Is a Splashback a Good Idea? The Complete Guide

Kitchen and bathroom renovations can transform your home, but with so many options available, it's challenging to know where to invest your money. One upgrade that consistently delivers both practical benefits and visual appeal is installing a splashback. These protective panels have become increasingly popular among UK homeowners, and for good reason.

A splashback is a protective panel installed behind sinks, hobs, and work surfaces to shield walls from water splashes, grease, and food stains. While they serve a practical purpose, modern splashbacks have evolved into stylish design features that can completely transform a room's appearance. But are they worth the investment? This guide examines the advantages, types, and key considerations to help you decide if a splashback is right for your home.

Key Advantages of Installing Splashbacks

Superior Wall Protection

The primary function of any splashback is protecting your walls from damage. Cooking generates steam, grease splashes, and food particles that can stain or damage painted walls and wallpaper over time. Water splashes from washing up can also cause paint to peel or wallpaper to lift.

A properly installed splashback creates a waterproof barrier that prevents moisture from penetrating wall surfaces. This protection is particularly valuable behind hobs where heat and cooking oils can cause significant damage to unprotected walls. The long-term cost savings from avoiding frequent repainting or wall repairs often justify the initial splashback investment.

Effortless Cleaning and Maintenance

One of the most compelling reasons to install a splashback is the dramatic reduction in cleaning time. Glass and acrylic surfaces can be wiped clean with standard household cleaners, whilst textured wall surfaces trap grease and require scrubbing to remove stains.

Daily maintenance becomes as simple as wiping down the surface with a damp cloth. For tougher stains, a mild detergent quickly restores the surface to its original condition. This ease of cleaning is particularly beneficial in busy kitchens where time-saving solutions are highly valued.

Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal

Modern splashbacks serve as striking design features that can completely transform a space. They offer an opportunity to introduce colour, pattern, or texture that complements your existing décor whilst creating a focal point that draws the eye.

The reflective properties of glass splashbacks can make smaller kitchens appear larger and brighter by bouncing light around the room. This effect is particularly pronounced with lighter colours or mirror finishes that maximise natural light reflection.

Types of Splashbacks Available

Glass Splashbacks: The Premium Choice

Glass splashbacks represent the most popular and versatile option available to UK homeowners. Made from toughened safety glass, these panels offer exceptional durability and can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for use behind all types of hobs, including gas cookers.

The customisation options with glass are virtually limitless. You can choose from over 500 colours to match any paint shade, ensuring perfect coordination with your existing décor. Clear glass options provide subtle protection without altering your room's colour scheme, whilst coloured glass can create dramatic design statements.

For those seeking something truly unique, personalised glass splashbacks allow you to incorporate your own images or designs. This option transforms a practical installation into a piece of personalised art that reflects your individual style.

Mirror Splashbacks: Creating Space and Light

Mirror splashbacks offer a sophisticated solution that combines practicality with the illusion of expanded space. Available in various finishes including antique effects, they're particularly effective in smaller kitchens where maximising the sense of space is important.

The reflective surface amplifies both natural and artificial light, creating brighter, more welcoming spaces. This makes mirror splashbacks an excellent choice for kitchens with limited natural light or those with darker colour schemes.

Acrylic Splashbacks: Budget-Friendly Alternative

For those seeking splashback benefits on a tighter budget, acrylic panels offer many advantages of glass at a lower cost. Available in numerous colours with custom sizing options, they provide excellent protection and easy maintenance.

However, acrylic has temperature limitations and isn't recommended for use behind gas or electric hobs. They're perfect for areas behind sinks or as general wall protection in bathrooms where heat resistance isn't required.

Important Considerations Before Installing

Professional Installation vs DIY Approach

When considering splashbacks, installation method significantly impacts both cost and final results. Professional installation ensures perfect fitting and proper mounting, but increases overall project costs.

Many splashback suppliers now provide comprehensive installation guides and all necessary fixings for DIY installation. This approach can substantially reduce costs whilst still achieving professional-looking results. The key is honestly assessing your DIY capabilities and the complexity of your particular installation.

