Your kitchen is a space that should be designed with timeless style in mind. It’s one of the biggest investments in your home, and a room you don’t want to be constantly updating.
Yet one feature that can quickly make your space feel dated is the kitchen backsplash. From tiles tied to a bygone era to designs that feel flat and uninspiring, the right – or wrong – backsplash can dramatically shape the overall look of your kitchen.
While 2026’s kitchen backsplash trends offer a stunning range of options, designers warn there are some looks to avoid. Here are the three kitchen backsplash trends that could instantly date your space – and what to choose instead for a kitchen that feels both current and timeless.
3 Dated Backsplash Trends Designers Advise You Avoid
Choosing the right kitchen backsplash can be a delicate balance. At its core, it must be functional, yet it should also feel refined and elevate the overall design of your kitchen. The wrong choice, however, can make the space feel anything but timeless – particularly if you fall for one of these three dated kitchen backsplash trends.
1. Small-Scale Backsplashes
The marble backsplash in this kitchen proves how impactful a full-scale design can be.
There are so many different ways to approach a kitchen backsplash. Tiles are an enduringly popular choice thanks to their ability to fuse style and function, but scale is a really important factor if you want your design to feel stylish rather than dated.
And we're not talking about the size of the tiles themselves. As we head into 2026, designers note that a backsplash that covers only a small area is beginning to feel dated, leaving your kitchen walls looking rather lackluster.
'Small areas of tiles are dated,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. 'Large expanses of tiles are a much better way to create a unique and interesting room.'
It's about commitment and confidence to design something a little bit bolder and entirely more impactful. If you're going to introduce a beautiful backsplash, let it shine within your design, rather than feel like an unfinished part of the project.
2. Shiny Mosaic Backsplash Designs
Handmade square tiles have been used for this kitchen backsplash, which add plenty of texture without feeling dated.
There's a beauty to glossy tiles, especially in small kitchens, where they bounce light and add depth to your design. But overly shiny iterations are starting to feel dated, especially when it comes to backsplashes created using tiny mosaic tiles.
'Overly glossy, reflective surfaces and small mosaic tiles are starting to feel dated. Clients are leaning toward designs with more depth, variation, and personality. We’re gravitating toward materials that tell a story, not just fill a space,' says Danielle Chiprut, of Danielle Rose Design Co.
On a kitchen backsplash that spans a large expanse of wall, mosaic tiles can easily disrupt the room’s balance, with grout lines quickly becoming a dominant feature. Combined with a glossy finish, this creates a contrast that can feel harsh and, over time, dated.
If you like a glossy tile, opt for a zellige tile that feels organic and intentional rather than an out-of-style design. You can still opt for square tiles if you like that more symmetrical look, but a slightly larger scale that feels more impactful and pleasing on the eye, like these Moroccan Zellige Tiles from Wayfair.
3. White Subway Tiles
If you like the pared-back aesthetic white subway tiles create, consider a subtle marble backsplash instead for a more timeless, luxurious look, like in this scheme.
The era of white subway tiles dominating kitchen backsplashes is very much over, and it's a look that will really make your space feel dated and completely stuck in the past. Most specifically, in the 2010s, a decade not exactly favored for its interior trends.
'The classic white 3x6 subway tile with dark grout, while still usable in the right context, is strongly associated with the 2010s farmhouse era and doesn’t reflect the warmer, more layered palettes we’re seeing now,' says Lindsay Fluckiger of Tile Club.
It's a look that can feel flat and almost builder-grade in style, something homeowners are eager to gravitate away from. For a neutral look, embrace tiles that are handmade with more organic forms and feature color variations for depth, like deVOL's Ditsy Delft Tiles, for example.
You could also embrace a slab backsplash over tiles for a seamless but more luxurious choice. It's a look that proves incredibly versatile, whether you embrace a heavily veined marble or a more subdued stone that creates a sense of calm.
Don’t let your kitchen backsplash become an afterthought. It’s one of the most visible and impactful elements in your kitchen, offering the perfect opportunity to introduce personality, texture, and colour while enhancing the overall design. Whether you choose a seamless stone look, a classic tile backsplash, or a more adventurous pattern, your choice should elevate the space rather than date it.
Being mindful of trends is key: some designs may feel fresh in the moment, but quickly make your kitchen look outdated. By avoiding these dated looks, you ensure your backsplash contributes to a timeless, cohesive aesthetic that will continue to feel stylish for years to come. After all, a thoughtfully chosen backsplash doesn’t just complete your kitchen – it transforms it, creating a space that feels considered, personal, and enduring.
