21 Kitchen Wallpaper Backsplash Ideas We Love

Wallpaper in the kitchen is endlessly charming. And when used as a backsplash, this traditional accent can impart an old-fashioned feel. It can, however, also look completely modern, depending on the pattern you choose. Either way, it always makes a statement and will transform any cook space quickly and for relatively little money. In fact, you can have a new kitchen wallpaper backsplash up in less than an afternoon.

Want to give it a try? We've rounded up a plethora of kitchen wallpaper backsplash ideas in different interior design styles for your viewing pleasure. Let's dive in.

Incorporate a touch of the past and a nod to the future, with these midcentury kitchen wallpaper backsplash ideas.

1. Get the encaustic look.

A simple roll of peel and stick wallpaper can take your kitchen from bland to blissful. If you're up for a quick DIY project, add this blue and white geometric design for a quick refresh that will go with almost any cabinetry.

​Get the look​: HomeArtStickers Geometric Blue Backsplash Peel and Stick Roll, $39 per roll

Lowe's

Midcentury design is all about the careful use of simple linear patterns and bold pops of color. This emerald trellis design could easily be straight from the era itself.

​Get the look:​ Scott Living Emerald Vinyl Geometric Self-Adhesive Peel and Stick Wallpaper, $41.65 per roll

Brewster Wall Covering

Instead of stopping just a foot or two above the counter, continue the kitchen wallpaper backsplash all the way to the ceiling. This effect will draw the eye up. And the black and white hues of this grasscloth-inspired design make for an effortlessly chic geometric look we can't get enough of.

​Get the look:​ Brewster Wall Covering Deedee Black Geometric Faux Grasscloth Wallpaper, $104.99 per roll

Behang Fabriek

Adding a color-blocked repeat design is a sure-fire way to bring midcentury style to your kitchen backsplash. This one creates a 3D effect that will instantly become the perfect focal point.

​Get the look:​ Behang Fabriek KitchenWalls Blue Triangle Wallpaper, $187.93 per roll

Fancy a bit of English country home decor in your kitchen? These botanical wallpaper backsplash ideas should be your starting point.

1. Go for subtle botanicals.

We love the pale palette of this little botanical wallpaper, which serves as a sweet backsplash in a blue English country kitchen. If you're hesitant about trying a busy pattern in your cook space, start with soft hues and a tiny print.

​Get the look:​ Little Greene London Wallpaper IV Collection Great Ormond St., $182 per double roll

@muralswallpaper/Instagram

Need a statement-maker in the kitchen? We love this oversized floral mural with a dramatic black background. If you're looking for a unique kitchen wallpaper backsplash, this should be your reference.

​Get the look:​ Murals Wallpaper Chloe, $3.90 per square foot

Wallternatives

Lemon prints are trending, and there's something about adding the pattern to a kitchen that makes the space instantly sunny and fresh. Bonus: This one is peel-and-stick for easy application and painless removal.

​Get the look:​ Wallternatives Lemons Bari J. Removable Wallpaper, $48 per panel

Pillar Box Blue

Choose just one section to wallpaper — such as behind the sink or the range — for a standout look. Then cover the paper with a sheet of acrylic or glass screwed to the wall to protect it (this one is made of glass to withstand the heat from the stovetop).

​Get the look:​ Harlequin Palmetto Collection Demoiselle, $114 per double roll

Studio McGee

Your splashback doesn't need to steal the show. This wallpaper design by Studio McGee is floral but not overly feminine and makes a graceful statement while bringing character to the kitchen space.

​Get the look​: Studio McGee Demi Floral Stripe Wallpaper, $124 per roll

Attention, bohemian types and travelers: These wallpaper ideas are for you. Here's how to bring the easy, breezy style straight to your boho kitchen.

1. Get artistic.

In this kitchen, a Rebecca Atwood wallpaper backsplash installed by blogger Anita Yokota adds a hand-painted effect. You could even have a go at recreating this look by painting on a plain wallpaper design. The dashes, oriented vertically, add a little height to the space — take note!

​Get the look:​ Rebecca Atwood Double Dash Wallpaper in Rain, $70 per panel

Delineate Your Dwelling

Add the look of graphic tile to your cook space with a wallpaper backsplash inspired by Moroccan tile. Amy from Delineate Your Dwelling did just that with this ochre-and-black design, and the final result is striking.

​Get the look:​ Tempaper Soleil Moroccan Spice Self-Adhesive Removable Wallpaper, $38.10 per roll

Lime Lace

We're not mad at this wallpaper kitchen backsplash that has hints of the 1970s. Seriously, the green and yellow hues of this design will make it feel like sunshine every day in your cook space. The PVC wallpaper is also super durable with an eco-friendly UV-resistant print.