Design Selection and Colour Matching

Choosing the right design requires careful consideration of your existing décor and long-term design plans. Neutral colours offer timeless appeal and flexibility for future décor changes, whilst bold colours create dramatic focal points but may limit future design options.

Many suppliers offer sample services, allowing you to see exactly how colours will look in your specific lighting conditions before committing to a full installation. This small additional cost can prevent expensive mistakes and ensure you're completely satisfied with your choice.

Cost Considerations and Budget Planning

Splashback costs vary significantly based on size, material, and design complexity. Basic coloured glass panels start from around £45, whilst complex printed designs or mirror finishes command premium prices.

When budgeting, consider the long-term value proposition. Higher-quality materials may cost more initially but offer superior durability and easier maintenance over many years. Factor in potential installation costs if you're not planning DIY fitting.

Leading UK Suppliers and Quality Standards

The UK market offers numerous splashback suppliers, but quality and service levels vary considerably. Companies like DIY Splashbacks lead the market with extensive colour ranges, custom sizing options, and comprehensive customer support including installation guidance and sample services.

Look for suppliers offering toughened glass products manufactured to UK safety standards, comprehensive warranties, and clear returns policies. Quality suppliers provide detailed installation instructions and customer support to ensure successful DIY installations.

Making the Right Choice for Your Home

The evidence strongly supports splashbacks as worthwhile home improvements. They provide essential wall protection, dramatically reduce cleaning requirements, and offer opportunities to enhance your room's aesthetic appeal. The key lies in selecting appropriate materials and designs for your specific needs and budget.

Glass splashbacks offer the most versatility and durability, making them ideal for kitchens and high-use areas. Acrylic alternatives work well for bathrooms and areas where heat resistance isn't critical. Mirror options excel where creating illusions of space and light are priorities.

For most UK homeowners undertaking kitchen or bathroom renovations, splashbacks represent excellent value investments that deliver both immediate practical benefits and long-term property value enhancement. Start by requesting samples to see how different options will look in your space, then choose a reputable supplier who can guide you through the selection and installation process.

Ask 100 people to describe their dream kitchen splashbacks and you will probably get 100 different answers. Truth is, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to choosing colours and finishes.

It depends entirely on what you want to get out of your splashback, in terms of its design and practicality.

Of course, getting to grips with the options available can seem daunting at first, nevertheless, it is relatively easy to narrow things down to a shortlist of contenders.

With this in mind, here are four approaches to choosing an attractive and functional splashback for your kitchen:

Choose A Complementary Colour

Many (if not most) buyers choose to go with a splashback in a complementary colour. This means opting for a colour that blends in seamlessly with your existing décor. It doesn’t necessarily mean picking a splashback that is the same colour as the rest of your kitchen, but something that fits in beautifully with its surroundings. Perhaps consider the colours and finishes of the other features and fixtures in your kitchen, choosing one of these for the colour of your splashback.

Make It into A Feature

This is basically the exact opposite approach, where you deliberately choose a colour that stands out boldly and prominently. This can be a great way of bringing a pop of colour into your kitchen, creating an eye-catching feature and focus point. If you are planning on making a feature of your splashback, experiment with as many bold (and even brash) colour choices as you like.

Consider A Mirrored Finish

Mirrored splashbacks can look the part in a wide variety of kitchens. Reflective surfaces are particularly effective when introduced to smaller interior spaces, creating a feeling of space and light. It is also worth remembering that a mirrored splashback can be tinted in almost any shade. This is an option well worth considering, if you are looking to brighten up your kitchen and make the space feel larger than it actually is.

Simply Choose Your Favourite

Last but not least, the easiest approach of all is to simply forget all of the above entirely. Rather than complicating things with various considerations regarding contrast and cohesion, why not just choose a splashback you love the most? The important point to remember is that if it works for you, that really is all that matters. Never base your decisions on current, past or future trends – base them entirely on your own personal preferences.

At DIY Splashbacks, we would be delighted to provide you with an obligation-free consultation to help you choose your perfect kitchen splashback. Call or e-mail our customer support team and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How can a splashback improve your kitchen design?

