Better Homes And Gardens Kitchen Updates

Gray-stained lower cabinets and white upper cabinets with chevron gray/white tiled backsplash around kitchen stove

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Transform your cooking space with one of these stylish kitchen backsplash designs. With backsplash ideas for tile, stone, glass, ceramic, and more, there are so many ways to customize your kitchen walls. Use these ideas to find a kitchen backsplash that fits your style and budget.

Colorful Tile Backsplash

dark green tiled kitchen with larch-wood cabinets with cutout handles

Credit: Kim Cornelison Photography Inc.

In a kitchen otherwise dressed in white and wood tones, a colorful tile backsplash becomes the standout design element in the room. The glossy teal tiles on this kitchen backsplash have a slightly wavy surface that reflects light in interesting patterns. Opting for open shelves in place of upper cabinets showcases more of the bold green tile.

Statement Tile Backsplash

kitchen window above backsplash and walnut cabinets

Credit: Laurie Black

Use kitchen backsplash ideas to create a striking focal point. Here, a statement tile backsplash adds a contemporary feel to this small kitchen outfitted with white and wood cabinetry. The tile's unique shape and shimmering shades of blue add movement reminiscent of rippling waves. Glass tile kitchen backsplashes stand out especially well next to neutral cabinets and countertops.

Kitchen Backsplash Storage Niche

subway tile backsplash patterned niche

Credit: Werner Straube

The kitchen backsplash idea provides an opportunity to add storage as well as style. Consider adding a recessed storage niche in the backsplash area behind the range to create a handy spot for frequently used spices or oils. Outfit the space with a contrasting tile treatment to make it stand out against the rest of the backsplash.

Decorative Tile Backsplash

white and green kitchen with vintage range

Credit: David Tsay

Think beyond rectangular or square tiles to create a uniquely patterned backsplash. Here, decorative stone tiles with star shapes form a striking backdrop for this traditional kitchen. The warm white and soft gray hues in the tiles are repeated on the two-tone cabinets.

Penny Tile Backsplash

Kitchen counter with geometric backsplash

Credit: Annie Schlecther

Round penny tile creates a vintage look when installed as a kitchen backsplash. We love this look in a farmhouse-inspired kitchen with creamy white cabinets. Pair white penny tiles with a contrasting grout color to make your backsplash pop.

Classic Subway Tile Backsplash

white subway tile backsplash and pot filler

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

A subway tile backsplash adds classic good looks and a casual vibe to modern kitchens. To add dimension to this backsplash idea, line white subway tiles with dark gray or black grout for a crisp look. Dark grout lines also serve a practical purpose: The color is more forgiving when it comes to stains.

Backsplash Ideas for Cottage Charm

open white kitchen with small island

Credit: Jay Wilde

For a kitchen backsplash on a budget, try a beaded-board backsplash. White beaded board covers this kitchen backsplash, stretching all the way up to the ceiling behind open shelves. The classic backsplash idea is the perfect addition to a cozy cottage kitchen.

Green Subway Tile Backsplash

white kitchen green tile backsplash

Credit: Adam Albright

In an otherwise neutral kitchen, a backsplash of gray-green subway tiles adds a touch of color and texture. Ceramic subway tiles come in dozens of colors and are often more affordable than other tile materials, so creating a show-stopping kitchen backsplash doesn't require a huge splurge. This subway tile kitchen backsplash stretches only partially up the wall to further cut down on costs.

Recycled Glass Tile Backsplash

recycled glass tile backsplash

Credit: Anthony Masterson

Kitchen tile backsplashes work best when they seamlessly blend with cabinets and countertops. Exercise your earth-friendly mindset in style with a recycled glass tile backsplash. In this kitchen, the variegated glass tiles inspired the color scheme of warm grays, creams, and brown, which also repeat in the recycled glass countertop.

