The Best Splashback Tiles for Every Kitchen Style

When you think about designing a beautiful, functional kitchen, splashback tiles might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But they should be. The right splashback wall tile can anchor your entire design, connecting your benchtops, cabinetry, flooring, and even your kitchen mixer and kitchen sink.

Choosing the perfect tiles isn't just about picking a colour you like. It’s about thinking through how it will work with the style of your kitchen, the materials around it, and the mood you want to create in the space where you probably spend more time than any other room of the house. Here’s how to choose the best splashback tiles for every kitchen style, with tips on tying everything together beautifully.

Modern Minimalist Kitchens: Sleek, Understated Tiles

Modern kitchens are all about crisp lines, streamlined materials, and minimal fuss. In this kind of space, your splashback should feel like a natural extension of the overall design, simple, elegant, and confident.

Large format tiles like 600x600 tiles in soft matt finishes are ideal here because they minimise grout lines and create a clean, continuous surface that blends into the cabinetry. Vertical stacked subway tiles in muted white tiles or grey tiles can also work beautifully, adding structure without overwhelming the space. 

Herringbone tiles also work beautifully as a kitchen splashback. 

Pair your splashback with matte black tapware or brushed nickel kitchen mixer and a sleek undermount sink to keep the lines clean and modern. If you need help styling finishes across walls and floors, you can read our blog on finding the right tile to match your space. 

Coastal & Hamptons Kitchens: Light, Textured Tiles that Feel Breezy and Natural

Coastal and Hamptons kitchens are designed to feel calm, bright and open, and the splashback plays a big role in achieving that.

Classic white subway tiles with a soft gloss finish are a perfect fit, especially when paired with light stone benchtops and shaker-style cabinetry. For a fresher take, you could use textured mosaic tiles in soft greens or blues, or even handmade-look tiles that reflect light and add movement.

White subway tiles like the Vetra Bianco White Gloss are a solid choice for coastal kitchens. 

In coastal kitchens, the goal is to keep everything feeling effortless. A white sink combined with brushed nickel tapware can bring warmth and a relaxed feel that complements textured splashback tiles perfectly.

Industrial Kitchens: Bold, Textured Splashbacks that Add Grit and Character

Industrial kitchens are all about contrast between rough and smooth, dark and light, raw and refined. Your splashback tile should capture that same tension.

Concrete-look tiles in soft greys or deep charcoal are a natural fit, especially in larger formats that feel architectural and robust. If you want something a little edgier, consider small-format decorative tiles.

To complete the look, pair your industrial splashback with a gunmetal kitchen mixer and a classic stainless steel sink. This keeps the palette raw and authentic, while still feeling carefully curated.

Not sure how much tile to order for your splashback? Our guide: How Many Tiles Do I Need? can walk you through calculating quantities without the guesswork.

Classic and Traditional Kitchens: Elegant, Timeless Tiles that Layer Warmth

Classic kitchens favour materials and designs that feel rooted and enduring. A great splashback tile here will bring richness and detail without overpowering the cabinetry or bench surfaces.

Carrara marble-look tiles are a timeless choice, offering a touch of luxury without feeling fussy. Feathered mosaic layouts or muted encaustic patterns also work well in traditional kitchens, especially if you want to add a heritage nod without making the space feel old-fashioned.

Carrara marble look tiles are perfect for classic kitchens. 

When styling a traditional kitchen, softer metallics (like antique brass tapware) work beautifully alongside warm whites and neutral stone. A farmhouse sink or butler apron sink can also ground the kitchen and balance out finer tile details.

Colourful Kitchens: Bold Splashbacks that Make a Statement

More and more Australian kitchens are moving away from neutrals and embracing colour and nowhere is this more effective than in the splashback.

If you have bold cabinetry (like deep green, navy or charcoal), your splashback can either reinforce that colour or act as a crisp contrast. Gloss white tiles are a safe, clean choice that will bounce light and make colourful joinery shine, while muted shades of sage green tiles, blue tiles or blush can create a tonal, layered look.

Kit kat tiles, vertical subway layouts, or tiny penny round mosaics can all bring depth to coloured kitchens without cluttering the visual space. Just be careful to keep your other finishes (kitchen mixer taps, sinks, handles) relatively simple to avoid overwhelming the room.

Final Tips for Choosing the Right Splashback Tile

When choosing your splashback tile, it’s important to make choices that connect the entire kitchen space.

• Link your splashback to your benchtop, cabinetry, and tapware choices.

• Think about cleaning. High-gloss tiles are easier to wipe down, while textured surfaces may need a little more maintenance.

• Keep grout in mind. Contrast grout highlights tile shapes; matching grout creates a seamless look

Still stuck? Visit Buildmat’s Melbourne showroom or browse the full tile collection online, where you’ll also find kitchen sinks, mixers and accessories designed to help you pull the whole look together.