New kitchen backsplash ideas are an excellent way to update the appearance of your kitchen while also adding functionality. Kitchen backsplashes are frequently overlooked, but a well-chosen kitchen backsplash material elevates the entire room.

Whether you prefer a sleek and modern look, a rustic one, or a backsplash with timeless traditionalism, there are backsplash options that will perform better while also adding personality and style to your kitchen.

Creative Kitchen Backsplash Inspirations

Kitchen designers use kitchen backsplashes to improve the aesthetics of the kitchen, but it is also important to take into account the functionality of the backsplash according to your cooking habits.

Matching Marble Slab Backsplash and Countertop

One of the most luxurious, timeless, and functional backsplash options is a marble slab. The complex and intricate veining of marble gives the kitchen a sophisticated and opulent feel. When paired with a matching countertop, the backsplash slab creates a cohesive and harmonious visual flow.

This kitchen backsplash choice works well in both contemporary and traditional kitchen designs. Some of the most popular choices for marble backsplashes and counters include Carrara marble, Calacatta marble, Statuario marble, Nero Marquina marble, and Emperador marble.

Marble Slab Backsplash With Contrasting Countertop

Pairing a marble slab backsplash with a contrasting countertop is a bold and visually dynamic choice. This combination introduces drama to your kitchen and allows each element to stand out on its own.

Some popular combinations to create contrast are a white marble backsplash like Carrara with a dark countertop material like soapstone or Nero Marquina marble. You can also flip this combination and opt for a dark backsplash material and a light marble countertop. Other popular combinations include a gray and white combination or a colorful backsplash choice like a green, red, or pink marble backsplash with a white countertop.

Subway Tile Backsplash

A classic option for a backsplash material is subway tile. Subway tiles, which originated in subway stations during the early 20th century, are still popular in kitchen backsplash designs in a variety of creative and original ways. Known for their consistent rectangular shape, producers have been experimenting with different sizes, materials, and colors for them. Additionally, designers can alter the appearance of their designs by altering the tile-laying patterns used by builders. These patterns can include vertical, diagonal, crosshatch, and herringbone in addition to the standard horizontal pattern.

Beyond their versatility and classic style, subway tiles are a cost-effective choice. They are also easy to maintain and clean and work beautifully with a wide variety of countertop options, including wood, natural stone, concrete, and synthetic materials.

Colorful Tile Kitchen Backsplash

Colorful tiles are a popular choice for backsplashes. These are a wonderful way to add an eclectic and playful look to your kitchen. Colorful tiles come in a variety of forms that you can explore, including mosaic tile options, printed ceramic tiles, artisanal hand-painted tiles, and encaustic cement tiles.

Make sure you explore the benefits and drawbacks of each tile type to decide which tile choice is best for you. Explore the varying patterns, as there are options for contemporary styles such as bold geometrics and choices for more traditional kitchens like nature inspired patterns.

Stone Veneer Backsplash

( image by Bayview Builders)

A stone veneer backsplash brings the look and feel of natural stone to the kitchen without the weight, cost, and thickness associated with real stone. Stone veneer surfaces are made using natural stone, but rather than the whole stone, they feature just a 1-2 inch slice of stone that adheres to the rear substrate. You can find stone veneer in a variety of stones, including travertine, slate, quartzite, and more. Some style varieties that are porous will benefit from sealing.

Concrete Kitchen Backsplash

A concrete kitchen backsplash brings a modern and industrial style to the kitchen. Concrete is an amazingly versatile element that offers a wide range of style possibilities. Concrete is not limited to its normal gray hue. You can personalize it by adding colors to the mix to create soft neutrals or darker tones according to your kitchen style. The texture of concrete can also be varied. You can give it a rough, natural texture for an industrial, urban look, or you can polish it for a more refined texture.

Concrete is a durable and resilient material for a kitchen backsplash, but it is porous. You should seal it so that it resists stains and moisture. Sealing concrete makes it more durable and easier to clean and maintain. Concrete is also a cost-effective option for your kitchen backsplash.

Matching Soapstone Backsplash and Countertop

Pairing a soapstone backsplash and countertop creates a cohesive and elegant look in the kitchen. Soapstone is a natural stone material that has a unique beauty. It is dark gray to black with white veining. Some white vein patterns are more pronounced than other vein patterns, so each slab has a unique appearance. Be sure to use the same slab for the backsplash and countertop if you want them to blend together.

Soapstone is not completely impervious to stains, but it is less porous than some other natural stones. You can apply mineral oil to enhance its resistance to stains and scratches, which will help maintain its beauty over time.

Quartz Backsplash

Quartz countertops and backsplashes have grown in popularity in recent years due to their diverse styles, low cost, and long life. Quartz is a man-made stone that combines quartz crystals and resins. Quartz backsplashes can be fabricated to fit a particular backsplash design, so you can create a backsplash without seams. This is not possible with natural stone backsplashes.

Quartz has a consistent appearance according to each variety, so you can know exactly what look you are getting. Quartz is inherently water-resistant and it is easy to clean and maintain. While high-end quartz varieties are expensive, there are budget-friendly options that still offer durability and high-end style.

Brick Veneer Backsplash

You can give your kitchen a rustic feel by installing a brick backsplash. This material provides a warm and inviting touch to farmhouse, Tuscan, and even modern kitchens. Surprisingly, brick backsplashes come in a variety of styles.

Brick veneer is available in a variety of colors, including red, brown, multi-colored, and even black, as well as whitewashed and reclaimed styles. Because bricks are porous, you should seal them to increase their resistance to stains and moisture. Because of their texture, bricks are more difficult to clean than tile or slabs of natural stone.

Wood Backsplash

Using wood paneling as the backsplash can add warmth and natural texture to the design. Wood is a highly adaptable material. You can change the color and texture by using different types of wood and wood stains. Paint is another sealer that protects the wood while also providing an opaque color. Whatever sealer you use, this step is critical for protecting the wood from spills and food stains.

On the backsplash, most people use planks or wood panels. By incorporating wood planks in vertical, horizontal, or chevron patterns, you can create a wide range of designs.

Copper Kitchen Backsplash

(image by Aria Homes, Inc.)

Copper is a versatile kitchen material that is useful for sinks, countertops, and backsplashes. This material adds gorgeous warmth and a luxurious style to any kitchen design. Copper backsplashes are distinctive in that they patina over time. This patina ages the look of the copper and dulls the shiny finish. Regular cleaning and wax application will preserve the original look of the copper and slow the patina process if this is the look you prefer.

Copper backsplashes come in a variety of styles, including hammered, smooth, tiled, and large panels. Copper works well with other kitchen materials, such as wood, stone, and glass.