If you’re on a tight budget, no one wants kitchen splashback ideas with eye-watering price tags. You’re looking for cost-friendly solutions, low-maintenance alternatives to high-end products.
Well, that’s where we come in!
As the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom outlet, Rehome is dedicated to helping customers across the country renovate their homes for less. With our ex-display kitchens and pre-loved appliances, we bring your renovation goals within reach.
So, what’s our take on budget-savvy kitchen splashback ideas? No renovation is complete without one: splashbacks are equally for aesthetic and practical purposes, guarding against splashes and stains while looking great as part of a kitchen theme.
Unfortunately, this area often goes overlooked. You may leave it until the end of your renovation or forget about it entirely. But we say it deserves some love! Use our 21 kitchen splashback ideas as your new source of renovation inspiration.
1. Chequerboard pattern
Black and white never go amiss.
It’s a classic colour combination that we see across all rooms in the home, but it’s particularly impactful in the kitchen. Creating a chequerboard splashback can give your home that ‘enduring’ feel while making sure the cooking area is definitely zoned.
2. Extended worktop material
Are you looking for a subtle splashback update? Pull your design together by running your worktop material up the wall. If your current worktops are made from laminate, quartz or granite, these will handle heat and spills with no fuss.
(Any plans to work with natural stone will require professional help – they’ll make sure the joins are precise, especially around plugs.) To keep budgets low, you could even shop for laminate finishes that mimic expensive stones or concrete.
3. Patterned Moroccan tiles
The artisanal quality of Moroccan tiles is undefeated. Also called ‘Zellige’ tiles, these patterns are characterised by their rich colours, complex geometric patterns, and intricate motifs.
They’re available in a range of materials like porcelain, laminate, natural stone and ceramic: suitable for all budgets. But the real way to nail a Moroccan splashback is to choose a design that’s harmonious with your current kitchen.
Do you have neutral cabinets and plain worktops? Then go wild with bold colours and shapes. But if your kitchen is already visually stimulating, stick to simpler patterns.
4. Reclaimed wood effect tiles
Using natural materials has always been a top kitchen trend, and splashbacks are no different. Unlike actual wood (which, if used as a splashback, would be prone to staining and warping), wood-effect tiles are great for busy kitchens.
They pair particularly well with kitchens that favour earthy tones, such as dark greens, warm browns, and even yellows.
5. Burnished metallic tiles
Are you a bigger fan of the ‘industrial’ style kitchen?
That’s okay: burnished metallic tiles are made for this growing demand. They offer great tactile qualities, with materials like copper and brass famed for developing deepening patinas (a green or brown film) over time.
6. Textured split-face tiles
For a 3D, textured look, split-face tiles are the rugged addition your kitchen needs.
They often have uneven, layered surfaces that catch shadows throughout the day. Position your splashback near a window, and you can enjoy the earthy tones of your slate or quartzite tiles as they catch shadows throughout the day.
Textured split-face tiles are noticeably impactful in kitchens that err towards plain, smooth surfaces, as they get a lot of space to shine.
7. Glass panels
Not every part of your kitchen needs to tell a story. If you’re into simple, no-fuss solutions, glass panel splashbacks make excellent choices for low-maintenance kitchens.
Colour-wise, you’re spoilt for choice. Go for a colour that complements your current scheme (like deep green or navy), or keep things more neutral with soft grey or cream. For an extra touch, shop for glass splashbacks with frosted finishes.
8. Chalkboard paint
Do you find yourself forgetting meal ideas and to-do lists? Well, one of our most creative kitchen splashback ideas, chalkboard paint, is the answer to any busy kitchen.
Leave handy reminders by turning part of your splashback into a surface you can write on! Chalkboard paint is generally inexpensive and can be found in most high-street DIY shops.
9. Stainless steel sheets
Now, circling back to metallics, stainless steel has always had its place in kitchen design. While most commonly associated with appliances like ovens and fridge freezers, it can also be used as a splashback material.
The metal is impressively durable, heat-resistant and can be restored to its original condition with a damp cloth.
10. Peel-and-stick tiles
Peel-and-stick tiles are another affordable option for budget-conscious shoppers. These self-adhesive tiles come in every kind of finish imaginable and can be applied directly to a clean, dry surface once cut to size with scissors.
