12 Backsplash Ideas From Erin Napier For An HGTV-Inspired Kitchen

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If you want your backsplash to pop, take a cue from HGTV star Erin Napier. As the host of "Home Town" with her husband Ben Napier, she specializes in renovating historic homes. Her aesthetic is cozy, layered, and unique to each homeowner. She has proved time and time again that a backsplash is not simply utilitarian — it can be a beautiful expression of personality and style. In fact, installing a new backsplash is a genius way to change the look of your cabinets, flooring, and beyond. This small change can transform your entire cooking space.

Builder-grade tiles aren't the only option when it comes to upgrading your backsplash. Erin Napier is all about finding artistic alternatives. From handcrafted tiles to DIY projects, there is something for everyone. "Home Town" is all about repurposing, reimagining, and designing a dream home on a budget. Get inspired by Erin Napier's best creative backsplash ideas for your kitchen.

In Season 9, Episode 6 of "Home Town," Erin Napier opted for a unique and daring backsplash idea. She told her contractor, "This is very interesting backsplash material this time. You know what pole wrap is? It's like thin strips of wood that have fabric backing." In spite of her enthusiasm, she noted that this material may only work for certain homeowners. Napier explained, "It wouldn't work for everyone's kitchen, but [the client] Lane is extremely neat and tidy. I know she's going to have no trouble keeping this backsplash clean." In the end, the client loved the finished result.

Wood is a controversial material to use for a kitchen backsplash due to its high-maintenance nature. Without regular sealing, it will absorb moisture, stain, and warp. Another concern is oil splashes from food cooking on the stovetop. If you do install a wood-based backsplash, ensure that it is at least 18 inches from any gas-powered burners. In spite of the risks, there are plenty of homeowners — like Napier's clients — who love their wooden pole wrap backsplash. The major benefit is the affordability, which means it can be easily replaced if necessary. Reviewers of this Outwater Unfinished Red Oak Veneer Pole Wrap have successfully used it for backsplashes.

In Season 8, Episode 18, Erin Napier chose to go with daring black countertops. Her husband Ben Napier expressed his concern, saying, "I have no idea how you pick a backsplash to go with this countertop." Erin confidently retorted, "You don't. You let them be different from each other." She later revealed her plan to the contractor: "So, how do you feel about black and brown together? Because a lot of people say this is a controversial choice, but I like them together!" This renovation is proof that some design rules were meant to be broken.

Black kitchen countertops are making a comeback, and adding a brown backsplash is the perfect way to modernize this look. To copy Erin's dark and moody approach, search for matte, brown subway tiles. In order to avoid a clashing palette, go for a cool-toned brown rather than a warm, earthy shade. You can also opt for a taupe color if you prefer an even cooler look. Alternatively, you can select a countertop in a black-brown shade rather than a stark black. Black-brown often looks black when installed, but it will subtly tie in the brown backsplash.

To create a blend of feminine and masculine elements, Erin combined two materials to create an eye-catching backsplash in Season 8, Episode 17. She extended the ivory quartz countertops above the stove in a curved formation and allowed the natural wood backsplash to extend from behind the stone panel. "So, that's the feminine element," she said, explaining her vision. "The curviness and the ivory and the brass, but then the unexpected wood backsplash!"

If you're trying to decide between two backsplash materials, this renovation is proof that you don't have to choose just one. Mixing materials can be a unique and rewarding approach. The area between your stove and your oven hood is the perfect area to add a splash of contrast. Plus, it can allow you to install that wooden backsplash without having to consider the dangers and practical issues of wood above the stove. Beyond Napier's curved slab concept, you can also install a variety of creative options. For example, a mosaic tile design is trendy and eye-catching. Another option is a glass panel with a decorative design like this Fzxwyishu Tree of Life Tempered Glass Backsplash.

If there's one thing Erin Napier is known for, it's repurposing historic elements in a contemporary way. In Season 2, Episode 8, Erin decided to preserve the brick from the old fireplace and use it to create a textured backsplash. Upon the reveal, Ben Napier told the clients how they made it work: "So, the brick is actually from the fireplace that we pulled off. We had to supplement a little bit," he said. "So, we wanted to make that kind of the focal point over your stove," Erin added.

Brick is the up-and-coming kitchen backsplash trend that can add so much contrast to your kitchen. Like every material, there are pros and cons when it comes to installing brick above your countertops. The biggest con is that real brick is heavy and thick and can take up a lot of space. However, this is where glazed thin brick comes in. These trendy subway tiles are made to mimic the look of brick but are much thinner and easier to install. The glazed surface is also ideal for cleaning spills and not absorbing moisture.

If you love the look of subway tiles but you don't want your space to look ordinary, there is more than one way to take subway backsplash tiling and make it your own. In Season 2, Episode 2, Erin Napier chose a subway tile with a glossy surface and a decorative, carved indentation. A shiny subway tile with three-dimensional grooves is a perfect blend of timeless and trendy. As Napier explained, "The tile backsplash, I wanted to have something that was very patterned but subtle."

Textured materials and finishes are currently trending in a big way. Your backsplash is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to add visible texture to your cooking space. To get Napier's eye-catching look for less, try a product like the Tenedos 4x12 White 3D Subway Ceramic Wall Tile. In addition to applying Napier's three-dimensional idea, you can also add accent tiles throughout your backsplash with even more intricate patterns. Your backsplash doesn't have to be made up entirely of the same tile.

In Season 8, Episode 12, Erin Napier wanted to design a backsplash that combined a traditional color palette with modern motifs. She opted for white tiles with painted blue petals. As Ben Napier told the clients, "Erin said that you like blue and white china." Erin continued, "Yeah! And I found this tile that felt, to me, like broken pottery on the wall!" The tiles featured asymmetrical sweeps of blue paint, emphasizing the intentional irregularity.

