15 Best Mixed Material Pairings For A Kitchen Backsplash That Really Stands Out

Backsplashes are a relatively modern invention, coming out in the 1930s after running water became commonplace. Over the years, they've gotten bigger and cycled through a variety of fashions and trends. Today, they can be any height, and with advancements in material technology, they can be made with almost anything. Homeowners have even been using combinations of materials to make their backsplash a focal point. From copper and stone to laminate and subway tiles, these 15 ideas showcase how homeowners are using mixed-material pairings to create unique kitchen backsplashes that really stand out.

The use of mixed materials helps create contrast by combining different finishes and textures, and when two or more backsplash materials are mixed and matched, the contrast adds visual depth and personality to your space. Ahead, some of these creative kitchen backsplash ideas are bold and eye-catching; others are elegant and timeless. They are all unique, though.

When using mixed materials to create a cohesive kitchen design, the backsplash is one of the easiest places to take a creative risk. Color and materials work hand in hand in design, so it's often best to start with a balanced color palette and then pull in a limited number of materials and patterns. However, as you'll see, there really are no rules when it comes to designing a kitchen backsplash that's meant to be noticed.

Sometimes, finding a backsplash material that works for your space means pairing two of your favorite surfaces together. In this kitchen, an artisanal copper backsplash panel behind the stove grabs your attention and makes a bold statement. The woodland deer scene on this copper panel pairs well with the rustic stone, but you could combine various copper panel designs with different stone backsplash materials to achieve a similarly stunning effect. Placing a copper panel in front of the stone is a quick, easy way to add interest to a plain stone backsplash.

IKEA's EKBACKEN laminate panels are colorful and versatile, providing plenty of design opportunities for DIYers. They can be used as both countertops and backsplashes. When you pair durable and affordable laminate panels with subway tiles (available in almost any color), you can achieve a cohesive kitchen design. With contrasting textures that create a visually striking backsplash, you can use these materials in various combinations, from a backsplash-accent border duo to using one or the other as a behind-the-stove focal point. The clean lines of these two materials pair seamlessly in many kitchen designs.

We've already seen that copper paired with stone offers standout appeal, but this time, we have a hammered copper panel that adds standout appeal to a kitchen with a white travertine porcelain tile backsplash. There are several ways to use metal as a backsplash material, and different types can be paired with a variety of other backsplash materials to create interesting combinations. In this kitchen, the warm, hammered copper panel behind the stove area brings out the rich tones of the wood kitchen cabinets, enhancing the dark wood finish look that's popular in 2026.

Mosaic backsplashes are having a moment and are among the most exciting ways to command attention in kitchen design. This ocean wave mosaic, paired with a plain white geometric tile, creates movement and is a good example of the possibilities of mosaic design. Use a DIY mosaic mesh technique to create a backsplash like this in your own kitchen. You can choose any theme, design, and color palette, and go all the way up the wall with a plain tile for the background.

If you'd like something a little less niche but just as vibrant and colorful, this glass block and vertically stacked subway tile kitchen backsplash combination is a classic choice. Each tile is a solid color, and the designer uses both color and pattern to create clean horizontal and vertical lines, as well as separate zones for the kitchen's different zones. Square glass blocks set in the wall add visual interest while letting the colorful subway tiles take all the credit for a design that draws you in.

Mirrors are another backsplash material that's being used in kitchen design. Whether it's mirror tiles or a designer piece of glass with gold veining like the one shown here, mirrors add a dramatic finish to any setting. Combined with a short quartzite backsplash that is integrated into the countertop, the result is a durable backsplash that reflects light and makes a small kitchen seem larger. Mirrors are an easy way to create a focal point for a backsplash that brings your kitchen to life. 

Brass inlay tiles made with cement are an example of how two materials can come together flawlessly in a kitchen backsplash. This beverage station is a great example of that. Without the brass inlays, the tile might feel plain; without the cement, the brass is too much. Together, they offer the ideal contrast to draw the eye, hold it for a playful moment, then allow it to wander to the next design feature in your kitchen. Many inlay designs are available in Art Deco styles that work nicely with the Neo Deco trend emerging in 2026.

A massive arched hood over the range steals the show in this kitchen. After the initial reaction, the eyes are then drawn to the mixed-material textures of the backsplash. Everything in the kitchen is in shades of white, from the arabesque tiles to the marble herringbone inlay behind the range. Yet somehow, the tile's different patterns, textures, and shapes make this kitchen feel colorful in its own right. 

Sometimes you just need to get out of the box and look at things from a different perspective. In most kitchens with accent borders, the accent is horizontal. However, here we not only have tiles stacked vertically, but the accent also runs up and down the wall. With the white and black color contrast, the effect is simple yet stunning, providing just the right amount of visual interest to create a focal point in your kitchen. While these different-colored tiles appear to be made of the same material, using different tile types would add even more visual interest.

One way to make a little bit of marble slab go a long way is to frame a

kitchen work zone

 with an arched natural stone hood fan and then use large subway tiles to create a backdrop for the rest of your kitchen. This pairing makes practical sense in that the marble in the work zone is easy to clean. And with the arched stone hood, the marble really stands out, while the subway tiles blend into the background, letting the marble take center stage.

When two similarly colored tiles of different shapes are paired, as in this dolomite marble backsplash and arabesque tile inlay, the result is striking. For a backsplash that demands a second look, these two tiles are an elegant combination of backsplash materials. Since it's common to use inlaid tiles behind where the stove will go, a design like this lets you be creative without overcustomizing your space or hurting your home's resale value.

The human eye is designed to detect texture in various materials, and when this principle is applied in your kitchen design, it creates a visual appeal that draws the eye. Resin tiles on a mesh background, with metal and glass inlays, offer a variety of textures to make this backsplash shine and add personality to a space. Each material offers a different texture and color, allowing the light to play across the individual elements for a layered, multi-material kitchen backsplash.

You can transform a plain or outdated kitchen with a self-adhesive glass backsplash like this green one with multi-pointed white stars. For this type of backsplash, there are many trendy designs available online, and they are available from a variety of retailers. If you're renting, check with your landlord, but peel-and-stick tiles or self-adhesive backsplashes are often a stylish and renter-friendly way to add some fun color to an otherwise boring kitchen.  

To illustrate just how versatile self-adhesive glass kitchen backsplashes can be when paired with the right materials and placed behind your stove, this realistic Moroccan tile design offers a bright, cheery pattern when combined with the plain white subway tiles in this kitchen. The best thing about these affordable backsplash options is that you can replace them with another design for an entirely new look if you want to redecorate your kitchen.

A couple of clean rows of plain pinkish-white tile paired with a dahlia-patterned tile in the same shade above creates a soft, charming vibe. This combination provides just enough detail to attract attention without overwhelming the space. Variations on this theme can include all types of patterned or unique tiles as an accent above plain tiles, as well as different color palettes to fit your home interior. Here, the combination of backsplash materials works elegantly because of the contrast, which helps balance the design.