Kitchen Guides
Will a Glass Backsplash Work For My Kitchen?
Coloured or clear, subtle or striking, glass is a versatile way to protect walls. Be inspired by these designs
Whether you want to give an existing kitchen an update or you’re redesigning the entire room, put a glass backsplash on your list of options to consider. Choose one and you can add a flash or a block of colour, leave the room’s walls on show while protecting them from the inevitable spatters, or even introduce a boundary-stretching space-brightener if you go for a mirrored version. Take a look.
Be subtle
In this traditional kitchen, a glass backsplash adds the gentlest of modern touches without setting up a clash between old and new elements. The focus remains on the classic cabinetry and only the light from the glass catches the eye.
Glass can work just as well teamed with an upstand (a continuation of the worktop, just above the base units) – as seen here – as it can meeting a worktop. Either way, the finish is neat and hygienic, and the glass is easy to wipe clean of any marks.
In this traditional kitchen, a glass backsplash adds the gentlest of modern touches without setting up a clash between old and new elements. The focus remains on the classic cabinetry and only the light from the glass catches the eye.
Glass can work just as well teamed with an upstand (a continuation of the worktop, just above the base units) – as seen here – as it can meeting a worktop. Either way, the finish is neat and hygienic, and the glass is easy to wipe clean of any marks.
Protect but don’t conceal
An exposed brick wall is a feature you probably wouldn’t want to cover, but the surface still needs protection from splashes from the hob. In this kitchen, a glass panel ensures the wall isn’t hidden, but won’t get splattered, either.
It’s possible to buy off-the-peg glass backsplash that echo standard appliance widths if you’re fitting one like this. Alternatively, of course, you can get a design made bespoke for your room.
An exposed brick wall is a feature you probably wouldn’t want to cover, but the surface still needs protection from splashes from the hob. In this kitchen, a glass panel ensures the wall isn’t hidden, but won’t get splattered, either.
It’s possible to buy off-the-peg glass backsplash that echo standard appliance widths if you’re fitting one like this. Alternatively, of course, you can get a design made bespoke for your room.
Find the fairest of them all
A mirrored glass backsplash will provide the same benefits as any mirror in the home – it’ll make the room brighter by bouncing light around, and trick the eye into thinking the space is deeper than it really is. Additionally, if there’s a view of the outdoors, it will reflect it, so you can appreciate the garden from another angle.
What you keep out on the worktop will be reflected, too, so you’ll get a double hit of good-looking small appliances, storage containers and kitchen ceramics.
Just like other glass backsplash, mirrored versions need to be made from toughened glass; check with your supplier before committing.
A mirrored glass backsplash will provide the same benefits as any mirror in the home – it’ll make the room brighter by bouncing light around, and trick the eye into thinking the space is deeper than it really is. Additionally, if there’s a view of the outdoors, it will reflect it, so you can appreciate the garden from another angle.
What you keep out on the worktop will be reflected, too, so you’ll get a double hit of good-looking small appliances, storage containers and kitchen ceramics.
Just like other glass backsplash, mirrored versions need to be made from toughened glass; check with your supplier before committing.
Fall for foxed mirror glass
Another take on mirrored glass is the antiqued version seen in this kitchen. It has the same benefits as a pristine mirrored backsplash, but the interesting surface puts the attention on the backsplash rather than just what it’s reflecting.
It’s worth considering this option if you’re fitting a contemporary kitchen in a period home, as it’ll make a subtle link between the two.
Another take on mirrored glass is the antiqued version seen in this kitchen. It has the same benefits as a pristine mirrored backsplash, but the interesting surface puts the attention on the backsplash rather than just what it’s reflecting.
It’s worth considering this option if you’re fitting a contemporary kitchen in a period home, as it’ll make a subtle link between the two.
Look outwards
Worried a galley kitchen will look even narrower if you use colour in the design? Follow this room’s lead by sticking to brightening white units, then use a glass backsplash to add the accent you’re after.
A cool colour like this green shade is best – it makes the walls appear further away to enhance the feeling of space. Team with a wooden worktop and the effect won’t be chilly.
