Splashback Tiles

What makes a good splashback tile

A splashback needs to wipe clean, handle steam and the odd splash of oil, and look good at eye level. Glazed ceramic and porcelain do all three, and they need no sealing. Natural stone mosaics such as Concave Carrara Marble Kit Kat, Herringbone Calacatta Marble and Apollo Natural Stone Concave look beautiful, but they should be sealed, especially behind a cooktop.

Because a splashback is a small area, it is the easiest place to spend a little more on a handmade or patterned tile.

Popular splashback formats

• Subway: Lume 2.0 Italian Subway Tiles 60 x 240 mm, Confetto Series Porcelain Subway, Rustic White Handmade Subway and Kazoku Hatsu Long Subway, a hand-glazed Japanese tile. See subway tiles.
• Finger and linear: Frame Linear Porcelain in gloss and matt, and the Plinto Spanish Feature Wall Tile at 107 x 542 mm, for a tall, modern line.
• Squares and zellige: Rubik Square 123 x 123 mm and Glazed Solid Square Mosaics, or the Zellige Italian Wall Tile for a glossy, handmade shimmer. See zellige tiles.
• Kit kat and mosaics: fine vertical fingers and concave profiles that add texture. See kit kat tiles and mosaic tiles.
• Handmade looks: MANO Handmade Look Ceramic, Manacor Series Spanish Handmade and Artisan Spanish Subway & Square, with soft, irregular edges. See handmade tiles.

Gloss or matt?

Gloss is the classic splashback finish. It bounces light under wall cabinets and wipes clean in seconds. Matt is the most common finish in this collection and suits modern and Japandi-style kitchens, though it needs a little more attention behind the cooktop. Some ranges, such as Frame Linear, come in both, so you can mix them on one wall.

Layout, grout and edges

A horizontal brick bond suits subway tiles, a vertical stack looks crisp and modern, and herringbone adds movement. Grout colour makes a big difference: a tone close to the tile reads as one surface, while a contrast outlines every piece. A mid-grey or warm beige grout hides cooking marks better than bright white. Finish exposed edges with a trim or a pencil border, and pick up grout and adhesive from tiling supplies. Planning the whole room? See kitchen tiles.