A reliable splashback is an important part of any kitchen design. You can use it to add a pop of colour, tie the room together and ultimately protect your walls and countertops from food, damage and debris.
Whether you’re looking for a stylish and practical alternative to kitchen wall tiles, or simply updating your current space, there are plenty of alternative splashback ideas to explore.
From mirrors and metal to stone and wood, these splashback alternatives give kitchens a sleek, modern or industrial vibe and are super easy to clean. Looking for something more unique and budget-friendly? Cork, painted panels or even exposed brick can really make your kitchen splashback stand out.
Alternative Splashback Ideas to Transform Your Kitchen
Sometimes they’re called kitchen splashbacks and other times backsplashes, but their purpose is the same – to protect your walls and surfaces. For a truly custom look, textured or patterned options such as bespoke glass, antique mirrors, or stained glass can even turn your splashback into a modern feature of your kitchen.
From traditional copper to classic marble, these alternative splashback ideas look fantastic in any type of kitchen design.
1. Glass Kitchen Splashbacks
Glass splashbacks are a popular choice in modern kitchen design because they combine sleek style with everyday practicality. Their smooth, non-porous surface makes them incredibly easy to clean, with no grout lines for grease or splashes to hide in.
Glass splashbacks also reflects light, helping smaller or darker kitchens feel brighter and more spacious. Available in a huge range of colours, finishes, and even printed and stained-glass designs, glass splashbacks can be customised to suit any aesthetic, from ultra-minimal to bold and contemporary. Durable, heat-resistant, and effortlessly stylish, they’re a smart, low-maintenance alternative splashback idea for modern homes.
2. Cork Kitchen Splashback
A very sustainable approach to a splashback, the natural mottled effect of cork not only makes it a design feature but also leans into a more environmentally conscious kitchen design. Perfect for those looking for alternative splashback ideas, cork has many additional properties that make it an ideal kitchen material.
Cork is naturally fire-resistant, and it also stops mould and mildew from developing, which makes it an ideal cooker splashback.
You will want to ensure that the cork you have chosen is easy to clean and has been treated to be water-resistant to prevent any long-term damage.
3. Mirrored Kitchen Splashback
Whether antique panels or brand-new with mood lighting, a mirror can be an ingenious alternative to tiles in the kitchen and a great cooker splashback.
If you’ve only got one window in your kitchen, or want to reflect some light around the room, then installing a mirror can really help here. Make sure that the mirror you’ve chosen can be easily wiped down, cleaned and won’t chip easily.
You can also use unusual shapes and styles with a mirror, installing hexagonal mirror tiles, or using a vintage mirror. A mirror is not only practical with the additional light, but also the added design aspect makes it a good choice for a home that wants a vintage look.
4. Hammered Copper Kitchen Splashback
Copper has long been a popular material for kitchens. Reminiscent of days gone by where copper pots and pans were all the rage, copper is now used to add colour and practicality to a kitchen.
Hammered copper in particular is becoming a popular alternative kitchen splashback option. It doesn’t look as harsh but maintains the elements of colour and design that come with many alternative splashback ideas.
Copper can be hard to clean, but surface cleanser and some elbow grease will have it shiny in no time at all. One big benefit of copper is that it is naturally antibacterial, so it is great in kitchens, particularly behind your cooker.
5. Painted Kitchen Splashback
The old classic, paint is a great alternative splashback idea. Now that wipeable kitchen paint exists, there are so many colour options you can choose from for your kitchen splashback. It really does make for an easy-to-apply splashback that won’t cost the earth.
As you can choose from a variety of colours, it means that you can also change your splashback whenever you want, giving you more flexibility. Leading paint manufacturers, such as Dulux, offer a range of waterproof paint for kitchen splashbacks with over 100 shades to select from.
And, using paint as your splashback means if you get chips or stains that won’t come off, you can just paint over them and they’ll look as good as new.
6. Wooden Kitchen Splashback
Wood is an interesting choice when it comes to alternative splashback ideas, as many will worry about it rotting or degrading over time. However, with the right treatment, whether a varnish or a water-resistant coat, wood can be a fantastic kitchen splashback.
We recommend finding reclaimed wood or reusing old pallets for example, as it’s a more sustainable, and often cheaper, option than buying wood sheets from new. Facebook groups often have pallets going for free, and it’s an easy DIY way to add some natural style to your kitchen.
7. Fabric Kitchen Splashback
Fabric is a choice that most people won’t think of when designing their kitchen. If you’ve got some spare Liberty print that you want to display, or you want to match your cushion covers somewhere in your kitchen, then a fabric is an effective alternative splashback idea.
You can use any fabric you fancy, from velvet to spun mohair. Just make sure that you back the fabric onto plastic to make it more durable and safe from open flames from the hob. But aside from that, it’s a great option to have in your kitchen. Get creative!
8. Marble Kitchen Splashback
Marble is highly popular with those seeking alternative splashback ideas. The natural patterns in the stone make for a captivating kitchen splashback that always looks good all year round.
And, as marble comes in a variety of colours and patterns, you can find a stone to match pretty much any kitchen theme. Not only is marble one of the hardest-wearing kitchen splashback materials, but it’s also a practical alternative to kitchen wall tiles.
9. Brick or Concrete Kitchen Splashback
Think modern New York loft apartment, and you can easily imagine how a brick or concrete splashback could look stunning. Or a country home with deep red exposed brickwork running through the home, having glass covering a small section behind the hob in the kitchen.
In either modern homes or older buildings, exposing the materials used to build the home can make for a fascinating yet authentic alternative splashback idea. Like with marble, the natural variances in each stone reduce the worry of a plain wall, but don’t overpower a room the way a block of colour can.
Alternative Splashback Ideas FAQs
We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from customers looking for the latest alternative cooker splashback ideas.
Do you need a kitchen splashback behind your cooker?
It’s not essential, but it is strongly recommended that you have a kitchen splashback behind your cooker. The best cooker splashback ideas not only protect your wall from stains and heat damage, but they also make cleaning much easier.
As well as helping maintain a more hygienic and well-kept kitchen, it’s also a great design choice. You can leave your stamp on your kitchen with an unusual kitchen splashback, or if you get bored, it can be an affordable solution for changing up your kitchen design.
How can you keep a kitchen splashback clean?
How you keep your kitchen splashback clean will depend on your chosen material. Wood, for example, can be wiped down easily but will likely need polishing and varnishing to keep your kitchen looking pristine. Exposed brick on the other hand, will require vacuuming and cleaning with warm, soapy water. Whatever material you choose, make sure you’ve considered how best to clean it to keep it hygienic and looking smart.
What is the best type of kitchen splashback?
The answer is there isn’t one! While tiles and glass have traditionally been the go-to choice for kitchen splashbacks, choosing the ‘best splashback’ is more about selecting the right one for you and your design, lifestyle and budget. Short on time and need an easy wipe clean solution? Marble could be for you. But if you’re looking to save some money on yours, then going for a more affordable option such as wipeable paint could be for you.
Are You Looking for Alternative Splashback Ideas for Your Kitchen Project?
Whether you want a completely unique kitchen splashback, or something off the shelf, here at KNB we can design your perfect kitchen, and source all the materials as well.
Request a brochure today or contact us for a free consultation.