Transforming your kitchen into a stylish and functional space often starts with choosing the right backsplash. We've noticed that combining black and white in a kitchen creates a timeless harmony that many of our readers are looking for. The backsplash, much more than just a protective wall element, becomes the focal point that gives character to your cooking space. After visiting many inspiring homes during our travels, we've selected ideas for you that perfectly blend authenticity and modernity. Whether you're dreaming of a kitchen Scandinavian Whether you're looking for a sleek kitchen or a dining area with a bold industrial style, our kitchen splashback suggestions will help you design a space that reflects your personality.
Our article in brief:
There kitchen splashback Black and white transforms your kitchen into an elegant space where functionality and style meet harmoniously.
- Noble materials - THE Carrara marble, stainless steel, glass and wood create refined contrasts while ensuring durability.
- Graphic patterns – Chevrons, checkerboards and artistic inspirations bring character to your culinary space.
- Functional solutions – Ceiling-to-ceiling splashbacks, integrated lighting and magnetic surfaces combine practicality and aesthetics.
- Harmonization – The coherent integration of the splashback into the overall decoration creates a balanced atmosphere.
In this article
Kitchen splashback materials that enhance your black and white kitchen
The elegance of Carrara marble in a two-tone kitchen
Carrara marble brings a touch of natural refinement that fits perfectly into a black and white kitchen. We love how its gray veins create a subtle connection between the dark and light elements of the space. You can opt for a kitchen splashback complete in marble that covers the entire space between the wall units and the worktop, or choose a partial insertion that highlights the area behind the hob.

The beauty of this noble and timeless material lies in its ability to reflect light while adding depth to your decor. To maintain its shine, we recommend regular maintenance with suitable products, avoiding acidic cleaners that could damage it. During our travels in Italy, we observed how this material transforms even the simplest kitchens into sophisticated spaces.
Stainless steel and glass, perfect allies for monochrome kitchens
Stainless steel gives a professional dimension to your backsplash for white and black kitchen. Its durable and easy-to-clean metal surface blends perfectly with modern appliances. We found that this robust and contemporary alloy creates a subtle reflection that enlivens the cooking space.

Glass, on the other hand, offers remarkable versatility. In mirrored form, it visually enlarges the space and increases the brightness, ideal for long kitchens or small spaces. You can personalize it with black and white prints that echo your furniture, or even opt for a panoramic photo that will become the focal point of your kitchen area. These materials are perfectly suited to modern installations, especially in open kitchens where aesthetics matter as much as functionality.
Original textures: wood, slate and brick effect
To warm up the sometimes cold atmosphere of a monochrome kitchen, we recommend introducing materials with warm textures. kitchen splashback in oak protected by a glass plate brings the natural warmth of wood while ensuring easy maintenance. This solution works particularly well in Scandinavian kitchens where white dominates.
Slate offers understated elegance while remaining practical. You can write your shopping lists or recipes on it with chalk. Its matte finish contrasts beautifully with the glossy surfaces of contemporary furniture. For a more industrial feel, the brick effect creates an authentic character that perfectly balances the modernity of a black and white kitchen. These materials bring that tactile dimension we often seek to incorporate into our decorating projects.
Graphic games and bold patterns: give character to your kitchen space
Chevrons, checkerboards and geometric patterns
Geometric patterns radically transform the ambiance of a two-tone kitchen. kitchen splashback With a classic black and white checkerboard pattern, it adds a retro chic touch, while the chevrons create dynamic visual movement that guides the eye. We've seen these sophisticated geometric arrangements work wonders in kitchens of all sizes.

To balance these bold patterns, we recommend keeping the other elements of your kitchen relatively understated. If you opt for a kitchen splashback Patterned, favors furniture with clean lines and a plain worktop that won't create a visual overload. These patterns work particularly well in open kitchens where they subtly demarcate the cooking area from the rest of the room.
Pattern type | Suitable cooking style | Visual effect |
---|---|---|
Chevrons | Contemporary, Art Deco | Dynamism, elegance |
Checkerboard | Retro, Classic | Graphic, structured |
Hexagons | Modern, Scandinavian | Softness, originality |
Artistic influence on kitchen splashbacks: Mondrian inspiration and colorful mosaics
We love to see how a kitchen splashback Inspired by art, this kitchen transforms a simple kitchen into a true stylistic statement. The Mondrian style, with its clean black lines and touches of primary colors, fits perfectly into a black and white kitchen. This contemporary artistic reference adds a cultural dimension to your living space.

- Choose colors that reflect certain elements of your kitchen
- Limit yourself to 2-3 shades to avoid overloading the space
- Balances colored surfaces with neutral areas
Mosaic tiles offer a rich texture and a captivating play of light. In black and white, they create a striking graphic effect, but don't hesitate to add a touch of color like duck egg blue or emerald green to energize the whole thing. We've observed during our Mediterranean travels how these small tiles can radically transform the ambiance of a room.
Traditional tiles revisited: Azulejos and cement tiles
Traditional tiles are enjoying a well-deserved revival in modern kitchens. Portuguese azulejos, with their blue patterns on a white background, bring a touch of exoticism that contrasts beautifully with black elements. We reported this authentic multicultural inspiration from our travels to Portugal.

Cement tiles, on the other hand, offer an endless palette of patterns that can be chosen in black and white for a perfect match with the rest of your kitchen. Their slightly weathered appearance brings a warmth that more modern materials don't always have. These tiles create a striking focal point, especially in a kitchen with clean lines where they become the main decorative element.
Practical and functional solutions to personalize your splashback
Ceiling-to-ceiling splashbacks and lighting solutions
A splashback that extends to the ceiling creates a sense of height and unifies the vertical space in your kitchen. We particularly recommend this approach in kitchens with spaced-out or non-existent wall units. White tiles that reach all the way to the ceiling in a kitchen with black units create a striking contrast and visually expand the space.

Backlit splashbacks transform the ambiance of your kitchen by bringing a soft and enveloping brightnessA simple LED strip behind a frosted glass splashback or a more elaborate installation with dimming can completely change the perception of your kitchen space. This solution is ideal for dimly lit or north-facing kitchens.
Multifunctional backsplashes: magnetic boards and storage bars
A magnetic board as a backsplash combines aesthetics and practicality in a black and white kitchen. You can display your recipes, shopping lists, or favorite photos on it. We've incorporated this solution into several of our projects, and it's always a big hit with families.

- Opt for a black magnetic paint that fits perfectly into a two-tone kitchen
- Combine with wall storage units to optimize space
- Personalize with decorative magnets that reflect your personality
The bars of multifunctional kitchen splashback allow you to hang utensils, spices and small accessories within easy reach. In a white kitchen, a black bar creates a graphic accent while freeing up space on your worktop. This practical and aesthetic organization transform the way you cook by making every utensil accessible.
Harmonizing space: integrating your kitchen splashback into the overall decor
For perfect visual coherence, we recommend considering your splashback as an integral part of the overall decor. In a kitchen with white cabinets, a black splashback creates a striking contrast that can be repeated in handles, appliances or accessories. Conversely, a white splashback on dark furniture brings brightness and enlarges the space.

- Match the credenza on the work plan for a soothing visual continuity
- Play on contrasts by choosing a kitchen splashback which stands out from the furniture
- Incorporate elements of the same shade elsewhere in the room to create subtle harmony
In small kitchens, we favor credenzas with subtle patterns or reflective surfaces that visually enlarge the space. For larger kitchens, more imposing patterns can structure the space and create a real decorative statement. Whatever your choice, remember that the credenza is above all a practical element which must resist splashes and be easy to clean.