The Sparkling Kitchen Backsplash Trend That's Outdated For 2025

When is the last time you saw someone install a glass mosaic tile? It's probably been a while, as this style has been falling out of favor and may finally be fully outdated in 2025. "Glass mosaic backsplashes were used in a variety of design styles, but almost always as an attempt to look more modern or updated with its glossy finish," said Erika Dale, interior designer and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, in an exclusive interview with House Digest. However, as styles change, and homeowners look for a cleaner, less cluttered look, this staple of the early 2000s has faded from popularity.

Design pros often share ways to make modern design trends timeless, so don't worry if you love the modern look of glass but are ready to get rid of the "builder-grade of the 2000s" look, as Dale puts it. There are ways to incorporate this material in a more chic and updated way. By skipping the mosaics and using larger format tiles, you can not only completely change the look of glass tile, but create an easier to maintain area that won't date your home.

Glass mosaics were popular for a reason. As Dale pointed out, "Glass tiles are easy to clean, waterproof, are often made with recycled material, and give beautiful light reflection." For many, glass tile is the perfect low-maintenance option.

Still, you can sometimes have too much of a good thing. The linear stacked glass mosaics that became popular a couple of decades ago often incorporated a variety of different tones, creating an overdecorated look. "In my opinion, the linear stacked glass mosaic tiles are out of style, as they can easily overwhelm a space with too much visual clutter," Dale said in an exclusive interview with House Digest.

Add grout lines galore into the equation, and you have a very busy backsplash or a bathroom that's suddenly a massive chore to clean. This, of course, is true of any small mosaic tile, so keep that in mind regardless of the material. If you don't like cleaning grout, mosaics in general may not be for you. Still, like most tiles, glass options come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes, so there is no need skip it entirely.

Yes, high-maintenance mosaics in a bold array of colors are on their way out, but glass is a versatile material that can still be an integral part of many design styles. Dale recommends sticking with something a bit more uniform rather than going for the colorful micro-tile look. "There are more modern and sculptural glass tile mosaics that have more staying power and are often done in a more monochromatic way to make a space look less busy," she said.

Some colorful glass tiles backsplashes are trending, but it's all about striking the right balance of size and tone to ensure your tile isn't more of a distraction than a beautiful backdrop. "If you love the look of glass tiles but want it to be more updated, opt for larger format tiles to avoid the visual clutter of mosaics or solid glass backsplash for the ultimate low-maintenance, modern look," Dale said in an exclusive interview with House Digest. Slab backsplashes are popular for their easy cleanup, and solid glass gives the same functionality in a shiny and often eco-friendly package. So, if you're looking to update that mosaic, it's worth considering the same material in a larger format.