Quirky Kitchen Backsplash Designs Are Making A Comeback. Here Are Our 12 Favorite Options

Design minimalism will always have its fans, but splashy maximalism is experiencing a moment in the spotlight. Sleek, white-on-white kitchens with marble countertops and stark white cabinets, for instance, are definitely a crowd favorite, but more and more people are loving bold eclectic kitchens ideas in their homes. Why not have some fun with it and add a pop of pattern, color, or interesting texture to liven things up? And, yes, while some kitchen projects may require laborious renovations or expensive upgrades, there's a way to make a colorful impact without completely tearing your existing kitchen apart, and that is with a fun backsplash upgrade.

Big and bold design is on the rise, and many kitchen trends are pointing to a love of color on cabinets and more dramatic touches like glass and metal surfaces and doors. But if a dramatic makeover sounds a bit intimidating, then the good news is that quirky kitchen backsplash designs are making a comeback. You can play with a design that you don't have to commit to forever, and yet still experience some of the trendy, more whimsical touches that we're seeing this year. If you feel like you're in the market for a quirky kitchen makeover, here are our 12 favorite backsplashes we've been seeing so far.

The term arabesque can refer to distinctly different designs, but in terms of tile fads we're talking about the geometric, multi-colored statement pieces with design roots in South Asia, the Middle East, and Spain. Some may stray away from this option as being too bold for a kitchen space, but in reality, an arabesque tile is a fantastic focal point in an otherwise minimalist kitchen. These tiles often feature geometric takes on natural motifs — like stars, flowers, and leaves — which gives you some space to play with different designs and colors. 

Lovers of the antique will fall in love with this quirky backsplash option. As everything that's old is new again, consider antique or antique-printed tiles for a historic-feeling kitchen. Depending on the tile you choose, it'll play with different time periods. Smaller tiles with curved, floral lines may evoke a Victorian or Edwardian vibe while geometric lines may look more art deco or even mid-century modern. Many tile makers produce replica antique tiles nowadays, so you can hone in on your favorite era. Or, Etsy is a great option if you want truly vintage or antique pieces.

Barn quilts are the beloved exterior decoration pieces that you'll see on rustic barns throughout America's heartland — they've historically symbolized protection from misfortune on the farm, but nowadays barn quilts are used in modern ways in home design. Inspired by the eight-pointed star that's a hallmark of barn quilts, this unique backsplash tile design is an updated take on the classic pastoral vibe and antique barn aesthetic without running the risk of leaning too far into a dated country look.

Talavera tiles are the perfect backsplash option to evoke the warmth of a hacienda-in-the-Mexican-countryside kitchen. While this may sound niche, really, that just means you want a colorful and uniquely patterned backsplash. Such is the whimsical popularity of the Talavera tile in home design: it's one of the those unique tile options that you wouldn't believe you can buy at Home Depot or Amazon. In fact, for the ultimate DIY backsplash hack, you can try these peel-and-stick Talavera wall tiles ($28.99 on Amazon). It's low-commitment, and you can invest in real tiles later if you fall in love!

This isn't the pixelated, micro-square tile of the '90s, but rather an elevated multi-colored take on mosaic tiles that still gives a retro feel. Use trendy, larger square tiles for this backsplash (think 4X4 rather than 1X1) to create a look that feels like a chic mid-century bar. If you want to embrace that MCM life, choose tile colors like amber, brown, dark green, and gray-ish toned blues and pinks. Pair with some antique glassware on floating shelves for the ultimate throwback look.

A rather unique option that's still quirky and yet somehow blends well into a classic kitchen, this H-pattern tile design is as sleek as it is special. While it does give off a little bit of a mid-century chain pattern feel, it doesn't turn the entire kitchen into a "Mad Men" episode. Rather, this backsplash gives the kitchen some interesting lines and texture that can also be made more obvious with a statement color pairing. With a more neutral color, however, this tile pattern elevates the space without dominating it.

Go full-on "Old World" with a cottagecore mural wall that Wedgewood could only dream of. While this option may take a little more of a bespoke route since you'll have to find a set of tiles that create one larger picture, it'll be the most unique kitchen feature any of your friends or family will see. You can, of course, go a little bit homier with tiled treescapes or flowers rather than a big pastoral scene, but something about a full, blue porcelain country-scape just screams luxury.

This option is for the commitment-phobic when it comes to switching things up in the kitchen. It's more easily removable than the other quirky options on this list. Wallpaper may not last as long as tile, so be sure to install a waterproof wallpaper, like this vintage peel-and-stick boho-inspired option ($37.99 on Amazon), to give it extra durability in damp places like behind the sink. Or, for a much longer-term solution, mount a piece of clear plexiglass ($19.99 on Amazon) in those messy spots so that you have a guard against stains but can also still see the design.

These feather tiles are giving "peacock," but in all the best ways. They add texture, color, and patterning all together in a design that's reminiscent of a high-end restaurant or bar in a tropical destination. If this quirky backsplash idea is a bit too bold for you though, there are more toned down versions out there, like this self-adhesive gloss peacock feather gel tile ($39.99 on Amazon). This more simplified version incorporates the same shape but leaves out the more dramatic texture and color if you want to get a similar vibe but maybe without the intensity.

Once again, what's old is now new and the classic vintage diamond tile is a way to make your kitchen feel like an Edwardian townhome without looking dated or old. For those who still love their all-white kitchen, it's a way to incorporate a little bit of personality into the space without sacrificing the sleekness of a monochromatic, white design. It complements almost every kitchen color combo and doesn't overwhelm the space, and yet is unique enough that you'll likely not see it too often in other people's homes. 

If you've ever wondered what it's like to live inside a geode, then this backsplash design is for you. In reality, these larger tiles are just uniquely colored marble pieces, but the way its milky coloration mixes with the darker veining, it looks like you've just cut straight through a crystal. From far away, it almost looks like a beautiful watercolor painting, and it'll sure be a statement piece for the quirky homeowner with a love for crystals. Match the marble coloration with the color of your cabinets to create a cohesive kitchen design.

This idea is one of the easier options to execute on this list, and yet it will pack a fun punch with its quirky composition. Choose several different colored subway tiles and install them vertically for an updated and elevated version of everyone's favorite kitchen tile design. Depending on the color combo of your choice, you can evoke a different kind of feel in the kitchen. With those earth tones, you can pull of a mid-century look, or with more pastel colors, you can create a Miami coastal vibe.