Only Not Tile: 9 Ideas for Kitchen Backsplash

Who said that tiles are an irreplaceable material for a kitchen backsplash? Russian designers clearly show that there are worthy, stylish, and practical alternative options. We've gathered 9 ideas and 23 examples proving that replacing familiar (and quite boring!) tiles is definitely possible.

1. Graphite Paint

An idea for creative souls, adding new functionality to your kitchen backsplash. Recipes for dishes, messages to family members, drawings – graphite paint opens up space for practical (and not only) use. Moreover, such a coating is quite easy to maintain.

Design: Inna UsубyanDesign: Elena Ivashkina

2. Brick

The popularity of industrial aesthetics and loft style has made brick and its imitations a common finishing material. Such backsplash is a bold and vibrant choice, but in the area of tiles and sink it's better to combine it with tempered glass, otherwise there may be difficulties in keeping the kitchen clean.

Design: Anastasia Mestya-kovaDesign: Artemiy Saranin

3. Wallpaper

It might seem like not the most practical and obvious solution for a kitchen backsplash. However, when combined with glass, such finishing becomes original and functional – opening space for new design solutions.

Design: Natalia SytenkovaDesign: Anna Clark

4. Mosaic

An equal alternative to those who aren't ready to go too far from a tiled backsplash. Mosaic is less overused option for finishing, yet just as practical. Though the final cost of such a backsplash will be higher compared to tiles, the result will delight with sophistication and refinement.

Design: Marina SarkisyanDesign: Inna VelichkoDesign: Marina Sarkisyan

5. Wood

Modern achievements in chemistry and construction industry allow making beloved natural wood with various properties. This material can be made moisture-resistant, immune to insect damage, and even somewhat heat-resistant.

It's no wonder that wood is now used to make bathtubs, sinks, and, of course, kitchen backsplashes. When combined with tempered glass, such a coating is almost invulnerable to anything.

Design: Darya Chaplygina, Julia Pekker, Juicy Hall studio

For kitchen backsplashes wood is used in various forms: veneer, wooden paneling, special wall panels. The material blends well with many others, adding natural charm to the kitchen interior and harmonizing with most styles.

Design: Ilya BokarevDesign: Elena Bulagina

To create a specific mood in the interior, vintage or artificially aged wood, old barn boards can be used for the backsplash.

Design: Roman Plusnin

6. Concrete

A solution that attracts with its affordability and brutality. A concrete backsplash can be coated with moisture-resistant primer, covered with glass, or decorated with patterns on the wall.

7. Stone

A variant that significantly surpasses tile backsplashes in practicality and decorative properties, but is quite expensive. Especially if using natural materials like slabs or stone veneer.

Design: Marseyl Kadirov

One of the most common variants of stone backsplashes remains marble – a status material with a distinctive recognizable texture.

Design: Aya Liso-vDesign: Olga Legoshina, FB Interiors

In recent times many people have turned attention to travertine: it has captivated the audience with its stylish decorative texture, variety of colors, and all the main advantages of natural stone. The downside – high cost of the material.

Design: ODS LAB architectural bureau

For lovers of everything solid, expensive, and status-quo, a backsplash made from quartzite would suit. This tough and durable rock has outstanding decorative qualities, impressive longevity, and – unfortunately – a striking price.

Design: Tatiana Alenina

Artificial acrylic stone – a more budget-friendly (compared to natural stone) option for kitchen backsplash finishing, impressive in color variety and patterns. It has sufficient strength, durability, and quite impressive aesthetic qualities.

Design: Margarita Rasskazova

8. Glass

Tempered glass doesn't have to be combined with other materials: it can serve as an excellent substitute for a traditional tile backsplash. The variety of colors, matte and glossy variants, and, of course, the previously mentioned possibility to combine with many other coverings make such a backsplash almost perfect and universal solution.

Design: Galina ArabskayaDesign: CO:interior

9. Metal

Heat-resistant, moisture-resistant, and not too complicated to maintain – metal seems like an incredibly practical alternative to a tile backsplash. Drawback – unfortunately, not every interior stylistically suits such a coating. Moreover, the choice is limited to stainless steel or otherwise treated metals.

Backsplash made from unprocessed metal with rough black paint. Design: Konstantin Radulov