I have a pull-out sofa, a hidden storage ottoman, and even an extendable bistro-turned-dining table for my kitchen. However, I recently came across a novelty that I hadn’t seen before – a bifunctional living room lighting idea that saves space and shines light but never sacrifices convenience. Enter: Target’s Shelf Floor Lamp.

Independent of each other, a floor lamp and a side table are two essential living room furnishings, so combining them into one piece makes perfect sense. Not only does this Target find act as a lighting idea and a side table, but it helps make the most of your precious floor space by blending the two together. It’s beyond practical for those with tight living spaces – bringing ambient, mid-level light and a much-needed flat surface to rooms that might not have the space for both.

I’m already planning where it’ll go in my living room, but beyond that, this floor lamp side table duo is a convenient feature for lots of other areas in the home. If your small bedroom doesn’t have space for a proper nightstand, this could be the perfect alternative – providing a small table for your nighttime necessities and acting as a bedside light.

Convenience aside, Target’s Shelf Floor Lamp is impressively stylish. Its antique brass finish gives it a tastefully aged look, while its pleated shade adds some texture to its form. For small space dwellers, it’s an absolute dream of a furnishing. And even for those with large rooms, it’s undeniably convenient, helping you make the most of your space by blending two must-have household items into one.

How I'd Style Target's Shelf Floor Lamp

Although Target's Shelf Floor Lamp could benefit any room, I think it would be the perfect feature for a reading nook. Position it next to a cozy accent chair and voila – you've created the perfect, ambiently lit spot to unwind with a book and a drink. See how I'd style the scene below.

Shop More Living Room Lighting Ideas

One lamp isn't enough for a living room. In fact, the best living room lighting schemes consist of a few light sources at different levels to create an inviting and ambiently lit space. Shop a few more lighting picks below.

Target's Shelf Floor Lamp takes multi-purpose furniture to the next level. Designed as a side table and a floor lamp all in one, its singular footprint ensures extra space in your living room layout for everything else. And with it, your space might not feel so small anymore.

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With its deep brown tones and distinctive grain, dark wood is inherently grounding, adding depth and interest to a living room. Styles like mahogany, dark cherry, and even black walnut feel naturally elegant, bringing a sense of warmth, character, and heritage charm to cozy living rooms. Whether used to craft a large coffee table, a small stool, or the frame of an armchair, dark wood furniture has the visual weight to anchor a room.

Because of its timeless appeal, it’s never too difficult to find stunning dark wood living room furniture. Any flea market, vintage shop, or online marketplace like Chairish is certain to stock some beautiful dark wood furniture. However, some of our favorite brands are reimagining dark wood furniture for new collections too.

Designer Élan Byrd’s latest capsule collection at Lulu and Georgia is one example – showcasing dark wood’s versatility through pieces like the organic-formed Scoria Coffee Table and the geometric-inspired Palo Side Table. Even Pierce & Ward’s recent drop at West Elm utilizes dark wood furniture to bolster its rich, retro-inspired aesthetic. For heritage-inspired homeware brands like Joon Loloi and Magnolia, dark wood is part of their DNA – and it’s constantly woven into new living room furnishings and even decorative accessories.

Dark wood furniture sets the scene for a living room that’s full of character – all thanks to its rich depth, its charming nature, and its time-honored appeal. If your space could use a little more soul, then shop our curated collection of dark wood living room furniture below.

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I’ve already decided that an artificial Christmas tree will be best for my small living room (the less mess, the better), and I’d prefer something mini – this way, it won’t overwhelm my already tight space. I’ve looked at loads of traditional options – realistic-looking mini-trees, slim fir styles, even planter-bound trees with pinecone branches – but ultimately, I decided on something a little different than my usual evergreen: a White Potted Tree from Anthropologie.

In the past, I’ve gravitated towards traditional Christmas trees – full-bodied firs in cozy shades of dark green. This white tree from Anthropologie is the antithesis of that – it’s short, sparse, and most notably, white. And it's so on trend for 2026.

A modern take on Scandi-inspired holiday decor, this tree is minimal and quietly chic. Leave it bare or adorned with a simple string of white lights, and it'll look like it belongs in the depths of a snow-covered Nordic forest – bringing a peaceful, winter wonderland charm into your living room.

On the other hand, this tree can be the blank canvas for your boldest holiday ideas – all thanks to its white branches. Style it with multi-colored twinkle lights, vibrant baubles in varying sizes, and a whimsical bow on top, and watch it become the playful accent that excites your home during the holiday season.

Clearly, versatility is a major selling point for this tiny tree, but it's not the only reason I'm buying it for my home. Practically speaking, this model is a perfect alternative to traditional trees because of its small size. It can tuck comfortably into a corner – staying out of the way but remaining noticeable and impactful.

For small spaces, like mine, it's an unbeatable option. But even for larger homes, this tree can become a useful holiday decor feature. Rather than making it the main focus of a living room, I'd style it in less conventional areas of the home – a staircase landing, a hallway, even a reading nook. Its snowy look will radiate seasonal charm anywhere you need it.

How I'd Style Anthropologie's Mini White Potted Tree

Shop More Mini Christmas Trees

There are lots of benefits to mini Christmas trees. Not only are they great for spaces in which full-size trees can’t fit, but they’re also good for spreading holiday cheer in less obvious parts of your home. Aside from Anthropologie’s White Potted Tree, find a few more options below that are just as chic.

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This precarious shoe pile is inevitable during holiday parties, but it can happen all year round, too. I know the struggle firsthand – as a frequent host who lives in a tight apartment, my small entryway looks like a dense mountain just seconds away from a landslide anytime I have guests over.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, and lots of holiday parties planned at my place, I decided that it's time to address my entryway dilemma with a creative storage idea. And I have found just what I needed in Wayfair's Way Day sale: this surprisingly spacious and subtly chic cushioned storage bench.

This bench’s stylistic appeal is what first caught my attention. It doesn’t read too utilitarian – unlike a lot of the tiny entryway storage ideas I saw during my search for the perfect one. Instead, it yields a tasteful, modern farmhouse-inspired look with its fluted doors and painted frame. It’s one of those practical furnishings that works overtime to keep your space clean and looking chic.

That said, what sold me was its surprisingly spacious layout. It features three base cabinets, a side pocket, and even an underseat compartment for hidden storage. It’s a true workhorse for any entryway, providing space for shoes, grocery bags, an umbrella, gloves; the list goes on and on. It’ll keep your entryway clear of clutter any time of year.

Boasting a 4.6 out of 5-star ranking at Wayfair, this bench comes highly recommended by reviewers, with some remarking on its easy assembly, its sturdiness, and its attractive look. Plus, its price is hard to beat at less than $130.

While it’s already a stylish storage piece, I think this bench has the potential to be transformed into something even better. I’d reupholster the bench with a chic, durable fabric (Pepper Home’s Hadley Sky Performance Woven is my choice), I’d repaint the exterior in a fresh, inviting color, and I’d even replace its cabinet knobs with more exciting alternatives to give this bench a custom look.

Wayfair’s Cushioned Storage Bench is such a practical solution to make your entryway look nicer. Ahead of hosting season, it’ll give you a defined space for guests’ shoes so that while you’re hosting, a shoe pile will be the least of your problems. And at less than $130, it’s a steal for how helpful it’ll become in your home.

How I'd Style Wayfair's Cushioned Storage Bench

Aside from new upholstery and a fresh coat of paint, here's what I'd buy to make Wayfair's Cushioned Storage Bench a bit more exciting for the entryway.

Shop More Entryway Benches

Wayfair’s Cushioned Storage Bench isn't the only option I considered for my entryway. Below, find three more that are just as chic and practical for eliminating that inevitable shoe pile.

Although Wayfair’s Cushioned Storage Bench is helpful for keeping a cluttered entryway organized any time of year, I just know it'll come in handy during hosting season. But if you're looking for something larger that can benefit both shoes and coats, check out IKEA's NIPÅSEN Coat Rack and Bench, instead. This editor-approved find maximizes small entryways with its many functions and is perfect for organization when hosting this holiday season.

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But why? Perhaps a little too imposing? Molly says it comes down to the fabric. ‘On a window, it’s all about the material and what’s around it. I love our chocolate linen because of how the specific weave lets the light move through it – it feels earthy and almost sun-faded rather than heavy.' The rich, 'Le Café' shade joins two more lightweight linens in Au Lait, a warm, milky ivory, and Classique, a classic stripe, alongside two sheers: embroidered lace Fleur and Voile Blanche.

‘I also like giving a darker curtain a little breathing room: warm plaster walls, lighter upholstery, something with age and patina. Brown is basically a neutral in my book. Treat it like one, and it becomes surprisingly easy to live with.’

And, be it chocolate or otherwise, a great curtain, especially one that hangs solo, hinges on the drape. Musing the layered, theatrical windows Molly observed during her travels to France and Italy, soft valances are another standout of the lacy, piped-to-perfection collection.

‘Think wardrobe, not matching set,’ Molly continues. Café curtains offer privacy without blocking the outside’s natural beauty in kitchens and bathrooms; Roman shades gather neatly at the bottom, lending bedrooms an enveloping softness without feeling too formal. Each can exist, or even be double-dressed, alongside the collection’s full-length drapery. ‘If I’m layering, I want the pieces to do different jobs – a sheer for softness and filtered light, then a linen with more weight and structure. The trick is making sure they aren’t competing for attention.’

For Molly, that means separating church and state: chocolate gets its window, ivory gets another. The nuance comes from the fabrics themselves, which might not surprise fans of her earthy minimalist DNA.

‘I usually keep the palette tonal and let the contrast come from texture, transparency, and weight. It’s the same reason a linen shirt under a great jacket works: similar language, completely different jobs. And I always go higher and wider when the architecture allows. Give all that fabric somewhere to breathe.’

Maybe chocolate brown curtains aren't actually the winter coat we think they are. In a light-filtering weave, with thoughtful layers and a generous drape, even the most bundling, satiating shade carries a certain levity. Ahead, a few ways to indulge in chocolate this fall, plus the supporting pieces for an airy, earthy window wardrobe of your own.

