14+ Rustic Backsplash
Stone Rustic Backsplash with Exposed Ceiling Beams and White Marble Countertops
Marble, stone, and wood comprise the overarching material palette of this alluring rustic kitchen, while every single element is executed delicately to accomplish a characterful look throughout. With a subtle Mediterranean spirit, this rustic kitchen expertly pulls off the lived-in look. As the textured and natural aesthetics already suggest a passage of time for they are formed with natural processes, the use of their intact forms adds a sense of rawness. As a result, ranging from the stone wall to the naturally rusted range hood, lighting fixtures, and counter stools, each element exposes its audience to calming aesthetics.
Rustic Backsplash with Gray Island and Bronze Pendants
Beautifully brought together, every piece interacts with each other, gaining new identities in the whole composure. The gray rustic brick backsplash, off-white cabinets, and marble countertops with beige and gray veins harmonize beautifully, while rough textures characterize the kitchen. The distressed wood flooring with gray undertones articulates a sense of time. It is very expressive and promotes calm contemplation in the company of gray cabinets.
Gray as a versatile color gets different moods in response to the surrounding context. Likewise, here, it suggests a lived-in feel, exposing its audience to tranquillity. Also, the bronze pendants, worn-looking hardware, and wooden counter stools cast a sense of deliberate resilience to highlight the strong and grounded visual scheme.
Rustic Backsplash
Rugged, worn, staggered, warm, cozy… All those words connote one word: rustic and a lived-in feeling that comes with naturally processed stones like terracotta, marble, and granite, and stones, bricks, wood, concrete, and even glass that make a fantastic rustic backsplash that visually and tactually takes you on a journey. These backsplashes make for a strong and grounded look. Especially when combined with brown, gray, black, and timber, they create visually rich and dynamic designs.
Farmhouse, mountain-style, Mediterranean and traditional kitchens incorporate rustic backsplashes to attach an earthy feeling that refers back to nature. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t incorporate them into contemporary and transitional ones. Any kitchen can adopt a rustic look with a rustic backsplash even if the rest of the materials feature sleek lines and modern finishes. This blog aims to walk you through various kitchen designs that employ a range of materials to attach a rustic feeling. Though the main focus of this blog resides on the stone, wood, metal, and brick backsplashes prevalently used in rustic kitchens, you will also encounter other materials such as granite, marble, and concrete as floor and countertop coatings.
So overall, this article will also introduce some fantastic design projects to show how all these various materials, each one of them equally strong, work harmoniously. If you are ready to delve into the world of rustic backsplashes, scroll down for a visual and tactual trip.
Granite Backsplash and Countertops with Walnut Cabinets
This rustic kitchen design is filled with natural elements from top-to-toe, ranging from stones to wood and granite. Visually dynamic and striking with busy-pattern materials, it offers a user-friendly environment, stimulating the five senses of the homeowners.
The walnut cabinets paired with a gray-beige granite backsplash bring a tactual warmth, complemented by a granite countertop. The kitchen island mirrors the perimeter cabinets but with an additional piece, it declares its distinct entity. This vertical volume is composed of staggered stones with a soil palette attached to the island to bring an extra dimension and interest. The light wood flooring lightens up the space in contrast to the darkest tones colonizing the kitchen’s eye level. Speckles, vertical stains, and staggered stones propose different patterns and showcase that all these varieties can blend well together. That’s why rustic kitchens give designers and homeowners more freedom to experiment with different elements and compose them altogether.
Brick Rustic Backsplash with Blue Cabinets and Butcher Block Countertops
In this single-wall cozy kitchen, the brick backsplash marks the kitchen zone, visited by daylight directed from the skylight. Opening onto the garden directly, it takes its inspiration from the soil and greeneries. To exemplify, the reddish-brown bricks create an eye-appealing wall surface emanating a sense of warmth. To contrast the warming vibes, the blue base recessed-panel cabinets add a splash of color and coolness to enliven the space. The butcher block countertops topping the blue cupboards reinforce the natural beauty and organic feelings, while the floating shelf accentuates the backsplash. The white-painted walls and white appliances bring the white color the rustic design adores.
