12 beautiful kitchen backsplash ideas that will instantly elevate your space

There's nothing like a beautiful new backsplash to brighten up a kitchen. It's the expert-approved way of bringing color, texture, and pattern into your kitchen, along with plenty of visual flair.

Kitchen backsplashes are where form meets function in the most appealing of ways, protecting your walls from stains and splatters whilst adding a stylish charm. Whether you're a fan of classic looks like herringbone and subway kitchen tiles, or intrigued about bolder options like mirrors and metal, there's a backsplash for every kitchen and every style.

12 beautiful kitchen backsplash ideas

These creative kitchen backsplashes are a great example of how planning the practical elements of a space and the beauty of interior style have become intertwined when designing a kitchen.

Elevated from a purely practical role, like cabinetry, the humble kitchen backsplash has taken on more of an architectural feel, with luxe materials and a new industrial aesthetic becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Explore this range of kitchen backsplash designs to suit a whole range of styles to give you plenty of inspiration for choosing the right backsplash for your space.

1. Indulge in the trend for rich burgundy

Burgundy kitchens have already taken the kitchen world by storm, from wall colors to cabinetry and even appliances. It's no surprise that the rich-looking, moody hue is emerging as a kitchen backsplash trend for 2025.

'Burgundy and claret tones will feature heavily in kitchen backsplashes over this year and into the next two or three. These wine-like tones add warmth, but feel elegant and grown up at the same time,' says Rob Whitaker, Creative Director at Claybrook Studio. 'All shades from mulberry and oxblood to plum, fig, and rusty reds look fantastic on both tiles and paints.'

2. Go herringbone chic

We love herringbone on our kitchen flooring, but how about on our kitchen walls instead? The pattern is one of the most luxurious tile layouts, lending a sophisticated and elegant backdrop to your kitchen backsplash.

'Both chequerboard and herringbone are proving eye-catching and popular choices for pattern play,' says Rob. They are simple to achieve; for herringbone, it’s simply a matter of following a tile layout to create a dynamic design.'

Herringbone's enduring popularity over the decades ensures that the classic look won't go out of style, so the perfect choice for a kitchen you want to feel both trendy and timeless.

3. Choose a single slab design

When we think about backsplashes, we tend to envision coverage that extends the width of our kitchen countertops. But recently, more is less when it comes to our backsplashes. By focusing on only the most problematic splash zones of the kitchen, a minimalistic zen-looking kitchen can emerge.

'We’ve seen a rise in popularity of an all-in-one single format tile as a kitchen backsplash – creating a seamless finish behind your kitchen hob,' says Harriet Goodacre, Style Consultant at Topps Tiles. 'You can use a stone effect porcelain tile, textured glass or even an aluminum finish single backsplash panel, to create a dynamic focal point in your kitchen that can complement or contrast with the existing interior of your space.'

4. Go luxury with marble

If you’re looking to make your kitchen look more luxurious then marble is a must. With a myriad of colors and veining options available, you can choose from classic white to moody greens or even blacks. Since your backsplash covers a smaller area of the room, it's a more affordable way to incorporate this luxury material into your space.

'Using marble or quartz with an active pattern for a backsplash combined with a less busy countertop material adds panache to what might be an otherwise flat homogeneous look,' says Linda Sasson, designer and founder of Linda Sasson Designs.

5. Reflect light with a mirrored backsplash

If you want to bring more natural light into your kitchen, consider a mirrored glass backsplash.

‘Mirrored backsplashes are great for increasing natural light around the room if natural light is limited. If you’d like to inject a little personality and interest into your kitchen, choose antique glass. There are so many variations of glass to choose from to suit your aesthetic, adding a vintage look whilst still creating an open, airy feel,’ says Tom Howley founder of the eponymous kitchen company.

'Mirrored backsplashes are especially good for dark, internal kitchens where there is no or very limited light, as they help to bounce light back into the room and create the illusion of space, agrees Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. 'Deep recesses in kitchens, like range cookers, are an ideal spot for mirrored backsplashes as they help to create some movement. We would always advise that you use an antiqued glass in the kitchen, as the slight foxing on the mirror can help to hide marks more easily.'

6. Try a paneled backsplash for a farmhouse charm

When channeling farmhouse kitchen ideas, wood paneling is the way to go.

