14 Kitchen Splashbacks for the Adventurous
Your kitchen splashback could be made from snow skis, mirrors, bottle caps and other unusual materials
kelli kaufer
16 August 2015
Not a fan of white subway tiles? Don’t fret. Look to custom and DIY options for creative splashbacks that are only limited by your imagination and budget. Of course, you’ll want to take into consideration your cooking habits, too. Those who fancy themselves amateur chefs and tend to have multiple splattering pans going at once might not be keen on a custom photography splashback. But for the pop-it-in-the-microwave types, the more decorative options might make sense.
Here are 15 adventurous options that you – or your designer – may want to consider for your next kitchen splashback.
Here are 15 adventurous options that you – or your designer – may want to consider for your next kitchen splashback.
1. Photography
An original photograph or print splashback can fit with any style – and what a statement it makes. Consider using a family holiday photo or a blown-up detail of a single flower.
An original photograph or print splashback can fit with any style – and what a statement it makes. Consider using a family holiday photo or a blown-up detail of a single flower.
2. Salvaged boards
This is usually an easy material to source, and works great for those looking to add farmhouse style. Add a muted, soft colour to the boards with a diluted paint, as shown here, or go bold with a few coats of fresh, bright paint.
This is usually an easy material to source, and works great for those looking to add farmhouse style. Add a muted, soft colour to the boards with a diluted paint, as shown here, or go bold with a few coats of fresh, bright paint.
3. Vintage bottle caps
Bottle caps create an interesting look suitable for a kitchen with vintage flair. Plus, they come in many colours, so you can customise the caps to fit with the rest of your kitchen colour scheme.
Bottle caps create an interesting look suitable for a kitchen with vintage flair. Plus, they come in many colours, so you can customise the caps to fit with the rest of your kitchen colour scheme.
4. Snow skis
Like the really unexpected? Salvaged downhill skis are a fun choice for a modern and funky or lodge-style kitchen.
Skis can be found at secondhand stores, garage sales and online. Coordinate the colours with your home or mix it up and add spice and a variety of colours with different skis. Fill in with tile pieces to make your skis go the distance.
Like the really unexpected? Salvaged downhill skis are a fun choice for a modern and funky or lodge-style kitchen.
Skis can be found at secondhand stores, garage sales and online. Coordinate the colours with your home or mix it up and add spice and a variety of colours with different skis. Fill in with tile pieces to make your skis go the distance.
5. Reclaimed barn wood
Though this material might not be best for the space right behind your range, it works great for other areas, such as a coffee station.
Though this material might not be best for the space right behind your range, it works great for other areas, such as a coffee station.
6. Antique mirrors
Standard square mirrors found at any local hardware store work for modern or traditional styles, and add a reflective quality that can visually expand the size of your kitchen.
If you’re not too keen on an overly polished look, try looking for aged mirrors with patina.
Standard square mirrors found at any local hardware store work for modern or traditional styles, and add a reflective quality that can visually expand the size of your kitchen.
If you’re not too keen on an overly polished look, try looking for aged mirrors with patina.
7. Magnetic chalkboard paint
There’s so much versatility with this option. If you don’t like the standard classroom look, you can customise your paint colour and still get the benefits of having a magnetic chalkboard.
Plus, it’s easily applied. A foam roller and tape are practically all you need.
More ways to use chalkboard paint
There’s so much versatility with this option. If you don’t like the standard classroom look, you can customise your paint colour and still get the benefits of having a magnetic chalkboard.
Plus, it’s easily applied. A foam roller and tape are practically all you need.
More ways to use chalkboard paint
8. Clothing buttons
A button splashback has the right look for this cottage-style kitchen, supplying a mix of textures and colours.
A button splashback has the right look for this cottage-style kitchen, supplying a mix of textures and colours.
9. Copper metal sheet
This material was a good choice for this rustic modern bar area, with slightly pounded features that give the metal a worn look.
This material was a good choice for this rustic modern bar area, with slightly pounded features that give the metal a worn look.