Chocolate isn’t the only curtain trend we’re craving for 2026. From generous folds to barely-there details, see how else designers are dressing their windows this year.

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My favorite feature, however, was always the Christmas village she had on display in her cozy living room. Lined up on the console table behind her couch, this village had everything – a schoolhouse, a bakery, a florist; the list goes on and on. Six-year-old me spent hours gazing at it, imagining that little people lived there, and they too were preparing for Christmas Day.

Ever since, I have wanted to recreate my grandmother's Christmas village. Lennox is, of course, known for its beautiful ceramic Christmas houses, and this year Pottery Barn and Target have versions too. For some lovely, affordable options, I have also just spied that ALDI has released the sweetest, nostalgic, classically holiday-inspired Hotel Village House.

Everything about its design reminds me of the houses my grandmother had in her collection – from its snowy roof to its white-tipped trees and even the charming bows adorning its facade. Plus, it lights up from the inside – mimicking the warm and inviting holiday scene I remember so fondly from childhood.

It's decorations like this that make the holiday season feel so magical – helping you rediscover the childlike wonder you had as a kid. I can already picture this little hotel in my living room – sitting on my Christmas mantel, radiating nostalgic charm and glowing with warm, ambient light.

If you're just starting your Christmas village collection like me, consider this the perfect first piece. Its classic Christmas color scheme allows it to stand on its own or in a small holiday vignette.

However, if you're looking to grow your village collection, this ceramic hotel is the perfect next purchase. After all, where will all the imaginary vacationers stay while they're visiting your Christmas village? You just need a hotel.

Aside from this charming ceramic hotel, ALDI's Christmas collection has more whimsical buildings. All for just $12.99, these ceramic buildings can help you expand your Christmas village into an entire holiday empire – right in your own home.

Shop More Ceramic Christmas Buildings From ALDI

Shop Nostalgic Christmas Decor

Along with the bakery, the school, and the bookstore, ALDI's Hotel Village House is an inherently nostalgic piece of holiday decor. If you prefer to decorate your home for Christmas in a way that makes you feel like a kid again, shop three more nostalgic holiday finds below.

ALDI's Hotel Village House is a reminder that Christmas decorating doesn't need to be trend-driven or overcomplicated. Sometimes, the best holiday features are the ones that are nothing more than nostalgic – making you experience the childlike joy of the Christmas season once again. ALDI's Gingerbread Christmas Decorations have the same effect, so after completing your Christmas village, consider making another one out of gingerbread-inspired ceramic, too.

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While the iconic star-within-a-star silhouette remains, this year’s drop introduces more intricate, origami-style folds, giving the familiar paper shades a little more surface area for whimsy. The snowflake-inspired Paper Petal Star carries all the delicate beauty of a winter wonderland storybook, while its counterparts arrive in punchier greens and reds, borrowing from IKEA’s ‘Happy Carnival’ mood for 2026. ‘I wanted to evoke laughter and make Christmas decor more relaxed. The shapes are geometric and simple yet playful, with eye-popping colors. I hope they will add joy and a stress-free perspective on Christmas,’ says IKEA designer Marta Krupińska.

For all the unexpectedly punchy colors, new star- and leaf-shaped lighting chains, and even a surprisingly surreal matchstick-shaped floor lamp, one thing hasn’t changed in decades of STRÅLA lighting: the sheer number of places you can put it. Homes & Gardens' Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton, considers the paper stars a holiday tradition.

‘I have had my first IKEA Stråla light for almost a decade. It sat in the window of my first apartment, adding holiday cheer to my tiny space that didn’t have much room for festive flourishes. I loved that it worked as both an indoor light I could enjoy from the couch and an outdoor Christmas decoration that glowed for the neighbors to see, too.’

She’s been adding to her collection with successive October drops ever since. Not because the old ones wither away (quite the opposite), but because each new riff on the famous style adds something special to her holiday scheme.

‘I have since added to the collection,’ Hebe continues. ‘When I moved house and had more windows, one went up in each. One year, I hung them above my dining table; another year, one adorned the mirror above my fireplace. Each year, they come out of the attic looking the same as when they went away because they fold down so neatly. So, despite being made of paper, they last so well.’

With some of Hebe's oldest still in circulation, the STRÅLA sell-outs have nothing to do with needing a replacement and – like buying an ornament-of-the-year or a novelty stoneware mug – everything to do with becoming an annual ritual. Ahead, the best of IKEA’s STRÅLA collection for 2026, from lacy paper shades to elaborate new lighting chains. Whether you’re securing your first or finding an excuse for your fifth, the time to shop is now.

Our STRÅLA Favorites to Shop Now

Indoor or outdoor? White or colored? Incandescent or LED? Before you string another strand, our guide to choosing the perfect Christmas lights has you covered.

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Like an icy complement to the usual holiday shades, baby blue adds a fresh layer of visual interest to traditional Christmas decor ideas. This color trend is a natural fit for coastal-inspired Christmas displays, which is why there’s no shortage of it in Serena and Lily’s holiday collection. But removed from the coastal context, these powdery blues feel like a new classic for Christmas that can reimagine even the most traditional holiday schemes with cool, understated elegance.

This season, many of our favorite brands featured sweet shades of pale blues in their holiday collections, and McGee & Co.’s range was one of the first to catch our attention. Designer Shea McGee incorporated the color in the form of flowing bows, ribbons, and even painted ornaments – each acting as a tasteful accent to her heritage-inspired holiday range. Baby blue has also been spotted in Crate & Barrel's holiday collection in the form of a whimsical Bell Garland, Frontgate has added this pale hue among the red and greens with its Chalet Stocking and for Lulu and Georgia's new collection, pale blue comes in the form of a luxurious smoky-toned velvet tree skirt.

Though much cooler than the holiday shades we’re used to, this color doesn’t feel out of place. Instead, it provides the perfect contrast – a light and airy alternative to soften the heaviness that can sometimes overwhelm holiday displays. It doesn’t need to be the main color of your Christmas arrangement either; just add a few pops of it here and there and watch as it gives the scene an entirely new feeling.

This soft and charming shade is proof that having a blue Christmas isn’t necessarily a sad thing (we're looking at you, Elvis). Shop our assortment of stylish baby blue Christmas decor below.

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So, how can we make brown furniture look fresher and far from fussy? From mahogany dressers to oak armoires, the secret to styling antique wooden furniture lies in the colors we use to bring these pieces to life.

While clever styling can make brown furniture look more modern, paint ideas are what change the feel of these styles. So, if you're decorating with antiques and want to create more alignment within your scheme, pay attention to these four paint colors that can make even the grandest styles feel fresh and balanced.

1. Pale Blue

One of the best ways to modernize antique furniture is to use a pale, whisper-soft paint color that will balance its heaviness. Pale blue paints contrast with dark mahogany and oak without feeling harsh, creating a brighter, fresher feel.

'In this room, we wanted the bedroom to feel very serene so opted for Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light on the walls and kept the ceiling and trim a crisp white with Farrow & Ball's Wimborne White,' explains Michelle Sabin of Sabin Viehland. 'A room with such a light palette can feel too airy sometimes, so adding a piece of antique furniture with beautiful graining and a rich color is very grounding for the space. It keeps the room from feeling too one-note and adds a ton of character and a little gravitas to the room. With a lot of the elements in this room being newly painted and renovated, the antique character and natural wood texture of this piece brings the feeling of the room “down to earth” so it’s not all so sparkling new.'

'It’s all about the juxtaposition,' Michelle continues. 'Pairing dark brown pieces with light wall and floor colors, or putting them in bright newly renovated rooms, or even just mixing them with more modern furniture and lighting can make them feel fresh again, and lend them an air of sophistication because they are the oldest thing in the room. Sometimes if the whole room is all of the same period (new or old), it begins to feel like a museum, which is to say it feels a little too formal, stiff, showroom-y, or plastic.'

2. Deep Burgundy

While pale blues contrast with dark wood tones, burgundy paints and brown furniture share similar undertones, creating a rich, seamless feel.

When pairing any color with wood, designer Joana Maia notes you should always pay attention to undertones. 'I think it really depends on the type of timber and its natural undertones,' explains the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Attica Studios. 'Mahogany, for example, often has beautiful reddish tones, sometimes leaning towards burgundy or oxblood, whereas darker oak tends to have a more earthy, neutral brown.'

'With mahogany, I love embracing that warmth through rich, autumnal colors such as deep burgundy, amber and forest green. These shades complement the natural richness of the timber and create a beautifully layered, cohesive palette.'

'I always find myself drawn towards colors that exist in nature,' Joana adds. 'When you're working with solid timber, particularly darker woods where the grain is so visible, there's already a wonderful sense of organic texture and depth. I think choosing colors that feel equally natural creates a much more harmonious and timeless interior.'

3. Warm White

Off-whites are a great way to brighten brown furniture while still keeping things warm and inviting. Paired with dark wood pieces like mahogany, walnut, or teak, white keeps things balanced and timeless.

'With darker oak, I tend to take a slightly different approach,' Joana says. 'I particularly love pairing it with warm off-whites, dusty blues or soft, muted pinks. There's something very fresh about introducing these lighter, softer colors alongside a darker piece of furniture. The contrast allows the natural character of the timber to stand out, making it feel like a deliberate statement within the room.'

'I generally tend to avoid overly bright or synthetic colors,' she adds, 'particularly neon shades and very strong yellows. Brown furniture already brings so much natural warmth and character to a space, and I find that these colors can sometimes compete with it rather than complement it.'

4. Fresh Green

Classic, often quite visually heavy British antiques like Regency hall chairs or Georgian dressers look beautiful paired with vibrant, fresh greens. Organic and grounding, dark green or pale greens entirely reinvent these grander furniture styles, bridging the gap between old and new. Not to mention, they give an interior a soothing, revitalized feel, too.

'I love to pair dark brown antique furniture with lighter tones of blues and greens,' interior designer Shani Core says. 'When using dark brown antique furniture, I like to upholster in a fresh, modern fabric and pair with other upholstered items that are more modern. A dark solid in black would not provide contrast on a piece of brown furniture. I prefer either a pattern or a solid in a lighter color palette.'

