5 Best Kitchen Backsplash Materials

The kitchen backsplash is not only a key design feature but also serves a functional purpose. Its material matters because the backsplash protects walls from splashes of water, oils, and food stains that occur during cooking and cleaning.

Kitchens are high-traffic areas, and the backsplash needs to be durable to withstand heat, moisture, and regular cleaning without deteriorating over time. The backsplash can enhance the overall look of the kitchen, adding texture, color, and style to complement the cabinets and countertops. Some materials are easier to clean and maintain than others. Choosing the right material can save time and effort in kitchen upkeep.

Some of the most popular kitchen backsplash materials include laminates, ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, glass, natural stones such as marble, granite, and travertine, subway tiles, quartz, and stainless steel.

When deciding on the kitchen backsplash for your home, think about these five factors before committing to the long-term and permanent decision. Set a budget by researching material costs, factoring in installation fees, and considering DIY options. Prioritise quality and durability to ensure a lasting and cost- effective kitchen backsplash.

Planning to do a lot of cooking? Opt for finishes that are easy to maintain instead of porous materials that stain easily.

Maximise your kitchen space by converting the backsplash area into a concealed shelving unit with sliding panels. This clever design allows you to hang cooking utensils, keeping them within easy reach. Enhance your kitchen ambiance by installing backlighting behind the backsplash. This adds depth, highlights textures, and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.

1. Laminate kitchen backsplash

As a versatile and budget-friendly option, installing a laminate kitchen backsplash offers an easy way to update your kitchen’s look without major hacking or complex renovations. Available in panel or film forms, laminate backsplashes are waterproof, replaceable and perfect for kitchen use.

Starbust by Urban Lil

Interior stylist, Styledbypt and local design studio, Urban Lil co-designed a series of kitchen backsplash made from laminate film in a range of contemporary colours and prints. The dynamic and visually pleasing starburst pattern radiates positive energy, which comes in four colourways including trout, sage, peach, and hazel.

Rome Teak

The Rome Teak KompacPanels bring natural beauty to your kitchen with their warm, organic wood tones and distinct wood grains. A wooden backsplash makes a striking statement in modern farmhouse or cabin-inspired kitchens, enhancing the cosy atmosphere. With their matte finish, these panels look and feel authentically natural.

Naples Cream

Custom scallop trim details on the Naples Cream KompacPanels kitchen backsplash adds depth of feel and help create an inviting atmosphere to the space. True to its name, the cream- colored panels offer a soft, neutral hue that embodies warmth and comfort, contrasting beautifully with the subtle geometric scallop pattern.

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2. Glass kitchen backsplash

The streamlined and versatile glass backsplash offers plenty of design opportunities, beyond the common plain coloured options that many are inclined towards. Glass backsplash is a lightweight and budget-friendly material alternative in the kitchen as it is stylish, timeless, and most importantly, easy to clean and works well with most cleaning agents.

Enamel Panels

Made with a combination of metal and glass, these enamel kitchen panels even have magnetic properties for fuss-free and flexible installation of storage racks and hooks. On top of storage functions, decorative magnets can also be used to fully customise the overall look of kitchen backsplash, where they can be repositioned easily at any time.

Mountain scapes

Bring the beauty of nature into your kitchen with Synergraphic’s stunning digitally printed glass backsplash featuring breathtaking mountainscapes. The locally-based brand uses innovative ways to give conventional glass panels a new look. This eye-catching centerpiece not only offers customisable designs but also enhances the sense of space.

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3. Kitchen backsplash tiles

A tiled kitchen backsplash provides a wider range of design possibilities with the different colours, materials, patterns, and sizes to complement your countertop. It is generally cost-effective and lightweight in nature for an easy installation.

Ukiyo

Meet Dekton’s first fluted collection designed by Claudia Afshar. Ukiyo is a ready-to-install tile with a matte finish, featuring textured linear fluting details in five colourways including Bromo, a slate-like colour in a dark grey shade. The Japanese meets contemporary design, Ukiyo, is perfect to be cladded vertically and to work as a kitchen backsplash.

