I thought I would share with you my kitchen backsplash inspiration file. Not that we have money for a backsplash right now, but a girl can always dream. When I asked for kitchen paint color opinions, my friend Chris was the only one that said, “Here’s what I’m thinking for your paint color…backsplash.” Love her. It’s a true friend that will answer your question with one you didn’t even ask!
I love the look of a backsplash. I would love to have one. But one problem…it is such a commitment! You cannot easily switch out a backsplash when you tire of it, and I am so very fickle.
(Disclaimer: I am so sorry that these pics don’t have image links to them. Naughty, naughty me. I didn’t save them all and am too exhausted to hunt them down. Forgive the bad blogger etiquette.)
So, let’s explore some backsplash options together shall we?
Stacked stone
I am a fan. I love this look and it makes me really, really wish that I would have pushed for halogen lighting under the cabinets.
The stacked stone feels homey and organic to me without looking “decorated”.
Stacked tile is nice too, but has a more decorated and ornate look. I worry that if I went this route it would be more like a fling. Not sure I’d still love it in the morning. Sorry stacked tile.
I like this look a lot. The medallions on the tile are a nice touch.
Tile/Granite
This looks beautiful as well, but again, not sure I could marry it. Just dinner and a movie with a kiss goodnight perhaps :).
This kitchen reminds me of my own with the black granite countertops and maple cabinets. I do not like the granite as a backsplash. It is too dark for the look I’m going for.
I love this look below. It makes me want to go paint some of my cabinets black!
I am sort of surprised that I don’t like this at all. Slate tile usually appeals to me, but not here.
Nope. I wouldn’t even give my number out to this one. I don’t like it.
Oooo, I like this one a lot. I think I would like it even better without the medallions. The lighter color appeals to me too.
Hmmmm, I like this too, but I think I’d get sick of the diamond tile border.
Going with a bigger tile is cost effective, but I don’t like the look. This one below isn’t doing anything for me.
This is simple. I like it.
I’m not crazy about the black diamonds below. I would be tempted to do the exact same thing to try and pull my black granite into the mix, but I don’t think it was necessary. I would like it better without them.
This looks modern and I like it.
Wow. There is a lot going on here and I don’t think I like it. The basketweave tile is beautiful, but this looks too busy to me.
This is nice. I think the lighter backsplash is calling my name in the future!
What do you like in a backsplash? Stacked stone, stacked tile, tile, granite? Talk to me. I can use the distraction right now ;).
Share this:
rob says
Seems I’m a bit late to the party!
I think the stacked stone looks great, as does all of the designs above.
My favorite is the 2nd pic with the dark counter-top with the cool spice rack. I think the slight splash of color looks great as well.
Can anyone identify the stone in this pic?
Anonymous says
Stacked stone – lots of comments have echoed my thoughts: I WOULDN'T want to clean it!!
Here is what I did in a remodel in a tiny kitchen – used tile that was the same material/color as the floor (floor is big squares) BUT for the backsplash the tile was in a smaller, random-sized pattern (tile person said it was called "Versailles"). THEN to jazz up what would otherwise be a rather boring backsplash, we popped out random bits of the Versailles and put in its place some of a beautiful (and $$$) mosaic which pulled together the colors of the granite and the cabinetry. I absolutely adore how it turned out and it helped our budget immensely.
Zoe says
Although I love the look of the stacked stone – I can't help but think of how difficult they would be to clean if food stuffs were inadvertently spilled on them 🙁 Imagine cake mix going everywhere as you lift the beaters! not pretty…
I recently updated my kitchen and went for pressed tin patterned ceiling panels as my splashback. I hope you have them in the US so you know what I mean.
You them have the advantage of painting them whatever colour you want!
