Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

Though not nearly as entertaining as Bravo's Top Design (seriously, who can top Eddie Ross in all of his bow-tie-wearing glory), HGTV's Design Star just wrapped its fourth season, crowning edgy, New York City designer Antonio Ballatore king of the nine-week competition and firing up some amazing kitchen designs.

Looking back through the episodes for those rare moments of drool-worthy inspiration, I had to stop at week two's challenge to redesign a kitchen. If you've seen the show before, you know that the kitchen makeovers are notoriously difficult to complete, especially for those who dare to do tiling of any sort. Well, despite getting the boot later on in the show, design savvy contestant Torie Halbert fashioned a kitchen backsplash out of an ornate tin material traditionally used for ceilings that had even Candice Olson applauding.

And just like that, a whole range of kitchen backplash possibilities started popping up on my radar. Here are a few that I'm filing away for my next kitchen remodeling project...






Tin a la Torie
The 2x4-foot sheets of tin ceiling tile used here and in the Design Star kitchen challenge are easy to cut and install in just a weekend--my kind of DIY.

Photo: Country Living

Wallpaper
It's about as versatile as wall coverings come. Even the ubiquitous birch design that ruled 2008 takes on a new (and quite stunning) life in an all white and stainless steel kitchen.

Photo: Decor Pad

Chalkboard paint
The modern, matte feel of a dark chalkboard wall is coffee house chic, but what's even cooler is being able to have your recipe written out in front of you while you cook.

Photo: KitchAnn Style

Photo: HGTV

Snakeskin
Ever edgy Domino magazine featured this faux snakeskin backsplash-really an embossed polyurethane material-as a bold alternative to traditional wallpaper.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Hidden Storage
This backsplash only looks like large squares of copper tile. A clever little secret lies behind its shiny facade: storage space for countertop appliances.

Photo: Kitchen Bath Ideas

Mirrors
Design wisdom says that mirrors give the illusion of more space as they do in this 48-square-foot kitchen in New York City.

Photo: TheKitchn.com

Glass
A single piece of glass layered over a brightly painted wall is the epitome of sleek. Plus, it's easy to clean, and super versatile since the panel can be removed when your love for the shade of paint fades.

Photo: morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com