While these paints can make heavy, dark brown furniture feel fresher, they don't take away from its character and story. It's all about striking a balance between old and new, and keeping things sympathetic.

'My biggest piece of advice would be to give darker furniture room to breathe,' Joana advises. 'These pieces often have such beautiful proportions, grain and character that they deserve to be appreciated without too much surrounding them. Ultimately, I think the key to making darker furniture feel contemporary is allowing it to be the focal point, while keeping everything around it considered and understated.'

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This collection is sentimental to its core – complete with all sorts of nostalgia-inducing Christmas decor ideas that’ll help you rediscover the childlike wonder of the holiday season itself. Think patchwork-patterned stockings, handwoven rattan trees, hand-painted plates, and even paper mache ornaments – all details that give this collection a strong sense of playfully homemade holiday charm.

Instead of the traditional Christmas color scheme of red and green, this collection expands the palette to include shades of pink, purple, blue, and yellow – a whimsical contrast of colors that might not scream Christmas, but when paired together, feel so right for this time of the year. And although the collection is grounded in a timeless, heritage-inspired aesthetic, there are a few trend-driven touches, too – bows being one of them. From the leftover fabric bow ornaments to the large Starry Patchwork Bow, this seasonal touch brings softness and warmth to any corner of the home.

With all of its handmade-inspired details – from the Floral Candle Clip Ornament and the Remnant Fabric Beaded Garland to the Floral Gingham Patchwork Stocking – this collection truly feels like stepping into a holiday memory. It’s welcoming, warm, and full of festive spirit – destined to make your home feel like the coziest house this holiday season.

So go ahead, make yourself feel like a kid again. Shop the most endearing pieces from GreenRow's holiday collection below.

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Now that Christmas is just around the corner, however, I'm beginning to wonder how to bring the holiday spirit into my apartment when I have hardly any space to spare. Easy holiday decor ideas like festive pillows, scented candles, and seasonal tabletop trinkets make a slight difference, but they only go so far. I need a Christmas tree to make my space come to life – the only issue is I have absolutely nowhere to put it.

I thought about getting a small fake tree, but even that would look out of place considering every corner is already occupied and every tabletop is already filled. I even considered getting tiny tree-shaped trinkets for my dresser, but as someone who loves decorating for Christmas, I knew that wouldn't cut it. Then I found the winner: IKEA's VINTERFINT Wall Decoration.

IKEA's VINTERFINT Wall Decoration refashions the traditional Christmas tree into a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired wall decor idea for the holiday season. For those with small living rooms, it's the perfect alternative to a bulky, space-consuming tree. By mounting to the wall, this pine-crafted version saves floor space and doubles as an artful wall decoration – bringing a little seasonal spirit to a spot that would otherwise be left bare. Not only that, but it's so much more affordable than a standard Christmas tree at only $25.

Just like an accordion wall rack, this tree-shaped decoration can be stretched out to your desired width – from a slim, 1.5' tree to a wide 3.5' tree. And just like a standard Christmas tree, it can be decorated with any ornaments of your choosing.

Although it might not look like the Christmas trees I'm used to, IKEA's VINTERFINT Wall Decoration will signal the holiday season with the same timeless charm as a real Douglas fir, and it'll spare me the stress of trying to fit an actual tree in my tiny apartment.

Although IKEA's VINTERFINT Wall Decoration is, first and foremost, a Christmas decoration, its use isn't limited to just that. Because of the several protruding pegs attached to its frame, it can be used as a wall storage idea anywhere around the home, any time of year.

Out of the several 5-star reviews that this piece receives, one reviewer raved about its versatility: 'Whether used as an Advent calendar holder, a place for keepsakes, cards, keychains, a scarf and hat rack, a bathroom towel hook, or a belt and necklace holder… this thing is just super hands-on. Whether on the wall or on the door… it’s great,' they remark.

IKEA's top-rated VINTERFINT Wall Decoration is so much more than just a clever alternative to the Christmas tree. It's a space-saving holiday decorating idea, an adornment to beautify blank walls, and a makeshift storage idea for those with tight homes – for just $25. I have a feeling this won't stay in stock for very long, so get one for your home while you still can.

How I'd Style IKEA's VINTERFINT Wall Decoration for Christmas

More Christmas Decor From IKEA

The VINTERFINT Wall Decoration is just the start of IKEA's Christmas collection. Shop a few more playful and Scandi-inspired holiday accessories below.

The VINTERFINT Wall Decoration and everything else from IKEA's holiday line invites you to explore your playful side this holiday season – just like John Derian's Christmas collection at Target. Full of kitschy finds like a grouse-shaped pillow and a crowned bird serving platter, it'll make your home feel like a childlike wonderland this Christmas.

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As the name suggests, whimsy-maxxing is all about embracing a whimsical aesthetic to the max. This internet-ism spans categories – clothing, beauty, even lifestyle. In the context of making your home more whimsical, it means not stopping after one playful decor detail, but letting personality ooze into every corner of every room. Designer Peggy Haddad calls whimsy-maxxing ‘the art of maximizing charming, whimsical pieces and patterns in a space. Having no limits on unique or quirky furniture and decor creates a very personal, collected feeling, and can be so delightful if done tastefully,' she continues.

There’s no doubt that whimsy-maxxing can make your home look and feel more like you. However, this design trend walks a fine line between charming and chaotic. So, in order to infuse your home with whimsical energy in a tasteful and considered manner, balance becomes key. ‘We approach even the most playful spaces with cohesiveness as a top priority, with each furniture piece, textile, pattern, and accessory playing off the next,’ Peggy explains. Together, these whimsical stars and their grounding counterparts create vibrantly layered and storied rooms that are nothing short of personal.

Whimsical decor has a way of finding you – rather than you finding it. However, some brands always seem to give us exactly what we're looking for. Lulu and Georgia, for instance, is one of them – its recent collections with designers Sarah Sherman Samuel and Eny Lee Parker are the definition of whimsy. Even Anthropologie has whimsy woven into its DNA – with pieces like the Floral Glass Chandelier and the Hale Dresser as proof.

There’s really no right or wrong way to try the whimsy-maxxing trend in your home. It’s personal, after all, so it comes down to what you like and what makes you happy. And I think I’ve picked some winners below. Ahead, find 20 pieces to bring some whimsy into every room.

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That's what makes Anthropologie's Thanksgiving tableware feel so refreshing this season. With pastoral scenes on plates, farm animal-inspired accessories and a distinctive palette of blues, greens and browns, the collection offers a more imaginative take on traditional Thanksgiving table decor ideas. Rather than leaning into an overly rustic aesthetic, it embraces a romantic, whimsical style that feels both nostalgic and delightfully unexpected.

The effect is almost like stepping into a bucolic fantasy – a Rococo painting brought to life, complete with pastoral charm and an idyllic, storybook quality. The Judarn Dinner Plates capture this beautifully, with artfully detailed rims adorned with botanical and bird motifs. Natural wooden accents, including the Laguoile Flatware Set and the Wood Cheese Board, bring warmth and texture to the table, while playful finishing touches – from animal-shaped candle holders to decorative cheese knives – add a distinctly provincial charm.

The result is a Thanksgiving table that feels collected, characterful and a little more enchanting than the usual autumnal arrangement.

Rather than feeling overly themed, this decor offers a way to create a tablescape that feels fresh, uplifting and a little different from the usual Thanksgiving fare. The light, nature-inspired palette plays a big part, with blues, greens and browns taking the place of the auburns and burnt oranges traditionally associated with the holiday. These versatile shades also mean the dinnerware can be enjoyed well beyond Thanksgiving, bringing the same welcoming, storybook charm to your table throughout the year.

If your usual Thanksgiving setup is starting to feel a little tired, consider giving it a romantic, pastoral twist with Anthropologie's pastoral-inspired accessories. From characterful dinnerware to whimsical finishing touches, these are the pieces to help you create an idyllic tablescape of your own.

Shop Thanksgiving Table Decor from Anthropologie

With Anthropologie's Thanksgiving tableware, you can create a holiday tablescape that guests will remember long after the last plate has been cleared. And to make the whole occasion just as special, turn to our Thanksgiving hosting guide, packed with expert advice on everything from dinner and dessert to decorating your home for the celebrations.

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Basements can be tricky spaces to get right, often lacking the natural light and connection of the rooms above. Here, there was another challenge: how do you create a sense of atmosphere in a room that boasts the proportions of a gallery? For Emma Sims-Hilditch, the answer was not to fill it with decoration but to give the volume a sense of purpose and a 'rhythm and intimacy' that wasn’t there before.

'The clients wanted the basement to become one of the most-used spaces in the house,' she explains. Emma resisted the temptation to treat the basement as one large room, instead breaking the open-plan footprint into connected zones for relaxing, entertaining, playing, and Pilates.

The house has a subtle mid-century influence, but downstairs they chose to amplify it, creating a 'richer, more immersive interpretation'. The result is 'playful and intimate,' Emma describes, while still feeling connected to the rooms above. The oversized sofa anchors the main seating area, while the games table doubles as a dining table thanks to a removable tabletop. 'They wanted a room that could work equally well for family movie nights, children playing or larger gatherings with friends,' says Emma. Lighting, rugs and furniture placement subtly mark out each zone, while clear sight lines keep the whole room connected.

The timber ceiling provides the visual thread. It became the defining feature of the scheme, introducing warmth, texture and architectural interest into the double-height space. 'With the ceiling taking center stage, the rest of the material palette was intentionally restrained,' says Emma. Rich timbers, natural stone, aged brass, velvet and leather were layered around it, while Bauwerk-painted walls provide a quiet backdrop. Nothing here competes for attention; instead, each material adds its own subtle shift in texture or tone.

In a basement, lighting has to work harder. With less natural light filtering in, Emma avoided relying on a single source, instead layering oversized decorative pendants, wall lights and table lamps. 'Creating multiple pools and levels of warm light allows the atmosphere in a room to change throughout the day and evening,' she says. The effect is subtle but transformative, giving each zone its own character without breaking the flow of the room.