The U-shaped cement floor tiles and Edison-style lightbulbs suggest an outdoor life to strengthen the connection with the garden. They also bring an industrial subtext and suit the pattern-free kitchen. In rustic kitchens, the patterns are in most cases the material themselves such as bricks and wood with their inherent stains and textures.
Additionally, the kitchen islands serve more as display shelves rather than hiding the kitchenware. In this one, for instance, with white legs and wood countertop and shelves, the island organizes the space and brings integrity to the kitchen.
Farmhouse Kitchen with Stone Backsplash and White Cabinets
This farmhouse kitchen delivers an authentic look with stone backsplashes and wood beams, while the crispy white countertops lighten the earthy palette to build up visual interest. As the stone walls make the statement, the kitchen doesn’t need any extra open shelving. So, the lack of overhead cabinets is a clever decision to leave the stones all naked so that nothing blocks them, which visually expands the space without creating an overwhelming scene.
The dark-colored stones establish a striking contrast with crispy white beaded cabinets, while stainless steel backsplashes add a dynamic element playing with the light in contrast to the stones absorbing the heat. The white painted wood beams make the ceiling feel more approachable, adding a layered look overhead. The wood flooring, on the other hand, matches the stones color-wise. In kitchens, to bring integrity, there is one important thing to focus on, especially if you are tying strong elements together as is here. Just pay close attention to how to define the vertical and horizontal volumes. For example, here the white cabinets are paired with a white ceiling, while stone backsplashes couple with wood flooring.
Material Options for Rustic Backsplash
Stone, brick, wood, vintage glass, concrete, and metal are the most popular material options for a rustic kitchen backsplash. Shiplap or beadboard board also endorse rustic vibes to the space. Just think of something that you see in nature and try to integrate some materials from it. Choose something with veins and stains that suggest a sense of time.
Rustic Stone Backsplash
Without a doubt, the beauty of natural stones accomplishes delightful designs in the kitchen. Their raw and robust look evokes cozy and warming feelings, bringing depth into the space. Since no stone piece is the same, each one is unique in itself, just like hand-made tiles that come with their imperfections. The stones can also be aligned evenly and in a staggered way for a more layered look. So, you can create diverse looks with the stone, combining small, large, round, and rectangular forms altogether. Overall, they are great natural materials for designers and homeowners to work with.
However, they come with certain challenges. First of all, they are hard to clean and maintain in the long term. As they are porous, they can ab the stains easily and harbor bacteria. But as long as you clean and seal them regularly, you shouldn’t worry too much. Plus, the same goes for all types of backsplashes. They all need regular cleaning at the end of the day.
Gray Stone Backsplash with Gray Countertops and Wood Cabinets
Warm and sensual, this low-height kitchen feels inviting, offering a tactual experience throughout. The gray stone tile backsplash, for instance, at the back looks alluring. As the stones of various sizes are aligned in a staggered way, the backsplash evokes curiosity and nudges homeowners to touch and feel it. The gray soapstone countertops harmonize beautifully with the backsplash, lending sophistication to the space.
The low ceilings make the kitchen feel cozy and approachable, while the mini-window with bamboo shading looks adoring and has the perfect size for this small space. The wood logs applied to the ceiling, wood floating shelves, and the island with X details on the sides curate a rustic atmosphere. A duo of copper pendants and a brass finish bridge faucet couldn’t have looked better in any other kitchen. Lastly, the blue vase with flowers adds a splash of color and comes as an unexpected twist.
How can I give my backsplash a rustic look?
