Beautiful Kitchen Backsplashes

Written and produced by Debra Steilen

Blue-and-White Tile Backsplash
Inspired by a collection of antique blue-and-white transferware, this focal-point installation showcases Delft tiles with coordinating accent and border tiles. The kitchen's white cabinets provide a neutral frame that allows the blue-and-white tiles to shine.

Marble-Slab Backsplash
Simple yet dramatic, a marble-slab backsplash showcases its dramatic veining above a commercial-style range in this residential kitchen. Imposing jet-black cabinets frame the wall of stone.

Pencil-Tile Backsplash
Sophisticated glass tiles in amber tones coordinate with the kitchen's overall autumnal color scheme. The tiles' pencil-thin shape makes a style-forward backdrop for the stainless-steel cabinets, countertop, and modular rail system.

Gold-and-Black Marble Backsplash
This kitchen's Old World-style poplar cabinetry--painted and finished with a brown glaze--surrounds a focal point installation of Jerusalem Gold and Absolute Black marble tiles. Cabinets are topped with thick slabs of white marble.

White Marble Tile Backsplash
Petite brick mosaic tiles of veined white marble create a soothing backsplash for a light, bright kitchen in a coastal climate. White painted cabinets and shelves, gray walls, and white marble countertops contribute to the restful atmosphere.

Stoneware-Tile Backsplash
Handmade 2x12-inch stoneware tiles in muted colors come with minor variations that add an artistic personality to this contemporary kitchen backsplash. The countertop is cut from dark gray stone.

Limestone Tile Backsplash
Paired with ivory cabinets, this decorative limestone tile backsplash helps create a warm, convivial feeling in a large remodeled kitchen. The backsplash features a basketweave pattern with mosaic border detail.

White Marble Backsplash
A charming scalloped marble backsplash, deep marble sink, and open shelves of this clean-up zone reflect the French-country styling found throughout the kitchen. White marble countertops continue throughout the room.

Checkerboard Tile Backsplash
Set on the diagonal, marble tiles with chamfered edges make a bold statement on this kitchen's stove wall. The wall's dark green-and-cream diamond pattern complements the Aga cooker's creamy finish.

Gray Marble Backsplash
A marble mosaic backsplash in warm gray tones counteracts the visual coolness of this kitchen's stainless-steel fixtures, countertops, and appliances. The natural marble tiles are honed and custom cut.

White Subway Tile Backsplash
Classic white subway tiles add a vintage look to the range wall in this renovated kitchen. See next slide for a view of the backsplash in the adjoining butler's pantry.

White Tile Backsplash
A vintage-style faucet and subtle white-on-white tile backsplash dress up this section of the butler's pantry. Above the bas-relief liner tiles and decorative tiles, the subway-tile pattern installation mimics that of the working kitchen. White marble countertops also unite the two spaces.

Mosaic-Tile Backsplash
Glass mosaic tiles in a natural matte finish evoke ocean-worn sea glass collected from the beach, part of a kitchen designed for a weekend beach house. Cabinets are topped with solid surfacing the color of sand. See next slide for a close-up of the tiles.

Glass Mosaic-Tile Backsplash
The backsplash tiles' matte finish sets them apart from the norm. Their tone-on-tone colors are mirrored in base cabinets stained a gentle gray reminiscent of driftwood. Upper cabinets recall the colors of sand and seashells.

Rustic Subway-Tile Backsplash
Handcrafted blue-gray subway tiles with a crackle finish accent the kitchen's cooking wall, where contemporary brown cabinets with glass front doors show off teacups and French pottery. A well-worn painted planting bench serves as the dining table/kitchen island, part of the owner's desire to create a New England/modern aesthetic.

Marble-and-Metal Backsplash
Above the range, small marble rectangles combine with metal strips to create a backsplash that makes it appear as though the two materials are woven together. Introducing the metal is a modern touch that freshens the otherwise traditional-looking kitchen.

Travertine Tile Backsplash
In this Old World kitchen, beige travertine limestone tiles create an almost seamless backsplash above the stainless-steel range flanked by stained walnut cabinets. All countertops are constructed from French lava stone with a lustrous sage green, fired-enamel surface.

Stainless-Steel Backsplash
Sleek components and surfaces comprise a thoroughly contemporary kitchen whose range wall is sheathed in stainless steel. White painted cabinets, frosted-glass cabinet doors, marble countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and a stone floor add to the room's clean and simple look.

Terra Cotta Tile Backsplash
Rustic textures and earthy colors combine to create this warm Tuscan kitchen. The richly colored terra-cotta tile backsplash above the range suits the surrounding stucco walls, brick ceiling, alder cabinets, and wide-planked wood floor. Lavastone countertops add an elegant touch.

Bas-Relief Tile Backsplash
Part of a blue-and-white kitchen, these light blue-gray bas-relief tiles feature raised patterns of whimsical birds and animals surrounded by vines. The handmade tiles repeat the colors found in the honed Carrara marble countertops. An off-white grass cloth covers the rest of the kitchen walls.