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Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs

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The kitchen backsplash is a fantastic space that you can use to add colour or textural interest to your kitchen. It is possible to work with a wide variety of materials such as quartz, tile, stone, glass, ceramic, and stainless steel to achieve the desired effect.

Regardless of whether you are designing an ultra-modern or a very traditional kitchen, your choice of backsplash will have a significant impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. Luckily, designers have been redefining the look and scope of kitchen backsplashes so you can draw inspiration from many different kitchen styles.

At Caesarstone, we specialize in kitchen design. We’ve curated the following backsplash ideas to inspire you. You can use our virtual kitchen designer to put these ideas to the test. We’ll include some snapshots from the visualizer for each idea.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

White Kitchen Backsplash

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
5101 Empira Black

A white kitchen backsplash is a favourite among homeowners looking to make their small kitchen feel larger. For an interesting texture, you can consider white subway or honeycomb tiles. The latter is especially useful if your goal is to make the kitchen feel larger.

If you don’t like the look of tiles, you can use a textured white quartz backsplash for a more seamless look, as we’ve demonstrated in the photo rendering above.

Modern Kitchen Backsplash

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
5151 Empira White countertops with 6003 Coastal Grey backsplash

Honeycomb ceramic tiles make for a great modern kitchen backsplash design. You can also use your kitchen backsplash to incorporate some contrast (which is popular in modern kitchen designs) into the space.

If you have white quartz countertops, you can consider pairing them with a darker quartz backsplash or using a bold pastel colour to make the room ‘pop’.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
2370 Mocha countertops with bold red backsplash

Beyond colour, another modern kitchen backsplash trend involves extending the surface right up to the ceiling. This can really tie the kitchen together and provide a strong theme with which you can decorate the rest of the room.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
6003 Coastal Grey countertops with ceiling-high brick backsplash

Backsplash Designs and Patterns

Backsplash designs that incorporate elegant textures and patterns are key for avoiding sterility in the room. Luckily, you have a whole host of pattern options at your disposal.

With a quartz backsplash from Caesarstone, you can make use of the many textures we produce, from 4130 Clamshell to 4004 Raw Concrete and everything in between.

Many people also incorporate texture into their kitchen by using patterned tiles.

Some popular tile patterns for backsplash designs include:

  • chevron
  • fish scale
  • herringbone
  • arabesque

Luckily, none of these designs will break the bank. Ceramic tile manufacturing has come a long way, with exotic styles now available at very reasonable prices.

If you want something really special, check out this contemporary kitchen design we’ve put together using Blue Agate for the backsplash.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
3142 White Shimmer countertops with the semi-recious stone 8531 Blue Agate backsplash

Blue Agate is made of real semi-precious stones and its rich and vibrant colour gives the kitchen backsplash vitality and interest. We paired it with White Shimmer countertops for a clean, light look.

Best Kitchen Backsplash Materials

No list of backsplash ideas would be complete without mention of the multitude of materials you have at your disposal. Quartz slabs and ceramic tile are the two most popular but many kitchen backsplash designs incorporate alternative materials, including:

  • glass
  • thermoplastic
  • metals like copper or stainless steel
  • vinyl
  • reclaimed wood

Whatever material you choose, keep in mind that getting too adventurous with your kitchen backsplash designs poses the risk of alienating potential buyers should you ever wish to sell your home.

Backsplash options like a penny mosaic may not be as well-received by others down the road. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get adventurous or use more exotic materials. Just be aware.

Kitchen Sink Backsplash Combination

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas and Designs
9141 Ice Snow countertop with a light backsplash and undermount sink

Last but certainly not least on our list of kitchen backsplash ideas, we have a common trick for creating the feeling of continuity in your kitchen. Coordinating your kitchen sink and backsplash is one of those details that really ties the room together.

If you’ve chosen one of the more sleek and modern backsplash design ideas, continue the theme by using undermount or integrated sinks. This works especially well if you’re using the same type of quartz for your backsplash and countertop. It results in a seamless and very intentional look.

Quartz Countertops by Caesarstone: The Best Backsplash Companion

Among the various kitchen backsplash ideas we’ve mentioned, there’s bound to be one that speaks to you. Whatever you choose, our quartz countertops are the perfect companion for any kitchen backsplash. While quartz makes for a cool kitchen backsplash on its own, it also pairs very well with the other materials we’ve mentioned.

At Caesarstone, we produce the highest-quality quartz surfaces in the world. We’re pioneers in the industry, dedicated to creating forward-thinking designs. We offer many colours, textures, edge styles, and more, allowing you to customize your countertops to complement the kitchen wall backsplash with ease.

Our blend of roughly 90% natural quartz, mixed with resins and pigments, is not only visually stunning but remarkably durable as well.

Don’t just take our word for it, however. Visit one of our Caesarstone locations and inspect our surfaces for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you install a glass tile kitchen backsplash?

Getting the layout and measurements right is key when installing a glass tile kitchen backsplash, particularly if you’re incorporating accent tiles.

Use a straight edge to lay the design out based on your measurements. Then, mix thin-set mortar based on the manufacturer’s instructions and apply it to the wall. Only work on roughly two square feet at a time. With most thin-set mortar, you have about 45 minutes before it starts to set, which should be plenty of time to apply the paste and lay the tiles on one wall before moving onto another.

Be sure to use unsanded grout to avoid scratching the glass tiles.

How do you install a mosaic tile backsplash in the kitchen?

The process is similar to what you’d do when installing a glass tile backsplash. You can use sanded grout, however, as ceramic tile does not scratch as easily as glass.

How much does it cost to install a backsplash?

It largely depends on what backsplash options you choose. Typically, however, you’ll spend an average of $1,000, or $25 per square foot. More complicated backsplash design ideas (including exotic materials or complicated installations) can cost as much as $1,300 for a larger kitchen, or $36 per square foot.