Michelle @ My Nest Now says
Yeah. But how to you clean spaghetti sauce off of it. That is my litmus test
anne says
I love the look of subway tiles. There's something about the simplicity. I'm more a fan of the light and airy kitchen…much like Erika's work in this month's Coastal Living. Here's the link if you want to see what she's done. 🙂 http://blog.urbangrace.com/?p=1754
AnchorBayTile says
I would take any one of those kitchens in the photos above, however, I thought most of those wonderful kitchen photos pictured darker shade cabinets with granite skewing towards darker colors. I might try to bring some light in to the room by adding glass tiles or "timeless" subway tiles which seem to never get too old and dated. Just a thought…..
Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs says
I really love the small tiles…the "simple" look and the tiles behind the stove in the kitchen with the beautiful black cabinets…sort of the same, simple look for the backsplash. My aunt has a backsplash like in her kitchen, and it is very nice…it isn't distracting from the other elements in the kitchen, and it doesn't have any annoying patterns that you might fall out of love with. JMO! Hope you have a good Monday!
Blessings, Grace
Marianne@Songbird says
Not much help here. We have light cabinets and black faux granite tops with matching backsplash. I like it. Especially since it is so easy to clean, and I definitely would take that into consideration. It isn't calls -splash for nothing.
And to be frightfully honest,I didn't like any of your options. If I where to go for tiles as backsplash I'd go for metro tiles, love them.
Nancy says
I would love to have those tiny glass tiles in my kitchen. Shades of the ocean – not that I like the ocean, but I love the colors!
Heidi says
I like stacked tile and tile. I think using the lighter colors are best. I agree with every comment you make of these photos. We must have similar taste.
Even when money is short check out your local Home Depot or Lowes. Mine recently had tile real cheep.
Many Blessing,
Heidi
LambethZoo.blogspot.com
Laura PARING DOWN says
Kristi, I think the beadboard wallpaper is a great idea for my simple white cabinets. Thanks for the idea!
We used simple tile from HD for ours in a pretty simple squared rust-colored stone. Still love it 3 years later!
Kristi @ Creative Kristi says
I have your same problem…right now I only have tile behind the stove (previous owners horrid tile job) and painted sheetrock as a 'backsplash' I'm 're-doing' my cabinets with beadboard wallpaper so while I like that idea from one of your commenters it wouldn't work for me…but you might like it! I'm leaning more towards subway size glass tile or just basic white subway tile….clean, classic, neutral. That way since I'll be married to it there won't be much that will bug me after the honeymoon is over 😉
Hope all is well & talk to you soon!
Tammy at Tattered and Timeless says
I like subway tile or beadboard..but then I have an older home and it suits it better than all the others. Another one I love is brick..mmm so fun.
Krissy says
I like the stacked style alot , but i know what you mean, you may not like it afterward, but that pop of color in it every so often is nice
Jenny says
I'm not feeling any of these. I guess I'm not a backsplash person. We just have ours painted like the rest of the walls. However, it would be nice to have something that is easier to clean in that area.
My favorite from the pics above is the one with the diamond tile borders, except I don't like that border either.
Emsamum says
for practicality sake I would skip the stacked stone and tile. I imagine the clean up would be a nightmare and because it's porous it would have the potential for icky staining. I cook a LOT of spaghetti sauces and as the mother of three boys my first question has become, how shall I clean it and will it take me all day to do so??
Carmen says
Love, love, love the stacked stone! No question!
Patti says
have you considered glass?
The Weathered Cottage says
ohh i am loving that stacked stone, but I really like white subway tiles too! both pretty
BeachNerd says
Susan Latta makes a copper backsplash that is artistic. I tried to post it here but couldn't…google her!
Carmen says
Almost all of those kitchens are too dark for me. I like the last one the best. I don't have a backsplash at all in my kitchen. It's just painted wall.
Craftify It! says
I like the lighter colored backsplashes for sure. The dark are too overwhelming & I would get sick of them quick in my home. I plan to do a pressed tin backsplash in my kitchen someday. VERY COST EFFECTIVE. You can buy the sheets of pressed tin for pretty cheap & paint whatever color you want…supposed to be used for ceilings. Just google something like "Pressed tin backsplashes" & look at the images to see if you like the look or not. Some I don't care for, but some I absolutely love!