​Get the look:​ KitchenWalls Wallpaper Splashback Ibiza, $192 per roll

Driven by Decor

You can use any wallpaper that you like for your kitchen backsplash, just be sure to protect it. Kris of Driven By Decor finished hers with Decorator's Varnish, ensuring it's wipeable when splashes happen.

​Get the look:​ Serena & Lily Granada Wallpaper, $198 per roll

It's all about a fresh appeal with these wallpaper styles. Use them to create a contemporary kitchen that everyone will love.

1. Go luxe with a marble look.

Want the look of natural stone but not the price tag? You can get it with wallpaper! Opt for a marble-inspired wallpaper backsplash for a glamorous feature that'll cost pennies compared to the real thing.

​Get the look:​ MuralsWallpaper Ella, $3.90 per square foot

Etsy

And speaking of faux stone, you can have a terrazzo-inspired wallpaper backsplash, too. Paired with black countertops and gray cabinets, this Scandi look is as dreamy as can be.

​Get the look:​ HomeArtStickers Terrazzo Adhesive Film, $46 per panel

Naked Kitchens

Arches are completely on-trend in interiors. And you can create a more bespoke feeling in your space with a modern design that has a little personality. The versatility of this green art deco wallpaper style means it will also work with a retro theme or a more modern one.

​Get the look:​ Murals Wallpaper Green Geometric Infinite Loop Striped Repeat Pattern Wallpaper, $146 per roll

Home Depot

We love a statement wallpaper, and this peelable vinyl wallpaper hits the mark. The larger format marble-effect would be perfectly matched with darker cabinetry.

​Get the look:​ Tempaper Marble Vinyl Peelable Wallpaper, $98 per roll

Naked Kitchens

You might think a wallpapered backsplash will look kitsch or too busy, but it can be simple. This fresh and modern style from Murals Wallpaper is super versatile and hits all the color blocking trends.

​Get the look:​ Murals Wallpaper Navy Blue Two-Tone Zig-Zag Geometric Wallpaper, $4.40 per square foot

Industrial style makes use of bold patterns and rustic materials. Think exposed brick, wood, tile, and stainless steel. Wondering how you can get your splashback to replicate that? Try the looks below.

1. Try a faux subway tile.

Would you believe this subway tile backsplash is actually removable wallpaper? It's true. You can get the tile look with none of the grout or installation mess thanks to a peel-and-stick option like this.

​Get the look:​ Graham & Brown Metro White Wallpaper, $55 per roll

Lisa Furey Interiors

Incorporating faux brick wallpaper is an ideal way to bring an industrial aesthetic to your home. This kitchen by Lisa Furey Interiors features it throughout.

​Get the look:​ Next Wall Washed Faux Brick Vinyl Peelable Wallpaper, $34.99 per roll

Chasing Paper

Craving something a little more graphic? Try a wallpaper backsplash in a dark, monochrome print like this fully-removable option from Chasing Paper. It will even add contrast to a plain white rental kitchen.

​Get the look:​ Chasing Paper Simple Stripe Tile Wallpaper, $40 per roll

Can you use wallpaper as a backsplash?

The short answer is yes. But, if you're looking for what you should know before installing a wallpaper backsplash, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first option is to cover your wallpaper with a glass sheet; this will keep the paper protected from moisture but still allow the pattern and color to shine through. You can also seal your wallpaper backsplash using a decorator's varnish. Doing so will make it resistant to marks and moisture. Finally, you can go for a peel and stick wallpaper backsplash that can easily be changed up according to your taste.

The quality of peel and stick backsplashes has definitely improved over the years, and you can now expect this option to last quite long. It's great for renters, but if you're on a budget and need to cover something unsightly, it's ideal for homeowners, too. Moreover, if you're careful with splashes and spills and avoid abrasive cleaners, your peel and stick backsplash should last a number of years.

There are a number of options when it comes to installing a backsplash in your kitchen; you're not limited to tile or marble. Instead try metal, Venetian plaster, paint and, of course, wallpaper.

Your kitchen backsplash is in prime territory for spills, splashes, stains, and water damage, and wallpaper isn't the most durable material. However, many wallpaper designs are washable. And in order to keep them looking pristine and minimize water damage, you've got a few options: Consider mounting a clear acrylic or plexiglass panel in front of it. A glass panel is an alternative option if you want to place the wallpaper behind the stove. Additionally, you can invest in waterproof, oil-proof, heat-resistant, clear wallpaper stickers to cover your wallpaper (we like these from Amazon). There's also vinyl wallpaper and removable wallpaper that can be swapped out.

You can also use multiple cleaning solutions on washable vinyl wallpaper, but you probably won't need anything stronger than a few drops of dish soap in warm tap water.