought into the design process and had a clear vision for this kitchen, which would include vivid color, specifically green, warm woods and vintage character.”
Backsplash. Hand-distressed soapstone and painted shiplap. “A soapstone slab was used behind the range for protection from cooking splatters and serves as a gorgeous focal point while balancing the soapstone apron sink,” Jarrett says. “Low soapstone backsplashes with an old-fashioned beaded detail on the top edges keeps liquids from damaging the shiplap. The shiplap continues to the ceiling, creating a warm backdrop for the floating wood shelves.”
Other special features. Green cabinets. Distressed soapstone countertops. Hand-hewn beam. Stained walnut X detail on the island. Dark bronze hardware and lighting. Antique runner rug.
Designer tip. “Be open to using and mixing colors,” Jarrett says. “Incorporating natural, antique elements such as beams and hand-distressed stone countertops adds character and warmth.”
25 Knockout Kitchen Backsplashes
Designers: Jesse Jarrett and Jill Jarrett of Jarrett Design
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “This charming kitchen is in a guesthouse adjacent to the homeowners’ main home,” says designer Jill Jarrett, who shared Houzz ideabooks with her clients to collaborate on ideas. “Their daughter was brought into the design process and had a clear vision for this kitchen, which would include vivid color, specifically green, warm woods and vintage character.”
Backsplash. Hand-distressed soapstone and painted shiplap. “A soapstone slab was used behind the range for protection from cooking splatters and serves as a gorgeous focal point while balancing the soapstone apron sink,” Jarrett says. “Low soapstone backsplashes with an old-fashioned beaded detail on the top edges keeps liquids from damaging the shiplap. The shiplap continues to the ceiling, creating a warm backdrop for the floating wood shelves.”
Other special features. Green cabinets. Distressed soapstone countertops. Hand-hewn beam. Stained walnut X detail on the island. Dark bronze hardware and lighting. Antique runner rug.
Designer tip. “Be open to using and mixing colors,” Jarrett says. “Incorporating natural, antique elements such as beams and hand-distressed stone countertops adds character and warmth.”
25 Knockout Kitchen Backsplashes
4. Handmade Moroccan Patterned Tile
Designer: Stephanie Cole of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn
Location: Elmhurst, Illinois
Size: 490 square feet (46 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. This professional couple wanted to create a fresh, contemporary feel for their modern farmhouse home by stepping “a bit outside of the design aesthetic that is commonly associated with this style of architecture and enhance the ‘moodiness,’ ” designer Stephanie Cole says. “While mindful of the architectural style and interior qualities we wanted to pay homage to, we were trusted to take liberties and create a design that was both playful and sophisticated.”
Backsplash. Concrete tile handcrafted in Morocco (Tangier and Fez styles in Palazzo from the Eastern Promise collection by Ann Sacks).
Other special features. Custom birch island bar top with waterfall edge. Custom range hood in concrete-look quartz. Four-foot galley workstation sink on island.
Designer tip. “Play off of the existing architecture,” Cole says. “This room has high ceilings. To anchor the space, we installed linear pieces such as long pendants and a high hood to accentuate this verticality and ground the perimeter cabinetry and island.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “It was challenging and fun to marry the existing perimeter cabinets, which we refreshed by painting, adding a few customizations and installing new hardware, with new pieces such as the customized double-height waterfall island with cabinets and a custom-built quartz hood,” Cole says. “These two pieces were quite contemporary in comparison, and the relationship between old and new was beautifully symbiotic.”
Island lights: Henley pendant in black, Tech Lighting
Designer: Stephanie Cole of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn
Location: Elmhurst, Illinois
Size: 490 square feet (46 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. This professional couple wanted to create a fresh, contemporary feel for their modern farmhouse home by stepping “a bit outside of the design aesthetic that is commonly associated with this style of architecture and enhance the ‘moodiness,’ ” designer Stephanie Cole says. “While mindful of the architectural style and interior qualities we wanted to pay homage to, we were trusted to take liberties and create a design that was both playful and sophisticated.”
Backsplash. Concrete tile handcrafted in Morocco (Tangier and Fez styles in Palazzo from the Eastern Promise collection by Ann Sacks).
Other special features. Custom birch island bar top with waterfall edge. Custom range hood in concrete-look quartz. Four-foot galley workstation sink on island.
