If you think about how much time you spend in your kitchen, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it’s the most important room in your home. Taking it a step further from a design perspective, you might also say that the backsplash is the most important visual element in your kitchen. And you’d be in good company.

Designers and design-savvy homeowners have known for years that a well-chosen backsplash can bring new life to the space in which you cook, eat, and enjoy special moments with your family and friends. And the approach that designers are taking to these key areas of kitchen wallspace continues to evolve.

For 2019, the focus is on choosing new (and old!) materials that might not have been considered backsplash-worthy in the past. Along with the ongoing use of tried-and-true favourites like subway tile, which designers are continuing to experiment with and apply in new and interesting ways.

As proof, here’s a quick look at six creative backsplash design ideas that we think succeed in making their kitchen environments “pop”.

Pressed to impress.

This approach takes the idea of using traditional pressed tin ceiling material and turns it on its head. Or more accurately, its side. These polished 19^th century tin sheets make this kitchen space truly shine.

Go with the grain.

Using reclaimed wood as a backsplash gives a strong visual focal point to this open concept kitchen. The warm, natural feel of the wood provides a perfect counterpoint to the sleek, modern appliances and cabinetry.

Marble: It’s not just for floors anymore.

In this uniquely designed kitchen, it’s used for both the countertops and the backsplash. The dramatic grain pattern of the marble makes for a pleasing contrast with the stark, simple white cabinetry.

What’s old is new again.

Off-white 19th-century Portuguese tiles are the perfect backsplash choice for this traditional space. The period flavor is echoed in such elements as the repurposed cast iron stove, which now forms the kitchen’s island/sink.

Backsplash as background.

Just to show a different approach: Sometimes the backsplash doesn’t have to be the focal point. Here, the simple white subway tile backsplash allows the brilliant green cabinetry to come even more to the fore.

Industrial strength.

Oversized white backsplash tiles add to the industrial feel of this decidedly modern kitchen. The overall effect is bold, dramatic, yet still surprisingly welcoming.

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