Tackling a kitchen renovation is not for the faint of heart nor the weak of wallet. There are so many design ideas to consider and decisions to make, both harmless and high-stakes. Choosing a backsplash falls into the latter category becauseunlike a kitchen paint color or kitchen lighting or cabinet hardwareits not something you can easily swap out should you change your mind. A backsplash can also set the tone for the entire kitchen, especially if youre looking to tile an accent area, a whole wall, or even the entire room. While white subway tile is a timeless option and a modern farmhouse favorite, a backsplash also affords the opportunity to add color, pattern, or patina. For example, if youre looking to brighten up your kitchen, give vibrant encaustic tiles a gander. If youre wanting to add age-old character, a backsplash of antique bricks or aged Delft tiles or even distressed antique mirror may be the way to go. In recent years, zellige tilehandcrafted clay tiles traditionally made in Moroccohave also entered the chat, and their subtle irregularities lend pretty texture to a kitchen.Youll also want to consider how much is just enough. While you can certainly just do the standard 3- to 6-inch tall backsplash above all your lower cabinets, there are so many ways to let your backsplash make more of a style statement. You can cover a whole room with your material of choice, but that can get expensive fast. For more of a focal point, consider just tackling the area behind the stove and/or sink. Or, for a happy medium, cover just a section of the wall, and use cabinetry or open shelving to create your stopping point. Finally, theres the practicality of it all, as the name backsplash implies. The surface should be able to stand up to the grease or water that splashes up against it. For example, should you opt for wallcovering, make sure its a material thats easily wipeable, pair it with a lower backsplash of a more durable material, or even consider covering it with a sheet of plexiglass for peace of mind.Below, youll find 40 beautiful kitchens to guide you in the right direction.Find Even More Ideas for Renovating or Decorating Your Kitchen:1Dark Stone BacksplashMike D'AvelloA horizontally wrapped vent hood and paneled knotty pine walls pair well with a dark stone backsplash and black stove in this rustic cabin kitchen designed by HGTV star Jenny Marrs. RELATED: An Everything Guide to Green Kitchen Cabinets2Patterned Zellige Tile BacksplashKirsten FrancisAfter opening up the spaces footprint, designer Stephanie Perez lined her Hudson Valley, New York, kitchen with white Shaker-style cabinetry (Creamy by Sherwin-Williams) for a timeless farmhouse feel. A beaded inset gives them an elevated look, which Stephanie extended to the paneled dishwasher. Handcrafted zellige tiles in shades of white and gray complement the cabinets hue while also adding texture. The small-scale motif gives a nod to the larger-scale checks on the marble floors. RELATED: 20 Warm White Paint Colors That Are Surprisingly CozyAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Warm Mexican Tile BacksplashVictoria PearsonIn this California kitchen by Reath Design, sunny Mexican tiles in a warm citrine shade are bold enough to balance the sapphire blue cabinetry (California Blue by Benjamin Moore). Warm wood countertops and barstools quietly complement the color.4Decorative Neutral BacksplashJOSH GRUBBSIn this family-friendly cabin, beadboard-fronted cabinets, soapstone countertops, and handmade terra-cotta tiles set on the diagonal add to the vintage cottage vibe. The lower cabinets are painted a breezy shade of blue (Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore). RELATED: Wood Ceiling Ideas That Bring the Country CharmAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Quilt Motif Tile BacksplashDAVID TSAY, styling by Becki GriffinLook no further than a classic antique yellowware bowl for proof that blue and yellow make for a timeless country combo, as seen here in Becca McDowells 98-square-foot galley kitchen featuring canary-yellow cabinets (Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams) and quilt-like cement tiles (Tangier Primero by Villa Lagoon). The petite 20-inch electric range maximizes cabinet space.TOUR THE ENTIRE HOUSE 6Classic Subway Tile BacksplashMax Kim-BeeIn the kitchen of this Pennsylvania home, neutrals-loving designer Leanne Ford opted for simple subway tile. To warm up the all-white surroundings, she brought in an antique bakery table that functions as the kitchen island and holds matching baskets on its lower shelf for produce, kitchen towels, and more.RELATED: 60+ Timeless Farmhouse Kitchen IdeasAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Wallpaper BacksplashWallpaper in the kitchen? Yes, please! A gray-toned floral wallpaper adds a special touch to singer-songwriter Holly Williamss Tennessee home. Dusty blue lower cabinets (Blue Daisy by Benjamin Moore) with pretty brass hardware ground the space. 