15 Alternative Splashbacks to Give Your Kitchen Some Wow
Make your splashback more interesting with surprising materials and finishes
Not a fan of white metro tiles? Don’t fret. Look to bespoke and DIY options for creative splashbacks that are only limited by your imagination and budget. Of course, you’ll want to take into consideration your cooking habits, too. Those who fancy themselves amateur chefs and tend to have multiple splattering pans going at once might not be keen on a custom-made photography splashback. But for the pop-it-in-the-microwave types, the more decorative options might make sense.
Here are 15 adventurous options that you – or your kitchen designer – may want to consider for your next kitchen splashback.
Here are 15 adventurous options that you – or your kitchen designer – may want to consider for your next kitchen splashback.
Salvaged boards
This is usually an easy material to source, and works brilliantly for those looking to add farmhouse style. Give the boards a muted, soft colour with a diluted paint, as shown here, or go bold with a few coats of fresh, bright paint.
This is usually an easy material to source, and works brilliantly for those looking to add farmhouse style. Give the boards a muted, soft colour with a diluted paint, as shown here, or go bold with a few coats of fresh, bright paint.
Reclaimed wood
Although this material might not be best for the space right behind your hob, it works brilliantly for other areas, such as a coffee station.
Browse more ways to use reclaimed wood in your home
Although this material might not be best for the space right behind your hob, it works brilliantly for other areas, such as a coffee station.
Browse more ways to use reclaimed wood in your home
Vintage bottle caps
Bottle caps create an interesting look suitable for a kitchen with vintage flair. Plus, they come in many colours, so you can customise the caps to fit with the rest of your kitchen colour scheme.
Bottle caps create an interesting look suitable for a kitchen with vintage flair. Plus, they come in many colours, so you can customise the caps to fit with the rest of your kitchen colour scheme.
Snow skis
Like the really unexpected? Salvaged downhill skis are a fun choice for a modern and funky or lodge-style kitchen.
Skis can be found at second-hand stores, garage sales and online. Coordinate the colours with your home or mix it up and add spice and a variety of colours with different skis. Fill in with tile pieces to make your skis go the distance.
Like the really unexpected? Salvaged downhill skis are a fun choice for a modern and funky or lodge-style kitchen.
Skis can be found at second-hand stores, garage sales and online. Coordinate the colours with your home or mix it up and add spice and a variety of colours with different skis. Fill in with tile pieces to make your skis go the distance.
Antique mirror
Standard square mirrors found at any local hardware or DIY store work for modern or traditional styles, and add a reflective quality that can visually expand the size of your kitchen.
If you’re not too keen on an overly polished look, try antique mirror glass for a softer effect.
See how you can work antique mirror into your décor
Standard square mirrors found at any local hardware or DIY store work for modern or traditional styles, and add a reflective quality that can visually expand the size of your kitchen.
If you’re not too keen on an overly polished look, try antique mirror glass for a softer effect.
See how you can work antique mirror into your décor
Magnetic chalkboard paint
There’s so much versatility with this option. If you don’t like the standard classroom look, you can customise your paint colour and still get the benefits of having a magnetic chalkboard.
Plus, it’s easily applied: a foam roller and tape are practically all you need.
There’s so much versatility with this option. If you don’t like the standard classroom look, you can customise your paint colour and still get the benefits of having a magnetic chalkboard.
Plus, it’s easily applied: a foam roller and tape are practically all you need.
Clothing buttons
A button splashback has the right look for this country-style kitchen, supplying a mix of textures and colours.
A button splashback has the right look for this country-style kitchen, supplying a mix of textures and colours.
Pennies
While the splashback shown here is made of ceramic tile sheets covered in copper, there’s no reason you can’t use real pennies to make your own similar version.
While the splashback shown here is made of ceramic tile sheets covered in copper, there’s no reason you can’t use real pennies to make your own similar version.
Copper metal sheet
This material was a good choice for this rustic modern bar area, with slightly pounded features that give the metal a worn look.
This material was a good choice for this rustic modern bar area, with slightly pounded features that give the metal a worn look.
Mosaic pieces from broken china
Pieces of china and tile set the tone for this cottage-style kitchen. China can be found at second-hand and charity shops, house clearances and discount stores. To save money, look for chipped or otherwise slightly damaged pieces that are marked down, which are perfect for this project.
Pieces of china and tile set the tone for this cottage-style kitchen. China can be found at second-hand and charity shops, house clearances and discount stores. To save money, look for chipped or otherwise slightly damaged pieces that are marked down, which are perfect for this project.
Sliced corks
Many of us have a drawer or container full of wine corks just waiting for a good use. As a splashback, they add warmth and texture. They’re great for a bar area in the kitchen.
Many of us have a drawer or container full of wine corks just waiting for a good use. As a splashback, they add warmth and texture. They’re great for a bar area in the kitchen.
Stained-glass pieces
These round, stained-glass pieces add a funky, unexpected touch to this casual country-style kitchen.
Select sheets of stained glass in colours that coordinate with your space. Cutting the round pieces does take time, so a smaller area, such as behind the hob, may be the best location for this project.
TIP For a dynamic look, divide your splashback into 50% 2in circles, 25% 1in circles and 25% ½in circles.
These round, stained-glass pieces add a funky, unexpected touch to this casual country-style kitchen.
Select sheets of stained glass in colours that coordinate with your space. Cutting the round pieces does take time, so a smaller area, such as behind the hob, may be the best location for this project.
TIP For a dynamic look, divide your splashback into 50% 2in circles, 25% 1in circles and 25% ½in circles.
Wine crates
Salvaged wooden wine crates also work well for a bar area. Call your local wine stores to ask whether they have any used crates you can pick up, or search online. Most boxes are not treated and can be stained to coordinate with other elements in the space.
TIP Be gentle when taking apart wine boxes, as they split easily.
Salvaged wooden wine crates also work well for a bar area. Call your local wine stores to ask whether they have any used crates you can pick up, or search online. Most boxes are not treated and can be stained to coordinate with other elements in the space.
TIP Be gentle when taking apart wine boxes, as they split easily.
Tin tiles
A tin splashback has a classic, timeless look, but adds just enough shine for a modern feel. Tin tiles comes in different finishes, too, so if you really want to go modern with this material, try moulded plastic panels, which allow you to paint the surface any colour.
Discover 10 smart finishes for stylish splashbacks
TELL US…
Do you have a creative splashback? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
A tin splashback has a classic, timeless look, but adds just enough shine for a modern feel. Tin tiles comes in different finishes, too, so if you really want to go modern with this material, try moulded plastic panels, which allow you to paint the surface any colour.
Discover 10 smart finishes for stylish splashbacks
TELL US…
Do you have a creative splashback? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
An original photograph or print splashback can fit with any style – and what a statement it makes. Consider using a family holiday photo or a blown-up detail of a single flower.