10 Kitchen Backsplashes That Make a Statement
Botanical patterns, creatively laid tile and bold colors give these backsplashes personality
Erin Carlyle
October 9, 2019
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
A kitchen backsplash can be beautiful and classic in simple white subway tile, but there are so many ways to make this part of your home unique. The following 10 spaces feature backsplashes that stand out from the crowd for their creativity and style. Which one would you most like to see in your home?
1. Nature as a Fairy Tale
This beautiful and unique kitchen backsplash in a Portland, Oregon, home by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design portrays nature in an idealized and romanticized way. The material is tile, hand-painted by Mira Eng-Goetz, the lead designer on the project. The tile stretches to the ceiling as well as across the refrigerator. Much of the rest of this home is decked out in soft greens, pinks and wood tones, as though the palette has been taken from a garden.
Find an interior designer near you
This beautiful and unique kitchen backsplash in a Portland, Oregon, home by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design portrays nature in an idealized and romanticized way. The material is tile, hand-painted by Mira Eng-Goetz, the lead designer on the project. The tile stretches to the ceiling as well as across the refrigerator. Much of the rest of this home is decked out in soft greens, pinks and wood tones, as though the palette has been taken from a garden.
Find an interior designer near you
2. Black and Brilliant
While the all-white kitchen remains popular, we’ve been noticing a shift toward darker hues — including dramatic black — in kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz. This lovely space in Marseille, France, by designer Margherita Olivero marries a backsplash of handmade Moroccan zellige tile with perimeter cabinetry of oak wood burned using a Japanese technique called shou-sugi-ban. Together with the wood-base island and stone counter, the elements produce a dramatic yet organic look.
Shop for backsplash tile on Houzz
While the all-white kitchen remains popular, we’ve been noticing a shift toward darker hues — including dramatic black — in kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz. This lovely space in Marseille, France, by designer Margherita Olivero marries a backsplash of handmade Moroccan zellige tile with perimeter cabinetry of oak wood burned using a Japanese technique called shou-sugi-ban. Together with the wood-base island and stone counter, the elements produce a dramatic yet organic look.
Shop for backsplash tile on Houzz
3. Embracing the Grain
This Los Angeles kitchen from Empire Remodeling & Design features matching wood on the kitchen island base, the kitchen backsplash and the accent wall on the left side of the room. The warmth of the wood nicely offsets the sleek white of the flat-front cabinets.
This Los Angeles kitchen from Empire Remodeling & Design features matching wood on the kitchen island base, the kitchen backsplash and the accent wall on the left side of the room. The warmth of the wood nicely offsets the sleek white of the flat-front cabinets.
4. Splash of Color
Interior design group Space Harmony chose a watery blue backsplash that looks like a painting to grace this Vancouver kitchen. In fact, the design is actually a custom PVC wallpaper behind protective glass. Flat white cabinets keep the attention on the backsplash.
Interior design group Space Harmony chose a watery blue backsplash that looks like a painting to grace this Vancouver kitchen. In fact, the design is actually a custom PVC wallpaper behind protective glass. Flat white cabinets keep the attention on the backsplash.
5. Gorgeous Green
Graphic green cement tile creates a refreshing mood in this otherwise white Toronto kitchen by Kinswater. The tile continues above the window to form an accent wall.
Graphic green cement tile creates a refreshing mood in this otherwise white Toronto kitchen by Kinswater. The tile continues above the window to form an accent wall.
6. Random Selection
This fun Vancouver backsplash of black, white and gray hexagonal tiles traipses merrily up the wall, refusing to stick to a predictable rhythm. The result is a delightful surprise to the eye.
This fun Vancouver backsplash of black, white and gray hexagonal tiles traipses merrily up the wall, refusing to stick to a predictable rhythm. The result is a delightful surprise to the eye.
7. Green and Gold
Wallpaper in rich green with gold veining makes for a beautiful backsplash in this Moscow eat-in kitchen.
Find wallpaper on Houzz
Wallpaper in rich green with gold veining makes for a beautiful backsplash in this Moscow eat-in kitchen.
Find wallpaper on Houzz
8. Fabulous Floral
A larger-than-life array of flowers graces this kitchen backsplash by Plac’Art - L’Artisan-Menuisier. What a refreshing scene to enjoy with morning coffee!
A larger-than-life array of flowers graces this kitchen backsplash by Plac’Art - L’Artisan-Menuisier. What a refreshing scene to enjoy with morning coffee!
9. Brilliant Blues
Refreshing turquoise and other blues enliven the white cabinetry in this Mill Valley, California, butler’s pantry by Rasmussen Construction.
Find a general contractor on Houzz
Refreshing turquoise and other blues enliven the white cabinetry in this Mill Valley, California, butler’s pantry by Rasmussen Construction.
Find a general contractor on Houzz
10. Geometric Confection
In this Minneapolis kitchen by CliqStudios, sedate gray and white subway tile gives way to tiles in a creative pattern depicting cubes or pinwheels, depending on how your eyes see them. As the tiles approach the range hood, they get increasingly dark.
In this Minneapolis kitchen by CliqStudios, sedate gray and white subway tile gives way to tiles in a creative pattern depicting cubes or pinwheels, depending on how your eyes see them. As the tiles approach the range hood, they get increasingly dark.
Here’s a look at the rest of this unique kitchen backsplash.
More on Houzz
Behold These Bold Kitchen Backsplashes
Love a White Backsplash but Not Subway Tile? Try One of These
Find a pro
Shop for products
More on Houzz
Behold These Bold Kitchen Backsplashes
Love a White Backsplash but Not Subway Tile? Try One of These
Find a pro
Shop for products
Related Stories
Kitchen Backsplashes
30 Bold and Beautiful Range Backsplashes
Get ideas for eye-catching tile and stone backsplashes inside stove alcoves and behind cooktops
Full Story
Kitchen Design
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
Make sure your new kitchen not only looks good but also functions beautifully
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Map Out Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work
Help prevent budget overruns by determining the extent of your project, and find pros to help you get the job done
Full Story
Kitchen Storage
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
By tidgboutique
Consider Lazy Susans, pullouts and more to maximize storage
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Houzz TV
5 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
See fascinating new features for showers, tubs, faucets and more launched at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, here’s how to find inspiration and start narrowing down your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Design
15 Stylish Kitchen Range Hood Ideas
Get ideas for hood shapes, sizes and looks that can elevate a kitchen’s design while ridding it of bad air and odors
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Beautiful!!
Beautiful!!
#4 is so beautiful! What a great idea to complement the backsplash with the white cabinets like you said. There's so many soothing shades of blue in that design.