Kitchen Splashbacks Guide
Tiles, glass, stone, stainless and more — your complete guide to kitchen splashbacks, covering every material, installation considerations and style advice.
📋 Contents
The splashback is one of the hardest-working surfaces in the kitchen — it must withstand heat, steam, oil splatter and daily cleaning while also being a key design element. Getting the splashback right can tie a whole kitchen design together; getting it wrong can undermine even the most expensive kitchen.
Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles
Tiles are the most versatile and widely used kitchen splashback material. They are available in an almost infinite range of sizes, colours, textures and patterns — from humble metro tiles to large-format porcelain slabs that replicate natural stone. The choice is between ceramic (lower density, more affordable) and porcelain (denser, harder, less porous).
Metro / Subway Tiles
Timeless ClassicThe standard rectangular tile (typically 75×150mm or 100×200mm) has been a kitchen staple for over a century. Simple, clean, available in every colour and gloss level.
- Extremely versatile — suits any kitchen style
- Very cost-effective
- Grout lines require regular cleaning
- Vertical or horizontal brick bond laying options
Large Format Porcelain
TrendingOversized tiles (600×600mm, 600×1200mm or larger) minimise grout lines and create a very clean, contemporary look. Often used to replicate marble, concrete or stone.
- Minimal grout lines — very hygienic
- Modern, high-end appearance
- Higher cost and more complex installation
- Very heavy — wall fixings must be adequate
Handmade & Zellige
ArtisanalHandmade tiles with irregular surfaces, slight colour variation and a characterful, artisanal quality. Moroccan zellige tiles are particularly popular in design-led kitchens.
- Each tile is unique — beautiful variation
- Suits traditional, Mediterranean and bohemian styles
- Higher cost; more complex to grout evenly
- Colour variation must be accepted
Glass Splashbacks
Toughened glass splashbacks are the seamless, grout-free alternative to tiles. A single sheet of toughened glass (typically 6–8mm thick) covers the entire splashback area without any joints or grout lines, creating a hygienic, easy-clean surface that reflects light and makes a space feel larger.
Types of Glass Splashback
- Painted glass: Colour is applied to the back of the glass (reverse-painted) — almost any RAL or BS colour available
- Printed glass: Photographic images or patterns printed onto the glass — landscapes, botanical prints, geometric patterns
- Mirrored glass: Reflective back creates a mirror effect — maximises light but shows everything
- Frosted / etched glass: Partially obscured surface — more forgiving than clear mirror
- Antique mirror: Aged, distressed mirror effect — very design-led, suits eclectic kitchens
Glass Splashback Considerations
- Must be toughened (BS EN 12150) — never use standard float glass near a hob
- Minimum 50mm clearance from gas flame to glass edge recommended by most manufacturers
- Measure precisely — glass is cut to size and cannot be adjusted on-site
- Sockets require cutouts which are expensive — plan socket positions before measuring
- Colour matching to kitchen doors requires paint code — specify exactly
Quartz & Engineered Stone Splashbacks
Using the same quartz slab that forms your worktop as the splashback material creates a seamless, highly coordinated look. A matching quartz splashback (or upstand) running from worktop to wall units is increasingly popular in premium kitchen designs.
Full-Height Quartz Slab
PremiumA single slab of engineered quartz running from worktop level to the base of wall units (typically 600–700mm high). Seamless and very elegant — particularly effective with book-matched slabs where the natural veining is mirrored.
- Seamless, no grout lines
- Matches worktop perfectly
- Heavy — requires excellent wall fixing
- Premium cost — typically £200–£500 per linear metre
Porcelain Slab
Lightweight AlternativeUltra-thin porcelain slabs (3–6mm) offer a stone-look alternative that is lighter than quartz and can be installed over existing tiles in some situations. Available in many stone and concrete effects.
- Much lighter than quartz
- Can go over existing tiles
- Very hard wearing
- Fewer colour options than quartz
Natural Stone
LuxuryMarble, granite or limestone used as splashback material — particularly stunning when matched to the worktop. Marble is the most striking but requires sealing and care to prevent staining from kitchen splashes.
- Genuinely beautiful material
- Each slab is unique
- Marble requires sealing and care
- Highest cost option
Stainless Steel Splashbacks
Stainless steel splashbacks are standard in commercial kitchens for good reason — they are extremely durable, hygienic, heat-resistant and easy to clean. In domestic kitchens they suit contemporary, industrial and professional-style designs and pair particularly well with stainless steel appliances.
Brushed Stainless
The satin-finish stainless that shows fingerprints and minor scratches far less than polished. The most practical choice for a domestic kitchen. Can be ordered in custom sizes with cut-outs for sockets.
Mirror / Polished Stainless
Highly reflective, creates a striking effect but shows every fingerprint and smear. Best suited to very clean, minimal kitchens where you're prepared for regular polishing.
Brick & Metro Tile Splashbacks
Exposed brick and brick-effect tiles create a warm, industrial or rustic aesthetic that suits loft conversions, industrial kitchens and country settings. Real exposed brick requires sealing and can be difficult to clean; brick-effect tiles offer the same look with far less maintenance.
Real Exposed Brick
Authentic and unique. Requires thorough sealing to prevent grease absorption. Harder to keep clean than tiles. Best suited to kitchens where cooking is light.
Brick-Effect Ceramic
Glazed ceramic tiles in brick shapes and colours. Very popular and practical — the glazed surface is easy to wipe clean and won't absorb grease. Available in cream, red, grey and white.
Reclaimed Brick Slips
Thin slices of genuine reclaimed brick applied like tiles. Provides the authentic look of exposed brick without structural demolition. Requires sealing but looks incredibly authentic.
How High Should You Tile?
The height of your splashback is as much a design decision as a practical one. Here are the main approaches used in UK kitchen design.
| Approach | Height | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upstand only | 100–150mm | Minimal, clean | Handleless / minimal kitchens |
| Half-height | 500–600mm | Balanced, practical | Most kitchens — protects key splash zone |
| Full-height to wall units | To base of wall units | Complete, seamless | Feature tiles, large-format porcelain |
| Floor-to-ceiling | Full wall height | Dramatic, bold | Feature walls, open-plan kitchens |
Designing Your Kitchen?
A professional designer can help you choose the perfect splashback material to complement your worktop, doors and kitchen style.
Find a Kitchen Designer