What keeps the room from feeling too polished is the sense that it belongs to the people who live here. Existing furniture and artwork with sentimental value sit alongside pieces that have been curated with art consultants Cramer & Bell, while books, ceramics, and collected objects bring a personal touch to the open shelving. 'We like shelves to reflect the people who live in the house, rather than feeling professionally styled,' says Emma. Leaving breathing space prevents the shelving from looking visually cluttered and allows them to be added to over time.

Scale matters here, too. 'Because the room is so generous, off-the-shelf pieces would have looked slightly lost,' she explains. The oversized sofa was designed specifically for the proportions of the space, giving it the presence to feel comfortable within the architecture. 'Think about atmosphere before decoration,' Emma advises. 'People often focus on color first, but materials, texture, lighting and proportion have a much greater influence on how a room feels,' she adds.

For all its size and guises, this is a room that never feels overwhelming. 'For me, the success of the design is that it creates a real sense of intimacy within such a large footprint,' Emma reflects. Perhaps that is the real trick here: not making a large room feel smaller, but instead making every part of it feel considered enough to draw you in.

Shop the Look

Design DNA is the Homes & Gardens series that breaks down beautiful rooms into their essential elements. Each installment dissects one interior and shows readers exactly what makes it work, from the anchor furniture and layout choices to color, lighting, and styling details.

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Since moving into the place, I've become well-versed in all sorts of kitchen storage ideas – from adding extra shelves within my cabinets to mounting magnetic storage to my fridge door. However, the lack of a proper pantry has been the hardest struggle – most of my snacks, spices, and spare cooking supplies end up piled on top of my kitchen table.

For a while, I thought I'd just have to accept that my small kitchen would always be slightly disorderly. But then I found my dream storage idea to maximize my kitchen's organization and amplify the room's aesthetic appeal: Wayfair's Corner Cabinet.

This corner cabinet is a big piece of furniture, yet it does such a remarkable job of organizing my small kitchen that I hardly notice the floor space it takes up. Its triangular shape is to thank for that – this corner cabinet can sit flush between two walls so it's pushed out of the way. It's not clunky or cumbersome; instead, it's neat, compact, and thoughtfully designed. Plus, its tall height helps make use of the walls for storage rather than the floors.

The modern farmhouse-inspired design is what drew me to it in the first place. It can add such character to a kitchen, and as it slides so neatly into a corner, it can look like a custom-built piece – tastefully balancing rustic charm and practical organization.

Although I envision it in the kitchen in my apartment, many reviewers have used it elsewhere. 'It fits perfectly in a corner of our bathroom that was wasted space,' one reviewer wrote. Another mentioned how they added it to their laundry room to organize detergents and household cleaning supplies. Beyond that, I see this cabinet – its storage capabilities and its rustic appeal – benefiting an awkward corner in a bedroom, the corner of a staircase landing, or even an empty entryway.

How I'd Style Wayfair's Corner Cabinet

For kitchens without a pantry, this corner cabinet is such a lifesaver. It'll help you organize your space, provide ample storage, and look good while doing so. Here's how I'd style Wayfair's Corner Cabinet to make the most of it.

Shop Similar Kitchen Storage Units from Wayfair

Whether your kitchen is small or not, having extra storage cabinets can help you make the most of the space – giving everything from spare pots, extra dinnerware, and food a proper place to live. Aside from the Corner Cabinet, here are three more top-rated storage units from Wayfair that are great for maximizing kitchen organization.

Wayfair's Corner Cabinet is a reminder that unused corners can become convenient storage zones for your home – it just takes the right furnishing to make that happen.

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Of course, they didn’t recommend skimping on style, which is why I’m loving IKEA’s glass-topped TORSJÖ. At just $170, its Empire-style frame and shiny, gold-like finish suggest far more expensive origins. Styled correctly (a lovely vase, a pair of well-chosen vintage chairs), it could live quite happily in some swanky French château or Park Avenue penthouse.

So that’s the character I’d give it: heiress. Surround the $170 coffee table with the appropriate context clues. Not the requisite Tom Ford stack, but niche art books ostensibly collected on your travels. Underfoot, Ruggable’s designer collaborations supply the .001%-favorite details, from the Hilton's chambray blue and double borders to Scalamandré’s riff on the iconic ’60s Tigre. Atop the glass, a candleholder by an unimpeachable talent like Sophie Lou Jacobsen. At that point, who’s asking what the coffee table cost?

In a dream living room, we’d spend with reckless abandon, snapping up every extraordinarily fabulous Carrara marble surface in sight. But throwing money at a room only does so much. Taste is still required. And when the save option looks this good, surely there are better places to siphon a figurative trust fund.

More Expensive-Looking Coffee Tables

$170 looks a lot more like $1,700 when you spend it right. Keep your most discerning guests guessing with more impossibly posh-looking coffee tables.

Save on the coffee table. The sofa, as designers won’t ever let me forget, is another matter. With all that money you didn’t spend just now, peruse our edit of the best couches to finish the room.

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As Lone Fox and Joon Loloi began to develop their third collection together, they had a strong understanding of what was working – but they weren’t interested in giving us more of the same. Instead, they’ve made this collection their joint experimental endeavor – a collection that’s familiar yet fresh, exciting, and full of surprises.

‘When it came to planning this third collection, the training wheels came off, and we went with our gut,’ Drew explains of this range of rugs and pillows. ‘Our gut told us that animal print, patchwork, borders, and subtle Gothic motifs were the way to go. I think this collection will surprise people, but they’ll be even more surprised by how much they like it!’ he remarks.

All of the prints and patterns give this collection its personality – from the heritage-inspired patchwork on the Sheena Rug to the undulating leaf border on the Francie Rug. But it’s the animal-printed styles that work overtime to make this collection come to life.

According to Drew, ‘animal print is one of those unique elements that is both trendy and timeless. There will be periods when it's ultra-trendy and times when it’s not, but it will always have a place in design,’ he says.

Because the print can be quite contentious – some love it and others… not so much – Drew and the Joon Loloi team wanted to incorporate it in a digestible way. ‘Besides maybe the Rama Rug, which is quite literal, all the rugs and pillows are artistic interpretations of animal prints,’ he tells me. ‘On some, we played with the colors; on others, we simplified or exaggerated the patterns. We came up with some really stunning options that will appeal to all different styles of homes.’

The Clarke Rug and even the Marcus Pillow are prime examples of this – both resemble tiger print but also look completely different, demonstrating just how Drew and the team were able to refashion animal-inspired motifs in a new, refreshing light.

Despite the unexpected prints and patterns, the collection still feels grounded in the Lone Fox DNA – and its color palette is to thank for that.

‘Over the years, we’ve established warm earth tones and neutrals as our go-to Lone Fox colors,’ Drew tells me. Think browns, greens, reds, and shades of blue – these colors are all frequent features in Drew’s personal projects. For this collection, that palette acted as the base upon which Drew and the team introduced other color trends like ochre, plum, olive, and rust.

These warm shades and their tonal variety create rugs that feel welcoming to their core. The Drescher Rug, for instance, can ground a room with its shades of soft tan and brown. Though cooler with its navy center, the Magdalena Rug can act as an anchor with its timeless, inviting aesthetic. The pillows are just as appealing, too – like the gold Wrenwick Pillow and the blue patterned Naima Pillow – finished in rich color palettes and patterns that ooze heritage charm.

Like everything Drew designs, his latest collection with Joon Loloi is rooted in his signature Lone Fox aesthetic – it’s inviting, eclectic, heritage-inspired, and full of character. And with its unexpected design details, it can make your home feel like a refreshed, rejuvenated version of itself. In fact, it’s done exactly that for Drew’s own home.

‘I recently put the Rama Rug in the living room of my 1929 Spanish home. My living room has been through several iterations, and while it looks beautiful, I’ve always thought it was missing a bit of an edge. I didn’t change anything except swapping the vintage rug for the Rama Rug, and the entire room was transformed. The historic details that had felt a bit stuffy now feel new and fresh. I had obviously known the power of a rug, but this reaffirmed it for me!’ he remarks.

If you find yourself in a similar situation – perhaps your living room feels tired, or your bedroom looks boring – Drew suggests that this collection might be what you need to help your home rediscover its personality. ‘Each different rug will change the vibe of the space: the animal prints will liven it up, the neutrals will help ground and unify it, and the geometric patterns will give it visual interest!’ Plus, swapping your rug is a lot easier than undergoing a renovation, and in a way, it has the same refreshing effect.

As a seasoned Style Editor, I know a successful collection when I see one, and this new range from Lone Fox and Joon Loloi is bound to be a hit. There’s so much to love – the playful animal-printed rugs, the geometrically bordered rugs, even the complementary patterned pillows. This collection is destined to give your home a refreshing boost of energy while still feeling rooted in traditional, timeless design.

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Instead of the typically dark Christmas colors of red and green, this collection lightens things up with soft greens and ocean-inspired blues – the latter being an unexpected color trend that we're loving for the holiday season. And that's just the start. Other coastal decor elements find their way into this drop, too, including rattan (woven into these chic tabletop trees) and Capiz shell (used to make this lustrous hurricane candle holder), making this collection look like it belongs in a seaside home decked out for the holiday season.

As a classically coastal take on Christmas, this collection refashions traditional holiday decorating ideas through a fresh yet desirable design perspective. Even just a few of these pieces can make your home feel layered with seasonal charm – blending the inviting nature of the holidays with the light effervescence of coastal design. Not only that, but the collection ties in some of our favorite decorating trends as well, with pieces like the fringe-lined tree collar, the raffia tassel pack, and the bow-adorned napkin rings acting as design-driven accoutrements for this Christmas-meets-coastal holiday drop.

If you want your guests to feel like they're Christmasing in a coastal town as soon as they set foot in your house this winter, then Serena and Lily's holiday collection is just what you need to shop. Below, find our favorite festive picks from the range.

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While we have seen plenty of color drenching over walls, it's proving an impactful way to transform a bookshelf into something a little more special. These corners are chances to channel our creativity and get adventurous with bold, inspiring colors that become the perfect backdrop to collections and decor. From rooms wrapped in color to alcoves fitted with bold shelving, this is how designers are using this bookshelf trend.

