The splashback is usually the last thing anyone thinks about and one of the first things you notice in a finished kitchen. Good kitchen splashback ideas aren’t just about colour. The right material depends on what sits in front of it, especially the hob.
At KitchenSMART we design, supply and fit German Schüller kitchens, and the splashback is planned alongside the worktops, not tacked on at the end. Here are the options that work, and where each one belongs.
01. Kitchen Splashback Ideas by Material
Toughened glass gives a seamless, wipe-clean finish in almost any colour. It can’t be cut or drilled once toughened, so it’s measured after the worktops go in, with socket cut-outs planned in advance. Quartz matching the worktop looks expensive because it is, but it gives one continuous surface. If you’re still choosing, our quartz vs granite worktops guide covers both.
Tiles are the most flexible option and often the best value, from metro to herringbone to zellige. The trade-off is grout, which needs sealing or an epoxy grout behind the sink and hob. Stainless steel is hard-wearing and heat resistant, but shows scratches over time. Acrylic and laminate panels keep costs down but aren’t suitable directly behind a gas hob.
02. Kitchen Splashback Ideas for Behind the Hob
The hob wall takes the most heat and grease, so it’s where material choice matters most. Toughened glass, stainless steel, tiles and stone all cope well behind an induction hob. Behind a gas hob, follow the hob and extractor manufacturer’s clearances, which can be greater than the height used elsewhere in the room. Still weighing up which hob to go for? Read our induction vs gas hob comparison.
A venting hob changes the picture too. With no hood on the wall, the splashback becomes a feature you actually see, so a full-height panel or bold tile makes more sense.
“Pick the splashback with the worktop sample in your hand. Seen together, the wrong combination is obvious in seconds.”
03. Height, Colour and Lighting
Most splashbacks run from the worktop to the underside of the wall units. Full height behind the hob or sink, or up to the ceiling in a kitchen with no wall units, gives a bolder look. In a handleless kitchen a plain glass or stone panel keeps the lines clean, while a Shaker kitchen suits tiles with a bit of texture.
Lighting makes or breaks it. Under-cabinet LEDs show off a gloss or textured finish, and pair well with kitchen plinth lighting lower down. See more on our lighting page, or browse independent ideas in this splashback materials guide.
04. Splashbacks in Our Milton Keynes Kitchens
We fit kitchens across Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton, and our own fitters handle the splashback as part of the installation. For real examples, see this Newport Deep Blue kitchen or browse all our projects. Read our reviews, browse the Schüller catalogue, then bring your ideas to our Linford Wood showroom.
05. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best splashback for a kitchen?
There isn’t one best option. Toughened glass is the easiest to clean, quartz gives the most seamless look with a matching worktop, and tiles offer the most choice for the money. Behind the hob, go for something heat resistant.
Can you put a glass splashback behind a gas hob?
Toughened glass is used behind gas hobs, but the clearances in the hob manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. The glass doesn’t make nearby units or trims safe if they sit inside that zone.
How high should a kitchen splashback be?
Usually from the worktop to the underside of the wall units. Behind the hob or sink it can go full height for a feature. Our designers will plan it on a free planning visit.
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