14 Stunning Kitchen Backsplash Ideas From HGTV's Property Brothers

To hear Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott — HGTV's titular "Property Brothers" — tell it, the backsplash is the true secret sauce. "Whether it's a bold pattern or neutral texture," the siblings shared in a 2023 Instagram post, "tile is a great way to add a pop of personality to a kitchen." No surprise that Jonathan and fiancée Zooey Deschanel have an abundance of charm in their LA home. "Anybody who knows me knows that my candy store is the tile store," Jonathan acknowledged in a YouTube video, discussing the renovation of their five-bedroom Georgian revival. "Every room in this house that uses tile has something special going on."

While he and fiancée Zooey leaned toward luxurious, yet timeless picks for their 1938 build as a homage to the original architect Gerard Colcord, that may not be others' cup of tea. For some, classic white subway tile is the design equivalent of  comfort food, while some buyers might prefer a spicier option. Fortunately, Drew and Jonathan have a little something for every palate. From the glazed terracotta that adds warmth to the floral tiles in Jonathan's own backyard kitchen, we're serving up their best-ever backsplashes. Hopefully, they can inspire you to cook up something new for your own space.

To Jonathan, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And the cook space at their Georgian revival is beating strong. While their massive island with plenty of prep space was a key feature ("maybe because I'm competitive and wanted to have a bigger island than Drew," he joked) and the jewel-toned green of their custom Marvel cabinetry feels rich, the graphic impact of their Moroccan star-and-cross pattern tile backsplash pulls focus in all the best ways. "Zooey actually picked about 70 percent of all of the tiling we went with," Jonathan admitted in one YouTube video, "because she has amazing taste. She did a great job. I was trying to get all of the architectural stuff and construction stuff done, so I let her run with that."

And this is just one pattern to try for a bold kitchen backsplash that's unique to you. Options abound from geometric shapes, hand-painted tiles, and penny round tiles. Even if you go for a monochromatic palette, bold textures and shapes can help you evade a boring backsplash. Bringing a sample of your chosen backsplash with you to shop — or matching it up against your existing set — also allows you to see how they play off one another.

Go ahead, do the most. That seemed to be Jonathan and Zooey's stance when designing their backyard entertaining area. "We use the outdoor space so much [and] always have in any house that we've been in," Jonathan explained on YouTube. "So this was pretty important for us to have a space here where it's almost like a full operational kitchen." The opposite of understated, the maximalist floral tile backsplash blends nicely with their backyard olive trees while still making quite the statement. What was once a pretty run-of-the-mill patio, said Jonathan, is now "my favorite room in the whole house."

And he's got some tips for transforming your kitchen into a cherished space. "If you're looking for a really sexy date night, surf the Tile Bar website," he joked in his YouTube video. "We spent so much time on that site — so many options." To help narrow it down, "Don't just think of tile as adding, you know, something dramatic with its color. It can also be the texture." A honed marble is going to deliver a different vibe than a polished pick, he noted. While he and Zooey homed in on a cheery blue and cream Alesso Deco Marla matte porcelain (available at Tile Bar for less than $10 a square foot), "You can use color, pattern, texture, all of these things, to add the interest you're looking for."

Given the green light to push beyond the standard all-white kitchen in a couple's Toronto spread on Season 3, Episode 13 of "Property Brothers: Forever Home," Jonathan and Drew paired forest-hued cabinetry with the white countertops. "When you've got all that bright, light, open space," Drew explained, "you can create some amazing contrast with a darker tone of wood or bold color on the kitchen cabinetry." As the piece de resistance, they played with dimension, Jonathan crediting the white geometric backsplash with pulling the kitchen together. As he noted, "This 3D rhombus tile will be a great contrast to our saturated green cabinetry."

And you, too, can add some texture to your kitchen with the popular tile trend. A floral pattern would certainly bloom in low relief, while a textural geometric pattern feels at home in a modern space. But whether you opt for something fluted or sculptural, you'll want to consider how tricky the three-dimensional pieces might be to clean and their placement. Due to their unique shape, it may be tough to install them around corners. So if you're looking to place them on more than one wall, you'll likely want to opt for a design that fits together.

Proving good things really do come in small packages, Drew created a delightfully homey feel when renovating an additional dwelling unit in Season 8, Episode 4 of "Brother vs. Brother." Though he acknowledged on their Drew & Jonathan site that the area was on the tinier side, he noted, "I wanted to make sure it had all the luxuries that can be found inside the main area." So not only did he craft a full-sized kitchen in the space, "but the beautiful Tuscan backsplash creates a rustic, earthy atmosphere for the entire space," he noted of Zia Tile's Glazed Earth squares.

