The Kitchen Backsplash Trends to Follow in 2021

You’ve likely spent hours dreaming of your dream kitchen. You’ve carefully selected the appliances, agonized over counter choices, and hand-picked the hardware. Now it’s time to focus on one of the most important design aspects of this area: the backsplash. The backsplash can pull the entire kitchen together, balance out different designs, and reflect your ideal aesthetic. The goal is to pick something trendy but won’t be outdated within a few years… but what’s popular right now?

Here are the top trends in backsplashes in 2023 to help you choose.

Simple and Chic

Peel-and-stick tile backsplashes are becoming increasingly popular. It’s not hard to guess why: It’s easy to do yourself, it’s cost-effective and looks just as good as set tile or stone backsplashes. This is an excellent option for homeowners with tall spaces they’re looking to fill. You just pick the style, peel off the back, and stick it to the wall – it’s really that simple.

Grout-Free and Trendy

Luckily, your backsplash options aren’t limited to either peel-and-stick or hiring a professional to deal with grout. Grout-free backsplash tiles are stylish, versatile, and much less work. You also won’t have to spend hours cleaning between the tiles to avoid grimy grout. For the designer inside us all, there are hundreds of geometric and mosaic tile options to choose from that require zero grout.

Classic and Classy

Ceramics and porcelain are classics for a reason. They’re resilient, durable, and reliable materials to hold up as kitchen backsplashes. But just because they’re classic choices, it doesn’t mean they can’t stay on-trend. You can find porcelain and ceramic tiles in every design imaginable to fit your aesthetic and style.

Sleek and Industrial

Metallic backsplashes are on the rise. We’ve seen a trend in industrial styles that include copper metal or stainless steel tiles. These tiles go exceptionally well with dark-colored kitchens or ones with industrial lighting or hardware. If you’re going for this look, you can stick with classic rectangles or go for something extraordinary, like circles or swirled patterns. 

Traditional and Minimalist

You just can’t go wrong with a minimal backsplash design. Subway tile is an affordable option that adds understated elegance to your kitchen. These tiles tend to be slightly glossy and textured, which looks beautiful and handcrafted. Though horizontal rectangle tiles are common, you can pattern them in any way you want to add a spin to the classic look.

Bold and Bright

If your kitchen is minimally designed, the backsplash can serve as an accent piece. Go for strong geometric patterns or add a third color that can add a pop of color – like red or blue – or blend in with white and black, such as gray or gold. Polished marble works great in this application, though it does tend to be pricier than other options.

Your backsplash makes a statement, whether you go for subtle tiles that blend into the background or something bright and bold. How you choose a backsplash will depend on your kitchen’s style, your personal design aesthetic, and the amount of time you want to spend installing it. Go for a look that will age well along with your kitchen, so you won’t feel the need to replace it every few years to stay on-trend.