Glass kitchen splashbacks are fast becoming the material of choice over tiles and stainless steel when it comes to protecting your kitchen walls and it's easy to see why. Glass tiled kitchens have no grouting, they're easy to clean and most importantly, they're DIY friendly. Here at DIY Splashbacks we have been specialists in the field since 2009 and ship across the UK and Ireland, providing our customers high quality, heat-resitant splashbacks to suit any kitchen design, behind any hob.

"I'm not sure if I want a colour or a design!"

We pride ourselves on offering a variety of designs on our splashbacks, from timeless shades of cream and grey to bold decorative patterns - there really is something for everyone. For those with a plain colour in mind, we offer painted splashbacks that can be matched as close as possible to a specific paint, fabric or even objects. 

* Unfortunately we cannot ever guarantee a 100% match due to a difference in materials but we try our hardest to match to a reference.

If you're looking for something bold as a focal point of your kitchen then we ofference patterned glass and textured glass splashbacks. One of our most popular styles of printed glass splashbacks is those from our faux tile effect collection - get that medditerranean feel without the need for grouting, labour and expense. Our glass is cheap to purchase and as you place it from the comfort of your own home with our very straight forward application guide, you can do it at your pace and when the time is right for you.

Picture: Waves Splashback

For those out there with an artistic eye, we have recently opened up our marketplace, this is a platform which allows creatives to upload their art to be sold as a splashback. We had previously worked with three artists over the course of five years to produce designer splashbacks that proved to be a big hit - now our designer selection has widened and there is a variety of fabric arts to traditional painting, photography, abstract and everything in between. 

"I can't find what I want!"

Do you have something in mind and you can't find quite what you're looking for? We can also do custom splashbacks. We will happily take any image over a suitable file size and quality of at least 4mb, or any image off Shutterstock and put it onto a splashback for you. This allows you to fully personalised a splashback for your kitchen. In the past we've done holiday pictures, pictures of pets, family and more. Personalised splashbacks are a one of a kind statement in the heart of your familys home.

What's the finish on your glass?

Our glass comes in a standard highly reflective gloss finish which elevates a room by reflecting light from windows and fixings to create the illusion of a bigger space.

However we also offer frosted and brushed glass. Frosted glass, or brushed glass is an almost opaque finish that we can offer on our all of our splashbacks it's cloudy in appearance and provides a beautiful matte finish to a kitchen. This type of finish is well suited for darker colours and clear glass as it has a higher iron content than our standard gloss, which can lead to a green tinge in lighter colours, including patterns and designs. 

"But my DIY skills aren't up to scratch and it's a big area!"

One of the most common questions we get is "How big can you make your glass, do you cut to size?" The simple answer is yes, to both. We have standard stock sizes but we also offer fully bespoke, made-to-measure splashbacks. We have the glass cut to size based on the measurements provided and can also do complex shaping such as around plug sockets and curved cooker hoods. For larger pieces pieces requiring cut-outs, we offer a measure and fit service. We measure the area you're looking to cover, we are able to give you a price based on the measurements and then we fit the splashback for you. Our measure and fit service is fairly priced and depends on your location and the size of the job. 

Whatever the space, the dream and the idea, we will be here to help you achieve it.

How hygienic are glass splashbacks, and are they easier to clean than tiles?

Glass splashbacks have many wonderful properties, however one of the biggest benefits of opting for glass over tiles  is their easy-clean qualities...

1. Far fewer pieces than tiles -

No matter what size of tile you opt for, there are generally many many tiles on each wall. Glass Splashbacks are available up to 2.4m in length, meaning it's possible to clad entire walls with one or two pieces in total. 

Image Source: www.cosmopolithome.com

2. Fewer pieces means fewer joins and no grout to clean! -

If your wall is larger than 2.4m, you might need a second panel of glass. However, glass splashbacks are simply butted together (see below) and sealed with silicone. This is much easier to clean and maintain than messy tile grout. Glass splashbacks also butt on to worktops and shower trays (also check out our coloured acrylic bathroom and shower panels)- with another fine amount of silicone to seal. If tiling, this area is usually grouted. Over time the grout cracks or errodes leaving an opportunity for water penetration.

