18 Kitchen Backsplash Ideas That are Beautiful and Budget-Friendly

If you ask us, your kitchen can offer a lot more than a convenient spot to reheat last night’s leftovers or grab an apple from your fruit basket. As practical as your culinary quarters are, they’re also rife with plenty of style potential. But while painting your cabinet doors a new shade or investing in cute accessories are two great ways to revamp your kitchen, you can make a statement (and protect your walls from spills and stains) with a zesty backsplash.

Switching up your kitchen backsplash might seem like a major financial investment, but get this: It’s possible to freshen up this focal point without spending a fortune. Looking for some inspiration, but have no idea where to begin? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the web for kitchen backsplash ideas that are not only well-appointed, but can also be done at an accessible price point. From peel-and-stick decals to shelving units made from scratch, kitchens below prove that a space can be beautiful and budget-friendly in equal measure.

Kitchen Backsplash Ideas For a Stylish & Functional Space

1. Style With Slabs

Who doesn’t want the luxe look of a marble backsplash? If that pricey option is out of reach, Joy Williams recommends employing adhesive floor tile that only looks like marble. “The cost was less than $200,” designer Joy Williams shares. “We achieved the look we wanted by saving on the backsplash and using the savings to install marble countertops, which we knew would need to be hard wearing so we used a heavily patterned marble.”

2. Structure Shelves From Scratch

For the ultimate mix of form and function, add some floating shelves to your kitchen backsplash. While you could get a contractor to make bespoke storage for your content, blogger Jenna Sue made hers from scratch with a few solid wood slabs. The result: A practical spot that doesn’t cost a pretty penny.

3. Craft a Chalkboard

Why reach for a pad and pen every time you need to jot down a reminder or make a grocery list when you can turn your entire backsplash into one big chalkboard? You could mount a store-bought chalkboard, but there are plenty of chalk paints available that can turn your entire backsplash into a workable, ready-to-write canvas.

4. Zip Away From Zellige

Zellige tile might be all the rage, but their handmade nature makes them quite pricey? Fortunately, Nureed Saeed says it’s possible to get the look for less. “Choose a porcelain or ceramic zellige look tile to get this look for less and also for a nice low maintenance option,” the California designer explains. “This tile by Wow Design is a great example and costs half the price of natural zellige.”

5. Perfect a Pegboard

A pegboard may not seem like the most obvious choice for a backsplash, but this setup from Nikki Kreis proves it can be stylish, financially savvy, and stealth storage. “[My client] wanted a versatile wall space storage and display space with shelves and pegs to hang things from,” she says. “We used a melamine coated birch plywood that is very sturdy and easy to clean, which is important in a kitchen.”

6. Paint Your Tiles

As this kitchen from lifestyle blog Grace In My Space proves, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. “This is the perfect project to update an outdated, but in otherwise good condition, backsplash for under $100,” says founder Sarah Symonds. “I loved the way it turned out so much the first time, that I repeated the project in a lake cottage years later.”

7. Stick With Subway Tiles

For a tiled backsplash that doesn’t break the bank, designer Stephanie Mahaney recommends subway tile. “[They] are not cost-prohibitive, and there are so many color options these days,” she says. “If you spend a little extra time finding the right size, shape, color, and grout, you can make a huge impact without spending a ton of money.” In this kitchen, Mahaney delivers a delightful pop of color with bright blue tiles.

8. Pick Out Some Peel-and-Stick

Or, you can save yourself some time, money, and grout by opting for a peel-and-stick tile. “It can cover outdated, ugly tiles in minutes and I love that there are now so many color options available,” design expert Alexandra Gater explains. “Since it isn't a permanent change, it can be a good opportunity to experiment with colour.” Let this pink setup from Gater show you how it’s done.

9. Pattern Play

Wallpaper is a surefire way to bring a pop of personality to any room of your house—yes, even your kitchen backsplash. Since there are so many repeats to choose from, selecting “the one” can feel like a tall order. When in doubt, opt for a print that best reflects your space and the vibe you’re hoping to create. Here, designer Amy Carman achieved moody speakeasy vibes with this botanical repeat.

10. Off the Hook

If you’re looking for a sensible place to store utensils, take a cue from Marianne Verrilli, who added a slim brass rod above her countertop. Though this affordable kitchen backsplash idea is so subtle that it might go unnoticed, it’ll become a godsend in the midst of meal-prepping madness.(Photo Credit: Marianne Verrilli.)

If you’re looking for a sensible place to store utensils, take a cue from Marianne Verrilli of The Ma Times, who added a slim brass rod above her countertop. Though this affordable kitchen backsplash idea is so subtle that it might go unnoticed, it’ll become a godsend in the midst of meal-prepping madness.

11. Show Off Your Cooking Essentials

Another way to make the most of your kitchen backsplash? Add a magnetic strip for your knife collection. Not only does this option free up some precious counterspace, but it’ll also keep sharp objects far away from younger members of the home.

12. Grow a Garden

Turns out, using fresh herbs can elevate both your recipes and home decor. Avid greenthumbs might want to add a vertical garden to their kitchen, but lining your backsplash with petite pots of rosemary, basil, and mint is an affordable alternative.

13. Find Beauty in the Broken

As this space from Tracey Stephens proves, one person’s antiquities is another’s affordable backsplash idea. The designer crafted this eclectic, custom kitchen with china that once belonged to her client’s grandmother. “I put the pieces inside a bag and smash them gently with a hammer to break them,” Stephens says. “The pieces are glued onto the sheetrock with tile adhesive and then grouted the next day—just like a regular tile backsplash installation, but using broken pieces that fit together like a puzzle.” While the entire project did take 30 hours, it makes a statement without breaking the bank.

14. Spruce It Up With Shiplap

Shiplap might be known for serving up modern farmhouse vibes, but it’s pretty budget-friendly, too. Depending on who you ask, this wood paneling can cost as little as $2 per square foot. Let this charming backsplash from Studio McGee show you how it’s done.

15. Make Mirrored Magic

If a stone or tile backsplash is out of budget, designer Callie Windle offers an accessible alternative: A mirror. “Installed in a small kitchen, a mirror bounces light around and opens the space up,” she says. Of course, the perks of a mirrored backsplash doesn't stop there. “It's easy to clean, goes with everything, and is a simple way to make a kitchen feel a little more special,” Windle adds.

16. A Fashionable Frame

A picture might be worth 100 words, but it’s a relatively affordable way to zhuzh up your kitchen’s backsplash. For an instant makeover, place your favorite print in a gilded frame and lean it up against your wall—just as designer Bria Hammel did here.

17. Wow With (Faux) Wood

A woof, or faux- wood backsplash is a natural fit in a rustic space, like a cabin or farmhouse, but it also works as a way to warm up a sleek and modern space like the one above. 

18. Let There Be Light

On the hunt for a bright idea? You can easily give your backsplash a glow-up by placing a table lamp on your counter. This simple touch will bring a cozy, homey effect to your kitchen—minus the sticker shock.