This month at Decoist, we’ve been celebrating the sleek, sturdy look of stainless steel. From exploring design ideas for kitchens with stainless steel countertops to learning about how to clean this durable material, we’ve covered everything from getting the look to maintaining it. Today we continue our love affair with stainless steel by moving into backsplash territory.
Why go stainless steel for your backsplash? Because it’s hardy, and it’s easy to clean. Worried about sauce splashing onto your walls? Install stainless steel backsplashes, and cleanup is a non-sticky snap, especially if no grout is involved. No wonder so many industrial kitchens go stainless. Plus, it just looks cool! It’s modern, and it’s a great way to add a metallic touch to your culinary space. And with a range of styles increasingly becoming available, you can get a variety of effects, including mosaic and subway tile options. Read on for all the gleaming details…
Stainless Steel Across the Kitchen
When your backsplash spans the entire length of the countertops, you have the ability to make a strong statement in silver. Let’s take a look at some modern spaces that successfully incorporate stainless steel backsplashes. Stainless steel is the perfect counterpart to white. Note the clean feel of the kitchen below, which is amplified by open shelving with neatly stacked white dishes! [from Cary Bernstein Architect]
Plus, stainless steel is undeniably modern. Perhaps it’s the industrial vibe created by the metallic shine… [from Schwartz and Architecture]
Stainless steel adds a cool-toned breath of fresh air to kitchens featuring wooden cabinetry. The warm glow of the wood is beautifully complemented by the sleek touch of stainless, especially with backsplashes that add metallic style to the walls! [from Cary Bernstein Architect]
We see a similar effect in the rustic-meets-modern kitchen below, as the cool tones of the metal are accentuated by an abundance of silvery accessories, including modern barstools. [from Stone Interiors]
Stainless steel backsplashes beautifully complement red tones, as shown by the chic modern kitchen below. Note the use of clean lines, which allows the color scheme to shine. [from Craft Art]
Stainless steel is amazingly sleek when displayed in smooth sheets. Yet adding a bit of texture can certainly make things interesting (and distract from dreaded fingerprints). A tiled surface catches the light, creating an added shine that’s more organic than glitzy. Perfect for modern kitchens! [photo credit: Ann Sacks, from HGTV.com]
Elongated backsplash forms create a subway tile look that is undeniably modern and refreshing, resulting in a bistro style that’s charming yet contemporary. [from Steele Real Estate Consulting]
Below we get a closer look at a tile stainless steel backdrop, which is the perfect choice for backing open shelving displaying crisp white dishes. [from HGTV.com]
Also note that stainless steel tile backsplashes are beautifully enhanced by other metallic touches, including pendant lights and hints of gold. The kitchen below showcases all of the above, plus marble countertops. This look couldn’t be more on-trend (check out that gold-toned flatware on the kitchen island)! [from Kate Obriens]
Stainless Steel Backsplashes for Behind the Range
When it comes to stainless steel, sometimes less is more. The kitchens below prove that a touch of stainless behind the stove can really punctuate your culinary space. Look at what a strong statement the range backsplash makes in this next kitchen, which features white walls and grey lacquered cabinetry. [from Custom Spaces Design]
A sleek stainless steel backsplash can also shine when surrounded by tile. The smooth surface of the metal is a welcome contrast. [from Bernard Andre Photography]
We know what an impact a stainless steel backsplash can make in a red kitchen, but check out the refreshing look of stainless steel plus mint! The look ranges from the retro to the modern, especially when pops of red are included. [from Home Decoration]
If the walls and cabinets are white, consider adding color to your backsplash area through special accents such as bright utensils and countertop appliances, as shown in the kitchen below. [from Clifton Leung Design Workshop]
When your countertops are a strong color, stainless steel is a perfect choice for your range backsplash. Keeping the motif shiny and sleek just might be the answer to a modern space featuring countertops like the ones below, which appear to be sodalite. [from PowellKleinSchmidt]
Remember the mosaic-style backsplash in the section above? Go with penny tile for your range backsplash if you’re looking for a surface that’s easy to clean (but can also hide splatter until you’re ready to wipe down the area). [photo by Robert Radifera Photography for Rill Architects]
Below we see how penny stainless steel tiles catch the light and add drama to all-white kitchens, preventing the gleaming space from becoming too stark. [from i.poise via Houzz]
Don’ forget that there are a variety of stainless steel range backsplash options, including a ridged look that creates instant texture. [photo by Linda Oyama Bryan, from Nicholas Design Collaborative]
Below we see another ridged pattern, which looks dynamite with the cherry-hued cabinetry. Textured stainless steel backsplashes are often scratch-resistant and easy to clean. [photo credit: Stainless Living, from HGTV.com]
Did you get some stylish design ideas from the images above? If you have another moment, go back and look at the kitchen accessories featured in the photos. There are some amazing ideas for items such as pendant lighting, canisters and utensils that pair well with stainless steel. Happy decorating!
