4 New Kitchens With Sophisticated Backsplash Ideas
Pros share details on the backsplash materials they used to create stylish looks that don’t take all the attention
A kitchen backsplash has a practical purpose in providing an easy-to-clean surface that protects against splashes and splatters. But the often large, vertical surface also presents an opportunity to add style to a space. If you’re looking for a backsplash that’s impactful yet not too distracting, consider one of these sophisticated backsplash options recently uploaded by pros on Houzz.
2. Limestone Luxe
Design-build pros: Nate and Jessica White of Trove Homes
Location: Prairie Village, Kansas
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner is an avid cook and therefore needed large commercial-grade appliances and lots of space to spread out during meal prep,” designer Jessica White says. “The prep kitchen addition to the home was a must.” The space includes an oven, a dishwasher, a trash pullout, an oversize sink and a large refrigerator and freezer. The homeowner also hosts large events, “which necessitated the oversize island, bar and lengthy serving station countertop along the wall with the narrow windows,” Jessica says.
Backsplash. Limestone walls. A portion of the backsplash below the windows on the right features Italian marble with a marble ledge for potted herbs. “We wanted to create a European countryside feel in this entire home remodel,” builder Nate White says. “The use of stone on the kitchen walls and real Italian marble on the countertops and backsplash was a must.” The marble has a TuffSkin sealer and surface treatment to protect it from stains and scratches.
Other special features. White oak cabinets. “A custom blade was made for this home to carve the reeded details into the cabinetry” on the right, Nate says. “Many attempts were made to perfectly match the cabinets to the hardwood floors, and finally a five-step process was found that worked well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When excavating for the new footings for the prep kitchen addition, it was discovered that this home had a clay underground water cistern that was used for water storage long before the city began providing water to the home,” Nate says. “Backfill was brought in to fill the hole so the addition could continue. We learned more history on the home and that it was the original home to that whole neighborhood and was once a farmstead.”
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Design-build pros: Nate and Jessica White of Trove Homes
Location: Prairie Village, Kansas
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner is an avid cook and therefore needed large commercial-grade appliances and lots of space to spread out during meal prep,” designer Jessica White says. “The prep kitchen addition to the home was a must.” The space includes an oven, a dishwasher, a trash pullout, an oversize sink and a large refrigerator and freezer. The homeowner also hosts large events, “which necessitated the oversize island, bar and lengthy serving station countertop along the wall with the narrow windows,” Jessica says.
Backsplash. Limestone walls. A portion of the backsplash below the windows on the right features Italian marble with a marble ledge for potted herbs. “We wanted to create a European countryside feel in this entire home remodel,” builder Nate White says. “The use of stone on the kitchen walls and real Italian marble on the countertops and backsplash was a must.” The marble has a TuffSkin sealer and surface treatment to protect it from stains and scratches.
Other special features. White oak cabinets. “A custom blade was made for this home to carve the reeded details into the cabinetry” on the right, Nate says. “Many attempts were made to perfectly match the cabinets to the hardwood floors, and finally a five-step process was found that worked well.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When excavating for the new footings for the prep kitchen addition, it was discovered that this home had a clay underground water cistern that was used for water storage long before the city began providing water to the home,” Nate says. “Backfill was brought in to fill the hole so the addition could continue. We learned more history on the home and that it was the original home to that whole neighborhood and was once a farmstead.”
Shop a curated selection of items for your kitchen
3. Soapstone Serendipity
Designer: Aspen Sipes of Cedar & Oak
Location: Austin, Texas
Homeowners’ request. “The vision was modern English cottage Tudor,” designer Aspen Sipes says.
Backsplash. Brazilian soapstone. “We loved the soft veining and the bold effect of the black stone contrasting with the light Bianco Gioia marble on the island,” Sipes says. “There was special coordination and pre-planning with the fabricator to cut the slab to the exact shape and size to fit within the range hood.”
Other special features. Light greige cabinets (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore). European-inspired exposed dish rack. Custom-stained kerfed, or slit, white oak island base with custom turned-leg detail. Unlacquered brass faucet.
Designer tip. “We used panel-ready appliances to blend in with the cabinetry and give the look of a clean, design-focused kitchen,” Sipes says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The plumbing holes were drilled into the Gioia on the island for the faucet,” Sipes says. “The holes were drilled incorrectly for what was originally going to be a two-hole bridge faucet. One was put directly in the center seam instead. So we had to pivot and get a three-hole bridge faucet to correct the mistake. It turned out beautifully.”
20 Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
Designer: Aspen Sipes of Cedar & Oak
Location: Austin, Texas
Homeowners’ request. “The vision was modern English cottage Tudor,” designer Aspen Sipes says.
Backsplash. Brazilian soapstone. “We loved the soft veining and the bold effect of the black stone contrasting with the light Bianco Gioia marble on the island,” Sipes says. “There was special coordination and pre-planning with the fabricator to cut the slab to the exact shape and size to fit within the range hood.”
