A small kitchen doesn't need to feel limited.
With the right materials, even a modest splashback can introduce colour, texture and a stronger sense of character.
Handmade ceramic tiles are particularly suited to these spaces. Their glossy surfaces reflect light, while subtle variations in glaze create depth without requiring elaborate patterns.
Here are five ways to approach a small kitchen splashback.
1. Use Colour as the Main Feature
In a compact kitchen, a single area of colour can make a significant impact.
A glossy burgundy, olive green or Mediterranean blue splashback introduces a clear focal point while allowing the surrounding cabinetry and surfaces to remain simple.
Rather than combining several competing materials, consider using one tile colour across the full splashback.
The handmade variations will provide enough movement and texture to keep the surface interesting.
2. Consider Vertical Rectangular Tiles
Rectangular tiles can change how we perceive the proportions of a space.
Our 5 × 25 cm handmade terracotta tiles can be installed vertically to emphasise height or horizontally to create a longer visual line.
A vertical arrangement works particularly well between a worktop and wall-mounted cabinets, where the repeated lines draw the eye upwards.
For a more understated finish, a horizontal layout creates a calm, continuous rhythm.
3. Choose Square Tiles for a Balanced Look
Square ceramic tiles offer a simple, architectural geometry.
Our handmade square tiles are available in 10 × 10 cm, 13 × 13 cm and 15 × 15 cm.
Smaller formats introduce more grout lines and a finer visual rhythm, while larger tiles create a broader surface with fewer joints.
The right size depends on the dimensions of the splashback, the surrounding cabinetry and the effect you want to achieve.
4. Make the Most of Natural Light
Glossy ceramic tiles interact with light throughout the day.
In a small kitchen, this can bring subtle changes in reflection and colour, particularly near windows or under-cabinet lighting.
Pale colours can create a lighter overall appearance, while darker shades offer contrast and depth.
Neither approach is inherently better. A deep green or burgundy splashback can feel just as considered in a compact space as a pale neutral.
What matters is the relationship between the tile, the light and the surrounding materials.
5. Introduce Pattern with Restraint
Decorated ceramic tiles offer another way to bring personality to a small kitchen.
Floral, geometric or hand-painted patterns can be used across a complete splashback or as a smaller feature within a simpler tiled surface.
When working with patterned tiles, consider keeping the surrounding finishes restrained so the design has room to breathe.
How Many Tiles Do You Need for a Small Splashback?
Begin by measuring the width and height of the area in metres.
For example, a splashback measuring 2 metres wide and 0.6 metres high covers 1.2 m².
Allowing approximately 10% for cuts and wastage brings the estimated requirement to 1.32 m².
The number of boxes depends on the format:
| Tile size | Approximate coverage per box | Boxes required |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 cm | 0.50 m² | 3 |
| 13 × 13 cm | 0.85 m² | 2 |
| 15 × 15 cm | 1.13 m² | 2 |
| 5 × 25 cm | 0.63 m² | 3 |
These calculations are indicative and exclude grout joints. Your installer should confirm the final quantities before ordering.
A Small Surface, Made Personal
A kitchen splashback may occupy only a small part of a room, but it is a surface we see and use every day.
Choosing materials with care can give that space a distinct identity.
At Cardoon Studio, our ceramic tiles are individually painted and glazed in Spain, with subtle variations that reflect the making process.
Explore our square, rectangular and decorated collections, or order samples to find the right colour and finish for your kitchen.
Explore Handmade Ceramic Tiles →
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