For rooms with walls drenched in moody tones, colorful shelving provides a vibrant contrast. In the room pictured above, Tamsin Saunders, founder of Home & Found, used a bold red to bring a playful edge to the scheme. 'The house needed color,' Tamsin explains. 'All the walls and all the furniture were shades of gray, and it was feeling very sad and unloved. Color is such an important part of a home – it is the biggest determinant in how a room feels.'

'This small study, on the north side of the house, was white and empty save for a large eighteenth-century mahogany linen press which dominated the room,' she continues. 'I wanted it to feel snug and cozy – the kind of room you would want to hunker down in. I painted the walls a soft plum to absorb the weight and solidity of the armoire and the bespoke joinery (shelves and desk) red to blend with and in response to that.'

While each color works hard to bring comfort and coziness, the shelving brings a real enticement to the space. Paired with the moody plum walls and mustard fireplace, it's the perfect balance of characterful and fresh.

Color-drenched shelving isn't just a way to create a section or 'pop' of color; it's an opportunity to transform a blank wall into a vibrant statement that anchors the room.

This pink and green built-in bookcase becomes the focus of the living room. 'The client is an author, so she wanted to create a dedicated space to house all her books alongside a spot for her piano,' explains Jo Beresford and Anna Butler, founders of Beresford Butler. 'We started by showing her a beautiful Designers Guild fabric to cover the piano stool, and the color palette started from there. Rather than painting the entire room green, we wanted the interior inserts of the shelving to be painted in Farrow & Ball's Lake Red to beautifully frame and show off her collection of books and artifacts.'

'A bold, colorful bookshelf is a brilliant way to use color when you want to add impact and personality but feel slightly nervous about committing to a full room,' Jo and Anna say. 'It also looks really smart and can elevate some quite simple, inexpensive shelving. Highlighting architectural features can be just as impactful; we love introducing two contrasting colors if possible because it creates wonderful depth.'

While color-drenching is impactful, it can also create balance. In this library, the deep green shelves feel harmonious, rather than overwhelming. 'In this room, because the walls are lined with bookcases, the dose of color isn’t small, but it is effective,' explains Elizabeth Macfarlane, co-founder of Macfarlane Van Der Heul. 'It delivers real impact – instant mood. At the same time, counter-intuitively, color drenching the bookcases has a calming effect in this room.'

'Books are wonderfully colorful, but en masse against white shelving, their spines can feel busy – colors, images and typefaces competing for attention,' Elizabeth says. 'The green here creates visual balance, a place for the eye to rest and makes the collection feel composed rather than cluttered.'

'We wanted to create a room in the spirit of a traditional gentleman’s library and began with a desk with a lovely green tooled leather top. The particular shade of olive we chose for the joinery is from COAT paints. It’s called East for Trees and has just the right nostalgic masculine feel – evoking the green baize of card and billiards tables and the green of cloth-bound books.'

'Color drenching the joinery here does more than add color; it draws attention to the decorative detail,' Elizabeth adds. 'The paneled cupboards, the cornice, the library lights and the papered ceiling. It also draws attention to a very personal collection of books and objects. The result is a room not only with color, but architectural presence and personality.'

Bold bookcases aren't just about introducing color into your scheme; they are a way to create a visual statement and change the mood of a room. 'Be brave and bold,' advises Tamsin. 'Don't wimp out with painting only tiny sections of ‘color' – think of the whole room as your canvas – gentle tonal shifts even in stronger colors will look a lot softer and gentler than big jumps from one color to another.'

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This year's line is no different. Packed with eccentric oddities that seem so silly but so right, the collection is a wildly fun alternative to expected or traditional Christmas decor ideas. With pieces like the Lit Blow Mold Snowman, the festive bird Stoneware Serving Platter, and even the Beaded Grouse Pillow, the collection encourages you to loosen up and have some fun with your holiday decorating.

Standout pieces are the pillows – this collection is full of whimsical designs in playful shapes in the form of a Squirrel Pillow, an Owl Pillow, and an unexpectedly festive Artichoke Pillow. T

John Derian's holiday collection at Target is a guaranteed hit, and if past years are anything to go by, it sells out quickly. If your home is in need of some kitschy Christmas energy, then shop our favorite pieces from the range below.

Shop John Derian's Holiday Line at Target

John Derian's holiday collection at Target brings kitschy nostalgia to Christmas decorating. It's fun and silly and familiar – it's a reminder to have fun with your Holiday styling.

If you're looking for decor that leans more classic in form, check out Joanna Gaines' holiday drop at Magnolia too. Spoiler alert: it's packed with heritage-inspired Christmas picks that might just define seasonal decorating this fall and winter.

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Brimming with chic garlands, patterned pillows, and other festive accoutrements, this collection reimagines traditional Christmas decor into stylized seasonal accessories that'll make your home look holiday-inspired and trend-driven. It presents a refreshed take on the Christmas color palette, with shades of burgundy, sage, mustard yellow, and brown complementing the classic red and green. Plus, a plethora of patterned accessories like the Talcott Striped Stocking and the Royce Floral Tree Skirt bring character, liveliness, and layered charm to the scene.

Taking center stage in this holiday range is the bow decor trend. Lulu and Georgia's holiday drop has them in all forms – from the tiny Seaton Beaded Bow Ornament or the base of the Ribbon Candlestick to the nearly 5' tall Decorative Bow that commands attention with its substantial presence. These tastefully tied-up touches can bring visual interest and festive energy anywhere around the home, which is exactly why they come back year after year.

Lulu and Georgia's Christmas drop is the key to creating a holiday home that feels richly layered, tastefully trend-informed, and full of character. If it's any indication as to what design trends will define this year's Christmas season, then we should expect bows to bask in their never-ending popularity, holiday color schemes to take on a more refreshed look, and the decorating mood to skew luxuriously maximalist.

Below, find everything you need from Lulu and Georgia's holiday collection to make Christmas the chicest holiday of the year.

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That combination of high visibility and hard use is what makes choosing a kitchen backsplash trickier than simply falling for the perfect tile. Material and finish determine how well it stands up to life, while size, color, pattern, and grout can completely alter its visual impact. How it meets the rest of the kitchen matters just as much.

‘Even a high-end backsplash can look bad if it hasn’t been properly planned around windows, open shelves, cabinet edges or range hoods. There’s nothing more annoying than walking into your kitchen every morning and seeing backsplash that sticks out or overlaps awkwardly – what an eyesore!’ says Nancy Vu, Co-founder of M&S Construction Group.

This guide is designed to take some of the guesswork out of it. We’ll work through the decisions in logical order, from choosing the right material and working out how much wall to cover to getting the color, layout and finishing details right. We’ll also flag the practical issues worth knowing before you buy, so that by the time installation starts, the difficult decisions have already been made – and your new backsplash looks as dreamy IRL as it did on paper.

1. Start with How Your Kitchen Works

Before looking at stone slabs or tile samples, consider what happens against the walls of your kitchen. A backsplash behind a sink that sees constant washing-up has a different job from one on a wall occupied mainly by a coffee station. Likewise, the surface immediately behind a frequently used range has to cope with grease, food splashes, and heat in a way that an empty stretch above a side counter may not.

Identify the Hardest-Working Areas

Map the sink, range, or cooktop and the principal food-preparation area first. These are generally the places where ease of cleaning and appropriate material performance should take precedence over decorative considerations.

How you cook also makes a difference, especially if you’re into high-heat searing and spicy sauces, and generally use all the stove burners at once. A family kitchen may also benefit from surfaces that tolerate frequent wiping and don't show up every water mark or splash. In a kitchen used more for entertaining, or just very careful chefs, you may be willing to trade a little more maintenance for a delicate or characterful finish.

‘The first thing I identify is which parts of the backsplash will work hardest. The surface directly behind a busy range or sink may need to meet quite different practical requirements from a quieter section of wall,’ says Swati Goorha, Founder and Principal Designer at Swati Goorha Designs. ‘In those high-use areas, I prioritize materials that are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture and everyday splashes while still considering how the material works with the overall kitchen design.’

Decide How Much Maintenance Feels Realistic

This is worth answering before falling for a particular material or backsplash trend. Would occasional resealing bother you (and would you reliably do it)? Are you happy to wipe polished metal frequently? Will smudgy grout joints be something you can happily ignore or something you immediately want to attack with a toothbrush?

Natural stone can be entirely practical in a kitchen, for example, but some stones and finishes require more considered care than glazed porcelain. Stainless steel is famously functional, but fingerprints and fine scratches are inevitable, and they’re not always pretty. Handmade tile may disguise the odd splash beautifully, but its irregularities make it a very different proposition cleaning-wise from a completely smooth slab. There is no universally 'best' backsplash material; you just need to ascertain which backsplash will work best for your household.

Consider the Rest of the Room

An open-plan kitchen places the backsplash in view from living and dining spaces, so its visual presence may deserve more consideration than in an enclosed kitchen where it is only seen close up. Think about the wider sightlines, too: flooring, furniture, lighting, and wall colors will all sit in the same field of view, and a backsplash that looks subtle at arm’s length can feel much busier from across the room.

Scale matters for the same reason. A backsplash covering one modest wall can afford to be more dynamic than a material wrapping several walls or running to the ceiling. If the kitchen already has a strong countertop, statement cabinetry, or patterned flooring, a quieter backsplash may give the eye somewhere to rest; in a simpler scheme, it can take on more of the decorative work.

2. Choose Your Backsplash Material

Backsplash material is probably the most consequential decision because it influences not only appearance but also joints, cleaning, heat tolerance, installation, and cost. A useful way to compare options is to think beyond whether a material is 'durable' and ask where it is durable. A surface may cope brilliantly with water but need greater consideration around heat, acidic cooking ingredients, or abrasive cleaning products.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile remains one of the easiest backsplash materials to specify because it is available in an enormous range of sizes, colors, glazes, and prices. Glazed ceramic is generally easy to wipe clean and performs well in normal splash areas. Individual tiles can also be replaced if one becomes damaged, assuming you have retained spares.

Ceramic is generally easier for an installer to cut than porcelain, which can make elaborate layouts and numerous outlet cuts less laborious. Always check the manufacturer's intended application, bearing in mind that 'ceramic' describes a large family of products rather than one identical performance level.