If you're debating whether white backsplashes are timeless or a design mistake that's aging your home, Erin's idea is the perfect solution. White tiles with a splash of blue are the perfect way to modernize a clean, white backsplash. In fact, Delft tiles are currently trending, and they share a lot of similarities with Erin's selection. Delft tiles are square, Dutch tiles that feature cobalt blue, painterly designs on top of white backdrops. Erin's interpretation is more modern, proving that you can adjust this age-old technique to suit your personal style.

Season 8, Episode 15, featured an Italian-American couple from New Jersey looking to add a touch of Tuscan charm to their new home in Laurel. When it came to designing an Italian-inspired kitchen, Erin Napier decided to incorporate hand-painted, rustic-style tiles for an artisanal approach. "[W]e have these hand-painted tiles that have these Italian motifs on them that Becky Ferguson did," she explained. "And the patterns are not all the same. There's four different patterns!" Napier has proved time and time again that tiles with intentional irregularities can make a kitchen feel curated and personal.

Hand-painted tiles are definitely pricier than their mass-produced counterparts. However, you can't beat a one-of-a-kind backsplash with a meaningful motif. If you are working on a tight budget, it is possible to turn this into a fun and rewarding DIY. If you have porcelain tiles, you can use a product like the Pebeo PE513000 Porcelaine 150 China Paint Set. For ceramic, opt for the FolkArt Gloss Finish Acrylic Enamel Craft Set. Once you've painted your designs and your tiles have dried for 24 hours, you can bake your tiles in a regular oven for 35 minutes at 300 degrees. According to DIY expert At Home With Ashley, this process will result in totally custom tiles that you can use in your kitchen and beyond.

If you love the look of marble but you don't want your kitchen to look cookie-cutter, Erin Napier has a brilliant idea for you. In Season 8, Episode 3, she opted for a backsplash with marble-style tiles in a unique, scalloped shape. "This tile," she told her clients, "it looks like a marble, but the modern shape is a little twist on that." This installation is another example of how to put your own touch on contemporary trends.

You can try out Erin's design without committing to a full renovation by using peel-and-stick tiles in the same style. For example, these Art3d 12 x 12 Inch Heavy-Duty Peel and Stick Backsplash Tiles are a highly rated option. They are also available in playful colors like pink and emerald green in case you want to put an even more creative twist on this design. For a more ornate variation, try these small Mother of Pearl Fish Scale Pattern Mosaic Tiles.

For Erin Napier's Season 8, Episode 10, renovation, she decided to rely on the visual variation of texture rather than color. She proved that you can still make a neutral home look dynamic with the right materials. For the backsplash, travertine was a natural choice. As she said of her multi-textural selection, "From the beadboard panels and the cabinet doors to the travertine to the stucco and the beams, we didn't focus our efforts on color, we focused on texture."

Natural decor is trending, and travertine is the perfect way to lean into the organic trend. More understated than marble, this natural stone is textured and tastefully rustic. For those who love perfectly imperfect interiors, travertine is meant to develop a patina over time. Although typically matte, you can find travertine tiles with polished, brushed, and honed finishes. Before you jump on the travertine trend, review everything you need to know about natural stone tile before you buy.

Season 7, Episode 5, is another example of Erin Napier repurposing historic elements. She made a unique backsplash choice by mounting solid wood paneling. The client loved the result, and Ben Napier revealed that she sourced the paneling from another space in the home. "This paneling was robbed from somewhere else!" he stated. "We stole a little from the wall that we took down in the living room," Erin added.

It's clear that Erin is a big fan of wood, and this renovation is another clever way to incorporate natural materials into your space. There are endless wood paneling ideas to explore, depending on the aesthetic you are trying to achieve. Classic shiplap can give your home a farmhouse touch, and whitewashed wood can help you lean into a light, rustic style. For a more contemporary approach, consider a trendy herringbone pattern with natural oak wood.

Sometimes the backsplash isn't just about the material itself, but how it mixes with other elements in the space. For example, in Season 7, Episode 16, Erin Napier prioritized contrast in her artist client's kitchen. She used glossy white tiles for the backsplash and mounted solid wood shelves right on top. "The back wall, I'm loving the way it kind of glistens because of the tiles," she explained. "Then you've got the lightness of floating shelves."

Floating shelves can elevate any backsplash, giving you an easy way to update your existing kitchen without any renovation required. Choose between floating shelves with an invisible mounting system, or opt for a variation with visible hardware for a more industrial look. You can also choose between natural wood or solid black shelving as a bold alternative. These Sorbus Floating Shelves are a highly rated, affordable option with several color choices. Before making your final decision, here is how to choose the best style of floating shelf for your space.

In undoubtedly one of her most unique kitchen renovations, Erin Napier created an antique-inspired mirror backsplash in Season 3, Episode 10. Her simple and super affordable DIY resulted in a mirrored mercury glass backsplash that the client absolutely loved. "It costs, like, nothing to do!" Napier revealed. If your budget is tight but you want to make a major visual impact, this design is something to seriously consider.

Napier's antique mirror is super easy to make. You just need to gather a glass panel the size of your backsplash, a spray bottle with vinegar water, and a mirror-effect spray paint. All you need to do is spritz the glass panel with vinegar and then add a light coat of spray paint across the entire surface. After letting it dry for 30 minutes, blot the vinegar off the glass. You can add as many coats as you desire. For the paint itself, one of the most tried-and-true products to consider is the Rust-Oleum 301494 Specialty Mirror Spray. If you prefer a warmer, less-reflective twist on this mirrored technique, try a gold or brass spray paint option like the Rust-Oleum 340647 Specialty Metallic Spray Paint.