Other special features. Light greige cabinets (Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore). European-inspired exposed dish rack. Custom-stained kerfed, or slit, white oak island base with custom turned-leg detail. Unlacquered brass faucet.
Designer tip. “We used panel-ready appliances to blend in with the cabinetry and give the look of a clean, design-focused kitchen,” Sipes says.
“Uh-oh” moment. “The plumbing holes were drilled into the Gioia on the island for the faucet,” Sipes says. “The holes were drilled incorrectly for what was originally going to be a two-hole bridge faucet. One was put directly in the center seam instead. So we had to pivot and get a three-hole bridge faucet to correct the mistake. It turned out beautifully.”
20 Eye-Catching Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
4. Marble Moment
Designers: Alison Melnick of Catherine Rose Design
Location: Warren, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen felt closed off to the rest of the house,” designer Alison Melnick says. “We added archway entries that complement the arches throughout the rest of the house. We removed walls to create an open space between the dining room and expanded the footprint to accommodate the coffee bar. We also replaced windows and sliding doors that let more natural light flood into the space.”
Backsplash. A mix of oval-shaped Calacatta white marble tile with brass interlay. “A rounded cut [on the tile] offers a unique and unexpected design moment,” Melnick says. “[The tile] was ultimately our second choice since the original option we sourced was discontinued. Sometimes it’s the selections that weren’t in the original game plan that create the best moments.”
Other special features. White oak plank flooring. Black details, including window sashes (Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams). “Besides the windows, we incorporated black as bold accents throughout the house, which makes the entire project feel connected and cohesive,” Melnick says.
Designer tip. “Add personal touches that make the space truly yours,” Melnick says. “We are constantly seeing decor and designs that everyone else is using or styling. We incorporated pottery that our clients’ kids made over the years [the little black dish on the island is one] and special pieces [not pictured] from the family’s town in Portugal. No one else will ever have styled accessories like homemade ones or ones from a European market.”
Backsplash tile: Norway Calacatta white marble and brass waterjet mosaic, 2 by 6 inches, TileBar; island lighting: Richie in aged brass and black, Hudson Valley Lighting
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Designers: Alison Melnick of Catherine Rose Design
Location: Warren, New Jersey
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen felt closed off to the rest of the house,” designer Alison Melnick says. “We added archway entries that complement the arches throughout the rest of the house. We removed walls to create an open space between the dining room and expanded the footprint to accommodate the coffee bar. We also replaced windows and sliding doors that let more natural light flood into the space.”
Backsplash. A mix of oval-shaped Calacatta white marble tile with brass interlay. “A rounded cut [on the tile] offers a unique and unexpected design moment,” Melnick says. “[The tile] was ultimately our second choice since the original option we sourced was discontinued. Sometimes it’s the selections that weren’t in the original game plan that create the best moments.”
Other special features. White oak plank flooring. Black details, including window sashes (Tricorn Black by Sherwin-Williams). “Besides the windows, we incorporated black as bold accents throughout the house, which makes the entire project feel connected and cohesive,” Melnick says.
Designer tip. “Add personal touches that make the space truly yours,” Melnick says. “We are constantly seeing decor and designs that everyone else is using or styling. We incorporated pottery that our clients’ kids made over the years [the little black dish on the island is one] and special pieces [not pictured] from the family’s town in Portugal. No one else will ever have styled accessories like homemade ones or ones from a European market.”
Backsplash tile: Norway Calacatta white marble and brass waterjet mosaic, 2 by 6 inches, TileBar; island lighting: Richie in aged brass and black, Hudson Valley Lighting
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Designer: Laura Wessels of FACET Design
Location: Franklin, Tennessee
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners lived in an outdated kitchen built in the early 2000s and wanted a cosmetic update with more functional kitchen storage,” designer Laura Wessels says. “We designed their cabinets to the ceiling, which maximized their storage and got rid of the pesky dust and junk collection space above their existing cabinets. We also incorporated unique cabinet components that addressed their specific kitchen functional needs.”
For this project, Wessels used Houzz Pro business software, including the 3D Floor Plan tool. “We leveraged design visualization tools to help our clients grasp their future space,” she says.
Backsplash. “To keep costs down and highlight the navy countertops, we opted for a simple, budget-friendly white herringbone backsplash tile that allows the gorgeous navy to take center stage,” Wessels says.
Other special features. “In addition to taking the cabinets to the ceiling to maximize storage, we suggested Cambria’s Hadley, which is a quartz,” for the countertop, Wessels says. “This specification met the clients’ aesthetic needs for their navy color pop but also met their functional needs. The family of five needed a countertop material that could accommodate their fast-paced lifestyle. Quartz is easily cleanable and extremely durable.”
Designer tips. “We recommend always coordinating your power outlet faceplates with your backsplash tile so they do not stand out,” Wessels says. “This client also wanted to save money where possible, so we nixed the quartz waterfall edges. While they do provide good protection and pump up the design, the cabinet edges were much less expensive and function fine.”
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