The grout-factor is the main downside of tiling. Small formats can create a large number of grout joints, and those joints are going to get grubby in time, even if you are careful to seal them. You can improve matters by choosing a colored grout – or at least avoiding pristine white – and be prepared to scrub with a specialist grout cleaner should things get really dire.

Porcelain

Porcelain is technically a type of ceramic tile, but it is denser and defined in US standards by water absorption of 0.5% or less. That very low absorption makes it an appealing backsplash option, particularly where easy cleaning and resistance to moisture are priorities. Modern porcelain tile is available in XL slabs that are impressively thin, which helps with installation and minimizing those pesky grout lines.

Porcelain can also convincingly replicate marble, limestone, concrete, metal and other surfaces, making it useful if you want the appearance of a more maintenance-sensitive material without pandering to specialist care requirements. The trade-off arrives at installation: dense porcelain is generally harder to cut than ordinary ceramic tile, which matters if the backsplash contains several outlets, windows or complicated edges. But, with the right tools, it’s perfectly doable.

Natural Stone

Marble, limestone, travertine, granite, quartzite, onyx, and other natural stones can create a backsplash with a depth and variation that manufactured surfaces struggle to duplicate. They do not, however, all behave in the same way.

Calcareous stones such as marble and limestone can be etched by acids. The Natural Stone Institute specifically cautions that lemon, vinegar, and other acidic cleaners may dull or etch these materials. Most natural stones require an impregnating sealer, which increases stain resistance but does not make the stone stain-proof. This is particularly relevant in a kitchen, where tomato, citrus, vinegar, wine and oil are frequently splashed.

‘Homeowners need to understand that some natural stones are more work than others. Marble and limestone are softer and require more care but are totally worth it,’ says Harmony Weihs, Designer and Owner of Design Harmony. ‘Quartzite is a natural stone I love using as it’s very durable and beautiful and requires minimal to no care. Although nothing is guaranteed “timeless”, if you want a more classic look, it’s worth sticking with neutrals and subtler veining.’

A polished slab will also behave differently visually and practically from tumbled tile or heavily textured stone. ‘Finish makes a huge difference, especially when choosing darker stone; the darker the stone, the more dramatic the sheen is, especially when polished. In most cases I prefer a honed stone over polished as it’s more casual,’ adds Harmony. Ask your stone supplier about the specific stone, finish, and proposed location, rather than relying on generic advice for 'natural stone'.

Engineered Quartz

Engineered quartz is fairly non-porous, easy to clean, and requires no sealing, making it a practical choice around both sinks and cooking areas. It’s not quite as stainproof as porcelain, but spills such as oil or curry paste will only leave a mark if they are left to fester. Good quality engineered quartz is suitable for use behind most cooktops and ranges, but always check the guidance for the surface you are specifying, as heat resistance can vary between brands, particularly with gas burners.

Sintered and Ultra-Compact Surfaces

Products in this broad category use mineral-based materials manufactured under high pressure and/or heat to create dense, low-porosity slabs. Like engineered quartz, their particular formulations vary, so use manufacturer data rather than assuming all sintered products have identical performance.

Dekton, for instance, is marketed for wall cladding and is highly resistant to stains, scratches, and heat, although its manufacturer still provides specific guidance concerning direct flames and installation around intense heat sources. As it’s available in XL slabs, the material can be a very practical way to continue a kitchen countertop vertically while reducing the number of joints.

Glass

Glass splashbacks are made from sheets of toughened or tempered glass. It can be painted in virtually any color, printed with a pattern, silvered or mirrored, given an antiqued finish, or kept clear to simply protect painted walls from splashes. Low-iron glass is particularly useful over wallpaper because it has less of the greenish tint found in standard clear glass.

As well as being easy to clean, glass has very few joints and no grout lines, which makes it a good choice for a sleek, low-maintenance finish. For safety, always use toughened glass around cooking areas and check any heat-clearance guidance for the product and appliance you are using. Accurate templating matters too, as holes and cut-outs for outlets, switches, or corners have to be made before the glass is toughened. With clear or translucent glass, the wall and fixings behind it also need to be neat, as they may show through.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is particularly at home around stove tops and ranges because it is nonporous, heat tolerant, and able to cope with plenty of splashes and spills, which explains its long association with professional kitchens. A steel sheet can be fabricated around outlets and other fittings with relatively few joints. On larger areas, sections can also be welded together and the seams ground and refinished for a hygienic, seamless appearance.

The downside is keeping steel looking pristine. Fingerprints, water marks, and greasy smears show readily, especially on highly polished steel, while brushed finishes are generally more forgiving. A tiny amount of stainless-steel conditioning or mineral oil buffed over the clean surface can help reduce fingerprints and restore shine.

Other Metals

Copper, brass, zinc and bronze sheets can bring warmth and depth, but their appearance rarely remains completely static. Often called ‘living finishes’, they naturally oxidize or develop a patina; acids, salts and cleaning chemicals can affect that process. Protective coatings may preserve a particular finish but introduce their own care requirements. Ask whether the sample represents how the metal looks new or after use, and whether a lacquer or other treatment is responsible for that appearance.

Brick

Original exposed brick can give a kitchen enormous character, but an attractive old wall and a practical cooking backsplash are not automatically the same thing. Brick and mortar are relatively porous, and deep joints and rough surfaces provide plenty of places for grease and food to settle. Sealing may improve cleanability but can alter the color or sheen, so test the finish first. Brick-look porcelain or brick slips offer a similar visual rhythm with much simpler maintenance if the practical demands of the location are high.

Wood and Wood-Look Surfaces

With the exception of a paneled kitchen backsplash finished in scrubbable paint, timber isn’t a good backsplash choice, particularly close to a range, where heat, moisture and grease can make it impractical. But if you want the warmth of timber in those hot/wet zones, wood-effect sintered stone or large-format porcelain can give you a similar look in a surface that is far better suited to a backsplash. The latest designs reproduce grain and knots surprisingly convincingly, while offering the heat, moisture and stain resistance you’d expect from a hard surface. Large slabs also mean fewer joints, so the effect can feel more like timber panelling than tiled wood-look strips.

Whichever material you choose, these three questions can help rule out the wrong option fast:

1) Can it tolerate the proposed heat and moisture?

2) How is it cleaned?

3) Who can install it – you/your builder or a specialist?

3. How Much Backsplash Do You Need?

Once the material is broadly decided, establish how much wall you actually want it to cover. Where and how you end a backsplash isn't merely an aesthetic choice. More coverage means more material, more labor, and potentially more complicated cuts, but it can also create more protected, and thus lower maintenance, walls.

‘The backsplash stopping point should be considered as part of the kitchen elevation rather than left until installation,’ says Swati Goorha. ‘Windows, range hoods, cabinets and open shelves can all provide natural alignment points. Choosing one of those architectural lines avoids awkward areas where the backsplash seems to randomly stop.’

A Low Backsplash

A traditional low backsplash – often around 4 inches high – provides a modest barrier immediately above the countertop. It uses relatively little material and can be useful where the wall above is intended to remain painted, paneled, or otherwise visually light. It also works particularly well when formed from the countertop material itself. Its limitation is obvious: anything splashed higher than the upstand reaches the wall finish, so it is less protective around sinks and vigorous cooking areas.

Countertop to Upper Cabinets

Filling the entire space between countertop and wall cabinets is probably the most straightforward approach because the cabinetry gives the backsplash a natural top line. Measure each section individually. The distance may not be identical throughout the kitchen, particularly beneath range hoods, around windows, or where cabinet heights change. This coverage also avoids an arbitrary horizontal termination in the middle of the wall.

Behind the Range Only

Concentrating a backsplash behind the range can be a useful way to introduce a more expensive or decorative material without committing to it throughout the kitchen. But treat it as part of the whole elevation. If the backsplash stops exactly at the appliance edges, does that width make sense with the hood above? Would aligning with surrounding cabinets create a better proportion? What happens at the countertop? Ideally, the answer needs to be drawn out on paper (or on screen), not decided by the installer standing in front of the wall.

Full Height or to the Ceiling

Where upper cabinetry is limited, extending the backsplash to the ceiling can give the wall a much stronger architectural finish. Slab materials can work particularly well because the surface remains relatively continuous; tile creates a more obvious field of pattern and grout. Cost becomes important here. Taking a premium stone or handmade tile from counter to ceiling can multiply both the material quantity and labor, so calculate square footage before becoming emotionally committed to the sample.

Around Windows

A kitchen window creates several possible stopping points: your backsplash can finish beneath the sill, wrap into the reveal, continue around the opening or cover the entire wall surrounding it. The cleanest choice will depend on the relationship between window trim, countertop and nearby cabinetry. If tile has to finish against traditional projecting trim, work out whether it dies neatly into the casing or requires a visible edge profile. If the window has a minimal reveal with no substantial trim, wrapping the backsplash inward can create a much more integrated look and a neat shelf.

Open Shelves and Walls Without Uppers

Open kitchen shelving gives you a little more flexibility than wall cabinetry. You can stop the backsplash neatly at the underside of the shelf, just as you would beneath a cabinet, or continue it behind the shelving to make more of the wall. It might run to the ceiling, align with another architectural feature, or stop at a deliberately chosen height.

If there’s nothing else on the wall and you don’t want to take the backsplash all the way to the ceiling, designers often suggest stopping it around a third of the distance from the countertop to the ceiling. This gives it enough height to feel intentional without letting it dominate the wall.

Wrapping Corners

When a backsplash turns onto an adjacent wall, decide where the secondary run ends. Stopping after a random tile or at the end of the countertop can look awkward if nearby cabinetry tells a different story. Aligning with a cabinet edge, window, architectural return, or another clear vertical line generally makes the decision look intentional.

4. Choose the Right Tile Size, Shape and Layout

Once coverage is determined, tile size can be judged against the actual dimensions of the area, rather than against a sample board in a showroom. A 2-by-8-inch tile, for instance, behaves very differently across a narrow 18-inch backsplash zone than over an entire wall to the ceiling.