'Paneling can be an ideal choice for a kitchen backsplash. Aside from the fact that it will probably be cheaper than tiles, it has the obvious advantage that when an update or fresh look is needed then it should be no more than a light sanding and a couple of coats of paint rather than having to hack off tiles, make good the walls and start all over again,' explains Jon Madeley, founder at the English Paneling Company.

However, there are some practicalities to consider. Avoid solid wood and instead Jon recommends choosing ‘high-quality Moisture Resistant (MR) grade MDF boards, as these will not expand or contract.' Also, ensure that they are painted with a kitchen-appropriate paint to ensure maximum moisture and heat resistance.

7. Jazz up the subway tile trend with marble 

If you want to incorporate not one, but two hot kitchen trends in your backsplash give the standard subway tile a luxury touch with marble. While the classic glazed subway white tile is still a stylish option, opting for either a marble-effect finish or rectangular tiles made of the natural stone itself is a great way to elevate an otherwise simple scheme, as demonstrated in this kitchen by designer Tiffany Leigh.

It’s also a pocket-friendly option – smaller marble tiles are often much more affordable than trying to cover the same area with one slab or large panels.

8. Dazzle with zellige tiles 

For a backsplash that encompasses both rusticity and a touch of sparkle, look to Morocco. The North African country’s famed zellige tiles are seriously on trend right now, with good reason. Handmade from clay and highly glazed, the uneven texture of the square tiles means the surface bounces light across the room.

Zellige is a particularly good choice for a white kitchen backsplash, as demonstrated in this kitchen by Anja Michals, adding a slight shimmer to an otherwise fairly neutral selection.

9. Mix materials with your kitchen backsplash

If you’re torn between the prettiness of tiles and the practicalities of quartz, take a dual approach and enjoy the best of both worlds.

In this beautiful kitchen by Roundhouse, opting for split surface kitchen backsplash ideas has married texture, shine, and color to make the most of the vertical space around the hob and hood.

‘The glossy green tiles are a particular triumph as they reflect light from the sliding glass doors opposite,’ says Oli Moss, designer at Roundhouse.

Oli explains that knowing how to install a backsplash for the perfect finish can be difficult - but with the right professional onboard, anything is possible: ‘It can be tricky to achieve a neat connection. Here, the quartz upstand has a rolled edge detail to create a smooth juncture between the two materials.’

10. Create a pop of contrasting color

Abundant color is having a big moment in interior design, and joyfully hued tiles are helping it lift our most utilitarian spaces. Use them to create a pop of color in your kitchen, and even go for an invigorating contrast. In this kitchen, pink porcelain tiles from Bert & May are used alongside Prussian blue cabinetry for an exciting mismatch. Adding a burst of pattern and hue is a great option for kitchen floor tile ideas too.

11. Keep you kitchen backsplash sleek and simple

Unsurprisingly, marble backsplashes have become the pinnacle of high-end luxury, and for good reason. This sumptuous stone is not only beautiful in design, but also incredibly hardwearing – making it a worthwhile investment.

Stone will need sealing once it’s installed, and regular resealing, especially if it has a honed or brushed finish, but is a great way to showcase beautiful vein patterns. For many, the beauty on offer is well worth the efforts of maintaining it.

‘Natural materials have an incredibly calming effect in a space,’ says Alex Beaugeard, director of design at Lanserring. 'The historical significance of using marble for backsplashes, along with the knowledge that every slab is completely unique, creates an emotional connection that will help your kitchen resonate with you.’

12. Don't be afraid to use wallpaper

Using a swatch of luxury wallpaper, fabric or a painted pattern is an easy way to inject color and pattern into a kitchen design.

You can use a variety of wallpaper ideas in the kitchen, but just make sure that whatever you choose is designed to be used in high-traffic places and is moisture-resistant. And you can protect the lower part of the wallpaper with a small upstand which is not only practical, it also creates more of a seamless look from your countertop to your wallpaper.

Kitchen backsplashes while a relatively small part of your kitchen, they are a very important one. They are a space to add pattern, color, and texture into a room that so often has to be very practical. And speaking of practicality, new designs, and technology means your backsplash options aren't just tile, there are many newer ways to make this part of your space a highlight.