At a practical level, a backsplash is made to protect the wall behind the stove or its counterpart. Basically, it is a material that covers or fills the area from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. And while it's a standard element in any kitchen, the backsplash is having a serious moment of its own right now.
why? Homeowners are looking for warmth and character in stone, bringing personality to their kitchens like never before. Adding backsplash tile to your kitchen provides a functional and beautiful focal point. A backsplash can blend into the background and let other design elements shine, or it can make a strong statement. Because the weight of wall-to-wall cabinets has been significantly reduced, backsplashes are no longer limited to the 18 inches between the cabinets and the countertop, but can span the entire wall.
among us southern living On our home tour, we see couples hanging art in the center of their backsplashes or turning an entire wall into a statement piece (no art or decor required), which does double duty as practical and stylish. Masu. And while that may have been the case in the past, no material is given here. You can easily get creative with finishes and play with combinations of materials, styles, colors and textures. Today, homeowners can find materials that fit their style, home, and price range. Most popular are couples who buy beautiful (and expensive) marble slabs, choose colorful tiles, and add patterns with painted tiles.
Bold designs are back and backsplashes are an easy way to completely update the look of your kitchen. If you're looking for inspiration for a kitchen renovation or simple upgrade, find the best kitchen backsplash ideas for 2024 below.
quartz
In her North Carolina home, designer Liz Carroll keeps the walls open and airy by installing natural wood floating shelves and glass sconces (by Visual Comfort) over white shiplap. I kept it in a nice space. In this room, the lower cabinet, painted with Benjamin Moore's Iron Mountain (2134-30), serves as the focal point of the space thanks to its otherwise neutral palette, extending above the stove as a subtle backsplash It is solidified with a quartz countertop.
single slab
Some argue that traditional tiles are officially obsolete. Although there are some options below that are still trending, there is some truth to this statement. Many people don't use tons of tiles, instead he chooses a single slab for the backsplash, as seen in this minimalist kitchen. Treating your backsplash as an extension of your countertop creates an upscale, sophisticated feel.
wooden panel
When renovating this 1960s ranch-style home in Nashville, the owners kept some of the property's original charm and added a little paint. Specifically, we painted the original wood paneled walls a bright white (PPG's Delicate White, PPG1001-1). There is no official backsplash, but a glass-framed painting is purposefully suspended above the stove. “Using art can give your kitchen a little more of a sense of life,” says Meg Kelly, the designer who oversaw the project.
marble tiles
look! We told you that tiles can be installed correctly. This recently renovated 1940 cottage in Birmingham, Alabama is a perfect example. While the couple had a vision for the rest of the house to be bright and vibrant, they decided to keep the kitchen neutral so the green cabinetry would shine. They used his 3 x 6 tiles of marble in subtle gray tones. And, as shown, the material manages to make the rest of the room shine.
bold shades
We also weren't kidding when we said some homeowners are making a big statement with their unique backsplash choices. Designer KV Harper did just that when designing his home in New Orleans. “My carpenter created a reclaimed wood countertop that breaks up the green backsplash and dark blue cabinets (painted with Sherwin-Williams' Anchors Aweigh, SW 9179),” she added. White has always held its place, but shades of green, moody blues, and even black are also briefly in the spotlight.
mixed material
The kitchen is a great place to mix and match materials like wood floors, brass hardware, and stainless steel appliances, as well as a variety of finishes from countertops to cabinetry. In his 2022 House of Ideas, designer Charlotte Lucas also chose to use multiple materials when it comes to the backsplash. Here, she used a lilac marble counter top that extends all the way to the wall to match her glossy terracotta tiles with shallow shelves.
white chloe tile
Campbell Minister, interior designer and founder of Decorated Interiors, says Bedrossian's Chloe tiles are gaining traction in residential interiors, thanks to bloggers like Emily Henderson and Studio McGee. “From the shower stall to the kitchen backsplash, her white Cloe tiles have an organic look and a fresh, modern presence at the same time,” she says. “The tiles come in either a 5 x 5 square or a more standard 2.5 x 8 rectangle. Similar tiles like this one are also available at Wayfair for less.” The key is to create a neutral yet subtle Choose one with a variety of textures and colors.
continuous backsplash
Another trend that homeowners are taking note of is using a continuous slab of marble, granite, or quartzite as a backsplash. Create a timeless look with either a glossy polished or matte finish. “Choosing a continuous slab to match your countertops creates a sense of unity that blends into the overall kitchen plan,” explains the Minister. “You can go wild with bold patterns, or choose a more subdued, quiet material as a backdrop for bold cabinet colors.” Be sure to check with the manufacturer regarding the suitability of the slab material you choose for your backsplash.
Search for Jake Arnold kitchen design and swoon. The designer incorporates plenty of warm, textured materials into her designs. One of the trends we're seeing on the rise is a continuous stone slab that sits about 10 to 15 inches above the counter and dead ends on a shelf. The beauty of this aesthetic is that you can use this perch as art, bowls, tableware, or anything else. The shelves themselves can be made of wood to add visual interest, or they can be the same material as the counter.
interesting texture
Natural ceramic or porcelain tiles are also an interesting way to change up your backsplash. “Adding a little texture to the basic shapes gives your backsplash dimension and interest,” explains Minister. “You don't have to spend a million dollars to make a statement with this.” Look for vintage or imperfectly cut tiles to add personality.
graphic geometry
“Geometric shapes and patterns hold a special place in my heart when it comes to kitchen backsplashes,” says Minister. “Hexagonal and herringbone patterns never seem to go out of style. A herringbone pattern in a Calacatta marble finish adds a bit of interest to an all-white kitchen.” It's a great way to add interest without spending a ton of money on additional tiles. Below, designer Meredith Beregovsky created a unique look using his handmade terra cotta tiles on the diagonal backsplash of his recently renovated A-frame home.
statement backsplash
There are multiple ways to make a statement in the kitchen. While you might think of appliances and paint colors as the typical statement makers, backsplashes can also create wow moments. If you want to take your ordinary kitchen up a notch, try bold colored tiles, mixed materials, mosaic tiles or create your own patterns.
extended backsplash
Instead of a traditional backsplash, designer Nicola McLaughlin covered the walls of this kitchen from floor to ceiling in a simple grid of tiles. “It’s cost-effective and clean,” she says. “And depending on how you do it, it can be timeless.” To add dimension, we used tiles with textured surfaces that give them a handmade feel. “It's not just a plain white wall; each tile shines in a different way,” McLaughlin says.
subway tile
This is one trend that never goes out of style. While subway tile may be commonly found in other areas of the home, you can't go wrong using it as a backsplash. Use traditional 3 x 6 inch white tiles or get creative and choose larger tiles at 2 x 4 inches, 4 x 8 inches, 6 x 12 inches, or try bold colors can.
Colorful tiles with cool and calm colors
Gone are the days of standard 3 x 6 white tiles. According to the minister, choosing long tiles creates a calming visual effect. “Choose 3 x 10 or 2 x 8 to create a sophisticated look,” she says. “When it comes to kitchens, wood finishes, moody blues and greens are all the rage. The Tile Shop has a selection of light green and blue Subway She tiles that can complement this trend.”
glossy finish
Matt came out. From tiles to slab backsplashes and even furniture paints, you need gloss. If you use a polished or high-gloss finish, be sure to pair it with natural materials for balance.
Full limestone
If your home has interesting interior surfaces like this farmhouse with natural limestone from Texas, put it to good use. Designer Leah Ashley Finn embraced stone walls around the house, but decided to forego her real backsplash because she already had so much visual interest and texture.