3. Glass Splashbacks are entirely flat-

Unlike tiles which can be uneven or even textured, glass splashbacks are as flat as is physically possible. This means there is no opportunity for dirt, mould and germs to build up on the surface, making glass splashbacks a more hygienic option.

4. Splashbacks are as non-pourous as possible-

Glass splashbacks are entirely flat, but even though they are machine made, they still have very tiny pores. Ceramic tiles are pourous (some more than others, such as natural stone) and therefore they can be like sponges for grime. 

There are no statistics for how fewer pores glass has compared to tiles, however you only have to touch your windows and mirrors to compare. Glass is as smooth and resistant to dirt as physically possible.

Image Source: www.opticalcoatings.com

To further mitigate against germs and dirt, we offer an EasyClean Coating with our glass splashbacks. This is essentially a glass scotchguard. Our EasyClean Coating can be added to your order during the quotation process.

The coating is applied to the surface of the glass and essentially seals the tiny pores- ensuring germs and grime cannot penetrate at all.

Effectively water would bead and run straight off the glass (see above).

5. In a world of germs and diseases like coronavirus, wipeable surfaces protect against infection!-

For all the benefits above, glass splashbacks are the best and most hygienic option for kitchen walls. Wipeable in seconds, your kitchen and bathroom will be as sterile as possible.

As we launch our new LUXE Glass Splashbacks Collection, we explore some of the ways to create a LUXE look in your kitchen. 

Subtle Metal Touches

Metal never goes out of date, however we think some of the recent trends to hit the high street went a bit too far! The Copper Pandemic saw an explosion of copper on to literally everything from handles (we love) to matching bins and kitchen roll holders (not so much love for these). 

However metal is always welcome in Interior Design as it adds depth, and is a perfect way to ground a scheme. The above kitchen by Mark Wilkinson uses a subtle hint of copper through the cabinet handles and lighting. It's just enough copper to make it interesting! We do offer a range of luxe glass splashbacks that will also perfectly suit these luxe kitchens.

This kitchen uses brass as the secondary colour in the scheme. Rather than being religated to the sidelines, the brass wall cabinets stand out as a feature- this is balanced by the marine blue colour of the other cabinets, so it somehow remains elegant (when it would ordinarily be too much!).

We're used to seeing metal in kitchen design via handles and hardware, however this is also an easy way to keep up with trends. Opting for a colour that's currently in vogue is easy with handles, as they can be changed relatively inexpensively when you tire of them. The above brass 'knurled' handles are huge for 2020, but their subtle texture means they will remain fashionable for years to come. 

We're huge fans of Karndean & Amtico flooring. If you haven't heard of them, it's definitely worthwhile looking them up when you are selecting the flooring for your new kitchen. They are effectively vinyl planks that look like wood, meaning you can have a wood-look floor in your kitchen without the concerns over leaks and dents! One of the beautiful things about this type of flooring is that you can add accessories such as metal strips in to the design. The above image sourced on Pinterest shows a brass trim on a limed-oak effect floor in a hall. This could just as easily be a kitchen, and the trim could wrap around an island beautifully adding the subtlest hint of metal. Worried about splashes from cooking on a kitchen island? Our kitchen island splashbacks may be the solution.

Lighting is another key way to add luxury, and also incorporate metals in to a design. These striking feature lights add impact above the kitchen's island.

Groupings of three small to medium lights work well over islands and peninsulas, however size is important. If a pendant is large, it is sometimes better to opt for two pendants and review the spacing.

Antique Mirror Splashbacks

One continuing trend for interiors and specifically kitchens in 2020 is Antique Mirror.

Synonoumous with the beautiful work of Humprey Munson Kitchens who were among the first to introduce them in to kitchens in the UK, Antique Mirror Splashbacks are now an afforable option to add luxury and elegance in to any kitchen design. 

Is mirror safe in a kitchen?

Ordinarily, it isn't as straight forward as buying a piece of mirror, or popping one out of a frame and sticking it behind your hob. For safety reasons this isn't possible, as mirrors are not normally manufactured in toughened glass. This means that if they are knocked, or exposed to extremes of heat they will shatter.

