Brick backsplash designs have sustained huge popularity with homeowners of all ages for many generations and continue to stand out as one of the best home improvement solutions on the market. If you’re looking for brick backsplash inspiration that can bring a new lease of life to your kitchen, you’re in the right place.
There are plenty of brick backsplash ideas available, including solutions for virtually any kitchen style. Here at CopperSmith, our experts love the iconic aesthetic of brick backsplash concepts and will look to answer all of your key questions, such as;
- Why choose a brick backsplash?
- What options are available for brick backsplashes?
- How can you make your brick backsplash stand out in style?
- How can you integrate your brick backsplash with other kitchen features?
- What issues should you be aware of when using brick backsplash concepts?
So, let’s start building your dream kitchen brick by brick.
The pros and cons of brick backsplash designs
Before installing a brick backsplash in your kitchen, you must first confirm whether it is the right choice for you. While not every homeowner chooses to have a backsplash, our brick backsplash gallery shows that they are a common feature. They protect your property against moisture while also creating an easy-clean setup that enhances the look of your kitchen.
Opting for a brick backsplash can deliver a host of additional benefits, including but not limited to;
- An easy installation that most DIY experts can handle themselves,
- Exceptional durability for years of success,
- Good suitability for virtually any stove and range hood,
- A wide range of interior design options,
- Great affordability.
The major downside of brick backsplash solutions, however, relates to their high absorption rates. This means that they can attract moisture and mold if you’re not careful. With the right polyurethane sealant treatment, though, this should not be a major issue. In short, they make a practical solution that will provide a key ingredient in the recipe for success.
Solid brick backsplash versus brick veneer
If you’ve decided to include a brick backsplash in your kitchen upgrade project, you must first decide which type of backsplash to opt for. The main two choices are solid brick backsplashes and brick veneers (also known as thin brick).
Solid brick backsplashes are created from real bricks. Therefore, you will lose a few inches from the room, although you will gain added insulation and an iconic aesthetic reward. This option is primarily used when designing a full wall rather than simply filling in the space between your stove and range hood or countertops and high cabinets.
Brick veneers are far smaller than solid bricks. In fact, they are often just 0.75” to 1” in depth, making them a great option when filling in spaces between the sink and cabinets or stove and range hood. They are cheaper, easier to install, and lighter. However, they do not provide all of the same elements as solid brick. When creating a brand new wall, it might be better to focus on solid brick, especially when it's a supporting structure.
There is no single right or wrong option and the key is to find what works for you. Either way, you will have a plethora of brick backsplash ideas to choose from. Finding a suitable design will subsequently bring your kitchen to life.
Brick backsplash ideas for your kitchen upgrade
Research shows that around 27% of homeowners plan to upgrade their kitchens in any given year. While there is no rule that states you have to add a brick backsplash, anyone that plans to have one should make it a key feature of their interior design strategy.
As such, you should ask yourself the following questions;
- What is my budget?
- What style of kitchen am I trying to create?
- Do I want the brick backsplash to feature on one wall or multiple walls?
- How will the brick backsplash impact the lighting and other kitchen features?
- How will the new kitchen look in relation to the home as a whole?
While the above questions should help you make the right choices, the following brick backsplash inspiration will get your creative juices flowing as you plan your kitchen upgrade.
#1. Use a red brick backsplash
When picturing an exposed brick wall for interior design purposes, red brick is where most people will take their minds to. It’s a simple yet sophisticated solution that suits commercial kitchens as well as home kitchen designs.
Red brick brings a timelessly classic atmosphere to the room, which pairs perfectly with white cabinets and a white range hood for a contrasting look or with wooden cabinets for a farmhouse kitchen design vibe. It can also open the door to ideas like floating shelves above the sink. This adds practicality while allowing you to enjoy a ceiling-high brick backsplash.
The unique patterns created by the different shades produced by red brick will guarantee a one-of-a-kind appearance. Wooden, granite, and acrylic countertops can complete the look.
#2. Opt for a white brick solution
A whitewashed brick backsplash will instantly grab the attention when entering the room. Light gray cabinets, gold cabinet hardware, and a light-colored countertop can complete the look. It can also be adapted for modern, contemporary, and rustic designs.
Alternatively, weathered white brick backsplash concepts help find the right balance between a rustic vibe and modern look. This works exceptionally well with gray cabinets and doors, alongside stainless steel appliances. Thanks to the natural light-reflecting properties, it will also serve as a good way to make a compact kitchen feel significantly larger.
The only potential downside is that it will show up any food splatters. So, you must look to clean them as soon as they appear. Otherwise, the appeal will soon be lost.
#3. Use white brick backsplash options for farmhouse styles
While white brick can be used for a range of clean kitchen styles, it’s also the perfect choice for a farmhouse kitchen. However, to achieve the desired atmosphere, it’s best to use a combination of bright white bricks alongside shades of gray.
The combination of bright white faded white, and gray brickwork creates a powerful aesthetic. Your backsplash will be far more intriguing than a basic pure white wall while it still enables you to embrace the added lighting. It also provides a solid foundation for double-width stoves and range hoods that have been configured with a 3-D tool.
