Splash Hits!

Today’s kitchens feature splashbacks which are a design feature in their own right.

Where before only tiles and stainless steel sat, now thanks to toughened glass and new materials, the splashback is making waves.

Designs are made from frosted or colour-coated glass, laminate, acrylic and composites and come in the latest colours and patterns. Splashbacks can add colour and texture in the kitchen or provide a contemporary edge with interesting shapes, floral patterns, stripes and individual designs.

And like stainless steel - popular thanks to the continuing trend for industrial-style kitchens - splashbacks come in one piece so they can’t trap the dirt. They are also easy to install and highly durable.

Glass offers great light-reflecting properties, especially if teamed with toughened glass worktops, working wonders for kitchens that suffer from a shortage of natural light. The latest glass splashbacks are bright with some designs even resembling works of art.

Hannah Robinson, of Steve Robinson Glass, which produces handmade, made-to-measure splashbacks, says: ‘We are seeing increased demand for our unique glass splashbacks as focal points behind cookers.’ She continues: ‘The feedback we are getting from the trade is that... customers are preferring the sleeker look that a splashback offers.’

For a stunning original piece you can expect to pay £2,000 per square metre. If your budget doesn’t reach that far then a good way to get a sleek look is to opt for laminate or acrylic. Bushboards offer high-gloss laminate splashbacks in bold colours, which can even be installed over the top of tiles for an instant revamp. Prices start at £45 per square metre.

If understatement is your thing then you can opt for splashbacks in stone, composite and even bamboo, which match the worktop and create a look of continuity. It’s a clean look for modern kitchens as well as more traditional ones. Corian, which can be shaped, works well as worktops and splashbacks can look seamless.

And before you dismiss the humble tile, remember it has positives too. It’s easy to install and comes in a range of sizes and prices. Glass tiles offer a sleek option while mosaics and ceramic a more textured and decorative look. Traditional tiles can really make for beautiful splashbacks like Fired Earth’s hand-decorated Andalucia tiles.

Time to get cooking...