Backsplash Styles

Backsplashes come in a variety of styles, each creating its own unique look and feel. From the clean geometric impact created by subway tiles, to the organic warmth of tumbled stone, there is a backsplash out there for any and every kitchen or bathroom. And with our extensive list of some of the top backsplash brands, you can be sure to find a design to fit your lifestyle and your home

Natural Stone
Natural stone has an almost endless variety of colors, textures and therefore, visual impressions.

Here's a quick summary of some of the most common types of natural stone used in backsplashes

Granite
Granite is extremely hard, dense and resistant to scratches and acid etching. Granite also resists staining better than any other natural stone, making it an ideal choice for your kitchen backsplash.

Mother Nature produces granite in a hundreds of colors such as rich browns, vibrant golds, warm creams and cooler blues, greens, grays and decadent black.

Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary stone that is primarily composed of loose grains of quartz sand that are rough in texture. A number of varieties are available

Limestone
Limestone has a subtle, casual, unique natural look and comes in a diverse range of neutral colors from ivory to soft grays to golden browns.

Marble
Marble is not as hard as granite. Because marble is characteristically soft and easily scratched or etched by acids, it is not often considered a good stone for kitchen countertops. However, marble can make a beautiful backsplash.

Marble comes in countless different color variations and usually displays a prominent veining pattern with luxurious swirls and patches of contrasting color that make marble famous.

Travertine
A member of the limestone family, Travertine shares some similar characteristics such as being soft and porous. Travertine has many small cavities and holes that can be filled in with cement or resin, or left unfilled for a textured surface.

Slate
Slate is a highly versatile stone that gives a natural, rustic and colorful appearance to any room. Because it's water resistant, slate is ideal for backsplashes.

Slate colors range from rich reds, oranges and golds to mauve, lavender, green, blue, black, rust and brown.

Natural stone is also available in a variety of finishes. Some of the most common include polished, honed, acid-washed, saw-cut, flamed, split-faced, brushed, and tumbled.

Ceramic & Porcelain
From clean geometric shapes of glazed tile, to the organic design of ceramic or porcelain made to match the naturally beautiful characteristics of slate or granite, ceramic and stone is great for a variety of kitchens and baths.

Glazed Ceramic
Glazed ceramic tiles are coated with glass-forming minerals and ceramic stains. Typically, they have a matte, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. They can offer better stain and moisture resistance than unglazed tile.

Unglazed Ceramic
Unglazed ceramic tiles are very hard and dense. They come in various surface treatments and textures. Typically, these tiles are not used for backsplashes because they do not offer much protection against stains compared to glazed ceramic tile.

Porcelain
Porcelain tile usually falls into the ceramic tile category and is the hardest and densest tile available. Porcelain tile also has a water absorption rate of 0.5% or less, making it applicable for interior and exterior use. Porcelain is available in(please remove) glazed and unglazed.

Because the color in porcelain tile goes all the way through, they are non-porous, resist scratching and can withstand extreme temperatures.

Sizes and Shape
Ceramic and porcelain tile is manufactured in sizes ranging from one-inch to twenty-four-inches square - plus rectangles, octagons, and more.

Ceramic tile is normally boxed and priced by the square foot, regardless of the size of the individual tile itself.

Most often, smaller tiles are used for backsplashes. However, large tiles, especially installed on a 45° angle, can create some simple drama in your kitchen or bath.

Glass
Glass tiles are most often small mosaics. However, glass tiles also come in larger sizes. In fact, one of the most popular choices for backsplashes today is glass subway tiles that normally measure 3" x 6".

The clean modern look of glass works in even the most traditional of kitchens or bathrooms.

Mosaics
Tile size 2" x 2" and smaller are usually mesh backed and referred to as mosaics. Some of these smaller tiles also come in different shapes, such as rectangles and hexagons.

Available in natural stone, ceramic, and glass, mosaics are very popular today and are available in myriad of gorgeous colors, patterns, and styles.

Decorative Design Options:
Backsplash tiles can be installed and mixed in a variety of different ways, creating a wide array of looks. Therefore, we have compiled some helpful design ideas to consider before you buy a backsplash.

The most common patterns for backsplashes are straight, at 45° angles, or staggered like bricks.

The corners can be clipped and decorative smaller tiles be inserted.

Different colors of tile can be used to create a random or checkerboard pattern.

Decorative listellos can be used as borders.

And there are almost countless options of what can be done in the increased vertical space behind your stove.