13 Gorgeous Marble Backsplash Ideas to Refresh Any Kitchen

Go for Dense Veining

The dense veining in this marble backsplash adds a sense of sophisticated weightiness to this kitchen and pairs perfectly with the gray-cream cabinets, black stove, and (matching) kitchen table. Notice how the designer didn't shy away from the size, either. The backsplash stretches from the bottom of the countertop to the base of the upper cabinets.

Try a Statement-Making Stove Backsplash

While placing your marble backsplash along the kitchen countertops is a classic choice, consider making a bold statement with a large slab of marble placed just above your stove. Here, Josh and Naomi Gibson of Gibson House used marble as a beautiful contrast against the home's 180-year-old barn wood—a nod to the wood-burning stoves of yesteryear.

Lean Into Contrasting Colors

While neutral tones pair brilliantly with marble backsplash, that doesn't mean you must shy away from color. Here, olive green cabinets stand out against the soft gray-and-black veining in this marble. Note how it stretches across both the countertops and against the walls as a backsplash. Brass handles lend to a glamorous finish.

Elevate the Everyday

For this home with an "elevated-yet-laid-back California vibe" designer Amber Lewis, the CEO of Amber Interiors Design Studio, selected marble to complement the neutral palette. "The combination of marble with greige cabinets and antique hardware is the perfect mix," she says.

Try Tiles

You don't have to go with a marble slab, another option is to use tiles. "To make a space feel luxe, we often gravitate towards marble tile," Hammel says. "This one gives a traditional coastal style home a refined touch. It effortlessly mixes with more casual details like the farmhouse sink to give the room easy sophistication."

Put a Shelf on it

One popular design feature is a marble shelf that's affixed to the top of the backsplash, as seen here in cookbook author and design blogger Athena Calderon's gorgeous kitchen. The lifestyle expert uses the space to display pottery, a vintage lamp, and an antique mirror.

Add Texture

"I love how this backsplash creates such a clean and dramatic aesthetic—it's the perfect way to maintain simple lines while adding color and texture," says Bailey Austin of Bailey Austin Design.

You Can't Go Wrong with White

"Slab marble in classic white always looks tailored and correct," says Michael Schoeller, co-owner of Schoeller + Darling Design. "There's a reason why some finishes become classics. A polished finish and white-on-white never gets old in my book, especially with blue walls."

Play with Patterns

"It's so fun to mix tile of different textures and sizes in a kitchen, as it gives the room much more visual depth," says Prudence C. Bailey, founder and principal designer of Prudence Home + Design.

In this kitchen, she used 4-by-8 subway tiles to give the illusion of a bigger space, and then added 1-by-3 Carrara marble tiles in a herringbone pattern for the backsplash. "The end result is a clean and chic kitchen that will last a lifetime," she says.

Go Short

"I love a delicate short marble backsplash," says interior designer Emily Henderson. "It's elegant and modern, but still protects your wall from those water stains."

One-of-a-Kind Design

"I love a solid slab for a backsplash," says Jennifer Muirhead of Jennifer Muirhead Interiors. "Because of the natural variations in veining, it will always look custom and unique." The counters in this kitchen were fabricated from the same slab for a seamless look.

Try Honed for a Smooth Finish

A honed or matte finish has become popular for countertops and backsplashes. "The finish absorbs the light and the stone looks more like suede," says Schoeller. He designed this modern kitchen with dark gray marble to match the gray oak cabinetry.

Beyond the Backsplash

Matching a marble backsplash with a waterfall island, like in this sophisticated kitchen by Cortney Bishop of Cortney Bishop Design, is another popular design trend.