Kitchen Wall Coverings: Epoxy Paint, Bricks, Stone, Glass, Concrete & Terrazzo
In kitchens, it’s important to pick a waterproof material to cover the walls above the countertop, aka the backsplash.
We discuss how far up the backsplash should go in this other article, and show many different tile styles in this one.
Here we’ll see other possibilities of wall covering instead of tiles, in case you prefer a different, and maybe seamless, backsplash.
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Epoxy or enamel paint on kitchen walls
You can paint the walls above the countertop. Epoxy and enamel are waterproof paints, so they work well even in these areas. The advantages are durability, easy cleaning and impermeability.
Epoxy paint has the same component as epoxy flooring. The difference is that epoxy paint is applied like any paint, and the flooring is a self-leveling resin.
It is applied with a roller and then spreads until it is perfectly level. Thus, it is a perfect smooth. Moreover, it is visually very similar to the paint.
So you can use them together and create an all smooth kitchen, with different colors on floor and wall or the same on both. In this case, the paint needs to follow the color of the floor, which has limited options.
If the paint isn’t being combined with epoxy flooring, it can be any paint color.
Epoxy can be used on existing tiles, when you don’t like their colors or design, but want to maintain the tile format. The original grouted seams are painted as well, sou you get one single color covering tiles and seams.
A common type of enamel paint on kitchen walls is the so-called chalkboard paint. It has this name because it is possible to draw on it with chalk and erase with chalk eraser or damp cloth.
If you don’t want to use the wall as a chalkboard, but would like a mat paint for your kitchen backsplash, you should look for chalkboard paint as well, so you make sure to pick a waterproof material.
Bricks on kitchen walls
If you live in an old brick house or apartment, there’s a charming option for your kitchen walls: peeling the tiles and mortar off and leaving the original bricks exposed or painted in white.
To waterproof them, use a mat resin, if you want to leave the natural color. If you prefer to paint, you can use white epoxy paint.
In case this is your favorite choice but you don’t have structural bricks in your home, you can cover the wall with thinner bricks some manufacturers sell for this purpose. They aren’t as charming as the pictures above though, due to their uniformity.
Watch out for wallpapers and other coatings that imitate bricks. Making a brick wall without real bricks won’t probably get you a nice result. Most of them look pretty fake.
Stone on kitchen walls
The material chosen for the kitchen countertop may cover the wall above it as well. However, stone backsplashes are more expensive than most wall coverings.
If you want to know more pros and cons of this solution, check our article on countertops and backsplashes in the same material.
Read more about materials for kitchen countertops here.
Glass or mirror on kitchen walls
Do you like how the backsplash looks with the same material as the countertop, but need a cheaper solution? You can have a white silkscreen printed glass above a white stone countertop. It gives the wall a smooth and shiny effect.
Instead of glass, you can also cover the area between countertop and top cabinets with a mirror. This gives the feeling that there’s more space behind the kitchen.
Even better if you have any exterior view on the opposite side of the room. The mirror will reflect the view and the sky, feeling like a window when you look at the kitchen from the living room and while you’re using the sink.
Concrete on kitchen walls
Concrete backsplash pros are low cost and small thickness.
The cons are the slower and more delicate execution, and the fact that it can only be applied directly on the wall, not on existing tiles.
It is essential to find an experienced professional to guarantee a good result.
If cracks bother you, and you want to control the appearance of the stains, concrete is not recommended for you, as it is handmade and may turn out different from what you expect.
Like stone, this can be an option for kitchen countertop and backsplash in the same material. But it’s also possible to have it on the wall only and pick another material for the countertop.
Terrazzo on kitchen walls
If you are planning Terrazzo flooring and/or countertop for your kitchen, you can have it on the backsplash too.
Very durable, this material is a great flooring, backsplash and countertop option. It’s made with cement mass mixed with pebbles, polished for a smooth surface, and finished with resin for shininess and protection.
The components of the dough can have endless different combinations. You can mix pebbles of different sizes and colors with any color of mortar.
This variety can give it a more modern look, quite different from classic beige or gray Terrazzo floors.
The application takes time and involves several steps, with a few days of drying it between. During this time, it’s important that nothing else happens on the construction site, to avoid dirt. It’s better to opt for a specialized professional for the application.
If taken care of, Terrazzo can last up to 40 years. And it can be polished again if it gets damaged after some time.
However, it’s not possible to redo a small area without an apparent difference between the new and the existing part. So if you need to break the floor to access underneath pipes, for instance, you’ll have to redo the whole area so it looks perfectly uniform.
Another con is the high price, specially for small areas, as most companies only work from a minimum amount, which for smaller areas ends up being a high price per sq m/ft. I recommend choosing this option for the backsplash if it’s the same material as the floor and/or the countertop, otherwise, choose something cheaper.
So, what do you think of these original kitchens with no tile on the walls? Have you decided your favorite material yet?
You may also want to read about kitchen countertops materials and design.