Your backsplash is a great place to make a statement. If you find yourself drawn to a bold tile pattern, take a risk and try the tiles in your space. You can always order samples and reverse course if they don’t look quite the way you thought they would.

Home Depot Merola Tile Harmonia Kings Tile $7.98

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Your space is never too small to have fun with. Even if you’re navigating a teeny-tiny kitchenette, you can make room for a bold backsplash.

Choose a set of tiles you love and outfit your space in them. If you want to make the room feel more spacious, let the tiles run from ceiling to countertop, as this will draw the eye upward and create the illusion of more space.

Looking to bring color into your space? Let your backsplash expand your palette. You can match it to your island, or choose a contrasting color. As long as the shade suits your space and everything that’s already in it, you should have a pretty palette on your hands.

Bedrosians Tile & Stone Cloe Baby Blue Ceramic Tile $6.99

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Colorful tiles aren’t the only bold options on offer—textured tiles can be just as fun to play with. Look for tiles made from a sleek material like marble, as these tiles come with built-in visual texture and will surely add dimension to your space without feeling quite as loud as a vibrant shade or a striking pattern.

Your backsplash doesn’t have to be lined with tiles. If you’re craving something a little more surprising, try a wood-paneled backsplash, instead. The material will add texture and warmth to your space.

Bold backsplashes are great, but there are plenty of ways to make a subtler statement that is still unique.

If you’ve curated a minimalist kitchen, let your backsplash in on the fun. Your wooden cabinets and marble countertops would look great next to some sleek white tiles, and if you want your backsplash to feel a touch more dynamic, you can always dial up the sheen on your tiles.

Your backsplash is one of the first things you’ll see every time you walk into your kitchen, so make sure it establishes the mood you want it to. If your kitchen was designed with entertaining in mind, set the tone with a backsplash that feels bold and fun. And of course, be sure to cement that mood with every accent piece you add.

Home Depot Merola Tile King Rombos Tile $7.58

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Blue, black, and white backsplashes are abound, but there are plenty of other options on offer. Consider featuring a slightly less obvious shade in your space.

Mauve might not have been the first color that came to mind when you thought “kitchen,” but the shade will look great next to crisp white countertops and warm wooden accents. And if purple just isn’t resonating with you, rest assured knowing there are tons of other surprising shades to choose from.

Most of the time when you see a backsplash, it’s behind a sink. But, if it doesn’t make sense to put yours there, remember that you don’t have to.

Your backsplash could just as easily live behind your stove, giving you a chance to showcase some seriously pretty tiles without forcing you to rework your space.

Once you’ve committed to a striking backsplash, you may feel like your kitchen can’t handle any more bold décor. But the truth is, it probably can. A patterned backsplash can look surprisingly great next to high-contrast marble countertops, as seen here.

TileBar Mezzo Brava Polished Marble Mosaic $39.95

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One very underrated way to craft a statement-making backsplash? Spring for iridescent tiles. Though the shiny tiles are available in a variety of colors, some of the prettiest options come in sleek whites and grays.

These high-sheen neutrals will fit seamlessly into your space, and they’ll offer your kitchen a welcome dose of visual texture.

Fun kitchen tiles are supposed to go on your backsplash, right? But who’s to say they can’t line your kitchen island, instead?

If you’ve found two sets of tiles you absolutely love, consider inverting expectations by lining your backsplash with the subtler tiles and saving the statement-making tiles for your island. This surprising choice is sure to make a statement, plus, it’ll free up some visual space along your countertops.

Pops of color are popular, but why not add a pop of print, instead? If your kitchen is particularly sleek and simple, consider using your backsplash to shake things up.

With a few thoughtfully chosen tiles, you can introduce a new pattern to your space, and even if you leave everything else as is, your brand new backsplash is sure to leave your space feeling transformed.

Most kitchen backsplash tiles are relatively large and rectangular, so you can make a statement simply by choosing a narrower option. There are tons of long, thin tiles out there—and they look particularly great when organized neatly. Find a shade that suits your space and stock up.

When designing your kitchen, you have full control over what gets put on display. If your countertops are particularly stunning, choose a backsplash that brings out the best in them.

