9 Non-Traditional Kitchen Backsplashes That Are Show-Stoppers
You'll be in awe after seeing how these kitchen backsplashes stole the show.

A full-scale kitchen renovation — I'm talking new appliances, cabinetry, the whole nine yards — isn't in the budget for most of us. But a mini-refresh? That's totally within reach. That's why updating those bare kitchen walls with a fun backsplash is the perfect solution. Here are nine kitchens that use unexpected materials and traditional tile in creative ways.
Brickwork
When it comes to that rustic-meets-industrial vibe, Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna are the experts. They used vintage pavers with gray grout for the backsplash. The brickwork adds a rustic warmth to the space and pairs nicely with the white cabinetry and appliances. Thank you again Joanna for making our hearts swoon over another kitchen!

Rachel Whyte
Graphic Wallpaper
Wallpaper is one of the easier (and cheaper, yay!) ways to give your kitchen some glamour. Designer Hugh Jefferson took a dynamic black-and-white wallpaper to add visual interest to this clean, contemporary kitchen. Worried about smudging the pattern? Cover it up with easy-to-clean glass or plexiglass panels.

Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Tin Tiles
Interior designer Jill Wolff can rock some tin tiling. She used ornate tin squares to give this clean space some visual appeal. If you have a free weekend coming up, this is a great DIY and budget-friendly way to add texture to your kitchen walls.

Jill Wolff
Chalkboard
This one is for all you artsy folk out there. If you are looking for a creative way to frequently change up your kitchen, chalkboard backsplash is your answer. The application process is easy and it’s a breath of fresh air from more traditional options.

Traditional Tile With a Twist
Subway tile has made its way to the design scene and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Hop on the tile train and see how this transitional kitchen uses subway tile as an accent wall. The tile extends up to the ceiling and adds a subtle textural interest to the space.

I love this kitchen by Rebecca Zajac because she breaks the traditional repeated pattern that using tile can create, and establishes a fun and graphic backsplash. The blue-and-white tile brings in a pop of color and visual interest.

Rebecca Zajac
Using oversized tile strays away from the more conventional backsplash commonly seen in kitchens. The large colorful tiles featured in this kitchen become the focal piece of the space and heighten the ceilings as they extend up the walls.

Trevor Dixon (styled by Karin Olsen)
Instead of glass tile, this kitchen by Kapito Muller Interiors used marble as the backsplash. The individual tiles break up the pattern seen throughout the marble and add a sophisticated and subtle charm to this chic kitchen.

This bold kitchen by Sarah Barber-Bazail establishes a color palette through the backsplash. A vibrant blue tile dresses the walls up to the ceilings, making quite a statement and drawing in all the attention.

Francisco Aguila