Anna Marie Fanelli, Showroom Owner: When I design a kitchen backsplash, I like to see a blending of color. The splash should complement the floor, cabinets and countertop. I do not feel the backsplash should be a separate entity to the space. It can be dramatic but it should not be an eyesore.

Lori Kirk-Rolley, Tile Industry Professional: The backsplash needs to complement the other materials in the kitchen. It doesn’t necessarily have to match, but colors and style should complement the other design elements in the space. As an example, if a homeowner chooses a granite countertop that has a lot of visual movement (veining, color variation) they may want to design a backsplash that is more subdued, without as much visual activity. But at the end of the day, the homeowner needs to make choices that she or he will like today as well as in the future.

Verdict: Have fun with your backsplash, but be aware of its surroundings.

Photo Courtesy of Oceanside Glasstile

Glass tiles in types of shapes, like these in the form of subway tiles, continues to be popular for kitchen backsplashes.

Courtesy of Walker Zanger

Long and thin tiles arranged vertically are a recent trend in backsplash configuration.

Photo Courtesy of Keraben and the Tiles of Spain

With plenty of room for a backsplash, this kitchen uses large, rectangular tiles to fill up the space behind the cooking area and accentuate the room’s length.

Courtesy of Oceanside Glasstile and DIY-Do It Yourself Network’s Kitchen Renovations series

This photo is a good example of using two different tile colors and sizes within a backsplash to create a stunning look.

Photo courtesy of Kohler

White subway tile has been a classic element of design for many years, but is it stylish enough to stand alone in a backsplash?

Courtesy of Mibo Tile Tattoos

Using tile decals, like the one’s from Mibo pictured above, is one way for renters to easily add a little style to their backsplash.

Courtesy of Tile of Spain

Without the barrier of wall cabinets, this backsplash is able to extend all the way to the ceiling.

Photo by Suki Medencevic

Intricate, custom backsplashes, which require tile to be cut into specific shapes, will always cost more than basic backsplash configurations.

Photo Courtesy of Kohler

This backsplash uses a very light grout that doesn’t detract from the tiles.

Photo Courtesy of Tiles of Spain

European design doesn’t always incorporate wall cabinets, which allows the wall tile to be the focal point in the room.

Photo Courtesy of Tiles of Spain

This modern kitchen eschews wall paint for a mix of cherry red and white wall tiles.

Photo Courtesy of the Atlanta Building Company

Older apartment units in big cities often stick with classic tile for backsplashes, like white subway tile seen above.

Photo Courtesy of Crossville

As backsplashes have evolved over the years, they’ve went from functional parts of the kitchen to a dimension of a kitchen that allows for creative design. The photo above shows a current backsplash with an artistic element.

Photo by Paul Dyer, courtesy of CCS Architecture

You can use reclaimed wood for something like a countertop, as seen in the kitchen above. But using reclaimed wood for a backsplash can be a difficult proposition.

Photo Courtesy of Fireclay Tile

The tiles pictured above are made from post-consumer recycled content.