• A stylish splashback protects your walls from water damage.Kitchen image by armanxo from Fotolia.com
  
  The walls around the countertops in a kitchen are generally referred to as "splashbacks." When you decide to redecorate your kitchen, it is important to include ideas for splashbacks in your plans. A splashback should be hardwearing and easily cleanable, while complementing the décor of your kitchen. There are many different options for splashbacks, depending on your own personal style, taste and budget.
  
  

Tiles

• One of the more traditional choices for a kitchen splashback, tile is easily cleanable and comes in a variety of textures, shapes, sizes and colors. Kitchen splashback tiles are made from ceramic, mosaic, glass or recycled glass. Ceramic tiles are the more traditional type, whereas glass tiles give the kitchen a more modern feel. Consider matching your splashback tiles to your kitchen wall color or try a contrasting color for a more modern feel.
  
  

Stainless Steel

• A stainless steel splashback is a contemporary alternative to the more traditional tile splashback. Cut to a standard size, stainless steel splashbacks offer easy installation and a uniform look. A specialty cleaner is required to maintain a stainless steel splashback, but cleaning is quick and simple. Stainless steel splashbacks are available in brushed or reflective. Brushed stainless steel splashbacks are the more popular option because they tend to show marks less easily than regular reflective stainless steel.
  
  

Glass

• Glass splashbacks come in different colors and textures and are easy to maintain. Glass splashbacks are hygienic because they have no joints or crevices in which mold can grow. Glass splashbacks can be frosted or tempered and can throw in a splash of color to a basic kitchen layout. Glass splashbacks are practical yet stylish, although they tend to be more costly than tile splashbacks. Mirrored glass is another option for opening up a smaller kitchen, but is not as long-lasting as tempered or frosted glass splashbacks.
  
  

Granite

• A good way to complement a granite countertop is with a granite splashback. This gives the kitchen an expensive, elegant feel and works well for either traditional or contemporary designs. Using granite for both countertop and splashback also helps create a continuous color scheme. Granite is one of the more expensive options for a kitchen splashback, but it is a long-lasting, hardwearing material.