Vibe

Designed with both concave and convex shapes, Vibe by Equipe Ceramicas is an elegant and charming wall tile collection that elevates the Kit-Kat tile style with its subtle three- dimensional effect- for the kitchen backsplash. The ceramic tile comes in a matte finish with eight colour choices, as well as an in or out variation to choose from.

Recovery Stone

Instead of using real exposed bricks on your kitchen backsplash, the Recovery Stone tile collection is designed with a weathered stone look, featuring an imperfect and porous matte textured surface. The brick-like tile gives the kitchen character and flavour, moving away from the polished white subway tile trend.

Herbal

The nature-inspired glazed porcelain tiles, Herbal by Gayafores, come with floral motifs in earthy-coloured squares, reminiscent of the classic checkerboard pattern. Each tile features intricate details of wild plants including lilies and chamomile flowers, to bring out a sense of calmness in the kitchen.

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4. Stone kitchen backsplash

Engineered stone materials like quartz and sintered stone are popular choices in the kitchen with their many benefits from durability to easy maintenance. Other types of stone backsplash also include granite and terrazzo, known for their timeless elegance and beauty.

Quartz

The modern timeless classics, Parisien Bleu in the Le Chic collection by Silestone showcases expressive veins and subtle metallic accents with the natural stone inspired look that exudes the charm of Parisian and Victorian homes in its polished finish.

Terrazzo

The quirky yet neutral Purple Perenne terrazzo, part of the Louve collection, is an easy to love slab that comes in a polished finish. Warm grey stone acts as the backdrop for the white and grey stone chips, coupled with pops of black and brown specks giving a sense of fun and nostalgia in the kitchen.

Granite

Elegantly luxurious, Titanium Gold by Aurastone features a black stone base with a generous spread of gold, among hints of grey and ivory. When applied as the backsplash, Titanium Gold stands out as a bold and striking masterpiece that elevates the kitchen space. As it is well-sealed, the non-porous nature of granite is not an issue for any spills.

Sintered Stone

Dramatic and tremendously bold, El Alumbrado, part of the Mysa collection, boasts an expressive marble vein design with streaks of black, grey, and copper on an off-white background. The unique suede finish is a fine balance between matte and smooth, which offers an interesting velvety touch on the kitchen backsplash.

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5. Stainless Steel Kitchen Backsplash

With the sturdy yet malleable properties, a metal sheet can be hammered and molded into shape without breaking when installing it as a kitchen backsplash or countertop. The stainless steel metal sheet can also be bent in achieving a seamless curved edge for an added visual interest.

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How to choose a kitchen backsplash?

Choose a backsplash that matches your kitchen’s style and colours, creating a visually pleasing and coordinated appearance. Balance functionality with aesthetics, making sure the backsplash enhances the overall kitchen design while serving its practical role.

A backsplash is meant to fit with your kitchen carpentry, so it is crucial to have the correct measurements to prevent having to adjust for corrections or live with an unsightly gap between the two. In cases where there is a top hung cabinet, any issues with backsplash measurement will mean a high cost to redo the area.

Homeowners should align their choice with their lifestyle and needs, recognising that different backsplash materials may vary in maintenance requirements. My advice is to pick a material that looks good in the kitchen and is easy to maintain. Consider both the style and practical aspects, like how easy it is to clean and how durable it is.

Sintered stone is a top choice for kitchen backsplashes due to its strong durability against water, stains, and scratches. It can handle heat well and does not require sealing, making it easy to maintain. - Soh Hui Ling, Design Head at BuildBuilt

How to style my kitchen backsplash?

matches with the laminates used and countertop. If your countertop has a lot of veins, speckles, or colour variation, it might be better to go with a simpler backsplash and vice versa. Having a coherent style is not just about the carpentry and laminates, as backsplash choices can make or break the overall vibe. For example, if you are aiming for a wabi sabi theme, you may not want a tempered glass backsplash as it will look too modern, even though it may be easier to clean. - Soh Hui Ling, Design Head at BuildBuilt

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