7 Splashback Ideas To Transform Your Kitchen Design

By Zephyr and Stone

Looking for a simple way to update your kitchen design without diving headfirst into a full-blown kitchen renovation? A new kitchen splashback paired with new benchtops could be the perfect solution! Splashbacks are an essential component of any modern kitchen, laundry or bathroom, and serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.

In simple terms, a splashback, often also referred to as a backsplash, is a protective barrier installed behind sinks, stoves, and other areas prone to water, grease, or food splashes. A splashback is typically made of a water-resistant material such as stone, porcelain, glass or tile and is designed to prevent damage to the walls, countertops, and cabinetry above a work zone.

Kitchen Splashback ideas • Zephyr and Stone Contemporary Coastal Kitchen

But splashbacks are more than just a functional addition to your space. They can add personality, a pop of color, texture and style, and work to tie your overall room design or colour scheme together. With a wide range of splashback materials, colors, and finishes available, we’ve put together some of the most popular splashback options to help you choose the perfect finish for your new room design.

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Mosaic Kitchen Splashback Tiles

Mosaic tiles are small tiles, typically no larger than 5cm or 2 inches in size, that are laid in a decorative pattern or design. Mosaic kitchen splashback tiles can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, ceramic, stone, porcelain, metal, and even shells or pebbles — and are often used to add a colourful or intricate tile pattern to walls, floors, and surfaces.

Mosaic splashbacks are a stylish alternative for kitchens, laundries and anywhere in between. These tiles are especially ideal for extra-long splashback runs as you don’t have to contend with visible joins, as is common when installing more than one larger slab of stone. Mosaics tiles are perfect for adding pattern and texture to a simple colour palette, as their tile patterns can add contrast and balance more minimal designs and finishes.

Zephyr and Stone Splashback Design Ideas • Classic Coastal Laundry

Bench Top Double-Up Splashback

Wanting a seamless, understated look for your kitchen space? Continuing your kitchen bench top material up the wall to create a splashback will achieve just that! You can use a variety of materials including natural stone, porcelain, reconstituted stone or stainless steel to create this look, and you’re guaranteed that your benchtop and splashback will pair perfectly. This creates a contemporary look for your kitchen and is currently a popular design choice among other backsplash materials.

Zephyr and Stone • Hamptons Kitchen

Toughened Mirror Splashback

A mirror splashback can really add sophistication to a space. If installing behind a cooktop, a toughened mirror is essential to avoid damage from hot pots and pans. Mirror splashbacks are available in a range of finishes including clear, bronze and smoked glass, and are suited to a range of home styles, providing contemporary and timeless appeal.

Z+S Tip • Mirror splashbacks can be used to optimise your space or other features, and installed to reflect a fabulous view, or used in a smaller space to make it feel larger and more spacious.

CJH Studio • Kitchen Splashback Ideas for Modern Homes

Glass Splashback Ideas

A glass splashback is typically made of tempered glass, which is a type of safety glass, that is heated and cooled rapidly to make it stronger and more resistant to breakage. Glass splashbacks are available in a wide range of colours, patterns, and finishes, making them a versatile option for a kitchen, laundry or bathroom. The glass provides a large flat backsplash surface that is easy to clean and can give off a reflective finish. Opt for a colour similar to your cabinetry for a minimal look, or use a contrasting tone to create a dramatic feature.

Glass Splashback Ideas • Norm Architects • Oliver Leech

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Floor Tiles Splashback

If you’re after a low cost splashback solution, using your floor tiles for the splashback could be just the thing! You can minimise the visible grout lines by installing large tiles — close together, and by opting for a grout colour that’s similar to the tile colour.

Especially if you’re renovating a rental property or older home and just looking to give it a little refresh, utilising leftover floor tiles for your kitchen or laundry splashback really makes financial sense!

Norm Architects • Tile Backsplash Ideas

Combination Splashback

A combination splashback is created by combining two unique material finishes to the backsplash area. Below in our Coral House Butler’s Pantry, we’ve done just that by returned the benchtop material partially up the wall and installed VJ panelling on the splashback wall above to create this look.

You can opt for a range of material finishes above a benchtop return, including painted plaster wall, cabinetry, a window, or contrasting or mosaic tiles — the options are endless! Just ensure that when opting for this look behind a cooktop, any material finishes comply and are suitable with local building codes and standards.

Combination Backsplash Options by Zephyr and Stone • Coral House Butler’s Pantry

Window Kitchen Splashback

A window splashback is really the ultimate solution on so many levels! It provides natural light, a view and the option to include an openable window for the ultimate natural ventilation near your cooktop. And if you’re worried they might be difficult to keep clean, we’re pleased to let you know that they’re not! In fact, we’d go as far as to say that window splashbacks are more forgiving than many other splashback options, plus provide a timeless look for your space. A window splashback is a great design option for kitchens and laundries that are on an outer wall.

Z+S Tip • When planning a window splashback, consider the window orientation (North, East, West or South?) and how much direct sunlight it will receive throughout the day. Depending on the window orientation, you may need to consider an internal window covering or external window hood or shade.

Canny • Kitchen Splashback Ideas

Do you have a favourite backsplash style, or have you created a completely unique design in your home? We’d love to see! Tag us on Instagram @zephyr_and_stone and show us your home splashback designs and ideas!

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