The once-outdated material has been making a bit of a comeback as of late. To ensure it looks more timeless than tired, take these steps to make the terracotta look way less dated. Since the deep warm shade pairs best with saturated navies, green, or neutrals, you may want to steer clear of bright reds or yellows. And you'll want to be very deliberate about the surrounding decor. Consider leaning into the earthy feel with more natural materials and lots of greenery. Or nail a more bohemian vibe with woven jute baskets and rattan light fixtures.

What happened in Vegas was pretty impressive as Jonathan and Drew made a few gambles while renovating a Sin City spread on Season 14, Episode 15 of "Property Brothers." Aiming for a modern French country feel, the intended vibe was a little glam, without going over the top. And the twins rose to the occasion pairing a midnight blue range with rosette pattern tiling. "You guys said you didn't want overly modern," Jonathan noted. So, they delivered timeless with a bold twist, turning the space behind the oven into a delightful accent wall.

A key element was framing the oversized navy range with a stunning arch built over the hood. And if you're feeling particularly handy, cardboard can be your secret weapon when designing a DIY range hood. Using a process called cardboard prototyping, you can measure and cut pieces of the easy-to-acquire material to determine exactly what pieces you'll need to craft your hood. And once you have your pieces in place, they can be traced onto fiberboard or whatever material you select to frame your range.

All signs pointed to quiet elegance when the brothers opted for blue textured herringbone tiling inside their mountain view home project in Season 14, Episode 6 of "Property Brothers." By installing the timeless asymmetrical arrow shape — made by placing rectangular tiles perpendicularly — from ceiling to counter, they made a hefty statement. "You have that beautiful herringbone look, but it has texture to the tile," Drew noted. Jonathan agreed, "Having that dramatic tile? Gorgeous." 

Of course, the kitchen isn't the only spot where you can lean into some theatrics. To make the herringbone design work for your home, you can install it everywhere from tabletops to dressers to cabinet doors and, of course, wood floors. And while the horizontal layout is a classic, it's not the only possibility when it comes to placement. You can also play around with laying the tiles vertically, for a fun zig-zag look, and even diagonally.

It's pretty clear to see why the homeowners in Season 14, Episode 3 of "Property Brothers" went wild for the kitchen window that doubled as a unique backsplash. "It's a unique design feature," Jonathan explained of the glass that offered the buyers a peek at the Calgary cityscape, "and also a great source of natural light." It's a choice he and Drew will be keeping in their back pocket, particularly for those clients struggling to choose a pattern. "Everyone knows we love a good tile backsplash, but this home called for something as bold and unique as its owners," the brothers explained on their blog. "So on the far wall of the kitchen, we added a linear window above the sink. And, wow, is this thing awesomely multi-functional: It lets in tons of natural light, provides a clear view of the backyard below, and is one of those standout design features that Natalia was craving in her new digs."

To be transparent, however, there are a few aspects to consider before sawing into your home's exterior. To do so safely, you'll likely need to consult with an architect and figure out the proper permits to pull. And when it comes to installing any sort of window, you'd be better off avoiding the DIY route. Not only does it require a hefty amount of tools and know-how, if you don't get the necessary airtight seal, you could be ponying up for higher energy bills down the line.

Sometimes you actually should go chasing waterfalls. In his kitchen face-off with Drew on Season 8 of "Brother vs. Brother", Jonathan brought the drama, allowing the choice of a moody Sapienstone 12mm Pietra Grey Lev porcelain to flow from cabinet to countertop edge. "I installed stormy gray cabinetry to create a bold, modern look and complement the light hardwood floors," he explained on their site. "The dark countertops act as a beautiful contrasting accent, ending in a waterfall edge."

But there are a few things to know before designing a kitchen around waterfall countertops. While they certainly make a sleek statement, they're on the pricier side due to the added cost of the stone. They could also potentially limit the number of seats you could fit at an island or peninsula. And because they're such an investment, you'll want them to shine as the star they are. Consider sticking to more neutral shades and complementary materials for the cabinetry, flooring, and hardware.

Tasked with preserving the quirkiness of a Las Vegas home in the first season of "Property Brothers: Forever Home," Drew and Jonathan truly aced the assignment. While the client's main desire was enough seating for their family of four, leading the brothers to make the island into a T-shape, "the next steps for elevating this area: a simple white herringbone backsplash, contrasting kitchen cabinets, and new overhead lighting," they explained on their site. And to create a true standout moment, they added, "We installed a muted Moroccan tile feature behind the range to add interest and character."