8Cheerful Multicolored Tile BacksplashDiana Paulson, styled by Jennifer Berno DeCleeneEncaustic tile creates a fun focal point in this kitchen, along with a cool blue island topped with easy-to-clean quartz countertops. Tractor-seat barstools and wood cabinets add warmth to the open layout.RELATED: The Best Blue Paint Colors for Your HomeAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Reclaimed Wood BacksplashTria GiovanIn Jennifer and Derrick Millers kitchen, reclaimed wood and a brass pendant (salvaged from a shipyard!) anchor the small space while adding a bit of sophisticated shimmer. A landscape oil painting above the sink offers a makeshift view.10Painted Terra Cotta Tile BacksplashHelen NormanTo breathe new life into her Virginia galley kitchen, Amy Whyte started with a stunning 27-drawer blue workbench that sets the tone for the rustic, pieced-together feel. Together with a handsome forest green range, copper vent hood, and statement-making tile backsplash (Nostalgia by Lauren Liess), this style is a departure from typical country farmhouse style, but a road were happy to take. The vintage runner pulls all the colors together beautifully.RELATED: This Virginia Mountain Cottage Is Straight Out of a StorybookAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Painted Stone BacksplashBrie WilliamsIn the kitchen of this North Carolina mountain cabin, reclaimed wood graces the floor, ceiling, and custom island, which is crafted from antique white oak. A backsplash of white-painted stone brings lightness to the space while maintaining its soul and texture.RELATED: This Rustic Carolina Cabin Is as Cozy as It Gets12Shapely Marble BacksplashBecky Luigart-Stayner, styling by Kathleen VarnerAfter making tweaks to the rooms footprint, Country Living Design Director Maribeth Jones maximized charm with vibrant Shaker-style cabinetry and 6-foot 8-inch wood paneling thats all coated in a sunny shade (Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball). For extra practicality, marble surfaces complement the sink and stove.RELATED: Tour More of This Cheerful Yellow Kitchen That Almost Broke the Internet Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Small-Scale Subway Tile BacksplashDana GallagherMixing materials makes for a been-here-forever aesthetic. In this Wisconsin kitchen, an eye-catching stone range hood, soapstone countertops, smaller-scale white subway tile, handsome reclaimed beams, Douglas fir cabinets, and rush barstools live together in harmony.RELATED: This Wisconsin Cabin Is the House Equivalent of a Cozy Sweater 14Blue and Green Tile BacksplashAdam AlbrightEchoing the natural surroundings, this Wisconsin kitchens blue-and-green square tile backsplash stretches all the way to the ceiling joists. Dark soapstone countertops and black-stained knotty alder cabinetry add to the rustic character. We wanted the open kitchen to feel like an old lodge, says homeowner Sarah Anderson.RELATED: This Colorful and Irreverent Wisconsin Cabin Always Feels Like Happy HourAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below15V-Groove Wood Plank BacksplashDavid HillegasDesigner Heather Chadduck Hillegas gave her 100-year-old homes kitchen a timeless upgrade that combines staples of the past with an air of modernity. A simple wood panel backsplash keeps the look airy, while varying shades of white, including a creamy trim (Shaded White by Farrow & Ball) give the room a layered feel.RELATED: Pretty Ideas for Painted Floors, From Stenciled to Checkered16Window-Height Quartz Backsplash and LedgeBecky Luigart-Stayner; Styling by Kendra SurfaceDesigner Trinity Holmes anchored this open kitchen with a trio of 12-pane windows that lets in tons of natural light. The custom window ledge, with its adjoining shapely Carrara quartz backsplash, makes a charming display spot for potted herbs and collected finds, while the gingham wallpaper reinforces the farmhouse feel.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Natural Stone BacksplashDANE TASHIMAOnce a working dairy farm, this circa-1730s home in Long Valley, New Jersey, is beautifully appointed with original stone-and-plaster walls and wonderfully weathered wood floors. While nothing rivals 300-year-old stone, there are contemporary options to help you achieve a similar age-old look (Rambla Stone-Look Tile from Wayfair).RELATED: This Converted Dairy Barn Is What Country Dreams Are Made Of18Brick Paver BacksplashAnnie SchlechterIn her California cabins kitchen, Jenna Dierrman of Jenna Sue Design started with subway tile, a renovation go-to. Its affordable, and it works with any style of kitchen, says the blogger, who used 12-inch sheets of 2-by-4-inch subway tile to make installation that much easier. To contrast the white tile, she cleverly turned landscaping bricks into a stylish (and fireproof) herringbone backsplash.It was a last-minute decision, but now its my favorite detail in the kitchen, says Jenna.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Square Zellige Tile BacksplashReade McKendreeWith original beams putting the kitchen ceiling height at a mere six feet, homeowner Stephenie Watts was challenged to pack in maximal charm in a minimal space. To get there, she painted the existing cabinets, likely added in the 1940s, and lined the walls in a pretty, light-reflecting zellige tile. A pine farm table serves as the island and brings rustic texture, while unlacquered brass bistro-style shelving brings a little shine.20Black and White Hex Tile BacksplashRustic White PhotographyIn this kitchen designed by Grace Mitchell, creatively arranged black-and-white hex tiles make a big impact. A popular choice for adding historic character, the classic hex tile pairs well with other antique finds, many of which Grace sources at Fort Worths Old Home Supply. Repurposing vintage finds is a greatand green!way to have something in your kitchen that no one else has, says Grace.Rachel BarrettRachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.