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25 Awesome Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

By Mike Holmes

Mike’s Advice / Design & Renovation Inspiration

Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 @ 3:14pm

Your kitchen design will determine what type of layout your backsplash will be. A backsplash can be a 6 X 6 tile running along the entire counter space or an accent wall above your stove area or an area below a shelving unit. 

The choices are endless and here’s a list to prove it!

#1. BACKSPLASH BECOMES A FOCAL POINT:

A kitchen backsplash isn’t just about protecting the wall—it can be a real focal point that brings the whole space together. With the right colour, pattern, or texture, it adds personality and style while tying everything in the kitchen together. Done right, it becomes the visual anchor of the room—and that’s what good design is all about: smart, functional, and built to last. I love how Joanne and Mike’s renovated kitchen from Holmes Family Rescue turned out – the backsplash above the oven creates a real contrast to the rest of the kitchen creating a beautiful focal point.

 

A backsplash can create a unique focal point. Plus, we extended the tile to hide the range hood.

 

#2. FAN TILE ADD GLAMOUR:

Fan tile—is a design trend that’s really starting to pop up in bathrooms and kitchens, and for good reason. These tiles bring a unique look that feels fresh but still has a bit of that retro charm. With their curved, overlapping shape, they create the illusion of scales or feathers, which adds movement and texture to your space. If you’re looking to step outside the box and make a surface truly stand out, this is a great choice. It’s all about adding personality while keeping things durable and functional—something I’m always on board with.

On Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, Giving a Lift Up that is what we did for this deserving family. The fanned tile added a bit of elegance to this open concept kitchen and living space.

 

#3. STONE WALLED:

Exposing a stone wall is a great way to add character and texture to a space. It provides a natural, rustic look with a wow factor. However, it can be tricky to install, unless you are using a manufactured stone veneer. Also, stone can collect dust and may need sealing. The look is amazing but just make sure you do your research to see if the the right fit for you!

 

Bezooyen Contracting created this rugged stone floor to ceiling backsplash and centre piece for impact and provides a great backdrop for cooking.

 

#4. LET CONTINUITY FLOW WITH ELEGANCE:

Use the same material and pattern throughout your kitchen, like a slab porcelain tile for all your countertops, backsplash, and waterfall kitchen-island, to create an overall elegant look. 

Using the same tile throughout provided consistency and elegance for the “Super Fan” episode from Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy.

 

#5. WALL MOUNTED POT FILLER:

Pot fillers are a small upgrade that makes a big impact—especially as we age. On Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy, in Aging in a Perilous Place, we met Filomena, a strong 80-year-old who wanted to stay in her family home. To help her live safely and independently, we added a pot filler by her stove. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about making it right for the long haul.

A pot filler or pasta arm is a convenient way to eliminate the need to carry heavy, water-filled pots from the sink to the stove.

 

#6. TILE AND WALLPAPER CREATE A BOLD STATEMENT:

We know tiles are ideal for kitchen backsplashes because they’re tough, water resistant, and easy to clean. However, I rarely think of using wallpaper in a kitchen but I love how it truly transformed this bold stylist kitchen. It adds colour, texture, and personality, but it should only be used on walls that stay dry and clean.

I love how the softness of this backsplash creates a calming contrast to the bold wallpaper from Holmes Family Rescue.

 

#7. SLEEK AND RUSTIC:

You can never go wrong with a classic subway – its clean and sleek.  Also, add a complementary grout colour to give it an extra modern look!

Subway tile pattern never goes out of style! One of the renovated kitchens from Holmes Family Rescue.

 

#8 EXTEND YOUR BACKSPLASH TO OPEN SHELVING

Using tile behind open shelving as a backsplash adds visual interest and enhances the overall design of a kitchen or bathroom. Plus, it allows you to display your tile choice while still providing functional shelving.

Sarah and Matt, from Holmes Family Rescue loved the backsplash in the open shelves.

 

#9. SCALLOP OR FISH SCALE TILE:

Scallop tiles—sometimes called fish scale or mermaid tiles—aren’t just about looks. Their curved shape adds a nice flow and movement to a space, making it feel more alive. Use them as a feature wall, a backsplash, or even just an accent, and they’ll give the room character without overwhelming it. The key is proper installation—when it’s done right, scallop tiles can turn a plain surface into something really special.

 

We used scallop tile in this kitchen from Holmes: Next Generation.

 

#10. EXPOSED BRICK ALWAYS ADDS A BLAST FROM THE PAST: 

This brick wall backsplash by Lexis Homes, a Holmes Approved Homes builder, transforms this kitchen cooking space by adding warmth and a rustic feel to this modern kitchen.

 

#11. MAXIMIZING FUNCTION: 

This backsplash from Holmes Family Rescue, season 1, “We Have Lift Off” maximizes functionality and style, with a pasta arm, and a InvisaCook cooktop seamlessly incorporated for safe and easy use for Noah and his parents.