99 ingenious ideas to steal for your small kitchen
Worried a galley kitchen will look even narrower if you use colour in the design? Follow this room’s lead by sticking to brightening white units, then use a glass backsplash to add the accent you’re after.
A cool colour like this green shade is best – it makes the walls appear further away to enhance the feeling of space. Team with a wooden worktop and the effect won’t be chilly.
99 ingenious ideas to steal for your small kitchen
Stay in the (cooking) zone
Fitting a clear glass backsplash in this kitchen allows an uninterrupted and generous expanse of colour across the wall above the oven and base units that emphasises the room’s lofty proportions and distinguishes the cooking zone, too.
As well as being an option for a new kitchen, a glass backsplash is a great swap for outdated tiles. Bear in mind, though, that the surface will need to be made good before the wall is painted and the new backsplash’s fitted.
Fitting a clear glass backsplash in this kitchen allows an uninterrupted and generous expanse of colour across the wall above the oven and base units that emphasises the room’s lofty proportions and distinguishes the cooking zone, too.
As well as being an option for a new kitchen, a glass backsplash is a great swap for outdated tiles. Bear in mind, though, that the surface will need to be made good before the wall is painted and the new backsplash’s fitted.
Heat gently
The glass backsplash in this kitchen has a warming, softening effect akin to using metallics such as copper or brass for kitchen taps or lighting. The seamless finish of the glazing – no grout lines here – means a block of colour has maximum impact.
If you’re fitting a glass backsplash above a long run of units, check the span your choice can cover without joints to reproduce this look. Don’t worry about plugging in small appliances – cutouts can be made for sockets, so there’s no loss of utility in your work area.
The glass backsplash in this kitchen has a warming, softening effect akin to using metallics such as copper or brass for kitchen taps or lighting. The seamless finish of the glazing – no grout lines here – means a block of colour has maximum impact.
If you’re fitting a glass backsplash above a long run of units, check the span your choice can cover without joints to reproduce this look. Don’t worry about plugging in small appliances – cutouts can be made for sockets, so there’s no loss of utility in your work area.
Send a message
A glass backsplash can be a good way to indulge a love of typographic design. Search online and you’ll find a range of foodie messages like this one, or you could even get your own version made up. Toughened glass is heat-resistant, so your pride and joy shouldn’t crack, however busy your hob gets.
A glass backsplash can be a good way to indulge a love of typographic design. Search online and you’ll find a range of foodie messages like this one, or you could even get your own version made up. Toughened glass is heat-resistant, so your pride and joy shouldn’t crack, however busy your hob gets.
Introduce a little greenery
This kitchen features a specially made backsplash with pressed bamboo laminated into toughened glass, creating organic contrast with the scheme’s precise lines. You can follow this room’s example with a worktop in a matching colour to amp up the effect of a bold backsplash.
A number of companies offer bespoke backsplash, from those with designs printed onto the glass as well as more unusual techniques like this one.
Read more:
4 Best Materials for a Kitchen BacksplashWhat Are the Best Backsplash Tiles for Indian Homes?
Tell us:
Did you choose a glass backsplash for your kitchen? Share a photo or tell us about it in the Comments section.
This kitchen features a specially made backsplash with pressed bamboo laminated into toughened glass, creating organic contrast with the scheme’s precise lines. You can follow this room’s example with a worktop in a matching colour to amp up the effect of a bold backsplash.
A number of companies offer bespoke backsplash, from those with designs printed onto the glass as well as more unusual techniques like this one.
Read more:
4 Best Materials for a Kitchen BacksplashWhat Are the Best Backsplash Tiles for Indian Homes?
Tell us:
Did you choose a glass backsplash for your kitchen? Share a photo or tell us about it in the Comments section.
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A peacock blue backsplash gives this charcoal kitchen a lift. Even a rich colour like this one is reflective in glass, so along with the white worktop and floor tiles, it boosts light in a kitchen with dark units.
Back-painting gives the glass its colour. As well as the shades offered in their ranges, many suppliers can produce designs using standard colour systems such as Pantone or RAL, or match the paint to a colour you provide.
Glass backsplash should always be made from toughened – aka tempered – glass for safety. The process makes it stronger (as the name suggests) and, in the unlikely event that it shatters, it’ll break into chunks not sharp pieces.