Chelsy@ Sweet Pea Kisses says
I am loving that stacked stone, but it's a big commitment. Stone seems so permanent, I guess that where the phrase "set in stone" comes in! If a lighter color is more up your alley then you could just get a lighter stone.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Glad to hear you're not easy when it comes to some smooth backsplash talk! ; ) We have tile on our backsplash. It's a neutral tan/beige, kind of like in the last picture but with no added decorative tiles. I wanted to go with that because I figured it would be easier to change colors on the walls, etc., by having the backsplash and counter more neutral {in fact, my Corian counter top looks similar in color to that last picture's granite}. I still like it, too.
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
I am always up for some distraction! I love the mini subway tiles in the pic with the laptop!!! See this is the whole reason why I never did a backsplash in my last place. Too many options and I was afraid I would lose "that loving feeling" once all the blood sweat tears and money went into making it happen!
I think the diamond pattern looks good too, but perhaps instead of black you went with just a darker color that wasn't so stark?
Wendy says
I think kitchen decisions are so tough for many reason! I agree the number one reason is because I couldn't change it and I like to change things.
We also are at a stand still on trying to make some of the same choices…so I just painted the walls!
I did see a tin back splash that I liked once! Good luck and can't wait to see what you decide 🙂
Wendy
Tricia says
I really like the stacked stone, but I worry about how horrible it would be to clean. Grease, dust, etc…
I am a white or cream subway tile or even white or cream beadboard kind of gal. Simple appeals to me.
Still praying, Beth.
XO*Tricia
Blondie's Journal says
I have white subway tile at the lake (very safe…can't really get sick of it)…and I have white tile with tiles depicting wine bottle labels scattered throughout here at home. This went well with my country French theme. I play it safe, I very much worry about hating something once it is installed, especially something expensive. We are due to get new counter tops here at home soon and I need to consider the back splash. I don't think I can commit to considering just yet!
Hope you are doing okay, kiddo.
xoxo
Janie
Gillian Layne says
I was drooling over this post–I need to redo counters and backsplash–on a LITTLE budget. I love that stacked stone, too. I was trying to picture it in my kitchen (oak cabinets/black appliances). I love how rustic it is.
Heather is right. beadboard wallpaper can be beautiful.
Cha Cha says
Hey, i will help distract, i am also praying. I had the same commitmnet problem and could not commit so we decided on beadboard painted the wall color, it is holding up nicely and I can change the color any time i want, i also love the price and labor was easy peasy. i have a few pictures of my kitchen on my blog if you want to look, we did all the work ourselves so if you have any questions just let me know.
Cha Cha
Jemsmom says
If you need distraction and want a taste of Europe, go check out my blog. I am writing about our trip!
Jemsmom says
I like the stacked stone. It is really growing on me. I can't do designs and medallions in stuff like that. I am like you. It would get old for me. I adore and I do mean adore an exposed brick look. So very Charleston! I say stick with anything in a lighter tone and you can't go wrong! Hang in there, blog friend!
Heather@PixieDust says
hmmm, what about beadboard wallpaper? I bet one roll would be all you needed and it might just be cheap enough to do now – and you can paint it, so if you get tired of it you could just try a new color!!
Magic Brush says
I'll talk to you! Here's what excited me about this post…. its totally up my alley! So many bloggers like all white kitchens or industrial kitchens, etc. , etc. and I love me some dark wood cabinetry and many,many colors. My fav by far is the red cabinets with the stacked stone. Many of the builders I work for are doing that stacked stone in the kitchen from picture #1 and then also using that stone on the fireplaces instead of tile. I love, love, love it. Oh what I would do for a client who would let me paint their kitchen cabinets red!!!!!!!!!!! I may do it for free! Ok, maybe not… but still… so fun.
Wish my kitchen was big enough to pull off painting a section black. I love it!