7 Ideas for Kitchen Splashbacks that Break from the Norm
A splashback can become a real feature in your kitchen, so choose a design that stands out from the crowd
Plain tiles, back-painted glass or a discreet upstand that blends with the worktop can all look beautiful, but they’re by no means the only way to go when it comes to adding a splashback above your kitchen work surface, as these unusual and striking ideas demonstrate.
Take it to the top
This polished grey marble splashback is particularly striking, because it reaches up to the ceiling. The material is already beautiful, but showcasing it in this way gives the marble real prominence in this traditional-style setting, designed by Mark Lewis Interior Design.
Find the perfect pro for your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
This polished grey marble splashback is particularly striking, because it reaches up to the ceiling. The material is already beautiful, but showcasing it in this way gives the marble real prominence in this traditional-style setting, designed by Mark Lewis Interior Design.
Find the perfect pro for your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
See things clearly
A window – or ‘ribbon’ – splashback like this won’t work in every kitchen, but if you’re having a new extension built, or there’s a space down the outside of your existing kitchen, consider this idea.
In the super-contemporary design by F3 Studio, the window acts as a splashback and frames the view of a fence covered in dense foliage. There’s only a narrow space between the window and fence, but the greenery makes for a wonderfully relaxing vista when cooking or washing-up.
A window – or ‘ribbon’ – splashback like this won’t work in every kitchen, but if you’re having a new extension built, or there’s a space down the outside of your existing kitchen, consider this idea.
In the super-contemporary design by F3 Studio, the window acts as a splashback and frames the view of a fence covered in dense foliage. There’s only a narrow space between the window and fence, but the greenery makes for a wonderfully relaxing vista when cooking or washing-up.
Paper over it
The redesign of this kitchen was more of a facelift than a total redo, but designer Karen Knox of Making Spaces came up with lots of touches to make it feel like a brand-new room. One big one was this wallpaper, which came about after Karen suggested removing the wall units. The paper has the space to take centre stage and extends down to the worktops to double as a splashback.
To protect the paper and create a wipeable surface, the area that runs behind the hob is half-clad in iron-free glass (which means there’s no blue-green tint that might otherwise affect the wallpaper colour). If you’re considering something similar, bear in mind that the glass will also need to be tough enough and suitable for use next to a hob.
You might also enjoy 10 Pro Tips to Maximise Your Kitchen Storage.
The redesign of this kitchen was more of a facelift than a total redo, but designer Karen Knox of Making Spaces came up with lots of touches to make it feel like a brand-new room. One big one was this wallpaper, which came about after Karen suggested removing the wall units. The paper has the space to take centre stage and extends down to the worktops to double as a splashback.
To protect the paper and create a wipeable surface, the area that runs behind the hob is half-clad in iron-free glass (which means there’s no blue-green tint that might otherwise affect the wallpaper colour). If you’re considering something similar, bear in mind that the glass will also need to be tough enough and suitable for use next to a hob.
You might also enjoy 10 Pro Tips to Maximise Your Kitchen Storage.
Bare your brickwork
An exposed brick wall will almost always imbue a space with warmth and character, especially when the bricks are old.
Here, in a kitchen designed by MAD Martinelli Architecture & Design, that is certainly the case – and the age of the brickwork makes the contrast with the modern, high-gloss units all the more powerful.
Not all walls are suitable for such treatment, though. Firstly, you’ll need to take Building Regulations into account, as the wall may need to be insulated to meet them. Next, the quality of the bricks will need to be sufficiently sound, and they’ll require sealing, too, so they don’t crumble dust into your kitchen. Also, you’ll want to like the colour of what you expose – bricks vary hugely in appearance.
For an easier option, it’s possible to buy brick slips in any style or colour of brick you fancy. You could then use these almost like tiles to clad a plastered wall instead, and create your splashback that way.
An exposed brick wall will almost always imbue a space with warmth and character, especially when the bricks are old.
Here, in a kitchen designed by MAD Martinelli Architecture & Design, that is certainly the case – and the age of the brickwork makes the contrast with the modern, high-gloss units all the more powerful.
Not all walls are suitable for such treatment, though. Firstly, you’ll need to take Building Regulations into account, as the wall may need to be insulated to meet them. Next, the quality of the bricks will need to be sufficiently sound, and they’ll require sealing, too, so they don’t crumble dust into your kitchen. Also, you’ll want to like the colour of what you expose – bricks vary hugely in appearance.
For an easier option, it’s possible to buy brick slips in any style or colour of brick you fancy. You could then use these almost like tiles to clad a plastered wall instead, and create your splashback that way.
Pick a pattern
Probably not one for a slick, minimal kitchen, but if a homely feel is your bag, consider this pretty idea.
While plain tiles for a splashback may not be unusual – think of the classic metro in its many incarnations – a patterned design is less common. Here, in the skilled hands of Studio Morton, you can see how effective the idea can be.
A repeated white daisy design on a turquoise and green background provides the colour cues for the rest of the space – the cupboard paint and knobs in particular – much in the way a key artwork often can.
Probably not one for a slick, minimal kitchen, but if a homely feel is your bag, consider this pretty idea.
While plain tiles for a splashback may not be unusual – think of the classic metro in its many incarnations – a patterned design is less common. Here, in the skilled hands of Studio Morton, you can see how effective the idea can be.
A repeated white daisy design on a turquoise and green background provides the colour cues for the rest of the space – the cupboard paint and knobs in particular – much in the way a key artwork often can.
Reflect on things
Mirror can be extremely effective as a splashback, as it brings depth to a room, as well as boosting light and creating a sense of more space than perhaps there is.
To also add character, go for foxed mirror glass, as seen in this kitchen designed by Martins Camisuli Architects. The aged, mottled effect introduces interest in the way an antique piece of furniture would, and it can create a nice contrast in a contemporary setting like this.
If you find your worktops are full of stuff, bear in mind that piles of paperwork or the backs of small appliances will all be reflected, too. So ensure your designer takes into account the way in which you use the kitchen and provides you with all the storage (and ideally a bit more) you’ll need.
Tell us…
Which of these splashback ideas would work best with the style of your kitchen (or dream kitchen)? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Mirror can be extremely effective as a splashback, as it brings depth to a room, as well as boosting light and creating a sense of more space than perhaps there is.
To also add character, go for foxed mirror glass, as seen in this kitchen designed by Martins Camisuli Architects. The aged, mottled effect introduces interest in the way an antique piece of furniture would, and it can create a nice contrast in a contemporary setting like this.
If you find your worktops are full of stuff, bear in mind that piles of paperwork or the backs of small appliances will all be reflected, too. So ensure your designer takes into account the way in which you use the kitchen and provides you with all the storage (and ideally a bit more) you’ll need.
Tell us…
Which of these splashback ideas would work best with the style of your kitchen (or dream kitchen)? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Here, in a project designed by Honey Bee Interiors, the splashback makes a stunning key feature. Made from burnished copper, the design stretches to fill the entire gap between the base and wall units, minimising lines and visual clutter.
Because the units are white, the copper really stands out and works beautifully against the black tap, sockets and hob, which swerve any potential clash of different metal finishes.