DIY Splashbacks tinted and antique mirror splashbacks are manufactured in-house from toughened safety glass, meaning home owners can have no concerns over their safety in the kitchen. Using state of the art techniques, each one of our mirror splashbacks is made-to-order by the DIY Splashbacks team. We take the quality and safety of our products very seriously! Our splashbacks are both heat resistant and shatter resistant! 

Made to Measure

All of our glass splashback products are made-to-measure, meaning you can have a glass splashback that fits perfectly in to your space. This stunning kitchen above combines two of 2020's biggest trends, Graphite Grey, and Antique Mirror. This elegant look is sure to withstand the test of time.

Not limited to classic kitchens!

At DIY Splashbacks, we encourage you to defy convention and exercise your creativity! So although Antique Mirror is typically paired with classic kitchens, we love to see these in other spaces.

This stunning contemporary kitchen below uses an Antique Mirror Splashback to contrast with an otherwise minimalist room. This savy homeowner opted for laminate up-stands on the perimeter of their kitchen, and simply fitted a splashback behind the hob. This is a clever, budget friendly way to achieve an elegant look, without the cost of a fully fitted splashback. 

Tell me more!

If you are interest in a similar look, why not get an instant quote today?

Click here to explore our range of Mirror Splashbacks : Discover More

What is an upstand?

In kitchen terms, an upstand is a small strip of kitchen worktop, glass or acrylic usually 100-150mm in height that fits in the rear wall edge of your kitchen worktop.

Historically these were made from 18mm laminate or stone and used to hide any gaps between the kitchen worktop and the wall behind (walls are rarely completely flat).

More recently though they are available to compliment glass and acrylic splashbacks (see below)

As you can see, using the same colour of glass upstand as the glass splashback has really added a feature to this minimalist white gloss kitchen.

The above is something you can very easily measure and fit yourself for a few hunder pounds and allows you to introduce stronger colours to your kitchen pallette without overdoing it. 

Shop Glass Splashbacks

Shop Glass Upstands

How much is a glass splashback?

Like any product or service, several factors can influence the cost...

-Do you plan on measuring and fitting yourself?

-Would you prefer a professional installed it for you?

-Is your prefered splashback:

Clear?

Coloured?

Printed with an image or design?

Toughened mirror?

-Would you like it behind the hob, or around the perimeter of your kitchen?

Measure and fit yourself- 'DIY'

Measuring and fitting a standard cooker splashback, or a splashback and upstands is very simple as you are literally measuring a rectangle and sticking it to the wall.

If you require a supply only option that you can fit yourself then you can quickly and easily get an instant price using any of the below instant quote pages/tools.

For printed designs and mirror splashbacks there are multiple product pages but once you find the right style you will still be able to get an instant quote.

Get a quote for a supply only coloured glass splashback

Get a quote for a supply only clear glass splashback

Choose a design and get a quote for a printed glass splashback

Choose a toughened mirror colour or design and get a quote

Guide prices

You can get instant, exact prices on any of the instant quote pages above.

However, as a guide - the cost of a glass splashback varies depending on the size and specifications required.

Should you require a simple 6mm thick cooker splashback for example it should be well under £200 for a typical size of 600mm x 750mm but again it depends on the specification.

Other variables such as... is it a solid colour? or digital print? and there are also specialist effects such as sparkles.

It's also possible to have it shaped to fit around your curved cooker hood.

The Main Benefit

It may sound complicated or pricy, however it really isn't! What makes the overall cost more affordable is how easy it is to install a glass cooker splashback.

As you are essentially just fitting a large tile in one panel it is a simple DIY task that should take no more than 10-15 minutes. It is also a task that anyone with even limited DIY skills can do with relative ease.

Please see our tutorial on how to fit a glass splashback here.

Can I fit glass splashbacks myself, how do I measure around the plug sockets?

Again we have a number of tutorials on how to do this. If you are worried about correctly measuring around plug sockets you can of course install glass upstands. With a bit of thought and following our tutorials though you can indeed measure for a simple cooker splashback, a cooker splashback and upstands or a full wall including socket cut outs. If you need any advice our customer service team also have 10 years experience in measuring and fitting glass splashbacks, there's nothing they haven't came across before!

How to measure for glass splashbacks