8 Bathroom Backsplash Beauties
Ready for a bathroom upgrade? These backsplashes will safeguard your walls and look good doing it.
Marble
Pro: Beautiful; readily available; non-toxic
Con: Can be expensive; installation isn’t for DIYers; needs regular maintenance (seal once a year)
Cost: $20-$200 per sq. ft. for custom marble backsplash with installation; save money with marble tiles, $10-$20 per sq. ft.
Image: Kerylos Intérieurs
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesVintage Value
Ceramic Tile
Pro: Stands up to moisture and resists stains; easy-to-clean; lasts for decades
Con: Custom tiles can be pricey; cleaning grout requires lots of patience
Cost: $1 to $250 per square foot; installation adds $5-$10 per sq. ft.
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesConcrete Ideas
Concrete
Pro: Durable; seamless application is waterproof; cleans up nicely
Con: Specialized application process requires experience; industrial look not for everybody; should be resealed every year
Cost: $10-$45 per square foot
Image: DHD - David Howell Design/ David Joseph, photographer
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesPut a Cork in It
Cork Tile
Pro: Environmentally friendly material; easy to install for DIYers; can stain any color
Con: Must be resealed periodically; soft surface may show wear after a few years
Cost: $15 per square foot, material only
Image: Molly Frey Design
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesModern Classic
Corian Solid Surface
Pro: Waterproof; stain resistant; cleans easily; seamless bathroom vanities; lots of colors
Con: Can be pricey; not a DIY project; synthetic look not for everyone
Cost: $45-$75 per square foot, installed
Image: Simona Gosu
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesExpressing Yourself
Chalkboard Paint
Pro: Fun to use; cleans easily; water-resistant; inexpensive; sticks to drywall, metal, and wood
Con: Spills and splashes (toothpaste, mouthwash) may stain if not cleaned immediately; dark color isn’t for everyone
Cost: $15/quart
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesThe Power of Paint
High-Gloss Paint
The owners turned a porch into a powder room and kept the rustic board siding. No backsplash means using tough, scrubbable paint with a high or semi-gloss sheen to protect against water.
Pro: Limitless colors; simple look is charming
Con: Wall surface is exposed to splashes; joints behind the sink must be caulked
Cost: $20-$40/gallon
Image: Emily Jenkins Followill
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesWho’s the Fairest of Them All?
Mirror
You’ll be looking fine with a wall-to-wall mirror that’s also a backsplash. A one-piece installation avoids seams, although you should caulk between the mirror and the vanity top. Use tempered glass for safety.
Pro: Stain- and waterproof; reflects ambient light; easy to clean
Con: Mirrors require constant cleaning; large, one-piece installations are heavy
Cost: $8-$15 per sq. ft., installed
Image: New York Social Diary
8 Bathroom Backsplash BeautiesN/A