When paired with a clean kitchen sink and durable wood cabinetry, success is assured. White cabinets with cast iron hardware is a particularly good combination.
#4. Paint your way to fresh energy
The classic styling of brickwork is sure to have a telling influence on the overall look of your kitchen and is far more interesting than a plain wall or tiled backsplash. However, if you don’t enjoy the pattern of natural brickwork, painting it is another option.
By painting the bricks and grouting in one solid color, you get the benefits of a painted wall with the added rewards of texture and depth that brickwork offers. You can check out this guide to the Color of the Years 2023 for further brick backsplash inspiration. Or you can simply match it to your existing cabinetry for an affordable transformation.
It should also be noted that you can easily repaint the brick surfaces to give the kitchen a fresh new look should you ever become bored of the painted appearance.
#5. Use dramatic dark colors for an atmospheric kitchen
While many homeowners choose light color schemes to make small spaces feel bigger, it’s not the only option. Dark color schemes instantly stand out from the crowd and can be used for the entire room or to create a luxury and moody cooking area.
Dark brickwork can be paired with dark gray cabinets and black appliances for a stunning outcome. The sleek design can be completed with wall-mounted floating shelves. Positioning them out of sync will create an edgy vibe and unique atmosphere that can also provide the perfect transition into your hallway or backyard.
You will find that the kitchen feels more valuable while also providing a talking point when people come to stay. Not least when contrasted against lighter areas such as an island.
#6. Or use a dark brick backsplash against lighter colors
When opting for the darker solutions within the brick backsplash gallery, it doesn’t mean you have to focus on dark colors throughout. In fact, the black brickwork can provide the perfect platform for building a country or modern kitchen design that helps other features pop.
Dark bricks are a noticeable feature that also brings depth to the kitchen space. Therefore, your wooden items and colored appliances like refrigerators will truly stand out. Luxury features like brass range hoods will also be allowed to stand loud and proud in the kitchen space. It is a great way of celebrating the wall as well as the items within the room.
Black metal shelving can be incorporated to create an almost invisible appeal that makes any displayed items stand out with even greater results.
#7. Create your own vertical lines
Using veneer brick backsplash options will open the door to a variety of new options. So, if the thought of having brick exposed around the entire room is too much, why not opt for a one-and-a-half wall solution?
You could, for example, have the brick backsplash behind your stove and under the adjacent cabinets before wrapping it around to the next wall. However, rather than covering all of the second wall, you can limit it to a quarter or a third of the wall. When up against a plain white wall, it will leave you with a very modern look that boasts the desired wow factor.
It is a design tweak that can be embraced when using any color of brick and gives you unrivaled levels of aesthetic control.
#8. Create a chevron design
Bricks are a versatile material for kitchen design, not least because they can be positioned in a variety of layouts. The chevron design and its inverted V pattern will create an awe-inspiring and intriguing look.
It is the ideal solution for a contemporary kitchen design, and is especially useful when filling in the relatively modest space between countertops and cabinets or range hoods. While bringing a very modern twist to the home, the chevron pattern will still allow you to embrace the traditional elements of red brick - or your chosen brickwork.
It can be paired with chevron flooring for an even more powerful impact. Likewise, stool covers and tablecloths could feature similarly bold designs.
#9. Get the industrial look
As already mentioned, brick backsplash ideas can often take influence from industrial and commercial kitchens. Why not take this to an even greater level by recreating the industrial loom in your kitchen, starting with the brick backsplash?
Whether using brown brick or red brick, big exposed walls will create that industrial look. The key to success revolves around teaming the brick backsplash with durable products. Stainless steel sinks and stoves work well. You will also want to install hooks for pans. This will add convenience while simultaneously giving your kitchen that industrial feel.
An industrial kitchen should be comfortable but primarily focused on function. So, if you love cooking, teaming hard-wearing cabinets and appliances with brickwork is a wise move.
#10. Go for an eye-catching contrast
In many cases, brick backsplash concepts focus on building consistent vibes throughout the kitchen. However, brickwork can also deliver an unmistakable and majestic contrast. When it is clear that the brick backsplash is a character-defining design feature, it works very well.
You can achieve this objective in several ways. A weathered brick backsplash can work exceptionally well in a contemporary kitchen that features modern appliances and clean horizontal lines. The rest of the room’s cabinetry, flooring, and futuristic tech will become even more noticeable while the wall stops the room from becoming boring.
Other options include using painted brickwork to create a two-tone kitchen design or using red brickwork against dark black cabinets and countertops. Your imagination is the only limit.
Build your dream kitchen today
Given that the kitchen is commonly accepted as the busiest and most important room in the home, you should not delay your plans to upgrade it. Now that you’re equipped with valuable brick backsplash inspiration, it’s time to think about the installation and any other additions that may be needed to turn your vision into a reality.
Here at CopperSmith, our 3-D configuration will help you find the perfect range hood to sit above your backsplash and, where applicable, kitchen sinks. To learn more, contact our friendly team today.