When it comes to the rustic look, the first essential thing to keep in mind is to compose a design with materials that tell you the sense of time. Your design ingredients shouldn’t look brand new but rather showcase a distressed look to suggest a lived-in feel and a sense of evolution. That’s why natural materials and matte-finish tiles serve you better for a rustic look. And that’s why you need to stay away from the glazed and glossy finishes that add some shine. If you wish for a sparkle effect, brass can compensate for that need.
So for a rustic look, apply an oxidized or sun-exposed one if you want to go with a metal backsplash. It will showcase how the material has evolved. Incorporate reclaimed wood and recycling materials as a backsplash. Also, installing floating wood shelves on the backsplash accentuates the background and builds a layer of texture, which is a much simpler solution than playing with the backsplash. However, this wouldn’t give you the full rustic look but at least, it would deliver a sense of it.
Transitional Kitchen with a Stone Backsplash and Blue Island
The cool vibes of this transitional kitchen spring from the blue and gray that define its color scheme. The stone tile backsplash with gray and beige orchestrates raw sentiments, offset with modern-finish gray cabinets. The white quartzite countertops are used to lighten up the space.
The blue island, a staple element in transitional kitchens, feels like it has found its true identity in this rustic kitchen context. Unapologetically confidently, it sits at the center, organizing the space in the open-plan layout and injecting a small dose of color. It also breaks up the monotonic look of gray bringing a sense of excitement.
Rustic Metal Backsplash
Metal backsplashes come in various shapes, colors, and finishes, which give designers and homeowners a quite flexible material to experiment with. To create a rustic impact, for example, you can employ the naturally-processed, oxidized copper panels with a vintage look. The malleable tin also stands out as a highly customizable material and can be given any shape. Since it is an inflammable material, you can use it as a stove backsplash. The rest of the walls can be coated with stone and bricks to reinforce a rustic and diverse look.
Farmhouse Kitchen with Shiplap Walls and White Cabinets
This farmhouse kitchen incorporates rustic elements with modern aesthetics. Embracing a good amount of natural light diving into the kitchen, it feels airy and bright. In this kitchen, creating a rustic theme is the secondary plan that only comes after pulling off a stylish and fresh look. To serve the latter aim, the white cabinets with a gloss finish are added to cancel the gloomy look that comes from the stones, bricks, and dark and authentic woods. Instead, light color timber and a range of metals are used as complementary decorative fixtures rather than being the main bones of the kitchen.
The major role of the metal materials, for instance, ranging from brass to copper and steel is to add shine to accompany crispy white cabinets. To further this impact, the white shiplap walls offer a background for the copper backsplash to make a statement. The faucet, contemporary in design and brass in the finish, reflects the kitchen’s dual identity masterfully.
Rustic Brick Backsplash
The use of brick backsplashes is not restricted to rustic kitchens. They are welcomed in a wide range of contexts such as transitional, industrial, and contemporary kitchens. Especially after the pandemic and successive months of bans from going out, people are reminded of the importance of home designs that breathe with a sense of life. With the same logic, the natural elements gained an equal matter of importance to remind the outdoor living and bring outdoor life into a home. That’s why brick, stone, and wood materials gain even more character in that sense.
Brick backsplashes, just like other rustic materials discussed, create impactful designs with an earthy palette. If you don’t want a soil palette, you can whitewash them, which will give the room an illuminating effect. In contemporary and transitional kitchens especially, you can bring brick and marble together, as they both pull off great stylish and elegant looks. However, if you need something more natural, wood countertops go well with rustic brick backsplashes as well.
White Brick Backsplash with Light Wood Cabinets and Butcher Block Countertops
Black trimmed floor-to-ceiling windows. Check. Brick walls. Check. Wood materials. Check… Even though these most industrial-like elements are combined here, this industrial kitchen offers something a bit unusual. In contrast to its presumed darker themes, it proposes a different look, which is bright and fresh rather than something gloomy and deep. To capture that effect, it brings the floor-to-ceiling whitewashed brick walls and light wood cabinets together. They do give the renovated feeling with a touch of freshness.