Chevron Kitchen Backsplash Design

Gray-stained lower cabinets and white upper cabinets with chevron gray/white tiled backsplash around kitchen stove

Credit: Kim Cornelison

If you love the energetic look of chevron or herringbone patterns, incorporate the motif into your kitchen with this backsplash idea. Chevron tiles make it easy to recreate the iconic design. Keep it subtle with zig-zags in similar hues. In this case, white and gray marble stripes make the kitchen backsplash design just noticeable enough without overpowering the neutral kitchen color scheme.

Marble Block

arcese farmhouse kitchen island with stools

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

If a kitchen outfitted with marble countertops isn't in your price range, opt for a small-scale use of the material. Install a marble slab as your stove backsplash. It looks stunning in a neutral kitchen, and without grout, marble is smooth and easy to wipe clean. Or opt for engineered stone, which looks similar to marble but is more durable and affordable.

Unique Kitchen Backsplashes

Looking for a kitchen backsplash that's a little different? This video has unique configurations and colors. Watch and get inspired by these unique kitchen backsplash ideas.

Glass Backsplash Idea

painted blue glass kitchen backsplash

Credit: Lauren Krysti

For a clean, contemporary look, keep the kitchen backsplash treatment simple. A single sheet of glass, painted on the back, lends color and easy-clean protection behind this range. The modern kitchen backsplash extends from the countertop to the ceiling as a simple, shining backdrop for the sculptural hood.

Contemporary Backsplash Combination

black and white backsplash in contemporary kitchen

Credit: Stephen Karlisch

Flat-front cabinets set the stage for modern touches throughout this kitchen. Combine the sleek look with a contemporary peel-and-stick kitchen backsplash, which is much easier to install than the typical grout process. Here, thin black and gray glass mosaic tiles run horizontally along the back wall, making this kitchen feel energetic and fresh.

Modern Mosaic Backsplash

translucent tile backsplash

Credit: Mark Lohman

The right kitchen backsplash tile ideas can introduce another design dimension to your space. Slender glass tiles in creamy hues and stone tiles in coppery shades make this kitchen glow with their translucent beauty. A neutral color palette such as the one in this kitchen backsplash can warm up a sleek, contemporary space. The trendy, narrow mosaic backsplash tiles maintain a modern vibe.

Vintage Kitchen Backsplash

simple white kitchen backsplash

Credit: Werner Straube

Layering a shapely piece of marble over tongue-and-groove siding creates a layered look for this white kitchen backsplash that honors the 1897 Victorian home that once stood on this lot. The owner wanted to restore a feeling of the historic home but in a simpler form. The distinctive kitchen backsplash design, combined with the wood-paneled backdrop, adds dimension to the wall.

Rustic Kitchen Backsplash Design

rustic brown backsplash

Credit: Bryan E. McCay

Clad from counter to ceiling with durable chocolate-brown porcelain tiles, this kitchen backsplash harmonizes with the creamy-colored onyx and oak-veneer cabinetry. To impart the look of natural stone, the backsplash was edged with dark-gray grout. This unique kitchen backsplash idea is complemented by a cool, sleek vent hood.

Cohesive Kitchen Backsplash Colors

modern neutral kitchen black stove

Credit: Michael Partenio

Distinctive zones for food prep, cooking, and cleanup keep kitchen efficiency humming, but the look should be cohesive from zone-to-zone. To promote continuity, select one kitchen backsplash treatment and incorporate tile colors that echo elements throughout the room to visually link materials and components. Mosaic peel-and-stick kitchen backsplash tiles are a great way to get a backsplash with multiple colors.

Backsplash Ideas for Small Kitchens

white kitchen cabinets dark backsplash

Credit: Laura Moss

Choosing one color (with no pattern or texture) and clean-lined tile for the backsplash in a small kitchen keeps the look uncluttered and roomy. On this kitchen backsplash, long, rectangular black tiles contrast with white cabinetry, while giving the walls a sense of depth. The tile's reflective surface also lends added dimension to this kitchen backsplash idea.

