Best Backsplash Ideas for Your Bathroom

Board and batten is an inexpensive and easy-to-install backsplash. Use quality wood and several coats of moisture-resistant paint to keep the backsplash in working order for years to come. For a budget-friendly alternative, run batten boards on top of sheetrock and paint them the same color to blend together for a seamless look.

Hexagon tile is a popular choice for bathroom backsplashes, plus it’s simple to install. You can tile the entire wall behind your sink, the horizontal space between the countertop and mirror or run the tile vertical. If desired, end tiling on either side of the vanity, leaving the angled edges in a zig-zag that draws the eye upward.

You’ve probably seen mosaic tile backsplashes fashioned from 1-inch square tiles. A penny tile backsplash is the same idea, but with a twist. This bathroom features a half wall covered in penny tile, but you can use it to cover the entire wall if desired. Most patterns come already affixed to a grid, making it easier to install. Use grout in the same color as the tile if you want a more uniform look.

Shiplap gives your bath a traditional look and feel. Purchase wood that interlocks for evenly-spaced gaps, or place side edges of wood together and attach to the wall. Run horizontal boards from one end of the wall to the other. Most shiplap is painted white, but any color will make your bathroom backsplash pop. You can also leave the wood unfinished for a rustic look.

Subway tile is a classic, inexpensive tile that never goes out of style. The most basic way to install subway tile is to run the tiles horizontally, staggering the seams on each row. However, the beauty of this tile is that you can lay it different ways to create herringbone, diagonal, brick, step ladder and a variety of other patterns. Grout similar to or the same color as the tile will create a monochromatic effect, while contrasting grout will accentuate the tile and the pattern you choose.

When installed correctly, a wallpaper bathroom backsplash can be a pretty way to spruce up your bathroom. Wallpaper the entire wall or install between the countertop and mirror. In bathrooms, vinyl-coated wallpaper that is scrubbable holds up longest against steam. The most common type of wallpaper comes in rolls that you cut to fit the space. For best results, use a quality wallpaper paste and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Another option is to install wallpaper panels and tiles that you can peel and stick to walls.

Brick is an overlooked material that is well-suited for use in the bathroom. Besides its durability, it resists damage caused by water and humidity and adds texture to the decor. If you don’t already have a brick wall, use brick designed especially for use as a backsplash. It will be thinner than traditional brick. Leave the brick natural for an industrial or classic look or paint it to match a specific color scheme.

In bathrooms that don’t get a lot of traffic, forego a backsplash altogether and add wainscoting to the entire wall. This simple bathroom update involves cutting wood trim and attaching it to the lower half of the wall. A horizontal piece of trim usually separates the two areas. Paint the upper half of the wall with a moisture-barrier paint and paint the wainscoting to contrast.