When people come to my house, the first thing they comment on is our kitchen backsplash. It has blue, red, green and orange yellow-tiles. (Yes, I owe you a picture but I am on my way to Paris – sorry.) I have to say, that when I saw pictures of our house at the real estate website, I was attracted to it also. It is so un-English and so unconventional. Befits a summer shack somewhere in Spain instead. The extremely warm colors and both charming and uplifting. Makes me feel like I’m on vacation at home. Which brings me to write today about 15 unique kitchen backsplash ideas that you can easily copy to spruce up your home also.
We are still in the market on buying a home, however, and so I am collecting other fabulous, and hopefully recycled kitchen backsplash ideas. Here’s an overview of my favorite, unique kitchen backsplash ideas that are possible DIYs.
15 Unique Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
…. that won’t break the bank.
Unique Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #1: Mason Jar Mosaic
Made with painted, recycled glass pieces. Lots of elbow grease, and only $40 and this family had its new backsplash that is as sunny as the South of France. Absolutely love this! I might choose a milky – creamy white paint instead of that intense blue, but the idea is great. Detailed backsplash DIY tutorial provided.
Cost breakdown:
12 (1qt) Mason Jars $8.97 (which they already had)
Poly Blend Grout $13.27 (which they already had)
Tile Adhesive (Ker 909) $8.99
Trowel with teeth $1.99
Pebo Vitrea 160 Glass Paint (in Turquoise) $5.99.
Amazing!
By Nick and Beth who used to blog at Sawdust & Embryos. As this site is no longer live, we’ve taken the liberty of adding a few how-to notes here so their wisdom is not going to waste.
The How To
Tint the INSIDE of your mason jars with permanent glass dye. When done, slap Tile Adhesive on the wall, thick like cake frosting. Ideally, rack it over with a “notched trowel’ (aka fork) which creates air pockets which help thing stay secure when dried.
Because your broken mason jar pieces are rounded (some more than others), ‘butter’ on some adhesive to the back of each piece with a plastic butter knife before pressing it into place. When you stick it onto the wall, you should feel it press firmly into the goop. This is the most time consuming part.
And when you press the pieces, then sometimes the adhesive blobs. Take the excess off before it dries, you want it to look at neat as possible. Wait a couple of days till it’s all dried. Then mix the non-sanded grout (sanded would scratch the glass). Scrape it on and push it down the grooves really good. Scape off excess with a rubber spatula or similar. Wait 10 minutes and then remove the excess grout filler with a bit sponge and water.
Wait 2 hours. And then sponge it off again and buff with a cloth. Smoothen any sharp glass edges if/as needed. Seal the whole surface with clear poly. Apply white silicone caulk where the backsplash meets the counter.
Unique Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #2: Artistic Recycled Pottery Mosaic
Fancy this incredibly beautiful mural aka backsplash being made from recycled plates and other ceramics. Plus a handful of recycled glass elements as well. Just gorgeous. Step by step photos provided.
By Ginger
Unique Backsplash Ideas #3: Aquarium
This aquarium is just so incredibly beautiful that it will make anyone want to do dishes by hand, at the sink, just to look at Nemo and companions. Love the idea of it. This is a very modern execution however, and I personally have a cottage style, so we’ll have to do something about that. As well, it will probably cost a sweet penny in this way nor is it a DIY. But, as it captures my imagination, I am nonetheless sticking it in my personal look book here.
(not a DIY!)
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #4: Backsplash with Recycled Shipping Pallets
Recycled wood is a tat easier to manage than a temperature-controlled built-in water tank in your kitchen. This unique beach-house inspired backsplash is made with recycled shipping pallets that were laying around in the garden. A how-to tutorial and more photos can be found at the link below. Maybe you can put a fishpond on the counter here…
By Circadee.com
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #5: Enlarged Paris Map
Paris lover that I am… (as you are reading this I AM ON VACATION IN PARIS…), so yes, this is one of my favorite backsplash ideas. Easy to do. Must seal the poster properly however, as you;ll end up with grease and water stains in no time. Prepare, to keep that Paris prettiness. What’s really good about this kitchen overall is that that the Paris street theme is continued with the hanging lanterns and some other smaller kitchen design elements, such as the scalloped French plates about the stove.
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #6: Vintage Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light and so a backsplash with vintage mirrors is a perfect solution for people with a small kitchen. You’ll need to collect a few old mirrors, measure your backsplash exactly and then have the mirrors cut to size. You may need to apply some DIY techniques to create that vintage mirror effect in them. Mirrors age slightly differently, so by applying 1 DIY technique to all, at least they will be all aged in the same way.
By Southern Living
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #7: Recycled Fence board
She walked to the back yard, cut up the fence and posted against her kitchen wall. Ha ha. Well, sort of. This is a great DIY story with lots of photo. Go have a look. I have to warn you: you must seal old wood in the kitchen, so that you can keep it clean from water and grease stains. While that may be obvious to the avid cook, it is not obvious to all, which is why I am reminding you here.
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #8: Pastel Painted Beadboards
Proper and preppy and I like this. Looks so fresh. The white crown molding and copper pans are ‘a must’ to infuse this backsplash idea with elegance. Just the right amount of everything. 
By Decorpad
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #9: Recycled Bottle caps
We have seen this backsplash ages ago and it still captures my fancy. Perhaps it is the colors and the nostalgia. Not sure that I wish for this in my main kitchen, but sure would be fun in a guest studio.
Photo credit: Travelobsession.wordpress.com (sorry no tutorial nor further info; discontinued blog)
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #10 : Marble
Not as unique and budget friendly as the previous backsplash ideas, but a marble backsplash, well, that’s just luxury! Love it. As you can see, they only added the marble behind the stove, making this solution more affordable. Great idea.
Unique Backsplash Ideas #11: Horizontal Wooden Planks
It is the color scheme that works so well here. And the clock over the horizontal striped planks. Not sure what it reminds me of but it feels good.
Unique Backsplash Ideas #12: Casually Elegant Painted Stones
This is the sort of simple kitchen backsplash you’ll find in an Italian country house kitchen. Needless to say, I fancy this!
By BHG
Unique Kitchen Backsplash Ideas #13: Elegant Herringbone Patterned Subway Tiles
Another classic look here that I fancy. It looks very dramatic with the blue hutch over the stove, and cozy and classic.
The tile pattern would work in another kitchen setting also. Neutral and nice. And not too expensive either.
By This old house
Unique Backsplash Ideas #14: Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is never cheap, but you might be affordable if you have a small kitchen backsplash to cover. Unique and beautiful.
By DIY network
And there you have it. 15 wonderful, unique kitchen backsplash ideas, many of which you could DIY.
14 Unique Kitchen Backsplash Ideas – roundup
Right? !!! You can easily copy some of these ideas to give your kitchen a mini-makeover! Some might be easier than others and for some you might want to get a tradesman to help, but overall, quite manageable.
Want more kitchen makeover inspiration:
