Farewell Traditional Backsplash: Joanna Gaines Has 12 Better Solutions

When it comes to kitchen backsplashes, white tile often comes to mind as the obvious choice — especially the long-loved white subway backsplash tile. And while there's nothing wrong with a classic white backdrop (it does fit seamlessly into just about any kitchen design, after all), more and more people are starting to gravitate toward nontraditional backsplashes that bring a little more personality into the room — Joanna Gaines included. "There are so many tile options out there," the "Fixer Upper" star wrote in a blog post on Magnolia.com. And in the same post, she also reminded us that we "don't have to be limited to just using tile for a backsplash." 

It's a true statement, and one that Gaines has brought to life in numerous home renovations, proving just how much impact a backsplash can actually have on a kitchen. From textured materials like stone, brick, and concrete to pretty hand-painted tiles and wallpaper murals, the interior designer has experimented with dozens of creative backsplash ideas over the years. And the best part is that many of her looks can work in almost any style of home. While many of her backsplash choices work beautifully in a farmhouse-style space — the aesthetic she's best known for — they can easily be tailored to suit your home, whether your style leans mid-century, industrial, cottagecore, or something more modern. Below, we've rounded up a few of our favorite nontraditional kitchen backsplash ideas inspired by Gaines that you could without a doubt recreate in your own kitchen. 

If you're aiming for an elegant kitchen look, a white Macaubas quartzite backsplash is a great alternative to traditional tile. Offering a similar appearance to white Carrara or Calacatta marble, Gaines used the natural stone — often imported from Brazil — for a kitchen remodel in Season 5 of "Fixer Upper". In a Magnolia.com blog post, she explained, "We used a polished white Macaubas quartzite with horizontal veining. This stone offsets the rustic feel of the wooden features in the room and brings in a modern look to the kitchen." Known for being incredibly durable, Macaubas quartzite would also work wonderfully as a countersplash — the all-for-one countertop trend of 2025.

If you want a backsplash with character, patterned tile is one of Gaines' most charming alternatives to traditional white subway tile. She often goes for artisan-patterned tiles that work really well with her beloved rustic-meets-modern farmhouse aesthetic. In one episode of "Fixer Upper," she used hand-painted blue and white tiles for the kitchen backsplash (above), which she explained gave the entire space a warm, lived-in feel. "The kitchen was completely gutted and reworked, but something about this tile and the custom window makes the house seem like it's been this way from the beginning," she wrote on Instagram.

You know what they say — two is always better than one. But who knew that could apply to backsplashes as well? Gaines proved exactly that in Season 3, Episode 17 of "Fixer Upper," when she used two different materials to create one standout kitchen backsplash. Above the stove, she used a black-and-white patterned Arabesque as a feature accent and then carried whitewashed brick pavers across the rest of the walls. Of course, this two-in-one approach works with plenty of other pairings, like mixing classic white tile with a strip of marble on your backsplash.

A gorgeous choice if you're going for a rustic farmhouse or cottage aesthetic, a whitewashed exposed stone wall makes the perfect kitchen backsplash — as seen in the kitchen where Gaines films her cooking show, "Magnolia Table With Joanna Gaines." Of course, most of us don't have natural stone walls hiding behind our drywall. But you can still get the look by DIYing a fake stone accent wall with a few affordable supplies, such as faux stone wall panels and spackle. The result is a beautifully textured backsplash that gives your kitchen a ton of character and a touch of old-world charm. 

There's no denying that Gaines put shiplap on the map. The interior designer has favored the wall treatment for years, often using it as a charming accent feature in mudrooms, entryways, and dining rooms. But from time to time, she'll also bring it into the kitchen as a backsplash. A white or neutral-painted shiplap is great for the HGTV star's beloved farmhouse style, while a painted version — think earthy green or deep navy — could work well in more modern-leaning interiors. And although shiplap is often seen installed horizontally, running it vertically can make it feel a bit more contemporary as well.

In a Season 4 episode of "Fixer Upper," Gaines used a monochromatic concrete counter-and-backsplash pairing. It's the perfect combination for an industrial-style kitchen, but considering the traditional farmhouse kitchen is getting an industrial upgrade in 2025, concrete would also suit a modern farmhouse aesthetic. And, similar to classic white tile, its neutral gray works as a blank slate for any cabinet color, from light and airy to dark and moody. If you don't want to undergo a full renovation to get this look, there's a faux concrete countertop mix that can be extended up the wall for a matching backsplash.

Quite a different look from the traditional white subway tile she used to gravitate towards, Gaines used small square tiles in several rooms of her and Chip's "Fixer Upper: The Lakehouse" renovation — including in the kitchen. While she opted for a deep green tile to complement the home's mid-century modern design, a neutral or terracotta tile would be great for a minimalist or Mediterranean-inspired home. The trick is to install them in a grid pattern, says Gaines. "For a simple, clean, and modern look, set your tiles directly on top of or beside one another," she wrote in a Magnolia.com blog post.  

Similar to white Macaubas quartzite, marble slabs are becoming a popular alternative to traditional backsplash tile — and Gaines loves using them as a countertop-and-backsplash combo. Although the monochromatic marble look can lean modern on its own, pairing it with natural wood accents and darker cabinets creates a rustic-meets-modern feel that can brighten an outdated space, making it suitable for both contemporary and more traditional homes. And the great thing about marble slabs is that they come in a wide range of colors to complement your palette — from classic white with gray veining to pink with brown undertones or green with white veins. 

Considering she has her own line of Magnolia wallpaper, it's no surprise that Gaines is a fan of using it in the kitchen — she even chose a wallpaper mural for her "Hillcrest Cottage" renovation.  Wallpaper as a backsplash is an easy way to bring color, pattern, and charm into your home. Peel-and-stick options also make it simple to switch things up seasonally, and they're especially useful for renters wanting extra personality in their kitchen. Just remember: not all wallpaper is suited for high-moisture, high-traffic areas, so make sure to opt for a durable material like humidity-resistant vinyl.  

While she might be more known for using checkered patterns on floors as a beautiful hardwood alternative, Gaines has also turned to checkered tiles for feature walls — including the gold-and-white design she used in her series "Mini Reni." Checkered tile is an incredibly versatile kitchen backsplash option, since the look can shift entirely based on color choice. From pink and burgundy to olive green and white or even brown and yellow, the potential color pairings are endless. You can also customize the style with tile size and shape — from large squares to tiny mosaics to slim rectangles — or by laying the pattern on a diagonal for a diamond look. 

Whether natural red or softly whitewashed, Gaines is no stranger to using exposed brick as a kitchen backsplash. Red brick naturally brings a rustic cottage feel, but also works great in industrial-inspired interiors, while whitewashed brick suits brighter, airier styles like the farmhouse aesthetic. And both pair beautifully with natural wood accents, from butcher-block countertops to open shelving. Just note that if you're working with natural red brick, it's important to balance its darker, cooler tones. Gaines has added extra windows in kitchens with brick backsplashes, but you can also easily brighten your kitchen with light paint or mirrored elements. 

A great option when you want to use traditional tile, but you don't exactly want it to look traditional, laying subway tile — or any rectangular tile for that matter — in a herringbone pattern is an easy way to add character to your kitchen backsplash. In the past, Gaines has used the trendy pattern as a stylish accent above the stove, but there's no reason you couldn't extend the herringbone across the entire wall for even more impact. You can also achieve this look with brick pavers or experiment with colored tile to bring in extra flair.