When designing any interior space, the colour scheme is undoubtedly one of the most important choices – and with the kitchen being the heart of most homes, it’s important to get the palette right.
One essential element that can have a significant impact on the visual effect of your kitchen is a splashback. It may be a practical piece that shields the walls behind the cooker or sink from unsightly splatters and stains, but a kitchen splashback also offers an opportunity to make a style statement.
There are plenty of different splashback styles available, of course, so the key is choosing a colour and design that suits your kitchen and the statement you want to make – whether that’s complementing the rest of your décor or contrasting against it to create a cool focal feature.
So, the question is: what is the best colour for a kitchen splashback? Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding on the right colour scheme for your new splashback.
What kind of ambience do you prefer?
Colours are one of the most important visual aspects, so it’s no wonder that they can have such a strong impact on our mood. Many interior designers rely on ‘colour psychology’ to set a specific aesthetic and emotional tone in a room, depending on its purpose and the people who will use it.
This isn’t necessarily a fixed science, but there are universal associations that lead to certain shades being implemented in particular places – such as soothing blues in spas and stimulating reds in fast food restaurants.
That said, colour associations can have different effects on different people, as everyone has individual personality traits that affect how we perceive our surroundings.
This is why it’s necessary to consider the personal tastes of everyone who will use the kitchen, which is typically the central hub of the household, before committing to a colour scheme that doesn’t align with the preferred atmosphere.
Some prefer sleek and simple, others rustic and restful, or eye-catching and energising. If you aren’t sure which you like best, here’s a quick guide to several popular options to help you choose the most suitable kitchen splashback colour.
Serene and relaxing
While kitchens are often considered social spaces, lots of people like to use cooking as a chance to unwind after a long day or ease into the morning after waking up.
In these cases, bold colours screaming at you as soon as you step in the room aren’t ideal. If you would prefer a calmer environment for solo gastronomy or quiet get-togethers to catch up with family members or housemates, you should look into cool colours.
Pale shades of blue, green, and even lilac that can be found in nature can evoke a peaceful feeling while still bringing some colour into the room. Desaturated pastels can also add more of a pop without overwhelming the senses.
The best way to achieve this with a kitchen splashback is to go for a plain, solid, back-painted colour or a print featuring these tranquil hues that isn’t too visually cluttered.
Bright and cheerful
Bold and bright colours like yellow, orange, and red are considered to boost energy. These vibrant colours are ideal for brightening up smaller rooms and creating a dynamic visual contrast with otherwise neutral kitchen cabinets and counters.
Yellow, especially, is supposed to be a very cheerful, positive, and creative colour, which is why it’s commonly found in social spaces for entertaining.
For those who want to balance the boldness with something a little moodier, jewel tones are deeper colours that are still dramatic. Shades such as emerald green, amethyst purple, and sapphire blue can look exciting while feeling elegant.
Of course, too many of these colours in a room can oversaturate the senses, which is why using the splashback as a pop of colour is a great solution.
Cosy and welcoming
If you want your kitchen to feel homey and comforting, you should avoid zesty bright yellows and reds and look for more neutral warm tones, like autumnal oranges and browns.
The depth of these earthier hues can make a room feel much cosier, which is why many farmhouse-style kitchens go for colour schemes featuring shades often seen in nature, such as khaki or moss green, taupe, terracotta, or umber brown.
While these deeper tones are more nurturing and can make the space feel snug and protected when applied to kitchen units and furniture, stronger pigments like rust orange or yellow ochre in a printed splashback can also help to set the scene.
These rich colours are sure to generate an inviting glow under your kitchen lights, creating a lovely setting for spending time with friends or family around the table.
Neutral and classy
If your idea of a culinary haven is a contemporary kitchen with a minimalist style, then classic neutral tones should be your go-to choice for your colour scheme.
Monochrome palettes of pristine white and timeless black are key in modern kitchens aiming for a simple yet sophisticated vibe. Understated hues like these can effortlessly contrast or complement not just each other, but a variety of others you might choose for accents.
Even if these crisp colours are a little too harsh to the eye, lightening the look is easy with softer shades like charcoal, dark grey, off-white, or cream.
Your neutral kitchen could be mellow or futuristic, depending on whether you go for colder grey and blue undertones or warmer yellow or green undertones. Whichever you go for, the gleaming and streamlined surface of a monochromatic glass splashback panel is sure to elevate it.
How to incorporate colour with a kitchen splashback
When it comes to the way colours make a room feel, it’s not just the specific shades themselves, but also how they work with the other hues and textures in the space.
You have the option of coordinating existing elements so they blend in with each other, using varying shades of the same type of colour, or going for a bold contrast rather than cohesion with an accent that draws everything together.
Splashbacks are the perfect piece to do this, serving as a kind of ‘feature wall’ that expresses the core personality of your kitchen and the people who use it – whether that’s cool and collected, bright and creative, or warm and nurturing.
One of the best things about going to a supplier of made-to-order kitchen splashbacks is that even if you can’t find a print with the colours you’re looking for, you can request a specific standardised colour for a back-painted panel, or even provide your own custom photo to be digitally printed onto the back of the glass.
Don’t forget that splashbacks can also offer an opportunity to introduce some texture, such as sparkly glitter glass or crackle-effect glass. Or, for smaller kitchens, a mirror splashback can reflect light and make the room feel larger and more opulent.
In the end, it all comes down to your personal preference – but a made-to-measure kitchen splashback is sure to help you express yourself, inspiring your culinary adventures while keeping your walls well-protected for years to come.