Stainless-Steel Kitchen Backsplash

simple black and white kitchen

Credit: Michael Partenio

A seamless look is key when a kitchen opens to the living room. For this contemporary loft kitchen, the contrast of dark and light surfaces enhances the unfussy, contemporary vibe of the space. Sleek flat-front cabinets combine with chunky marble countertops and a simple stainless-steel kitchen backsplash to play up the linear symmetry of the room. This idea for a DIY kitchen backsplash is much less work than installing individual tiles.

Cottage-Style Blue Backsplash

cheerful blue, white and yellow kitchen

Credit: Jean Allsopp

The white cottage-style cabinetry in this beach house benefits from sea glass colors of green and turquoise in the kitchen backsplash and accents. Taupe-colored walls serve as a serene backdrop for the dramatic blue island. White cabinetry on the back wall of the galley kitchen offers a bit of calm for the eyes, while the turquoise-painted island adds energy.

Modern Kitchen Backsplash

modern streamlined kitchen

Credit: Werner Straube

Fewer details keep a kitchen feeling calm and clutter-free, but the modern look doesn't have to be cold. This kitchen combines cloudy gray granite counters, a glass kitchen backsplash, and hardware so slim it barely registers. Mingle this modern backsplash idea with large expanses of riftsawn oak cabinetry for a warm result.

How to Seal Grout for a Clean Backsplash

A DIY kitchen backsplash involves careful labor. The last thing you want is for the grout to get dirty and full of stains. Protect your hard work by learning how to seal grout and keep your kitchen backsplash looking new.

Country-Style Kitchen Backsplash

country-style sink and backsplash

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Classic materials, aged finishes, and casual luxury make for an inviting place to cook and gather. Contrasting the elegance of Carrara marble countertops with a charming tongue-and-groove board, this white kitchen backsplash re-creates the friendly feel of a turn-of-the-century farmhouse. Using a luxurious material like marble in an informal way dresses down the space without losing any of its quality and beauty.

Family-Friendly Glass Tile Backsplash

modern dark cabinet kitchen silver backsplash

Credit: Gordon Beall

Glass tiles make a practical kitchen backsplash idea that's pretty, too. In this kitchen, elegant cherry cabinets and sleek surfaces lend a stylish, contemporary appearance. Yet it all wipes clean easily, including the countertop-to-ceiling backsplash of recycled glass tiles, chosen to evoke of a sense of shimmering water to complement the playful porthole window. The reflective kitchen backsplash tile changes color throughout the day, giving the room further dimension.

Tile Backsplash Accents

warm accents kitchen backsplash

Credit: Mark Lohman

This stove area boasts off-white quilted travertine kitchen backsplash tile that enhances the limestone countertops and warm white cabinetry. If you have your eye on a tile that's out of your budget, consider using it as an accent. Detail insets introduce a visual spark to a simple kitchen backsplash while staying within your price range.

Industrial Brick Backsplash

kitchen with brick backsplash

Credit: Edmund Barr

Re-create a coveted commercial look with concrete countertops paired with a brick backsplash. Here, the bricks are dressed in extra mortar for old-house patina. If there aren't any aged bricks waiting to be revealed behind your kitchen walls, you can use brick veneer to create a kitchen backsplash that looks like the real thing.

Modern Marble Backsplash

marble backsplash above sink

Credit: Michael Garland

Classic stone kitchen backsplashes, such as marble, easily translate to a contemporary space. In this modern kitchen, sleek Italian cabinets made of wenge wood offer a natural pairing with the Carrara marble backsplash. If you're considering marble backsplashes and countertops, have the stone sealed first, keeping in mind that the sealant makes the stone more stain-resistant but not stain-proof. Wipe up splatters as soon as they happen and regularly clean the marble with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Never use products containing lemon, vinegar, or other acids or it may dull or etch the marble kitchen backsplash.

