The Stunning Kitchen Backsplash Trend That's About To Explode In 2024

With a new year comes new kitchen trends and exciting ways to make a kitchen feel refreshed. 2023 an uptick in creative and colorful tile adorning kitchen walls and bold stone patterns on the counters. The new trends for 2024 seem to be following suit with a little bit of a twist. Interior designers have often mixed materials to create unique textures and interesting designs. In 2024, designers are doing just that with tile and stone. "To visually break up those expanses of tile, some designers are now installing a slab of stone or quartz behind the range or cooktop while keeping the surrounding backsplash areas tiled," Houzz reported. The stone slab used on the wall is typically the same one that's used on the countertops.

This new trend seems to be a combination of a few previous trends. Slab backsplashes have grown in popularity in the last few years, especially with a stone with dramatic colors and veining. Carrying this material up on the wall added an eye-catching detail that exuded a feeling of luxury along with the aesthetics. In previous years, kitchens often had an accent detail over the range that used a contrasting tile from the rest of the backsplash framed with molding or tile. This new play on a classic backsplash trend is a modern way to update a kitchen to a bolder and sleeker style.

Backsplashes contribute to both the function and aesthetic of the kitchen and the aesthetic side has led to creative new trends. The new backsplash trend of combining stone slabs with traditional tile is one Houzz is expecting to gain popularity in the upcoming year. One of the functional purposes of backsplashes is to protect the wall from splashes from food or oil when cooking. Slab backsplashes are much easier to clean compared to tile, which has grout in between. The seamless surface of a slab backsplash allows you to wipe without having to scrub tricky grout lines. This is particularly beneficial behind a range or cooktop where food is much more likely to splatter, so the trend also offers a functional aspect.

The bold nature of a slab backsplash automatically draws the eye. Beyond the function a slab backsplash can provide, it's also a great design tool to create a focal point in the room. While many designers are placing it behind the range or cooktop, you can place a slab backsplash behind other areas of the kitchen, such as behind the sink or behind floating shelves or cabinets. The trend can be made even more bold by carrying the slab of stone from the countertops to the ceiling. Accenting the vertical space can make the kitchen appear larger and more grand.

Since the same material is often used for both the countertops and a slab backsplash, factors such as durability and porosity are considered when choosing the stone. Popular options are granite, marble, and quartz. Quartz is often a top choice because it's moisture- and heat-resistant, which makes it a great option for behind the stove or the sink. Plus, it can stand up splashes from water and food because it's non-porous, meaning that it won't stain as easily. Granite countertops have many of the same benefits as quartz, often at a lower price. Marble is a favorite because of the dramatic colors and veining the stone offers; however, it's more porous, which can lead it to absorb liquids and staining more easily.

One technique to pair tile with stone is to take inspiration from the veining colors of the stone and match the tile to that shade. This creates a coordinating but not matching look. Contrast the two materials with a dark shade and a light shade to create some drama. And, of course, a white-on-white look is timeless and can emphasize the change in texture more than the color. As for the size of the tile, you don't want to choose a size that's too large as it may not create the distinction needed to make the stone the main focal point. Instead, opt for small or medium sizes that will show off the change in texture from tile to stone.