Designer tip. “Play off of the existing architecture,” Cole says. “This room has high ceilings. To anchor the space, we installed linear pieces such as long pendants and a high hood to accentuate this verticality and ground the perimeter cabinetry and island.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “It was challenging and fun to marry the existing perimeter cabinets, which we refreshed by painting, adding a few customizations and installing new hardware, with new pieces such as the customized double-height waterfall island with cabinets and a custom-built quartz hood,” Cole says. “These two pieces were quite contemporary in comparison, and the relationship between old and new was beautifully symbiotic.”
Island lights: Henley pendant in black, Tech Lighting
5. Green-and-White Geometric Tile
Designer: Jane Kim Architect
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was originally located farther back in the apartment,” architect Jane Kim says. “We relocated the kitchen next to the dining room and opened up the wall between the two spaces so it became one space.”
Backsplash. Cement tile in a green-and-white geometric pattern. “It contrasts with the deep color of the walnut cabinets,” Kim says. “We selected a yellow stove to add another pop of color in the space.”
Other special features. “The original door and window casings and moldings were stripped back to the raw wood and sealed with a whitening sealer to give the traditional casing a more modern, light and airy feeling,” Kim says. “The modern kitchen with fun, bright colors was inserted into the space to create a nice contrast between old and new.”
Designer tip. “We really tried to maximize the storage space in the kitchen,” Kim says. “People love an island, but sometimes there’s not enough space. A peninsula creates the feeling of an island but also allows for more storage. The end of the peninsula has open shelving for cookbooks. A combination of open shelving and wall shelving opens up the space and makes it feel less closed in.”
Designer: Jane Kim Architect
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 250 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The kitchen was originally located farther back in the apartment,” architect Jane Kim says. “We relocated the kitchen next to the dining room and opened up the wall between the two spaces so it became one space.”
Backsplash. Cement tile in a green-and-white geometric pattern. “It contrasts with the deep color of the walnut cabinets,” Kim says. “We selected a yellow stove to add another pop of color in the space.”
Other special features. “The original door and window casings and moldings were stripped back to the raw wood and sealed with a whitening sealer to give the traditional casing a more modern, light and airy feeling,” Kim says. “The modern kitchen with fun, bright colors was inserted into the space to create a nice contrast between old and new.”
Designer tip. “We really tried to maximize the storage space in the kitchen,” Kim says. “People love an island, but sometimes there’s not enough space. A peninsula creates the feeling of an island but also allows for more storage. The end of the peninsula has open shelving for cookbooks. A combination of open shelving and wall shelving opens up the space and makes it feel less closed in.”
6. Teal Lantern-Shaped Tile
Designer: Erin Davis of Mosaik Design & Remodeling
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters); 15 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. This kitchen was part of a whole-house remodel of a 2003 Craftsman home. “The homeowner wanted it to feel like a brand-new home with a clean, classic, colorful style,” designer Erin Davis says. “By eliminating an unused desk area, removing some interior walls and rotating the island, this clever space planning improved flow and usability.”
Backsplash. Teal handmade tile in a wide lantern shape (Large Lantern in Watercolor glaze by Pratt + Larson). “It was something that was unique and unexpected,” Davis says.
Other special features. Teal island (Aegean Teal by Benjamin Moore). White Shaker-style cabinets. Sloped hood with corbels. Apron-front sink. White oak flooring. Sisal rugs.
Designer tip. “I typically recommend that one feature in a kitchen, or any room you are renovating, should be the star,” Davis says. “Too many stars begin to look the same, defeating the purpose. The dark turquoise island here acts as a secondary yet complementary point of interest, which can work as long as it doesn’t overpower the main focal point. Color, art, cabinetry and even appliances (think a La Cornue range) can play a starring role in a kitchen.”
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Designer: Erin Davis of Mosaik Design & Remodeling
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 225 square feet (21 square meters); 15 by 15 feet
Homeowners’ request. This kitchen was part of a whole-house remodel of a 2003 Craftsman home. “The homeowner wanted it to feel like a brand-new home with a clean, classic, colorful style,” designer Erin Davis says. “By eliminating an unused desk area, removing some interior walls and rotating the island, this clever space planning improved flow and usability.”
Backsplash. Teal handmade tile in a wide lantern shape (Large Lantern in Watercolor glaze by Pratt + Larson). “It was something that was unique and unexpected,” Davis says.
