Skip Boring Backsplashes: The Modern Trend That's Set To Take Over 2027

No one wants a boring backsplash. The space between your kitchen countertops and cabinets doesn't just serve a practical purpose, but makes an interesting visual statement in your kitchen. Some of the most popular backsplash ideas for 2026 have followed this line with stone slabs, mixed materials, and textured tiles. While these are still popular going into 2027, large format tiles are set to take over backsplash design in a major way.

A large format tile is typically any tile with one edge measuring more than 12 inches in length. They make an affordable and practical alternative to natural stone slabs, as the larger tiles can often mimic the look of stone while being made out of sturdy porcelain. Designer Ruchi A Mohan, quoted in Homes and Gardens, is transitioning from slabs to tiles, saying, "The options available in large-scale porcelain tile have continuously been improving and increasing; minimal grout lines keep the look seamless, and the ease of maintenance is unmatched."

A common size choice is 18-by 36-inch tile, which accommodates an 18-inch backsplash height. In many ways this continues the popular 2026 stone slab trend we've been seeing in kitchens, as you can find tiles that mimic the look of marble, quartz, and granite. But whereas slabs can cost up to $150 per square foot, large format tiles can be found for as little as $10 a square foot, which is a significant cost savings.

Since large format tiles have become a very attractive flooring alternative to wood and vinyl, and a supersized tile option for bathrooms, it should come as no surprise that they'd become a popular choice for backsplashes. Besides stone or porcelain, you can find large format tiles in less traditional materials like mirror finishes and different metal-like textures. You can also find ones that have patterns made to look like smaller tiles, so you can get a more textured look without actually grouting hundreds of small tiles onto the wall.

Another reason why you might want to try large format tiles as a backsplash idea is because of the scale they can add to a space. If you're working with a smaller kitchen, a larger tile backsplash could make the space feel more spacious than it actually is. Visual interruptions made by the grout lines of smaller tiles are lessened by the more cohesive look of large format tiles.

The one potential downside to large format tiles is that the continuous veining look that is so popular with natural stone can become stretched over the tile, losing some of the visual depth and detail. However, this isn't a huge mark against them and we think we'll be seeing a lot more large format tiles in kitchens come 2027.