#12. PICKET HEXAGON TILE:

Picket hexagon tile offer a contemporary take on the traditional hexagonal tile, making them an excellent choice for blending classic elements with modern design trends. I really loved the way this kitchen turned out from Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy.

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#13. PUT THE ZIG IN YOUR ZAG:

Herringbone pattern or chevron patterned tile provides a contemporary look to the traditional tile pattern. 

Check out this beautiful kitchen by Hasler Homes Ltd., Holmes Approved Homes builder in North Vancouver.


#14. BACKSPLASH ACCENT WALL:

This beautiful patterned black and white mosaic tile backsplash provides maximum impact by covering the entire wall (counter to ceiling). 

Plus, the tiles add texture and fun to this amazingly sophisticated black and white kitchen by Wastell Homes for their lottery home in London, Ontario.

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#15. TEXTURED SUBWAY TILE: The gray-toned textured subway tile works beautifully with the charcoal cabinets and black and chrome accents.

This gray textured subway tile adds an interesting contrast and ties the entire kitchen design together.

 

#16. BACKSPLASH WITH FUNCTION & STYLE:

The addition of floating shelves is an excellent idea for a backsplash area as it helps maximize storage and functionality to the space.

 

#17. GO MODERN RETRO.  I love how this basement remodel turned out that we did in season one of Holmes Family Rescue. The small octagon geometric shaped tiles provide a retro feel to this modern slightly feminine kitchen without being too overpowering. It’s so fun and Marcie loved it too!

 

Kitchen from Holmes Family Rescue, Season 1, It’s a Water Filled Life.

 

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#18. A KITCHEN WITH A VIEW! 

A backsplash is made for 2 purposes: functional and decorative. A backsplash around a sink helps protect the area from water and moisture plus adding a decorative way to frame the space around the window.

The backsplash makes way for the country view, for Nicole and Bill’s renovated country kitchen from Holmes Family Rescue.

 

#19. TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE:

The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity – incorporating stainless steel behind the range and adjoining hood range makes a bold statement flanked by back painted glass slabs on either side.

Saldan Construction Group adds two contrasting materials to create this sophisticated kitchen backsplash.

 

#20.CIRCLES GO ROUND AND ROUND: 

Circular tiles, also known as penny rounds, are an excellent option for a backsplash. They provide a unique, textured pattern that complements both modern and retro designs. Their small size and circular shape create visual interest, adding a playful touch to any kitchen.  We added a circular tile backsplash for our homeowners, Linda and her husband Stuart in episode 5, House Trap of Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy. If you missed it you can watch it on the free-streaming channel, HomefulTV or Cottage Life.

The circular tile backsplash added a playfulness to this incredible new kitchen with accessible features, and better maneuverability.

 

#21. ELONGATED HEXAGON OR HONEYCOMB TILE:

Here a honeycomb shaped hexagon tile creates an interesting contrast to this sleek modern kitchen. We added pops of orange and yellow colour accents for some fun!

The finished kitchen from the River House Holmes+Holmes season 2.

 

 

#22. BASKETWEAVE COUNTRY ELEGANCE FOR DOG WASHING STATION:

The crosshatch or basket-weave tile pattern is a solid choice if you’re looking to add some texture and visual interest to your space. It gives you that woven, interlaced fabric look, which adds depth and a bit of country elegance. What I like about this pattern is its different and created a focal point to the the dog-washing station we did for Holmes Family Rescue without going over the top.

The basket-weave tile pattern adds a wow factor to this unique dog-washing station for Nicole and Bill 1870 farmhouse.

 

#23. BLACK IS BACK: 

A black backsplash in the kitchen is a bold move, I love! It adds instant elegance and becomes a real focal point in the room. The contrast it creates—especially when paired with lighter cabinets or countertops—can take a space from basic to high-end. It’s a great way to bring in some modern flair while keeping things clean and timeless.

We upped the drama in Frank’s renovated kitchen in Holmes Family Rescue.

 

 #24. 3D-Patterned Tiles:

Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Try 3D tiles. These tiles create eye-catching texture and depth, thanks to the way light and shadow play off their raised surfaces. Whether you’re going for a bold statement or subtle dimension, 3D tiles add a modern, architectural feel that sets your space apart.

In Holmes Family Rescue we created a backsplash using coloured 3d tiles – this added a touch of sophistication to this complete basement apartment renovation.

 

#25. SMALL RECTANGULAR MULTI-COLOURED TILE ADDS TEXTURE:  

This multi-coloured small rectangular tile adds a textured yet subtle elegance to this kitchen from Holmes + Holmes.

Looking for more kitchen design ideas? Check out  44 Kitchen Design & Remodelling Ideas for Your Home and Accent Walls That Pop!.