Other special features. Teal island (Aegean Teal by Benjamin Moore). White Shaker-style cabinets. Sloped hood with corbels. Apron-front sink. White oak flooring. Sisal rugs.
Designer tip. “I typically recommend that one feature in a kitchen, or any room you are renovating, should be the star,” Davis says. “Too many stars begin to look the same, defeating the purpose. The dark turquoise island here acts as a secondary yet complementary point of interest, which can work as long as it doesn’t overpower the main focal point. Color, art, cabinetry and even appliances (think a La Cornue range) can play a starring role in a kitchen.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
7. Zellige Tile
Designers: Kate Moore of Kimball Modern and VFLA Architecture
Location: Longmont, Colorado
Size: About 156 square feet (14 square meters); 12½ by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted maximum function and a light and bright space,” designer Kate Moore says. “We combined drawers, pullouts, a pantry and open storage to provide flexibility. We balanced out all of the wood cabinetry with glossy zellige tile and polished countertops to bounce the natural light around.”
Backsplash. “It’s zellige tile and it added warmth and texture to the space,” Moore says. “It’s handmade, so no two tiles are alike. Because of all of the variation and unevenness in the tile, we went with a marble-look quartz countertop with subtle veining and modern slab-front wood cabinets.”
Other special features. Rift-cut white oak cabinets.
Designer tip. “Balance out lots of closed functional storage with a few open areas so the space doesn’t feel small or dark,” Moore says. “Taking the tile up to the ceiling also makes a space feel more finished and custom.”
Designers: Kate Moore of Kimball Modern and VFLA Architecture
Location: Longmont, Colorado
Size: About 156 square feet (14 square meters); 12½ by 12½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted maximum function and a light and bright space,” designer Kate Moore says. “We combined drawers, pullouts, a pantry and open storage to provide flexibility. We balanced out all of the wood cabinetry with glossy zellige tile and polished countertops to bounce the natural light around.”
Backsplash. “It’s zellige tile and it added warmth and texture to the space,” Moore says. “It’s handmade, so no two tiles are alike. Because of all of the variation and unevenness in the tile, we went with a marble-look quartz countertop with subtle veining and modern slab-front wood cabinets.”
Other special features. Rift-cut white oak cabinets.
Designer tip. “Balance out lots of closed functional storage with a few open areas so the space doesn’t feel small or dark,” Moore says. “Taking the tile up to the ceiling also makes a space feel more finished and custom.”
8. Glass Mosaic Tile
Designer: Erin Doak of Hello Kitchen
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 246 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “We wanted to open up the space so it flowed with the dining room and pull finishes from the rest of the house into the kitchen so everything felt cohesive,” designer Erin Doak says. “Because we opened up the space, we were able to continue storage into the dining room to expand the footprint of the kitchen and improve function throughout.”
Backsplash. Stacked glass mosaic tile runs wall to wall and countertop to ceiling. “The color was a perfect match to the existing wall color in the dining room (Van Courtland Blue by Benjamin Moore) that the homeowners had grown to love, so it felt like it was an appropriate match to pull into the kitchen,” Doak says.
Other special features. The cabinets were custom-built by the homeowner and painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore. “Glass inserts were added to specific fronts to break up the cabinet boxes and to help showcase the family’s handmade ceramics,” Doak says. “A particularly favorite detail is the wood-paneled vent hood.”
Designer tip. “When introducing new finishes, such as metal or wood, you can easily accomplish this by making sure there is a partnered material with that same finish,” Doak says. “For example, the homeowner did not want to use oak on the vent hood because it was also the flooring. They wanted something to contrast and stand out as its own element. In order to make this work, we opted to stain the interior shelves in the glass cabinets to partner with that vent hood finish so the wood detail felt intentional and well balanced.”
Faucet: Align, Moen
Designer: Erin Doak of Hello Kitchen
Location: Austin, Texas
Size: 246 square feet (23 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “We wanted to open up the space so it flowed with the dining room and pull finishes from the rest of the house into the kitchen so everything felt cohesive,” designer Erin Doak says. “Because we opened up the space, we were able to continue storage into the dining room to expand the footprint of the kitchen and improve function throughout.”
Backsplash. Stacked glass mosaic tile runs wall to wall and countertop to ceiling. “The color was a perfect match to the existing wall color in the dining room (Van Courtland Blue by Benjamin Moore) that the homeowners had grown to love, so it felt like it was an appropriate match to pull into the kitchen,” Doak says.
