In recent years, the kitchen has become the heart of most homes and the room where people spend most of their time with their loved ones cooking, chatting, and having food.
When furnishing a modern kitchen, the backsplash is an element most consumers care about because of its center-stage position on the wall behind the stove; it requires careful planning, which often considers aesthetics and practicality in equal measure. The backsplash should match the rest of the furniture but also be hygienic, easy to clean, and made of non-absorbent material to not stain over time.
In this post, store buyers and owners will find a review of the main backsplash trends for the year to come, a guide to high-demand materials, and some practical advice on offering their customers the best products.
Table of Contents
The backsplash market
Current trends
Final thoughts
The backsplash market
With apartments getting smaller and open layouts gaining popularity, the market for kitchen materials, including backsplashes, has grown significantly over the last few years. According to a report by Global Market Monitor, the global kitchen backsplash market size only for wall tiles solutions was USD 720.08 million in 2024, and it is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.01% to reach USD 1082.54 million by 2029.
Evolution of the backsplash
If the backsplash was once considered a purely functional element to protect the walls from the food cooking on the stove, today, it has become a real focal point of the kitchen alongside flooring and the cabinets.
Recent trends, as revealed by a Houzz survey, indicate a significant shift in how homeowners approach kitchen renovations. A staggering 86% now opt to replace their backsplashes, with an increasing number (62%) extending them beyond the cabinets or range hood. What’s unique is that 10% of consumers are now taking their backsplashes to the ceiling, a trend gaining popularity.
Current trends
And speaking of trends, here are the best-selling solutions for backsplash arrangements that have recently seen stable growth in popularity.
As key players in the industry, every architect, interior designer, store manager, and owner should be aware of these trends. It’s essential to stock the right materials and finishes for their realization.
Wall enamel
People are used to thinking of the backsplash as porcelain tiles, mosaics, glass, laminate, or stone, but it’s not always the case. Sometimes, people opt for enamel, especially when the kitchen is in an open layout and is meant to disappear in the space.
Wall enamel is a water-based paint used to paint the backsplash so that it looks like the wall surrounding the kitchen or the furniture, but its smooth surface doesn’t retain dirt and spots and is very easy to clean.
Wallpaper protected with transparent resin or glass
Over the last few years, wallpaper has made a huge comeback in our homes. People love to play with styles, create accent walls, liven up a space, or even cover entire rooms with bold designs, adding some personality and charm.
While wallpaper may seem delicate at first, it’s surprisingly versatile. It’s not just for accent walls or entire rooms – it can also be used to protect areas like the hob and sink. By painting it with satin enamel or transparent resin immediately after installation, it becomes easily washable with a slightly wet sponge. Plus, patterned wallpaper is a great choice as it can effectively hide any stains and imperfections.
Another trending idea designed to use decorative wallpaper on the backsplash is covering it with transparent glass or a plastic slab for maximum protection.
Backsplash = countertop
Consumers who want a more cohesive, linear look often choose the same material for the kitchen counter and the backsplash to create continuity and a seamless effect.
Some go for natural stone, marble, and granite, but most choose laminate, which is budget-friendly and available in infinite colors and finishes.
It should be added that laminate is light and thus easy to install on the wall, its surface cleans very well, and the edges can be trimmed with brass, metal, or wood to add an extra touch.
However, this material is more sensitive than natural stone: you shouldn’t put the pots and pans too close to the backsplash. Otherwise, it could burn and ruin.
Decor tiles
Just as with wallpaper, some homeowners are choosing to make the backsplash the focal point of their kitchen, a unique feature that catches the eye of their guests and sets the tone for the entire room. By installing beautiful and decorative tiles, especially in linear kitchens with neutral or white cabinets, they are creating a kitchen that is truly their own.
In recent years, many have opted for small mosaic tiles to create a rich, patterned surface, long rectangular ceramic tiles installed in a herringbone pattern, hexagon tiles or the classic subway tiles in black or any bright, contrasting hues. Square ethnic tiles are also trending, with a refined and delicate motif that stands out without being too invasive.
Tiles can go up to the ceiling or, on the contrary, be installed in a few rows to achieve a more contemporary design. The second option is particularly popular among customers who like cementine or zellige-style rectangular tiles and their texture.
Glass blocks to light up a blind space
Glass blocks or bricks were widely used in the 1980s and are now becoming current again, thanks to new designs, models, and variations: transparent, knurled, decorated, and colored – they are a great backsplash solution if the kitchen borders an area that needs more natural light.
Glass blocks are easy to clean, but the joints, which are more delicate and risky, must be painted with washable enamel. In a very small kitchen, some rows of glass bricks on the backsplash over the hob can bring a ray of natural light into the space or to a bathroom or living room and make the kitchen cabinets look modern and clean.
Final thoughts
The backsplash has become a fundamental element in modern kitchens, combining functionality and aesthetics. With evolving design trends and growing consumer preferences for innovative and personalized materials, retailers can broaden their offerings and meet diverse customer needs.
Investing in a diverse range of trending backsplashes can help online and offline stores remain competitive and attract a wider customer base, thus improving their sales and customer satisfaction.