Splashy Backsplash

bumpy stone backsplash

Credit: James Yochum

This kitchen backsplash idea steps outside the tile box. Eye-catching stacked pebbles fit with the natural lakeside style of this kitchen while protecting the wall at the beverage center from errant splashes. The homeowners opted not to grout the stones in this kitchen backsplash so they would appear more natural, although it's important to note that this might make the stone backsplash more difficult to clean.

Focal Point Backsplash

textured elegant backsplash

Credit: Emily Followill

Pair colorful cabinets with a statement kitchen backsplash to create a focal point. In this kitchen, most of the cabinetry sports a cream color, but pale blue cabinets set the cooktop area apart. A tile backsplash above the cooktop provides another striking visual, with its textural beauty and an intricate inset design.

How to Tile a Backsplash

Learn everything you need to know about tiling your kitchen backsplash. It involves a lot of measuring and cutting, but most budding DIYers can handle it. Our easy tips are all you need to achieve your favorite kitchen backsplash idea.

Beaded-Board Backsplash

sea foam backsplash in white kitchen

Credit: Jack Thompson

Opt for a beaded-board backsplash as a low-cost option to break up banks of cabinets and enhance a room's cottage feel. Here, the cool blue kitchen backsplash complements the warm terra-cotta tiles underfoot. A collection of copper pots really pops against the teal color.

Kitchen Backsplash Storage Ideas

kitchen with stainless steel backsplash

Credit: Michael Partenio

Employ kitchen backsplash ideas to boost storage and organization capabilities. This stainless-steel backsplash supports a rail system that keeps cooking utensils in view and easily accessible. Store tools near the areas where you typically use them, such as next to the range or above your prep zone.

Unique Tile Backsplash

white kitchen wooden stove hood

Credit: Emily Followill

Unify diverse style elements in a kitchen with a creative backsplash treatment. This modern-meets-cottage kitchen puts a new spin on the classic subway tile backsplash by combining rows of tiles in three thicknesses. The effect introduces additional dimension and interest to the space. A pine hood adds another layer of texture along the range wall.

Kitchen Backsplash Niche

neutral hexagonal kitchen backsplash

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Tuck an alcove between studs and behind the range, then line it with tile to create a kitchen backsplash that doubles as storage. In this kitchen, dressed in soothing gray and blue, hexagonal marble tile and blue linear glass tile converge behind the cooktop for a one-of-a-kind backsplash idea. You can even outfit the nook with lighting to highlight the kitchen essentials or decor placed there.

Reflective Glass Backsplash

glass kitchen backsplash

Credit: Philip Harvey

This kitchen's glass backsplash, which is painted on the back in calming blue-gray, creates the illusion that the cabinets are floating for a lighter look. Layering the glass and stainless steel yields a luminous result that interacts beautifully with the room's natural light. The backsplash's highly reflective surface acts like a mirror to make the small kitchen appear larger. The black granite countertop with a 3-inch-thick edge is designed to transition smoothly to the kitchen backsplash.

Energizing Backsplash Tile

glass mosaic tile backsplash

Credit: Jo-Ann Richards

Choose a hardworking, family-friendly surface, such as these easy-to-clean glass mosaic tiles, to add sparkle and energy to a kitchen backsplash. The light and dark hues of the kitchen's warm contemporary color scheme are repeated within the backsplash tiles, resulting in an overall look that is fun, yet pulled together. The peel-and-stick kitchen backsplash is ideal for a beginner DIYer.

Beveled Subway Tile Backsplash

white kitchen with subway tile backsplash

Credit: Lincoln Barbour

Choose subway tiles with a beveled edge for a subtly textured kitchen backsplash. The angled edges reflect light to introduce depth and dimension. In this kitchen, marble countertops, an apron-front sink, and gray subway tiles with beveled edges maintain a classic, understated look.

Patterned Kitchen Backsplash

colorful patterned kitchen backsplash

Credit: Brie Williams

Let a backsplash set the color palette for your kitchen. An antique blue, green, and brown tile backsplash is the source of the color scheme for this hospitable kitchen. Cream-colored cabinets and cupboards frame the vintage design, allowing the kitchen backsplash to make a statement.