If you’ve stumbled upon a set of tiles so pretty you want to spend all day staring at them, make those the centerpiece of your space. It’s not every day you find metallic bronze backsplash tiles, so when you do, embrace the opportunity.

Remember that your tiles don’t exist in a vacuum. Realistically, they’ll be installed using grout, and since this grout will effectively frame all of your very pretty tiles, you’ll want to put some thought into it.

The most obvious choice is to use a versatile white grout. But in the right setting, black grout can look just as sleek. Since it’s a surprising choice, it’ll leave your space feeling veritably statement-making.

If you’re not sure what to do with your backsplash, remember that you can always match it to your countertops. This holds true whether your countertops are crafted from sleek marble, warm wood panels, or even crisp laminate.

When it comes to designing your kitchen, the most important thing is making sure you love the space you’ve curated. Commit to stocking up on colors, textures, and patterns you love looking at—even if you’ve never seen anyone else try them before. Who says your kitchen walls can’t be lined with shiny copper tiles?

Penny tiles—small, round tiles the size of pennies—are a popular choice for bathroom floors—and that’s exactly why they’ll look so interesting in your kitchen.

Putting floor tiles on your walls is a bold choice, and putting bathroom tiles in your kitchen is an even bolder one. Statement-making decisions aside, the tiles are also sure to add some sleek texture to your space.

Your colorful backsplash doesn’t have to extend across your kitchen. Instead, it can frame only your stove or your sink—giving you a splash of vibrant color that’s restricted to one area.

Though many people use the phrase “pop of color” to describe the addition of any vibrant shade to their space, this design choice could be a true pop of color. You could keep the rest of your palette consistent and pared-down, allowing your striking backsplash to make a prominent impact in your space.

Home Depot Merola Tile Ocean Blue Tile $9.98

Your tiles don’t have to stop at your backsplash. If you find a few sets you love, use one on your backsplash, cover your kitchen island in another, and put the other on display somewhere else in your house.

By choosing sets with similar patterns and palettes, you can keep your space feeling dynamic, but cohesive.

Backsplashes can be fun and kitschy—but they can just as easily be sleek and sophisticated. So, rest assured knowing you can find a unique backsplash that looks great in your space.

If your kitchen is bold and contemporary, try a black subway tile. The design will feel classic, while the palette will feel modern, surprising, and just a little bit edgy.

Home Depot Merola Tile Chester Nero Subway Tile $9.09

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If you look hard enough, you’ll find tiles that can only be described as sculptural. These tiles aren’t patterned or printed, and they’re rarely rendered in vibrant colors. Instead, they boast carved designs and genuine texture.

Since these tiles are often monochromatic, you can use them to make a subtle statement in your space. From far away, they’ll look like classic white backsplash tiles, and when you take a closer look, you’ll notice all their intricate texture.

Your backsplash can play a vital role in your kitchen’s aesthetic, but remember that it’s just one piece of a bigger whole. Consider the cabinets and countertops you’re pairing your backsplash with, and use all the pieces in tandem to make a statement.

Pair contrasting colors and prints, or take a more delicate approach and use a monochromatic palette from top to bottom.

Most kitchen backsplashes are made up of stripes of tiles, so if you want your space to feel surprising, you can simply try a different layout.

Turn your stripes into zigzags by opting for a herringbone pattern. Even the simplest, sleekest white tiles can make a statement when titled or turned on their sides.

Bedrosians Tile & Stone Calcatta Floor & Wall Mosaic $19.59

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The texture doesn’t have to stop at your backsplash. Realistically, tons of other furniture and décor will fill your space, and you can cement your aesthetic by stocking up on pieces that complement your backsplash.

Pair a tropical print tile with woven rattan chairs, and put your barware on full display. Before you know it, your space will feel like a beachside bar—and you’ll be dying to escape there at the end of your next work day.

Outfitting your backsplash can be a really fun process if you let it. Embrace opportunities to add personality to your space.

Take risks on bold prints and vibrant colors, and build tongue-in-cheek details—like a mosaic that says “cocktails”—into your walls. These little additions will make your space feel more special—and ultimately, more you.