To retain integrity, wood is expansively used as a ceiling, floor, and cabinet coating material. The butcher block countertops present a uniform look with the cabinets as the same color. The darker wood ceiling and distressed wood flooring add an aged look, while flat-front cabinet door styles integrate a level of modernity. The range hood masterfully remains out of sight, hidden in a wood cabinet so as not to compromise the uniform look.
Additionally, the white fireclay apron-front sink with its bulky belly and potted plants placed here and there are reminiscent of cottage life. The wood and plants also introduce biophilic elements to the kitchen to speak to the soul of the homeowners. Lastly, the lighting fixtures with both white paper and black metal versions come down to create a purposeful yet random scene above. They also help bring eye-appealing visual elements to fill the void between the floor and ceiling levels.
What can I use instead of backsplash tiles?
If you are bored with commonly used ceramic and porcelain tiles, nature lends you a variety of materials to work with. Brick, wood, and stone of various sizes and colors can be incorporated in a staggered way and aligned on the same level instead of backsplash tiles. You can as well consider stone panel backsplashes and peel and stick rustic wallpapers that imitate the look of stones or bricks. Also, a window backsplash can give you all you want with changing natural scenes, especially if you have a garden view from your kitchen.
Red Brick Backsplash with Black Floating Shelves and White Cabinets
Old meets new! The masonry wall is kept intact, and the rough brick structure retains its presence in the home context. Though partly raw and aged, at first sight, the transitional kitchen builds continuity between rustic and modern, aligning itself with a bit more modern character alongside the high-tech elements. The recessed-panel cabinets, white quartz perimeter countertops, and a blue island serve as the major furnishing, creating a well-curated modern kitchen. The black diagonal false ceiling has an inset range hood, an ultimate combination of aesthetics with functionality. Also, the black floating shelves accentuate the brick backsplash, while the engineered light wood flooring coats the ground to deliver organic strength.
In this open-plan kitchen, the island with its eccentric shape organizes the space and offers a socialization zone in the center. Though topped with white quartz countertops, it extends with a black countertop with an open bottom only supported by a black-painted leg. As such, this black extension designates the dining zone complemented with modern low-back white counter stools. Also, the slightly curved backs of the stools, compliant with human physiology, make them extra comfortable.
Rustic Wood Backsplash
Wood is a versatile element that can be applied in many forms and places. It ranges from ceilings to floors, countertops, cabinets, and even backsplashes. As long as the wood is sealed and well-maintained, it makes great backsplashes that echo back to nature. The wood’s inherent veins and stains carry a rustic flavor, while its tone variations change the effect they create dramatically. For a visual drama, you can choose dark wood panels to coat the walls. But for a sense of lightness, the pale woods close to white paint make for an expressive and sensible design.
Wood Backsplash with Wood Cabinets and Vintage Appliances
This farmhouse kitchen prides itself on the extensive use of natural materials. Top-to-toe clad in wood, the cabinets, backsplash, countertops, and range hood create a monotonic scheme. As secondary and complementary elements, vintage appliances, wooden rails to hang kitchenware, and hood corbels add traditional beauty. In sum, this kitchen is strictly rustic and classical in every sense, exhibiting a sense of formality and regularity.
Backsplash Styles
Backsplashes can come in the form of solid stone panels, glass sheets, wallpapers, and tiles. Aside from these, materials such as wood, brick, terracotta, metals, and stones can be great additions to achieve different impacts. If you especially would like to create a natural scene rather than too-manufactured-looking tiles and avoid any man-made look, there are various elements you can borrow from nature. Stone, brick, and wood are the most popular ones without a doubt. There is also another material we would like to mention. Though we generally the concrete as a floor coating, concrete backsplashes are trending options. They are very characterful in the sense that they feature a distinct look and evoke edgy feelings, widely used in boho, industrial, contemporary, and farmhouse kitchens.