Other special features. The cabinets were custom-built by the homeowner and painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore. “Glass inserts were added to specific fronts to break up the cabinet boxes and to help showcase the family’s handmade ceramics,” Doak says. “A particularly favorite detail is the wood-paneled vent hood.”
Designer tip. “When introducing new finishes, such as metal or wood, you can easily accomplish this by making sure there is a partnered material with that same finish,” Doak says. “For example, the homeowner did not want to use oak on the vent hood because it was also the flooring. They wanted something to contrast and stand out as its own element. In order to make this work, we opted to stain the interior shelves in the glass cabinets to partner with that vent hood finish so the wood detail felt intentional and well balanced.”
Faucet: Align, Moen
9. Water-Jet-Cut Marble
Designer: Natalia Dragunova of Notion
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: 312 square feet (29 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The main request was to open up the kitchen to the rest of the home,” designer Natalia Dragunova says. “The client wanted an open-concept kitchen while entertaining. We removed a wall to achieve just that. The house is nestled in a beautiful part of a golf course with warm and inviting views, so we added an additional wall of windows to further showcase the view, thus bringing the outdoors in.”
Backsplash. Water-jet-cut marble set in a vertical orientation. “The client runs a business downtown and the backsplash, with the shapes and sizes of each tile, reminds him of an abstract cityscape,” Dragunova says.
Other special features. Custom 6-foot steel range hood with brass accents. Bright blue island. Glass-and-brass island pendants. “The cabinetry has a classic egret white paint with a splash of custom-mixed blue to match the range,” Dragunova says.
Designer tip. “Listen to your first instinct for a design, material or color,” Dragunova says. “It usually is the right choice.”
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Designer: Natalia Dragunova of Notion
Location: Pittsburgh
Size: 312 square feet (29 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The main request was to open up the kitchen to the rest of the home,” designer Natalia Dragunova says. “The client wanted an open-concept kitchen while entertaining. We removed a wall to achieve just that. The house is nestled in a beautiful part of a golf course with warm and inviting views, so we added an additional wall of windows to further showcase the view, thus bringing the outdoors in.”
Backsplash. Water-jet-cut marble set in a vertical orientation. “The client runs a business downtown and the backsplash, with the shapes and sizes of each tile, reminds him of an abstract cityscape,” Dragunova says.
Other special features. Custom 6-foot steel range hood with brass accents. Bright blue island. Glass-and-brass island pendants. “The cabinetry has a classic egret white paint with a splash of custom-mixed blue to match the range,” Dragunova says.
Designer tip. “Listen to your first instinct for a design, material or color,” Dragunova says. “It usually is the right choice.”
More on Houzz
Read more stories about kitchen backsplashes
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Charla Ray Interior Design
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 159½ square feet (15 square meters); 11 by 14½ feet
Homeowners’ request. “The clients wanted to have a kitchen that respected the 100-plus-year-old Mediterranean-style home but also worked with their preferred midcentury style and furniture,” designer Charla Ray says. “The kitchen was a smaller footprint and the clients are avid home chefs, so the conversation quickly turned to storage and counter prep space. By taking down a portion of a wall separating the dining area from the kitchen, we were able to create a sightline from the front entry into the kitchen.”
Backsplash. Mykonos quartzite, which was also used for the countertop. “The clients had known they wanted quartzite for its striking veining and durability,” Ray says. “They had seen this slab before I joined the build team and had it in mind knowing they wanted a blue kitchen. I came on board and agreed it was beautiful, and it gave me a clear jumping-off point. We looked at some paint colors to get us in the neighborhood of what we were thinking for the cabinet color and then we tweaked it to get the custom color we landed on. Originally, we were going to do a white zellige 2-by-2 tile above this slab splash, but the clients liked the statement of the stone so much we decided against doing anything more.”
Other special features. “The flush inset cabinets give the space a timeless vibe,” Ray says. “Visually what made probably the biggest impact was creating symmetry around the BlueStar range and custom hood that we did with integrated paneled refrigerator and freezer. The fridge is to the right of the range and the freezer is to the left of the sink. We also repeated the brass accents of the BlueStar range in the lighting and cabinet knobs.”
Designer tip. “There are some kitchen spaces where an island won’t work or would be incredibly small,” Ray says. “ Here we have a peninsula that has seating for four and is a massive uninterrupted prep space.”
Wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; project photography: Lincoln Barbour Studio
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