Some homeowners even use peel-and-stick tiles as a temporary update. If you plan to use them permanently, we recommend reading the manufacturer's instructions on long-term heat and moisture resistance.
11. Mirror panels
Blessed with a compact kitchen?
Purchase a mirror splashback to open up the space. These materials work wonders in smaller kitchens or rooms that don't get much natural light. You’ll want to make sure that the mirrors are heat-resistant and toughened to withstand the heat!
12. Exposed brick
Raw, industrial edge never looked better than with exposed brickwork! Not many people are lucky enough to have brickwork to expose, so if you don’t have the architectural requirements (but love the look), you can always opt for brick slips.
These are thin slices of brick that mimic the look without the need for major construction work.
13. Penny tiles
Of our favourite kitchen splashback ideas, penny tiles are the most retro! Their small circular shapes usually come pre-arranged and in lots of different colours (white and neutrals being the most common).
To make them easier to install, penny tiles are often sold in sheets rather than individual tiles. Don’t forget to choose a matching (or contrasting) grout colour!
14. Herringbone pattern
Did you know that the earliest herringbone pattern was found in fabrics and flooring in ancient Italy? This distinctive V-shape has been a staple since, with some homeowners even using it on their splashback.
Opt for larger, more distinctive herringbone tiles or more intricate chevron patterns.
15. Marble slabs
Marble is a material that looks great wherever it’s used, whether on worktops, flooring, or a splashback. No two slabs look the same, so go for the soft, milky tones of Carrara or something more dramatic (like Nero Marquina).
Big budgets call for authentic marble tiles, which are stain and heat-resistant, but you can also find plenty of marble-effect tiles for much less.
16. Subway tiles with dark grout
We’ve touched on grout a couple of times, but beyond filling and sealing the joints between tiles, what can it do for your splashback aesthetically?
Well, choosing a grout that’s similar to your tiles lets your design take centre stage. Contrasting, darker grout can draw attention to the way the tiles have been laid out (plus, dark grout is generally better at hiding splashes and stains in the long term).
17. Hexagonal tiles
Break away from straight lines with hexagonal tiles: a refreshing take on kitchen splashback ideas. These six-sided shapes are undeniably modern without being too over the top. The effect you create all depends on the colour and finish!
18. Colourful mosaic tiles
Another of our favourite kitchen splashback ideas, you can’t go wrong with mosaic tiles. These small tiles often come pre-arranged on mesh sheets, so you don’t have to worry about placing them all individually!
If your kitchen feels a little flat, mosaics are a foolproof way to add dimension.
19. Terrazzo finish
Terrazzo finishes have been making a big comeback in British home designs.
Made by embedding small aggregates in cement or resin, these tiles have the same natural character as marble or quartz. They’re texturally interesting without being too bold, which makes them best for kitchens where a neutral palette is preferred.
20. Beadboard panels
The country kitchen is bigger than ever, and beadboard splashbacks are just one way homeowners can get the rustic look.
Their vertical grooves and small ridges have become commonplace in bedrooms and kitchens alike, with MDF beadboard, specifically, being used for splashbacks.
Traditional beadboard is manufactured using wood, so it’s important to shop for water-resistant products, usually made from PVC or MDF.
It’s also possible that beadboard may warp when exposed to long-term heat, so weigh up your options wisely!
21. Vinyl decals
Last, but by no means least, vinyl decals really are the best of both worlds.
As one of the most cost-friendly of our kitchen splashback ideas, they’re available in virtually any design: herringbone, mosaic, hexagonal, chequerboard, you name it, it’s out there!
Vinyl decals offer an instant kitchen makeover. They’re customisable, easy (and quick) to install, and relatively inexpensive.
Plus, if you’re a renter desperate for a kitchen revamp (but equally, want to keep your deposit), these water and spill-resistant tiles can be removed as easily as they’re installed.
Shop for ex-display, pre-loved kitchens with Rehome!
If our kitchen splashback ideas have made it to your Pinterest board, maybe it’s time to start living in what’s possible.
As the UK’s number one Kitchen, Bedroom Bathroom outlet, we’ve made it our mission to get homeowners thousands of pounds off high-street prices. With us, you can shop for luxury brands like Nobilia, Martin Moore and John Lewis Hungerford.