Small Vs Large Format

Small tile introduces more joints, more rhythm, and often more texture. It can also adapt readily around corners, irregular walls, and complicated details because individual pieces are relatively easy to manipulate.

The trade-off is grout. A mosaic may contain many times more joint length than a 12-by-24-inch tile over the same area. Larger tiles produce fewer joints and can make a backsplash read as a broader surface rather than a pattern of individual units. They are not necessarily simpler to install, however. A large-format tile crossing several outlets may require awkward cuts, and flatter walls become increasingly important as tile dimensions increase.

Look At the Cuts Before Choosing the Tile

‘My first priority is to lay out my tiles after determining the measurements of my cabinets. Laying out my tiles at the start helps me to avoid buying the wrong amount of tiles for my project. Also, it ensures that I do not end up with small odd-shaped tiles that are less than an inch in size,’ explains Mike Belk, Founder of BELK Tile.

To try and minimize awkward cuts, measure the distance from countertop to upper cabinet and divide it by the proposed tile dimension, including the grout joints. Will you get two full tiles and an unattractive thin strip? Can the layout be centered to balance the cuts? Would rotating the tile solve the problem? Then do the same horizontally at windows, corners, and the range.

Vertical Vs Horizontal

Rectangular tiles laid horizontally emphasize the width of the backsplash, while the same format turned vertically accentuates height. That doesn't mean horizontal automatically makes a small kitchen look wider or vertical makes it taller; surrounding cabinet lines and grout contrast have a significant influence. But orientation changes the direction in which the eye reads the pattern. Vertical layouts can also work particularly well where the distance between counter and wall cabinets accommodates the tile module neatly.

Stacked Vs Running Bond

A straight stack aligns the joints to produce a regular grid. With narrow rectangular tiles, it can feel graphic and ordered. Running bond offsets each row. The degree of offset matters, particularly with long rectangular tiles that may have some natural bowing from manufacture. Tile manufacturers may recommend specific offsets and grout widths for particular products, so don't assume every long tile should automatically be laid in a 50% brick bond.

Herringbone and More Complex Patterns

Herringbone, chevron, and other directional patterns introduce more cuts, particularly around the perimeter and obstacles. That means the installation cost may be considerably more than for exactly the same tile laid in a straightforward stack. Wastage is also likely to increase. Think about where the pattern begins and where the focal point lies. Centering herringbone behind a range, for example, may matter more than achieving identical cuts at two distant corners.

Handmade and Irregular Tile

Uneven edges and variable surfaces are part of the appeal of handmade tile like zellige and bejmat, but they also mean joint widths and alignment will not look mechanically perfect. That variation can disguise small imperfections and create a beautifully lively surface. It can equally drive someone who wants laser-straight grout joints slightly insane. If this is you, stick to rectified tile that’s precision-cut by machine. Judge your choice on the installed effect (many tile showrooms will have large tile display boards), not one particularly perfect sample tile.

Slab Vs Tile

A slab-style backsplash shifts the design emphasis away from tile pattern and toward the movement or color of the material itself. It can minimize grout, but seams and cut-outs become much more significant. Where veining is prominent, discuss how slabs will be templated and where joins will fall.

5. Grout – What, Why and Where You Need It

Grout isn’t just there to frame the tiles, it fills the joints between them, protects vulnerable tile edges and stops dirt and moisture from collecting in the gaps. Traditional cement-based grout is naturally porous, however, which is why pale shades can be such a magnet for cooking splashes and stains. Sealing can help, or you can choose a more stain-resistant epoxy or high-performance grout in hardworking areas.

Matching or Contrasting Grout

‘It never ceases to amaze us how many clients overlook grout, making it the last decision after choosing tiles. We always emphasize that high-contrast grout makes each tile and line stand out, while matching grout gives a softer, calmer feel,’ says Nancy Vu. Matching grout can also help disguise uneven tile if your walls aren’t dead flat, as well as any imperfect moments if you’re DIY tiling!

Once you’ve settled on color, think about joint width. Narrow joints mean less grout and can create a crisper look, but the tile itself should determine how tight you can realistically go. Handmade and rustic tiles generally need more generous joints to accommodate variations in size and shape, while rectified tiles – mechanically finished to more precise dimensions – can usually be laid closer together.

‘In most cases, I will suggest that you use a very close joint of 1/16 inch for a contemporary look or 1/8 inch for natural/handmade tiles,’ adds Mike Belk.

Grout Types

Traditional cement-based grout is the most familiar and usually the most affordable, but it can be porous and prone to staining, so some products benefit from sealing. It’s still a perfectly good choice for many backsplashes, particularly away from the messiest cooking zones, and an easy DIY option.

Epoxy grout costs more and can be trickier to work with (it dries very quickly), but it absorbs very little moisture and is highly resistant to grease, stains and household chemicals. There are also ready-to-use and newer high-performance grouts that sit somewhere in between, offering improved stain resistance and often no need for sealing, without some of the installation faff of epoxy. Whichever type you choose, check the manufacturer’s advice on joint width, sealing and cleaning rather than assuming all grout needs the same treatment.

And grout can be renewed. If it starts looking tired or stained, it can usually be removed and replaced without redoing the whole backsplash.

Grout Color Matching

Grout can look surprisingly different once it’s installed. Water content, application, lighting, tile color and even site conditions can all affect the finished shade, so color cards and online swatches are only a rough guide. If getting the tone exactly right matters, test it with your chosen tile on a sample board or order a real grout sample chip before committing.

6. How Should the Backsplash Work with Countertops and Cabinetry?

The backsplash occupies the visual space where the two largest kitchen finishes – cabinets and countertops – meet, so it rarely makes sense to select it independently. ‘I never choose a backsplash in isolation. I like to view the sample vertically against the actual countertop and cabinetry finishes because that is how the materials will relate to one another in the finished kitchen,’ says Kanika Bakshi Khurana, Principal Interior Designer and Founder of Kanika Design. There are three main choices: match, complement or contrast.

Match

Using the same slab material on the kitchen countertop and backsplash creates the strongest continuity. This can be particularly effective with veined stone, porcelain, or another large-format surface because the eye reads both planes as part of one composition. It also avoids introducing another color, pattern or texture into the scheme.

If the slab contains strong veining, ask the fabricator whether the backsplash can be cut so the movement relates to the countertop. Exact vein matching isn't always possible or desirable, but completely unrelated sections can look messy.

Complement

Complementing isn’t the same as exact matching. It simply means the surfaces have something in common: an undertone, material character, color family or degree of visual movement. ‘Viewing backsplash samples in the space makes undertones much easier to identify,’ adds Kanika. ‘If the countertop has strong movement or veining, I will often let that lead and choose a backsplash that supports it rather than competes with it.’

A creamy limestone-look tile might pick up warmer areas in a quartzite counter, for example, while a soft green ceramic can echo the cabinetry without matching it exactly. Pay particular attention to undertones: two whites that look interchangeable online can reveal very different blue, gray, pink or yellow notes side by side. View physical samples together in the room, and prop the backsplash sample upright rather than laying everything flat, as light hits vertical and horizontal surfaces differently.

Contrast

Contrast gives the backsplash an independent role. This might mean pale tile above dark cabinets, deeply colored stone against warm timber or a highly textural backsplash with a relatively plain countertop.

The key is to decide which surface should lead. If the countertop already has strong veining or movement, a tonal handmade tile can add depth without introducing another competing pattern. With a simpler countertop, you have more freedom to use the backsplash for color, pattern or texture. The greater the contrast, the more useful it is to keep one element visually calmer than the other.

7. Color, Pattern and Texture

Once the material and its relationship with the rest of the kitchen are established, choosing color, pattern, and texture becomes much easier because you have some context. The aim isn’t necessarily to make the backsplash disappear, but to work out how much visual work it needs to do.

Start with the Fixed Colors

Cabinetry, flooring and countertops are generally larger and more expensive elements than the backsplash, so use those as your starting point. Look for colors already present in the room that you can pick up or develop rather than introducing something completely unrelated. A subtle vein in the countertop, the undertone of painted cabinetry or even a tone in the flooring, window treatments or artwork can all provide a useful lead.

Think about intensity as well as hue. A saturated color used on a small backsplash can feel like a neat hit of contrast; spread the same shade across a full wall and up to the ceiling and it starts to overpower.

Pattern or Plain?

Pattern can come from more than a printed motif. Tile shape, layout and grout all contribute, so a plain rectangular tile in herringbone or a simple square with contrasting grout may already be doing plenty. Natural stone and stone-look backsplash designs can also introduce plenty of pattern through veining – a heavily figured slab can feel just as busy as a boldly patterned tile.

‘The more visual information a kitchen already contains, the more selective I become with the backsplash. It doesn't necessarily need to be plain, but every material should have a clear role,’ says Kanika. ‘If the countertop, cabinetry or flooring is already making a strong statement, I usually want the backsplash to provide balance and give the eye somewhere to rest rather than introduce another competing focal point.’

Texture or Smooth?

Texture can add depth without adding another color or obvious pattern. Rippled glazes, handmade edges, and three-dimensional surfaces catch light differently throughout the day and can make even a single-color backsplash feel much richer. Judge texture at wall scale rather than from one tile, though; something that looks subtle in your hand can feel far more animated across several square feet. And factor in cleaning. Flat glazed surfaces are generally quickest to wipe down, while deeply textured tiles give grease and dust more ridges and recesses to settle into.

8. Lighting and Reflection

Backsplash materials are unusually affected by lighting because they sit vertically, often beneath cabinetry and close to task lighting. A sample viewed flat under showroom lights can therefore look surprisingly different once it is on your wall.

First test your choice in daylight. Daylight changes throughout the day, so compass direction is useful context rather than a color-selection rule. North-facing kitchens tend to receive cooler, more consistent light; south-facing rooms often get stronger, warmer light, while east- and west-facing spaces can change dramatically between morning and evening. Buildings, trees, overhangs and glazing will alter things further.

The most reliable test is the simplest: prop the actual sample vertically where the backsplash will sit and look at it morning, midday and evening. If the kitchen isn’t installed yet, place the countertop sample beneath it too. Upper cabinets also cast shade, so check any material that will extend from a darker area beneath cabinetry into a more exposed section of wall.

