Bored with white tiles? Give your splashback some wow with different materials and finishes.

Gone are the days when the purpose of a splashback was purely practical – a small tiled area behind the hob and sink to protect walls from stains and splatters. Today, the wide choice of different materials, colours and finishes means your splashback can have become a statement piece. It can even become the focal point of your kitchen.

Kitchen designer Aimee Logan, managing director of Kitchen Living, said: “Our customers are very open to considering new materials for their splashbacks. From the numerous colours and textures of quartz and granite to patterned tiles and printed glass, the splashback can become a feature that reflects their own style and brings a kitchen to life.”

While some people pick the same material for countertop and splashback, others like to mix it up. “Our most popular choice is a combination of either quartz or granite with a coloured glass splashback,” said Ms Logan.

Glass 

Photo supplied by Colour2glass

Pros: Glass is a stylish solution for those wanting a sleek, streamlined look to their kitchen. There is a wide choice of bold colours and effects to choose from, including copper and bronzed as well as printed designs. With a glossy, high-polish finish, these splashbacks are made from toughened glass which makes them impact and heat resistant. For a unique piece of functional art in your kitchen, consider commissioning a glass artist to create a bespoke splashback. You could choose anything from a funky hand painted design to beautiful, fused glass.

Cons: A glass splashback can scratch, so you need to be careful when cleaning. It may be worth installing a bespoke glass splashback on top of an upstand to protect it. Professional tools are required to ensure neat finishing and a good fit.

Stainless steel

Pros: Stainless steel is resistant to heat and hardwearing. Easy to clean and hygienic, it is commonly used in professional kitchens.  Stainless steel splashbacks can work well if you like the industrial vibe. They come in sheets of flat steel that can be purchased pre-cut or made to measure and fixed over existing tiles or onto plasterboard.

Cons: Bleach or common salt and acids of any kind can damage stainless steel surfaces. Only ever clean with warm water and then dry with a soft cloth. Marks such as fingerprints, food smudges and water spills will show, so it requires a regular polish to keep pristine. Stainless steel is not scratch-resistant and can dent. It is also relatively expensive compared to ceramic tiles.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles 

Photo supplied by Kitchen Living

Pros: Tiles are heat, scratch and water resistant. There is a huge choice of colours, sizes and patterns available from white, subway tiles to hand-made rustic, Moorish style. You can mix and match plain and patterned tiles to create a statement piece. Tiles are a cost-effective option and easier to install than most other materials.

Cons: Tiles can become dirty and discoloured if you don’t clean them regularly. Getting oil and stains out of white grout isn’t easy. Darker coloured grouts may be worth investigating.

Granite

Photo supplied by Kitchen Living

Pros: A solid natural stone, granite is extremely hard-wearing, heat resistant and easy to clean. Each slab is unique with colours and patterns indicating the region and geological conditions it was created in. Its sleek and beautiful finish adds value to your home. Ideal for high-end, bespoke kitchen designs and fittings. 

Cons: Granite is porous, so prone to staining. Natural stone needs long-term care with resealing about once a year to prevent staining. Relatively expensive.

Quartz

Photo supplied by Kitchen Living

Pros: Quartz is a popular choice for countertops and splashbacks – strong, hard wearing, heat resistant and luxurious. There is a huge range of colours and patterns available. The finish is key to the final appearance of the splashback. Shiny, polished stone can be ideal for traditional and country-style kitchens while a honed, matt finish that is more textured and understated is a classy choice for a contemporary space. Quartz is an engineered stone, so unlike granite doesn’t need to be sealed, polished or reconditioned.

Cons: Needs expert installation. Among the more costly splashback options

Corian

Pros: Corian is an engineered stone like quartz but with a higher percentage of resin and acrylic polymers. It offers great design flexibility as it can be moulded into virtually any angle or curve, which means no join between the worktop and splashback. Available in a range of colours, it provides a sleek, seamless surface that is non-porous, easy to clean, stain resistant and durable.

Cons: Corian is not heat resistant, so can’t be installed behind a gas hob. Corian is a relatively expensive material.

Laminate

Pros: Easy to keep clean and hardwearing, laminate is an affordable option. It comes in numerous colours and high definition finishes, including wood and stone-effect albeit without the same luxury feel. Laminate panels are easy to cut-to-size and can create a seamless appearance when installed with laminate worktops.

Cons: Water resistant but not suitable for behind a gas hob because of the open flames. A gap of about 10cm is also recommended between laminate and other hobs.

Ultimately, your choice of material for a splashback will depend on your style preferences and budget. The best ones not only look good but are practical – super-resistant to heat, water and grease.