Creative Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

The purpose of a kitchen backsplash is to protect the walls above your kitchen sink, stove and counter from being damaged by cooking-related activities, as water, grease and food stains can mar the walls. However, backsplashes can serve a decorative purpose as well. Many homeowners use their backsplashes to accent their existing kitchen decor, choosing materials and patterns that highlight and frame their kitchen's architectural features and fixtures. When selecting a backsplash, don't forget its functional purpose--pick one made from durable, stain-resistant materials.

Metal Backsplashes

The traditional choice for professional cooking facilities, metal backsplashes clean easily, resist wear and tear well, effortlessly repel water and look chicly modern. A tin or stainless steel backsplash will last for years. Personalize your metal backsplash by choosing metal tiles that have been stamped or imprinted with a decorative pattern. Metal backsplashes fit naturally in clean white kitchens or colorful Mediterranean-style kitchens; however, they can also provide unexpected distinction to wood-heavy farmhouse kitchens or shabby chic vintage-inspired kitchens.

Tiled Backsplashes

Tiled backsplashes appear in the majority of home kitchens, for good reason. Whether made from glass, ceramic or other materials, glazed backsplash tiles can be maintained and kept immaculate with little effort. They also offer a multitude of design possibilities, as they come in hundreds of colors and can be placed in virtually any pattern. Use your tiled backsplash to tie your kitchen together by choosing colors that pick up on disparate colors from your kitchen's color scheme. Arrange your tiles in checkerboard, mosaic or diamond patterns. You can also add drama to your tiles by painting them--simply choose a kitchen-safe paint and cover with a water-repellant sealant.

Marble Backsplashes

A marble backsplash adds instant elegance to any kitchen. White marble pairs well with white or pale green kitchens; however, marble can be found in many shades. Older marble can be "recycled" for backsplash use; this option works well if you want your kitchen to be ecologically friendly. Since marble can be expensive, a practical option might be to use it only in some areas, using a less expensive stone to cover the rest of your backsplash.

Mirrored Backsplashes

Mirrored backsplashes help small kitchens to look larger, since their reflective surfaces magnify light and give kitchens a "windowed" effect. In addition, dirt and grease wipe off easily. They also coordinate well with virtually any decor, as they will replicate your kitchen's existing colors. Take advantage of your mirrored backsplash by mounting lighting above it in strategic areas, such as the undersides of your cabinets. This will bring even more light into your kitchen.

Bamboo Backsplashes

Bamboo makes an excellent backsplash material, as this wood has exceptional hardness. This material also has ecologically friendly qualities, as bamboo grows very quickly and so is a highly renewable resource. Bamboo backsplashes complement natural or earthy kitchen styles.

Painted Backsplashes

If you can't afford to install a kitchen backsplash yet, you can still create a backsplash effect by painting the backsplash areas of your kitchen. Use acrylic paint, stencil patterns and motifs directly onto your wall and seal with polyurethane. You can also paint tile patterns or fill this area in with a solid accent color. Frame your faux backsplash with thin strips of molding for a polished effect.