Check the Artificial Light

Under-cabinet lighting can change both the color and character of a backsplash after dark. Warm lamps tend to emphasize creams, pinks, browns and golds, while cooler light can bring blue and gray tones forward; strongly colored cabinetry may also bounce color onto a pale surface.

‘Under-cabinet lighting should always be tested with the backsplash material before finalizing, because light skimming down a wall exaggerates everything, from textures and tile edges to grout joints. A handmade ceramic or zellige tile that comes across as subtle in daylight becomes very animated in the evening. That’s not necessarily a problem, but it should be a decision, not a surprise,’ explains Shelly Yoder, Project Designer,Next Stage Design + Build. Ideally, choose the backsplash and lighting together rather than treating them as completely separate decisions.

Consider the Finish

Gloss tile, polished stone, glass and mirror can bounce light around and add depth but remember that reflective finishes show more than light: they also pick up whatever is opposite them. A garden may introduce a green cast, brickwork can warm the color, and dark cabinetry or pendant lights may appear in the surface itself.

They can also show glare, water spots and surface imperfections more readily. Highly polished sheet materials may make an uneven wall more obvious, while smaller-format tile can disguise minor variations in the surface behind. Honed stone and matte tile diffuse light rather than creating clear reflections, which can make them appear softer and more consistent under strong lighting.

9. Think About the Details

This is where an otherwise simple backsplash can become technically busy. Before ordering material, mark every outlet, switch, window, hood, shelf, light, and plumbing fitting on the elevation. The more patterned or large-format the surface, the more important that planning becomes.

Plan the Interruptions

Outlets and switches can cut awkwardly through tile layouts, mosaics and veined slabs, so coordinate their positions as early as possible. If the electrical plan is still flexible, ask whether outlets can be aligned more neatly, tucked beneath upper cabinets using an approved system or positioned where cuts fall naturally. Electrical codes always take priority, of course. Cover plates matter too: standard white plastic will be far more noticeable against dark stone than pale ceramic.

‘Outlets and switches should be coordinated as early as possible, ideally while the backsplash is being designed rather than after the tile has been selected,’ says Seth Ballard, Founder & Principal Architect, Ballard & Mensua Architecture. ‘Early in my career, I learned this lesson the hard way: an outlet placed in the middle of an otherwise beautiful tile pattern can completely disrupt the design. Whenever possible, we move outlets to a less visually intrusive location, such as directly beneath the wall cabinets, so the backsplash can read as a cohesive composition.’

The same applies to sconces, pot fillers and wall-mounted faucets. Mark their centerlines against the planned tile or veining so they don’t land awkwardly on a grout joint or key piece of pattern.

Coordinate What Sits on the Wall

Decide early whether the backsplash will stop at, run behind or continue around a range hood, and check the appliance manufacturer’s heat and clearance requirements before finalizing the detail. Also look at how the range or cooktop meets the wall: gaps and ledges can trap food and make cleaning harder.

Shelves and wall-mounted fittings may need structural backing, while faucets and pot fillers can require waterproofing and plumbing behind the finished surface. Cable routes for sconces and integrated lighting should be sorted before the wall is tiled, too.

Plan the Edges

Work out exactly how the backsplash finishes around windows, corners and adjoining materials. A smooth connection where the backsplash edge is hidden underneath a windowsill or wall cabinet is the dream. Unavoidable exposed edges need a bit more thought. Some tile ranges offer bullnose or matching border trims; metal tile profiles give a crisp finish, while stone and slab can often be fabricated with finished edges.

Recessed niches need particular thought because they introduce extra corners and edges. Small-format tile or mosaic usually handles this geometry more easily than very large tile or slab, which may need more fabrication. Whatever happens, don’t leave these junctions until installation and hope the installer can make a raw edge disappear.

10. Maintenance and Cleaning

By this point you should already know how your chosen material needs to be cleaned. The bigger question is whether that level of care feels realistic for your kitchen. A backsplash that needs little more than routine wiping is a different commitment from one that may need sealing, specialist cleaning products or more attention to grout and textured surfaces.

Be Realistic About Upkeep

Find out what the material needs beyond everyday cleaning before you buy. Does it require sealing, and if so, how often? Are there cleaners you need to avoid? Will grout need periodic attention? Ask the supplier for care instructions for the exact product rather than relying on generic advice for ‘stone’ or ‘tile’. And don’t confuse sealed with stain-proof or nonporous with indestructible. Treatments can make a surface easier to live with, but they don’t remove the need to look after it.

Match the Maintenance to the Location

Maintenance also depends on where the backsplash sits and how hard that part of the kitchen works. ‘Low maintenance and no maintenance are not the same thing, and the distinction matters most directly behind a range. I always ask clients what’s going on at each section of the wall, because a natural stone or zellige tile that’s perfectly easy to live with on a quiet run can be genuinely demanding behind a high-output cooktop,’ explains Shelly Yoder. ‘Grease can penetrate unsealed stone and collect in the texture of handmade tile in ways that a smooth porcelain simply won’t. The material choice should follow the location, not the other way around.’

Plan for Repairs

Think about repairability as well as cleaning. Individual tiles and grout can usually be dealt with locally, while damage to a large slab or sheet may be more difficult to disguise or replace. If you’re using tile, keep a small quantity after installation. Glaze, color and dimensions can vary between production batches, and the exact design may disappear from the range altogether. A few spare tiles tucked away now can save a lot of hunting later.

11. Cost and Budget

Backsplash budgets can be deceptive. Because the area involved is relatively small, a premium material may be more achievable than expected, while a seemingly inexpensive option can climb quickly once installation is factored in. Always get an installed quote before ruling anything in or out. ‘Price per square foot only tells part of the story because the material itself is often not the biggest line item once fabrication, specialty installation, and wall prep are factored in,’ explains Cathleen Gruver, Founder of Gruver Cooley.

‘Large-format stone slabs, book-matched marble, or intricate mosaic patterns all require more skilled labor and longer installation timelines, which adds up quickly. Grout lines, edge profiles, and whether the wall needs leveling or waterproofing beforehand are all costs that tend to catch homeowners off guard when they're comparing materials early in the process.’

As a broad benchmark, HomeAdvisor’s 2026 US data puts a typical professionally installed backsplash at around $480 to $1,500, with an average close to $1,000, although material, layout, preparation and removal can push that figure considerably higher.

Factor In Installation Complexity

Herringbone, mosaics, borders and mixed tile sizes all require more setting out and cutting than a straightforward stacked layout. The wall itself can also complicate matters: outlets, windows, corners and short returns add labor even when the total square footage is modest. With slab and other large-format materials, much of that cost shifts into templating and fabrication. Every outlet, switch and fixture becomes a cut-out, while seams, edge finishing and vein matching may require additional work.

Spend Strategically

If the budget won’t stretch to a premium material everywhere, use it where it will have the most visual or practical impact. A striking stone might be reserved for the range wall, with a simpler surface elsewhere, or money could go toward better grout, edge detailing or wall preparation to elevate an inexpensive choice.

Simplifying the installation is another way to save. A modest tile in a straightforward layout may cost less overall than an inexpensive tile laid in an intricate pattern with lots of cutting.

12. Installation: What to Know Before You Commit

You don’t need to know how to install a backsplash yourself, but it helps to understand what needs sorting before work begins. Good installation starts well before the first tile or slab goes on the wall, particularly with large-format, handmade or patterned materials.

Get the Wall and Measurements Right

The finished backsplash will only be as good as the surface behind it. Walls need to be sound, stable and sufficiently flat for the chosen material; large-format tile and slab are especially unforgiving of bumps and dips. If an old backsplash is being removed, allow for the possibility that the wall will need repairing or leveling before anything new goes up.

For slab and other made-to-measure surfaces, wait until the relevant fixed elements are confirmed before final templating. Likewise, order enough tile for cuts, wastage and any natural variation. Handmade tile and stone may need extra material so the installer can blend color and pattern across the wall rather than simply working through one box at a time.

Agree the Layout Before Anything Is Fixed

Setting out determines where full tiles, grout lines and cuts will fall, so don’t leave it entirely until installation morning. Ask where the pattern will start, how it will relate to the main focal area and what sort of cuts will be left at corners, windows and cabinetry.

This matters most with directional layouts such as herringbone, decorative or handmade tiles, mosaics and large formats, where a small shift in the starting point can noticeably change the finished result.

‘Any professional tile installer knows how to locate the precise middle of your focal point before applying any adhesive. The precision in planning will ensure that you have symmetrical cut tiles on both sides of your wall,’ says Mike Belk.

The adhesive, grout and fixing system also need to suit the actual tile and substrate. Glass, stone, porcelain and ceramic are not automatically installed in the same way, and pale or translucent materials can sometimes reveal what is behind them.

Use the Right Installer

A simple ceramic tile backsplash on a sound wall may be within the scope of a confident DIYer, but large porcelain panels, slab stone, glass sheets and intricate layouts require very different tools and experience.

‘An experienced installer can often make even a modest material look custom and high-end. The wrong installer can make even an expensive backsplash look cheap,’ say Nancy Vu. ‘That’s why we always suggest that homeowners ask installers, “Where will you start the layout, and where will the cut pieces go?” A good installer should be able to explain this clearly before any work begins.’

Finally, ask how long the installation needs to cure before cleaning, sealing or exposing it to regular kitchen use. Adhesives, grout and sealants all have their own timings, and looking dry isn’t necessarily the same as being ready.

A backsplash may be a relatively small part of the kitchen, but you look at it every single day, so it’s worth choosing one that makes your heart sing. Get the practical bits right first, then let color, pattern and texture do the fun part. For more inspiration, our guide to kitchen backsplash ideas is packed with ways to make this busy bit of wall look brilliant.

The Homes & Gardens Library is your definitive guide to timeless design wisdom. From choosing the perfect sofa to mastering the fundamentals of layout, each piece in the series draws on expert insight to guide you through the key principles of interior design. Thoughtfully curated yet easy to digest, it’s the essential reference for anyone looking to create a home that is beautiful, practical, and enduring

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