Salvaged Brick Backsplash

cottage charm brick backsplash

Credit: Richard Leo Johnson

With distinctively colored cabinets, this kitchen called for repetitious elements that form a harmonious look. Colorful kitchen backsplash ideas would have overpowered the robin's-egg blue cabinets. Instead, a salvaged brick backsplash coordinates with the terra-cotta floor, providing a seamless backdrop of surfaces for the bright cabinetry. The result is a rustic cottage kitchen, filled with warmth and character.

How to Cut Tile for a Kitchen Backsplash

Do you have a brilliant kitchen backsplash idea, but you're not sure how to achieve those tricky kitchen corners? Use a tile cutter! Watch to learn how to operate this handy tool for DIY kitchen updates.

Mosaic Tile Backsplash

herringbone kitchen backsplash with copper pots

Credit: Michael Partenio

A mix of metals, warm woods, and pristine white cabinetry and countertops lends a cottage feel and a sense of old-meets-new in this kitchen. On the backsplash, tiny glass mosaics in a herringbone pattern introduce soft blues and grays. A few rows of white subway tiles on the kitchen backsplash offer a transition from the white quartz-surfacing countertops, which are reminiscent of marble but more durable. A shapely hood composed of two metals stands out on the muted backsplash of mosaics, which were chosen for their colors reminiscent of coastal Maine sea glass.

Warm Stone Backsplash

wood cabinets and tile backsplash

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Instill welcoming warmth in the kitchen with a kitchen backsplash of relief pattern tiles and richly stained wood cabinets. In this space, hand-rubbed glazing adds dramatic highlights to the cherry cabinet doors and drawers. On the stone kitchen backsplash, a combination of tiles, including a raised relief border, invoke luxurious details to draw the eye.

Coastal-Inspired Backsplash

blue and white kitchen with clear cabinets

Credit: Ed Gohlich

Light-colored, recycled, and contemporary materials were used to give this kitchen a casual, day-at-the-beach feel. For the one-of-a-kind kitchen backsplash idea, real seashells were embedded into concrete, along with impressions of starfish made by casting actual starfish into molds. These were then hand-stamped onto the tile backsplash surface. Pearly accent tiles were added behind the range for a bit of shimmer and shine.

Unexpected Subway Tile Treatment

white diagonal tile backsplash

Credit: Emily Followill

An interesting layout can make basic tiles look special, as in this kitchen backsplash dressed in classic white ceramic subway tiles. For a sophisticated twist, these are installed in a herringbone pattern. Paired with gray-green cabinetry and custom Roman shades, this cottage-style kitchen gained a high-end look with this kitchen backsplash idea on a budget.

Contemporary Tile Backsplash

shiny white backsplash in kitchen

Credit: Stacey Brandford

The pattern that forms when tile is installed can communicate a style statement as effectively as the tiles themselves. In this clean, contemporary space, 2x10-inch white glass backsplash tiles stack up in arrow-straight columns rather than in a traditional running bond pattern. The white kitchen backsplash underscores the emphasis on parallel lines found throughout, including the range hood made of stacked ribs of riftsawn wood.

Antique-Inspired Backsplash

blue tile backsplash in white kitchen

Credit: John Granen

Use backsplash tile ideas to give a new kitchen a historical feel. This kitchen backsplash features a centerpiece handmade tile in tones of butterscotch to make a statement reminiscent of a bygone era. A field of blue backsplash tile sets the tile inset apart while drawing all eyes on the range area.

Neutral Mosaic Tile Backsplash

variegated brown tones tile backsplash

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Give a small kitchen grand style by extending the backsplash from the countertop to the ceiling. These glass mosaic tiles repeat tones from the cabinetry, the wood floors, and the granite countertops. The neutral kitchen backsplash serves another visual purpose: With no room for upper cabinets to the left of the hood, the mosaic tiles visually balance the expanse.

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