Rustic Farmhouse Backsplash
Rustic farmhouse backsplashes contain a wide array of materials and colors, delivering delightful designs. Below are some favored ones:
- Concrete backsplash to evoke a sense of coolness and an edgy feeling
- Chevron and herringbone pattern stone backsplashes with an earthy palette
- Horizontally or vertically laid multi-colored wood panels
Granite and marble backsplashes for an elegant and sophisticated look
Concrete Backsplash with Off-White Cabinets and Gray Concrete Flooring
This visually lightweight farmhouse kitchen lures you for longer stays for sure. Thanks to its fresh light palette, it gives the illusion of floating and oozing. The small picture frame that overlooks the garden captures a short moment from the outdoors and brings it in poetically.
The exposed wood beams and wood panels of the vaulted ceiling add more personality. The panels start right above the concrete backsplash and continue until the ceiling. Because of their vertical layout, they make the kitchen look taller while creating optical illusions in a sense.
Moving our eyes towards the down, the off-white flat-front cabinets create a harmonious look with the concrete countertops. At the heart, the island with a torso clad in wood brings integrity. Its free-standing statue adds a rustic and sculptural quality to it. The off-white concrete flooring carries an outdoor life into the interior space, emanating cool vibes to offset the summer effect.
What cabinet color goes with a rustic backsplash?
Distressed or discolored, light and dark wood, crispy white, beige, gray, brown, green, and blue makes for an impactful design with a rustic backsplash. The trick is to use any color that you see in nature. About the white, it just goes well with anything and helps the wood to stand out in the whole design. Scandinavian kitchens, for instance, love building that impact.
White Cabinets with Wood Counter Stools and White Countertops
In this farmhouse kitchen, the wood elements and white cabinets work together to create an impactful design. The beige herringbone tile backsplash stands out between the white cabinets and brings out the warmth of the white cabinets. Topped with white countertops, the shaker cabinets achieve seamless integrity with a sense of lightness. Accent lighting fulfills its task to improve the ambiance on the stove part. The wood patio door leading to the pantry and wood flooring add organic elements to emphasize the kitchen’s farmhouse identity. Also, the L-shaped wooden oversized island has a discolored torso that stresses the lived-in look, complemented by wood stools and vintage lighting fixtures.
Rustic Modern Backsplash
Though rustic and modern might sound like an oxymoronic phrase, rustic and modern features can be tailored together to keep track of the contemporary designs with a foot on earth. Stone backsplashes, including soapstone, granite, and marble for their inherent veins, are favored for their unmatchable beauty.
If you want to stick with tiles, for a more natural impact, multi-colored tile backsplashes can be a great option. They can avoid all the same manufactured look. Contemporary kitchens also use brick and marble together. In addition to those, terracotta tiles, available with painted versions, and window backsplashes, are other alternatives. Especially, the window backsplashes bring nature closer while creating a continuous design and an interactive space between the indoors and outdoors.
Terracotta Backsplash and Granite Countertops with Gray Cabinets
In this mountain-style kitchen, the combination of gray and wood harmonizes beautifully with a skylight that brings the kitchen into a dialogue with the outdoors. Everything consciously looks organic, starting from the terracotta backsplash to granite countertops, and wood-clad ceiling and floor. Overall, all materials complement each other to build a natural scene in the home context. On close inspection, the gray cabinets’ distressed look suggests a lived-in feel. Wood-clad ceiling and flooring with engrained stains instill a continuous narrative complemented by wicker baskets and a wood range hood fixture.
The gray-white terracotta tile backsplash brings a symmetrical look with its vertical stacked layout. The subtle tonal differences of the tiles reinforce the natural and organic texture of the kitchen.
The recessed-panel cabinets add movement, additionally, while white granite countertops with speckles mimic the black dots on the wood floor. The symmetrical positions of the display and open shelves flank the range hood, helping with navigation. The under-cabinet accent lighting emphasizes the wicker baskets and improves the overall ambiance with a sense of romanticism.
