8 Beautiful Backsplashes to Inspire Your Kitchen Makeover

Kitchen renovation season is here! So, naturally, we’ve been combing through the WL archives to source some backsplash design inspo. While backsplashes are intended to protect your walls from water, grease and other messes, they can also inject a ton of style into your space. Keep on scrolling to see what we mean.

Imagination Station

What do you see when you look at this backsplash? These black-and-white tiles, sourced from NYC’s Concrete Collaborative, could easily be used for a Rorschach test. The pattern is loud and playful—and also subtle enough to let the bright blue faucet and olive green cabinetry shine. Check out the rest of this Plaid Fox-designed condo.

Paper Trail

There’s no rule that you have to use tile! In this Coal Harbour condo, Negar Reihani created a backsplash using a large-format watercolour print and a sheet of glass. “We wanted to draw the outside in,” says the designer, noting how the mural’s swirling blue and white pattern complements the sea and sky outside. Get more kitchen design secrets.

Marble Marvel

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of matching your backsplash with your counters, take a cue from designer Sophie Burke and use the same material for both. In this West Vancouver home, the Calcutta marble countertops extend upward as a slab backsplash. Pairing the stone with custom white oak cabinetry helps the space feel warm and “layered rather than slick,” says the designer. Peek inside this beautiful harbour house.

Holding Pattern

The owner of this home in Dawson Creek, B.C. wasn’t afraid to have fun. In fact, her love of Marimekko inspired the look of every room. In the kitchen, a boldly patterned backsplash—which designer Gwyntie van Tuyl Westwick achieved with a mix of black and white Ciot 3DHEX tiles—captures the eye. Explore the rest of this pattern-filled home.

True Classic

Subway tiles are a classic, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Take this application by Falken Reynolds, for example. Instead of a basic horizontal arrangement, they installed glossy turquoise tiles in a herringbone pattern to create a focal point in the kitchen. Tour this stylish New York-inspired condo.

High Gloss

Can you have too much of a good thing? Not when it comes to these Zellige tiles! Designer Brianna Hughes used them twice: on the fireplace in the living room and the backsplash in the kitchen. While the former has a matte finish, the latter is glossy and glamourous. See the before and after renovation photos.

Black Box

Designers often opt for a bright (read: white!) colour palette to make a small kitchen look large—but Kristina Eustace and Diana Tidswell didn’t want to play it safe at this Edmonton condo. “Black on black was a risky move, but we wanted to make a big impact,” says Eustace. To keep the monochromatic look from feeling too dark, the duo added textural elements such as the floating walnut shelf and the charcoal subway tiles. Find out how to get this look at home.

Perfect Storm

When designer Andrea McLean spotted these Mutina tiles, she immediately knew she had to use them for the backsplash at this White Rock home. “At the project outset, [the homeowner] mentioned he loves stormy skies. This tile really fit with our concept of trying to convey the changing colour of the sky and ocean. Step inside this coastal-inspired home.