Mixing and mingling different materials is an up-and-coming kitchen backsplash trend that adds so much contrast. And it's a popular one at that, with a December 2025 National Association of Realtors poll revealing that 67% of designers had taken a liking to incorporating various materials, textures, and patterns to craft something unique. To keep it looking bold, not busy, try pairing sleek marble and tiles in a complimentary color.

In an effort to shape up a Nashville-area kitchen in Season 13, Episode 8 of "Property Brothers", Jonathan and Drew offered this tweak on the timeless white subway tile. "This white hexagon backsplash tile adds a unique layer of texture to the kitchen without overpowering the space," they detailed on their site. Though an all-white kitchen is often a timeless choice, the interesting shape and dimension elevated the tiling beyond the basic.

Of course, that's just one option for those who want their white backsplash to feel more timeless. Adding in a few artfully placed tiles in a bold color, or even using a colored grout is a fun way to inject personality. Or you can opt for stoneware that has a bit of a texture to it, like a marble, limestone, or clay zellige. You can also warm up an all-white everything vibe with other decor elements. Think: raw wood shelves, colorful appliances, or some fresh greenery.

The makeover the brothers delivered on Season 8, Episode 3 of "Property Brothers: Buying & Selling" was good as gold. To elevate the crowded kitchen — and make it a more exciting prospect for buyers — Drew and Jonathan added additional cabinetry in a chic neutral shade, then installed a larger island and state of the art appliances. Finally, they leaned into some heavy metals, striking gold using AKDO's triangular Ethereal Flicker Calacatta with brass inlay. "It was time for some elegance and sparkle in the form of this geometric marble and brass backsplash," they explained on their blog, "it replaced a hideous faux brick tile that reminded us of a bad rash."

And that's not the only choice that could cause design enthusiasts to break out in hives. Among the mistakes everyone makes when putting in a kitchen backsplash is choosing the wrong design for their desired aesthetic. For example, patterns on patterns will almost always be too much, while something that's trendy and very of the moment may feel like a mistake down the road. Before committing, hold up a sample in the space to see how it looks under your kitchen lighting and ensure it complements the rest of the decor.

Dare we say we're green with envy over this renovation from the first season of "Property Brothers Forever Home"? In an effort to nail the modern farmhouse vibe, Jonathan and Drew relied on "a bold, hunter green geometric backsplash made from handmade tiles," they detailed on their site. The glam jewel-hued pick coordinated with their oversized kitchen island "which is outfitted with an under-mount farmhouse sink — and adds a dynamic element to the space." As Drew put it, "There's no wow factor like this kitchen."

While the deep green is a stunning option (for a similar vibe, consider the Wabi Sabi Emerald Green 1.5 x 9 Crackled Glossy Ceramic Tile), it's not the only color choice you'll need to make when selecting a backsplash. Though it may seem insignificant, selecting the right grout can be just as vital. Picking a shade that matches your tile allows the design to be the focus. But if you want the unique shape or hue of your chosen tile to be the star, consider going with a lighter or darker grout that will make the tile itself truly pop.

The brothers knew they needed something marvelous when "Guardians of the Galaxy" star Zoe Saldana approached them about creating a gourmet kitchen for her onetime makeup artist Vera Steimberg. So they paired the brass hood and fixtures they selected for Season 7, Episode 7 of "Celebrity IOU" with a black Caesarstone quartz. "What I'm liking is this electric, you know, usage of different stones," Zoe noted of blending the dark quartz and the rough cut stone on the island block, "and how they complement each other really, really well."

To nail the mixed material kitchen trend without making your space feel cramped, follow the same 60-30-10 rule that designers will use for color choices. Start with one dominant material that will take up roughly 60 percent of the space, add in a corresponding secondary material, and finish by sprinkling in an accent material. Some picks that play well together include wood with various natural stones and wood pieces mixed with different metals.

Neutral doesn't need to mean boring, something the brothers proved when they chose a gray stone mosaic for a kitchen makeover on a season 13 episode of "Property Brothers". Seeking out a tile in a warmer tone to work well with the wood lower cabinets and white uppers, they landed on "a herringbone natural stone mosaic in a gray finish," the brothers explained on their site. "The lesson here: When using a neutral finish, you can create depth and visual interest by incorporating a pattern, like the 3D tessellated chevron the brothers used here. The more intricate the pattern, the quicker your neutral backsplash turns into a focal point!"

Another key takeaway when it comes to backsplash: Understanding where it should be applied. For the cleanest and most cohesive look, you want to run the tiling from the upper cabinets to the lower ones. And don't forget it serves a functional purpose, not just a fashionable one. So you'll want to be sure to place a backsplash in any areas you might use for food prep or cooking so that you can easily wipe away any steam, grease, or sauce splashes.