There are two types of cooks.
There’s the chef who somehow effortlessly seems to produce little to no mess or residue and cleans the limited number of utensils used as they go. Then there’s the chef who can create Jackson Pollock-inspired artwork across all four kitchen walls by simply opening a can of tinned tomatoes.
No matter how simple the recipe may be, the latter chef leaves the kitchen as quickly and chaotically as a spontaneous tornado, with an unspeakable number of pots, pans, bowls, and spoons strewn across surfaces in their wake. These two cooks often end up living together.
As such, it’s up to the naturally neater of the duo to curate a gorgeous, hardwearing kitchen interior that can withstand the Tasmanian Devil, and creativity is key when it comes to mastering practical yet beautiful kitchen aesthetics.
While utilitarian style is always in, we’re witnessing a trend toward eclectic, maximalist and vintage-inspired interiors which make use of hodgepodge design choices and a multitude of accessories in the form of gallery walls, candlesticks, decorative sculptures, huge armoires or pantries and so much more. Pops of colour or changes in texture elevate an interior.
Playing with opulence and ostentation is all well and good, but we must also find pieces which serve a practical purpose. One of the most underrated vehicles for creativity and practicality within the home is the humble kitchen splashback.
The protective kitchen essential is commonly placed directly behind the stovetop to prevent cooking mishaps from staining the wall. However, some kitchen designers go so far as to stretch splashbacks across the entire perimeter of the kitchen counter, all the way towards the sink and behind exposed shelves.
Often crafted from easy-to-clean glazed tile, glass and laminate, kitchen splashbacks are available in a variety of fabulous designs. Avid DIY-ers can invest in handy peel-and-stick options which look just like high-end mosaics, while those looking to leave it to the professionals might instead curate a selection of lovely mismatched and hand-crafted porcelain tiles.
Whichever option you choose, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a selection of the best kitchen splashbacks on the market below.
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Laura Ashley Eau De Nil Glass Kitchen Splashback
- Size: 75 x 60 x 0.6cm, 75 x 9 x 0.6cm
The signature colour of royalty’s favourite department store Fortnum & Mason, Eau de Nil is a beautiful, blue-green hue which instantly helps to curate a sense of elegant sophistication. Individually handmade in the UK, this 6mm thick, 60cm wide splashback has a self-adhesive backing and a five-year guarantee.
Buy now £167.99, Robert Dyas
Terrazzo Lily Peel and Stick Tile Stickers
- Size: 3x3 – 12x12cm
Available in a wide selection of sizes and glossy, matte or anti-slip finishes, these peel-and-stick vinyl tiles from ArtsInfynyty on Etsy offer a wonderful pop of colour. We also love the fact that you can opt for a faux grout finish in either black, grey or white, or even go for a grout-free look.
Buy now £18.68, Etsy
Copper Self Adhesive Glass Kitchen Splashback – Bronze
- Size: 60cm, 90cm
Spice up your kitchen aesthetic with a metallic copper backsplash from The Range. Self-adhesive and oh-so-stylish, copper is an incredibly trendy colourway in the interior design world right now. Though copper cookware may be slightly out of budget, this chic protective sheet of glass can achieve a similar effect as delicately hung pots and pans.
Buy now £119.00, The Range
SIBBARP Custom-Made Wall Panel
- Size: Custom
That’s right, Ikea isn’t just about prefab flatpack. The Swedish furniture experts also offer custom, made-to-order laminate panelling for kitchen splashbacks. A durable and value-for-money option which doesn’t cling to muck and grease, the laminate is offered in an array of finishes – though the black marble effect just happens to be our personal favourite. You can also go for even more inexpensive, non-custom panels from Ikea.
Buy now £120.00, Ikea
House Beautiful Jasper Indigo Glass Kitchen Splashback
- Size: 60 x 75 x 0.6cm, 90 x 75 x 0.6cm
Made from 6mm thick toughened glass, this gorgeous, whimsical glass splashback features an indigo and ivory colourway with a striking star pattern. Perfect for smaller homes looking to make a statement, it’s sure to spark conversation with dinner guests.
Buy now £179.00, The Range
Clear Glass Splashback with Brushed Cap
- Size: 60 x 70 x 0.6cm, 60 x 75 x 0.6cm, 90 x 70 x 0.6cm, 90 x 75 x 0.6cm
Some homes are lucky enough to have fantastic feature walls such as original exposed brick. In this case, it would be an immense shame to conceal original features with a large splashback. This is where clear glass splashbacks come in handy. It’ll protect walls from steam, stains and splashes while maintaining a sleek aesthetic. You can also choose from different finishings for the fixings, including black, chrome, brushed chrome, brass, copper and more.
Buy now £85.00, Amazon
AluSplash Splashback Frosted Flora - Matt
- Size: 80 x 60cm, 90 x 80cm, 305 x 61cm
Pretty in pink, the frosted flora splashback by AluSplash adds a touch of femininity to the kitchen. The advanced aluminium-base panel is an eco-friendly, durable, wallet-friendly and fire-resistant option which is additionally available in a selection of other lovely pastel hues.
Buy now £100.00, Wickes
Clementina Peel and Stick
- Size: 25.4 c 25.4cm (individual tile)
These Riviera-inspired peel-and-stick tiles from Wayfair have a high-shine finish and are perfect for creating your very own custom backsplash. However, the manufacturer recommends placing the tiles at least 38.1cm of space above the stove in question to avoid heavily exposing the adhesive to heat.
Buy now £13.99, Wayfair
Haven Mosaics Lake
- Size: 26.6 x 30.8 x 1cm
The almost floral, repeating pattern of this calming neutral tile by the artisans over at Claybrook would make a delightful kitchen splashback. It’s made from a trio of different grey marbles to create a beautifully rounded and complementary design.
Buy now £20.48, Claybrook Studio
Arlo Light Terrazzo Tile
- Size: 20 x 20cm (individual tile)
Terrazzo is a perennially popular tile and laminate design beloved by DIY-ers across the globe. Though not a traditional terrazzo, the Arlo Light by Porcelain Superstore is made from faux ‘chippings’ of marble and glass. Made in San Marino, Italy, they’re sure to elevate the rear of your kitchen hob with ease.
Buy now £60.00, Porcelain Superstore
Jaipur Tiles
- Size: 14 x 13 x 1cm
To create the gorgeous, effortlessly chic checkerboard pattern pictured above, Fired Earth uses two different glazed tiles from their Jaipur collection ‘Hoppers Hat’ and ‘Old Ochre’. If this colourway doesn’t quite suit your taste, you can browse a vast selection of similarly earthy tones within the Jaipur porcelain and ceramic collection.
Buy now £12.58, Fired Earth
Studio Le Nid Ficus Indica 25-Tiles Panel
- Size: 39.37 x 39.37 x 0.7cm
Purveyors of gorgeous, surrealist tile panels which look as though they’ve been plucked straight out of the height of mid-century Modernism, the Ficus Indica panel by Sicilian ceramic collective Studio Le Nid is reminiscent of compositions by Joan Miro. The majolica tile panel consists of 25 tiles which display delicate and figurative illustrations within a four-hue colour scheme of orange, red, green and black against an ivory background.
Buy now £545.00, Artemest
