Back to Kitchen Surface Ideas

Backboard Ideas

From trend-led tones to luxe-styled laminate, these backboard ideas offer creative ways to add a decorative touch to walls in a cooking space, whether planning a brand-new remodel or looking to breathe new life into an existing interior. Showcasing some of the best schemes from real homes and borders that are proving popular among homeowners, these kitchen surface ideas will get you on the right track to reinvent a room with wall coverings.

Top 10 backboard designs

1. Metro-style made simple

Get the metro tile look for less by switching to laminate. This budget backboard idea will recreate this popular border without the added cost.

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1. Metro-style made simple

A tiled border is a staple feature in cooking spaces thanks to its glossy finish and simple geometric pattern. However, it is time consuming to install and requires regular grouting to look fresh. With low-maintenance laminate, you can recreate this patterned border in a low-cost, manmade material. With new printing techniques, laminate replicates the texture, pattern, and appearance of tiles, without the need for grout, saving time and money in the long term.

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2. Be savvy with solid surfaces

Go for compact laminate as a good alternative to solid stone borders. Its solid core is equally hardwearing and resistant to water.

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2. Be savvy with solid surfaces

Compact laminate is a great alternative to solid stone thanks to its solid core that is non-porous. This means it is resistant to water, stains and scratches, making it a great addition for high-traffic areas and those places that get wet easily, like behind a cleaning area. It also has an ultra-thin design so its easier to fit compared to stone options as it can be installed simply with a high-strength adhesive. With many colours to choose from, and with the colour running through its core to, it is easy to achieve a co-ordinated design.

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3. Steal the way with grey

Breathe new life into a space by adding grey coverings to your walls. This popular shade is here to stay making it a safe bet for tired designs or rentals.

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3. Steal the way with grey

Grey interiors have become the go-to for many homeowners, thanks to its cool palette and neutral hue that sets the mood for a relaxing atmosphere. This colour is also easy to pair with a wide variety of decors, making it a sure choice when looking to spruce up an existing design or those homes that are being updated to rent out. We recommend following @our.home.reno’s lead, by choosing grey borders that match the work area. This trick dials up a premium effect for added letting appeal.

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4. Try out timber texture

Introduce elements from the great outdoors with oak-effect borders. It will add warmth and character to a room in an understated way.

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4. Try a timber texture

As we spend more time indoors, many of us are looking to Mother Nature to inspire our interiors so we can bring the outside in to promote positive wellbeing in the home. A simple way to harness a natural aesthetic is by choosing oak-effect borders to span the walls of a room. Replicating the look of natural timber, these wall coverings will instantly fill the area with warmth and character with a trending texture without overpowering the design with too many wooden features.

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5. Open up to white

Play it safe with white borders when space is at a premium. This backboard idea for smaller rooms will make the area appear open due to the pale hue.

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5. Open up to white

White borders are a safe option for homeowners working in a compact space as its fresh hue reflects natural light for a bright and open feel. This is important for rooms where cabinetry is positioned top and bottom of the wall as the cupboards can often cast shadows where the border would be placed. To eliminate a dark or cramped appearance, @vista_property_group have used a white border in their customer’s design to brighten up this area, with added style points for the veined marble detail, which is right on trend.

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6. Sink into inky tones

Create a dramatic look in your cooking space by choosing black for your wall panels. Besides making a bold statement, it will show fewer marks too.

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6. Sink into inky tones

As the trend for dark interiors shows no sign of slowing, more of us are looking to sultry features to reinvent our spaces. Borders are a great way to dip your toe into this approach without committing to a completely black interior. Polished options will reflect light for a less intense take on this bold theme. Meanwhile, matt surfaces can be used to intensify the tone for a boutique-style touch to your design that will also show fewer marks from splashes and spills when cleaning.

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7. Choose clean-easy gloss

For a clean-friendly covering that will save time on chores, opt for a gloss finish. The high-shine surface is easy to wipe down without elbow grease.

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7. Choose clean-easy gloss

When it comes to reducing regular cleaning and maintenance, gloss panels are a great choice. The high-shine material repels water with ease, so cooking splashes and spills are easy to wipe away. The smooth surface is also easy to wipe down with a damp cloth without the need for specialist detergents or strenuous scrubbing, making it a great addition for multi-generational homes where reaching could be a strain. The polished finish also reflects light for a brightening effect that ensures a design looks clean and hygienic for longer.

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8. Try a textured touch

When it comes to achieving a luxury backboard idea then a textured surface is the way to go. Mix and match materials for maximum impact.

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8. Try a textured touch

The maximalist trend often associated with luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants harnesses a more is more approach when it comes to layering materials within an interior, which is why textured surfaces have become a go-to for creating this look at home. Choosing boards with a tactile finish will create a sensory experience that feeds into our need for more authentic products adding a premium touch to a design. To be a trailblazer, mix and match your surfaces from wall to worktop for added wow factor.

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9. Lead with longer lengths

Select longer lengths for your borders to create a premium look. This modern backboard idea will also lead the eye through a room for a spacious effect.

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9. Lead with longer lengths

If you have chosen to go contemporary with your cupboard style, then take inspiration from @mrssimpson07’s makeover by selecting extra-long, 3m lengths for your wall coverings. This modern backboard idea will cover larger areas with ease, creating a seamless effect that spans the entire wall without unsightly joins. Adding architectural lines to the design - characteristic of modern interiors -this will also lead the eye through the space, making it appear larger and more spacious.

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10. Prepare for heat

Protect a decorative border from wear and tear by fixing a backsplash around cooking areas. Resistant to high temperatures, these panels will take the heat.

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Prepare for heat

Try these clear boards that are heat resistant and hardwearing when installing a border behind a cooking space. Designed to protect the walls from splashes and spills they also stand up they will prevent your backboard from warping due to high temperatures. Go with a clear style, to ensure your wallboard remains the focal point while still being discreetly protected.

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11. Create a colour pop

Bright shades are making a comeback and borders offer a quick fix to introduce a splash of colour without remodelling. Go for acrylic to keep the look crisp.

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11. Create a colour pop

As we spend more time indoors, homeowners are looking to bolder shades to re-invigorate their living space and craft a home that is centred around positive wellbeing. To add a pop of colour with little effort, we recommend adding a backboard in a bright hue. Our collection of acrylic borders includes pastel tones and vibrant accents to transform a room without a full remodel.

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12. Go for a pro setup

For homes with budding chefs, consider metal panels. As the primary choice among professionals, they are known to be hardwearing and easy to clean.

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12. Go for a pro setup

Professional cooking spaces experience plenty of wear and tear when delivering a dinner service, so it is safe to say the materials they choose will stand up to the demands of a busy house. This is why we recommend selecting metal back panels when kitting out a cooking zone that meets the needs of a budding chef. Hardwearing and easy to keep clean, they will look as good as new for longer.

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