Mastering the Latest Trends in Kitchen Backsplash Design

Kitchen backsplashes are undergoing an exciting design renaissance lately, with innovative new styles and materials giving homeowners more options than ever before. From sleek contemporary tiles to opulent natural stone slabs, there are countless ways to make your backsplash the stunning focal point of your kitchen.

Whether you're embarking on a full kitchen remodel or just want to spruce up an existing backsplash, understanding the latest looks can help you create a gorgeous and functional heart of the home.

Contemporary Tile Trends

Tile remains one of the most popular backsplash materials for its versatility, durability, and affordability. The past few years have seen creative new trends emerge in kitchen tile, including some stunning contemporary styles.

Subway Tile

A classic backsplash tile, subway styles remain a favored choice. White matte subway tiles keep spaces feeling clean and bright. Or make them pop with black grout. Subway tiles now come in exciting new colors, sizes, shapes, and material options too, like glass, marble, and porcelain.

Herringbone

The herringbone pattern adds great visual interest with its zigzag design. Often done in simple white or beige, herringbone backsplashes feel fresh in bolder colors like navy blue, charcoal, and emerald green. Mixing up the grout color (like white tile with black grout) makes the pattern stand out even more.

Hexagon Tile

Another geometric trend, hexagon tiles let you play with fun honeycomb shapes. Use creatively, like stacking differently sized hexagons or alternating colors. Smaller hex tiles pair well with large format countertops. Large hexagon tiles can be an impactful singular backsplash material.

Large Format Tile

Oversized tile is a sleek contemporary choice. With fewer grout lines, large tiles create a seamless minimalist look. Popular options include giant subway tiles, elongated hexagons, and wide planks. Large tiles suit contemporary, modern, and transitional kitchen styles.

Bold Colors and Patterns

Vibrant colors and eye-catching patterns like Moroccan fish scale tiles, terrazzo, and handpainted styles are a major trend. Use color and pattern either for the entire backsplash or as an accent strip against a neutral background. Perfect for making a design statement.

Natural Stone Backsplashes

Natural stone tiles and slabs inject luxury, texture, and timeless beauty into kitchen backsplashes. Marble remains the perennial favorite, but many other stones are also having a moment.

Marble

Elegant marble backsplashes are a top choice for their striking veining and upscale aesthetic. Carrara marble is the classic white look. But stunning colored options like Calacatta Borghini, Calacatta Gold, and Statuario marble are also widely coveted.

Travertine

With its gently textured surface and subtle earthtone colors, travertine brings a refined yet rustic feel to kitchens. Travertine subway tiles are popular, along with creatively-cut travertine patterns. Travertine ranges from creamy beiges to walnut browns.

Slate

A perfect balance of texture and tone, slate backsplashes bring dimensional style through their natural cleft surfacing. The inherent soft colors of slate tiles - grays, blues, greens - provide an earthy and soothing feel.

Limestone

Understated and organic, limestone offers a lighter quartz-like look. Natural pitting and fossils within the stone add charming character. Limestone appears in soft creamy hues and works beautifully in cottage, farmhouse or transitional spaces.

Textured Looks

Stones like honed travertine and cleft slate naturally offer texture. But even polished stones like marble can get textural treatments, with split face mosaic tiles or rough/brush hammered finishes. The texture provides depth and makes stone feel less formal.

Modern Metallic Finishes

Metallic backsplashes inject brilliant shine and instant glamour into kitchens. From sleek stainless steel to warm antique brass, shiny metal tiles make a seriously stylish statement.

Brass

Warm golden brass backsplash tiles or sheets add vintage flair and brightness, suiting contemporary to old world kitchens. Unlacquered brass develops an appealing patina over time.

Copper

With its vibrant orangey-rose hue, copper makes for an energetic and artisanal metal backsplash. The living finish evolves gradually from shiny to antiqued with natural patina. Hammered copper tiles have extra flair.

Stainless Steel

A modern classic, stainless steel backsplashes have an industrial chic vibe and polished pro-kitchen look. Use stainless full sheets or exciting new patterns like chevron, diagonal, and artistic waves.

Metal Tiles

Penny rounds, tin ceiling tiles, and other metal varieties infuse retro charm. Intriguing textures like raised dots, diamond plate, perforated looks, and embossed patterns modernize metal tiles.

Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces

Mirror backsplashes visually expand small kitchens and make cooking feel less confined. They also add major decorative shine. Pair mirrors with metal accents for an ultra glamorous look.

Creative Materials

Beyond classic tiles and natural stone, some truly innovative and unexpected materials are being used for eye-catching backsplashes nowadays.

Glass

Art glass, subway glass tiles, and glass sheet backsplashes provide translucent shine. Glass comes in every color and finishes like frosted, iridescent, bubble textured. Use glass bricks for artistic flair.

Wood

Unfinished live-edge wood or bamboo slabs create natural warmth against sleek cabinets and countertops. Wood-look porcelain planks offer the look without maintenance.

Concrete

Concrete backsplashes complement modern industrial kitchens with their raw, utilitarian aesthetic. Custom concrete tiles can mimic stone or terrazzo patterns.

Fabric

Removable fabric panels let you change your backsplash look. Choose washable linen, leather, or tapestry prints. Use full wall or just a section behind the stove.

Unexpected Materials

From 3D molded plastic and sustainability-sourced paper to pennies and wine corks, DIYers are getting creative. Use unexpected materials in tiny mosaics or across larger areas for unique backsplash designs.

Backsplash Layout Ideas

Creative backsplash layouts go beyond the expected stove-to-cabinet backsplash area. Get inspirational with shape, size, placement, and color.

Full Wall Backsplashes

Take the backsplash to the ceiling for a dramatic look. Works especially well with patterned tile, wallpaper, or stone slabs. Coordinate with wall color for a seamless effect.

Focal Point Backsplashes

Center the backsplash design around a focal area like the stove or sink. This allows using special materials just where needed most. Surround with painted walls.

Creative Shapes and Patterns

Lay out tiles in interesting shapes like a herringbone, chevron, starburst, or diagonal design. You can also create patterns with alternating colors and combines shapes.

Contrasting Grout Colors

White, black, or gray grout adds great contrast to colorful tile patterns. For example white tiles with charcoal grout. Or make grout disappear between beige tiles with matching color.