Kitchen splashbacks don’t take up the greatest space in a kitchen but they are just as important as beautiful cabinetry or an appealing floor. Here are 12 ideas to get your creative juices flowing…

1. Marble metros

Metro tiles have morphed to such an extent that they’re far above any underground train route. And they haven’t escaped the marble-effect trend. In fact, they give traditional kitchen splashbacks a whole new lease on life. Our range of Carrara lookalikes are ideal and include the traditional biselado glossy 10×20 subway with bevel and the 10×30 Carrara Liso Matt pictured here. Mid-grey grout adds the perfect finish.

2. Decor relief

Decor tiles have gained in popularity and make very smart kitchen splashbacks. The larger size makes them easier to clean than smaller tiles or mosaics. There are so many interesting styles and textures from which to choose: most of our Spanish ranges have matching decor tiles in the collection, so it’s easy to create a coherent look.

3. Jagged little edge

Herringbone tile patterns make beautiful splashbacks, however, they do involve a lot of cuts, doubly so if you want a straight edge along the top of the splashback. Celebrate the full tiles by leaving the edge ragged. This design looks particularly good with our 10×30 Rustico tiles.

4. Glossy large-formats

For a smart contemporary look, consider large-format marble-effect tiles in polished porcelain. Pictured here is Pietra Greige, with the island tiled to match. Choose from our very large selection of marble-effect large format Spanish porcelain tiles.

5. Teal appeal

A teal green or petroleum blue, the Oil Biselado 10×30 tile looks stunning in many settings. Pair it with one of our R9 anti-slip patterned tiles on the floor for a slightly vintage look, or choose a floor in one of our large-format marble-effect tiles such as Egeo or Atlantis polished 60×120 tiles or a cement-screed-effect tile such as Erebor Gris 75×75 for a more contemporary edge.

6. Industrial or farmhouse

Get the brick effect in a porcelain tile. The Subway Collection of 7x28s is available in two rustic colourways, Nature and Terra, and is suitable for both walls and floors. It’s an attractive and hard-wearing choice for a kitchen splashback and will work well with both farmhouse traditional styling or rustic industrial.

7. Love a little retro

The world will always make time for geometric patterns. The elegant symmetry of the Optick tile, in on-trend shades of blue, works well as a floor and wall tile. Make a bold statement by tiling all walls and floors with this beauty. Pre-scored grout lines give the effect of smaller tiles once grouted, rekindling the encaustic patterned tiles of old.

8. Zellige is taking over

A massive trend at the moment is the Zellige tile. With their highly glossy surface and handmade look, these little square tiles are perfect for kitchen and bathroom walls.

9. Metallic marvels

For lovers of the industrial style, metallic-effect tiles offer huge design potential. The weathered look of rusty metal adds texture and life to contemporary spaces.

10. Skinny tiles

Skinny tiles have made a real comeback and are available in a wide range of designs.  A popular laying pattern at present is to stack them vertically or horizontally, which creates a pleasing order and so is less busy than the traditional brick laying pattern.

11. Nanna’s patchwork quilt

Making a something of a comeback, patchwork tiles can look very fresh with a new shaker-style kitchen. These Stamford tiles rekindle the old encaustic style of tile and have pre-scored grout lines so once grouted give the impression of smaller tiles. Suitable for floors and walls, you can choose one or the other, or boldly go for both.

12. It’s in the laying pattern

From chevron to ladder brick style, stacked to vertical… there are myriad ways to lay a rectangular tile. This block herringbone works particularly well with 10×20 subway tiles, and is more economical than regular herringbone pattern as there are fewer tile cuts and less wastage. Pictured here is Biselado Sage from the World of Tiles metro range.

Get more ideas for kitchen tiles in our feature on wood-effect tiles.