10. Mosaic pieces from broken china
Pieces of china and tile set the tone for this cottage-style kitchen. China can be found at secondhand stores and garage sales. To save money, look for chipped or otherwise slightly damaged pieces that are marked down, which are perfect for this project.
Pieces of china and tile set the tone for this cottage-style kitchen. China can be found at secondhand stores and garage sales. To save money, look for chipped or otherwise slightly damaged pieces that are marked down, which are perfect for this project.
11. Sliced corks
Many of us have a drawer or container full of wine corks just waiting for a good use. As a splashback, they add warmth and texture. They’re great for a bar area in the kitchen.
Many of us have a drawer or container full of wine corks just waiting for a good use. As a splashback, they add warmth and texture. They’re great for a bar area in the kitchen.
12. Stained glass pieces
These round stained glass pieces add a funky, unexpected touch to this casual cottage-style kitchen.
Select sheets of stained glass in colours that coordinate with your space. Cutting the round pieces does take time, so a smaller area like over the range may be the best location for this project.
TIP: For a dynamic look, divide your splashback into 50 per cent 2-inch circles, 25 per cent 1-inch circles and 25 per cent ½-inch circles.
These round stained glass pieces add a funky, unexpected touch to this casual cottage-style kitchen.
Select sheets of stained glass in colours that coordinate with your space. Cutting the round pieces does take time, so a smaller area like over the range may be the best location for this project.
TIP: For a dynamic look, divide your splashback into 50 per cent 2-inch circles, 25 per cent 1-inch circles and 25 per cent ½-inch circles.
13. Wine crates
Salvaged wood wine crates also work great for a bar area. Call your local wine stores to see if they have any used crates you can pick up, or search online. Most boxes are not treated and can be stained to coordinate with other elements in the space.
TIP: Be gentle when taking apart wine boxes, as they split easily.
Salvaged wood wine crates also work great for a bar area. Call your local wine stores to see if they have any used crates you can pick up, or search online. Most boxes are not treated and can be stained to coordinate with other elements in the space.
TIP: Be gentle when taking apart wine boxes, as they split easily.
14. Tin tiles
A tin backsplash has a classic, timeless look but adds just enough shine for a modern feel. Tin tiles comes in different finishes, too, so if you really want to go modern with this material, try molded plastic panels, which allow you to paint the surface any color.
Find a kitchen design professional
TELL US
Are you daring enough to try any of these splashback ideas?
MORE
8 Sensational Splashback Materials … and Not a Tile in Sight!
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
A tin backsplash has a classic, timeless look but adds just enough shine for a modern feel. Tin tiles comes in different finishes, too, so if you really want to go modern with this material, try molded plastic panels, which allow you to paint the surface any color.
Find a kitchen design professional
TELL US
Are you daring enough to try any of these splashback ideas?
MORE
8 Sensational Splashback Materials … and Not a Tile in Sight!
How to Choose the Right Splashback for Your Kitchen
How to Pair Kitchen Splashbacks and Benchtops With Ease
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I have found a worktop I like for part of my kitchen but due to wanting to hide a standard washing machine behind doors, I need about 2-4cm extra depth. I'm wondering about doing some sort of ledge or long herb container at the back as an alternative to an upstand. Anyone else got any ideas apart from hunting for a deeper worktop?
Hello Kelli, love your article on Alternative
Splashbacks.
Would you be interested in featuring our
splashback panels in one of your pieces?
Take a look at AluSplash®, an
aluminium-based kitchen splashback and interior wall panel, which is an ideal
alternative to glass, acrylic and tiled splashbacks. AluSplash - Houzz
Love these! They are totally not for me, but I am all about people having their home the way THEY like it.
Actually the only one I don’t like at all is the kitchen magic glass ones, I find them anything but glamorous, more like cheap and generic, but hey! what I alike doesn’t really matter for someone else’s kitchen anyway. Would be dull if we all liked the same thing