Kitchen Design
Kitchen Splashback Ideas for South African Homes
Tiles, glass, stone, and Corian — the complete guide to choosing a splashback
5 min read · Cupboards2Cabinets design team
The splashback is a small area with an outsized visual effect, and it is the cheapest place to change the character of a kitchen later.
01The options
Each material trades cost against seams and cleanability.
- Ceramic or porcelain tile — widest choice, grout needs cleaning
- Toughened painted glass — seamless, easy to wipe, shows fingerprints
- Stone slab matching the worktop — most luxurious, highest cost
- Corian or solid surface — seamless coving into the worktop
- Stainless steel — commercial look, extremely heat-tolerant behind a hob
02Behind the hob
Local regulations and appliance manuals usually require a non-combustible surface behind a gas hob with a defined clearance to overhead units. Confirm the specific clearance for your appliance before finalising the design.
03Height and lighting
A full-height splashback to the underside of the wall units looks more intentional than a 300mm strip. Adding an under-cabinet LED channel above it turns the splashback into the light source for the whole worktop.
The takeaway
Match the splashback to how you cook: stone slab for looks, glass for easy cleaning, tile for character and budget.
Planning this project yourself?
Use our cost estimator for an indicative range, or book a free home consultation and we'll measure, design and quote precisely.