Outdoor Backsplash Ideas

An outdoor kitchen is a wonderful addition to any home. It’s the perfect space for family get-togethers or for evening drinks with friends. 

You may have a beautiful outdoor kitchen installed with the cabinet space you need, somewhere to cook and a sink. But what material do you choose for a backsplash?

Your outdoor kitchen should get as much attention as any other room in your home. So consider your style, the existing finish of your outdoor kitchen, as well as the practical constraints. Using those markers you can pick the perfect backsplash for your outdoor kitchen.

White Tile Backsplash

For a simple outdoor kitchen with a sink and a little storage space, keep the look clean and fresh with a white tile for your backsplash.

A white square tile will look gorgeous against a modern gray cabinet with a black countertop. On a practical level it will last for years and is easy to clean. It’s also straightforward to install. To accessorize, choose some darling aqua blue ceramics or a glass vase.

Pretty Outdoor Tile Backsplash

Your outdoor kitchen might be under a basic shelter you’ve constructed from wood and corrugated plastic sheeting with rough wood cabinets. This is all perfectly functional but to up the design stakes, you can inject a little sophistication with a carefully chosen tile.

A Moroccan style geometric print on a square tile can look charming and show off your good taste. If you have the tools, you may like to try installing a tile backsplash yourself. When you don’t have to pay for labor you will have a bigger budget for your tile.

Outdoor Backsplash in Black Tile

To bring together materials in your outdoor kitchen such as a gorgeous red brick wool and sleek soapstone tile floor, a detailed black tile will work wonders.

It’s endlessly practical for any barbeque splashes and looks fantastic next to plain black kitchen cabinets. Select a tile with texture for that little extra je ne sais quoi.

Bold Tile Design

Against concrete countertops and with on-trend styling such as rattan lampshades, your backsplash can have an exciting retro fiesta look with geometric tiles in bold colors.

Reminiscent of the aesthetic seen in hot European cities, with this tile backsplash you will have a space where your guests will want to spend a lot of time! So when you’re thinking about backsplash choices and you are someone who likes flamboyance, show it in your backsplash.

Against a Brick Wall

If you have the simplest of outdoor kitchens with shelving made from concrete, and also cabinets made of simple wood then you can set this up against your red brick backyard wall.

The red gives a punch of color as a backdrop to natural materials. You don’t have to buy an expensive backsplash when you have the perfect backsplash already both in style and in enduring practicality. 

Stone Finish Outdoor Backsplash

If you’re someone who loves the touch and feel, as well as the look of natural materials, then you’ll love a natural stone backsplash.

This is something you are likely to need to get a specialist to build and install. With a bespoke inset shelf and some subtle inbuilt lighting, this is a backsplash choice you won’t regret. Perfect for evening entertaining and perhaps drinks by the pool.

Concrete Perfection

Perhaps your outdoor kitchen has been cleverly converted from a garage. You have concrete walls you think could be ugly. But no, if you have these polished, they can have a lovely smooth pattina and will make the ideal designer backsplash.

Adding wood cabinets, black hardware and dotting around some leafy green plants will give you an aesthetic beyond the humble origins of your outdoor kitchen. This is going to be a space you’ll love using.

Whitewash Wall for Outdoor Backsplash

This whitewash look is for those who like things pristine, clean and immaculately tidy. But also appreciate the perfection in the simplest of designs.

In the style of a Mediterranean house (Mama Mia vibes perhaps?!), a rendered and whitewashed wall adds coolness to a backyard that has plenty of sunshine. So it is ideal for hot climates.

Keep only the very essential kitchen equipment on display and choose rustic designs. The bonus of practicality in this white wall backsplash is that any marks can easily be painted over. So you can touch up the walls every few weeks when in use.

Textured Wall Outdoor Backsplash

If in your designer home you have a wonderful natural textured stone wall, you simply have to leave this bare as your outdoor kitchen backsplash.

This looks beautifully rustic with wood and whitewash fittings and accessories. You can treat the wall with a specialized coating to give it a protective layer from kitchen splashes and spills.

Rough and Ready

If you favor a truly natural exotic look then to pair with your tiki bar style bamboo roof and stainless steel practical countertop, build a boulder retaining wall.

If you have access to plenty of gorgeous shape and color rocks then this could make a beautiful exposed wall that also doubles up as an unusual backsplash.

Outdoor Backsplash in Shiplap

For a modern and natural wood backsplash, you can use smooth unpainted shiplap in your outdoor kitchen.

You can place planks vertically or horizontally depending on your preference. So long as you use a good outdoor varnish and keep this wall maintained you will have a durable, attractive backsplash.

Steel Sheet Backsplash

Ordinarily seen in an industrial kitchen, this is a backsplash that works brilliantly outdoors. Stainless steel is picked for restaurant kitchens because it is hardy, easy to keep clean and lasts forever. All reasons why it’s an ideal material for your backyard kitchen.

As stainless steel can be cut to any size it’s great for unusual or awkward space and is easy to fit. What’s more, it makes you look like a professional chef when you have your friends around for the ultimate barbeque!

In Closing

The best backsplash for your outdoor kitchen will be dependent on the other materials you have used for your cabinets and countertop, as well as looking at the general environment.

Take a look at tile options, from pain and simple to textured and on to bold colorful designs to see what might work for you.

If you have a brick or stone wall behind your kitchen then consider using this as a ready made outdoor backsplash. This will be enduring and practical.

For those who like something different, you may make a boulder wall to use as a backsplash, or perhaps some whitewashed render for a Mediterranean look. And for those who like to see themselves as a professional chef, stainless steel is both practical and stylish.