9 Stunning Brick Backsplash Kitchen Ideas for 2025

Tired of the same old sterile kitchen backsplashes that lack warmth and personality? A kitchen should be the heart of the home, a place that feels inviting and full of character, not just another room with generic subway tile. Finding a material that is both stylish and practical can feel like an impossible challenge, leaving you scrolling endlessly through inspiration that feels either too cold or too difficult to maintain.

You’re looking for a design choice that tells a story, a feature that adds texture, history, and a timeless feel to your culinary space. You want something that can adapt to your style, whether it’s a cozy farmhouse, a sleek modern loft, or an industrial-chic haven. The problem is balancing that unique aesthetic with the real-world demands of a busy kitchen—heat, splashes, and the need for easy cleaning.

The solution is a brick backsplash, a durable, versatile, and stunningly beautiful choice that infuses any kitchen with unmatched character. When properly sealed, brick is a powerhouse material that stands up to heat and moisture, making it as practical as it is charming. With options like affordable thin brick veneers, creating the kitchen of your dreams is easier and more accessible than ever before.

Is a Brick Backsplash the Right Choice for Your Kitchen?

A brick backsplash is a strong, durable, and stylish choice for almost any kitchen design. When properly sealed, it effectively withstands heat and moisture, making it a highly practical option. The main consideration is the porous nature of untreated brick, which necessitates sealing to prevent stains from cooking splashes. Thankfully, modern options like thin brick veneers make installation an affordable and DIY-friendly project, allowing you to get the authentic look without the structural challenges of solid brick.

The Unmistakable Pros of a Brick Backsplash

The appeal of a brick backsplash kitchen goes far beyond its looks. It offers a unique combination of practical benefits that have made it a favorite among designers and homeowners for decades.

• Aesthetic Versatility: Brick isn’t just for one style. Classic red brick is the cornerstone of rustic and farmhouse designs, while whitewashed brick creates a bright, airy feel perfect for coastal or shabby-chic aesthetics. Gray or black brick can provide a sophisticated backdrop for modern and industrial kitchens.
• Durability & Strength: As a building material, brick is inherently strong and built to last. It’s fire-resistant, making it a safe choice behind a stove, and it can handle the daily wear and tear of a busy kitchen without showing scuffs or scratches.
• DIY-Friendly Installation (Veneers): You don’t need to be a master mason to install a beautiful brick backsplash. Thin brick veneers are lightweight slices of real brick that are applied to the wall with adhesive, much like tile. This makes it a manageable and budget-friendly weekend project for many homeowners.
• Timeless Character: Unlike trendy materials that can look dated in a few years, brick has a timeless quality. A well-maintained brick veneer can last 50-100 years, adding lasting value and character that evolves with your home.

Key Considerations & Cons You Need to Know

While brick is a fantastic choice, it’s important to understand its characteristics to ensure it’s the right fit for you. The main cons of a brick backsplash are its porosity, which can lead to stains if not sealed, and its uneven texture, which can make cleaning more difficult than a smooth surface. Fortunately, these issues are easily managed with the right preparation and care.

• Porosity & Staining Risk: Untreated brick acts like a sponge, absorbing oils, sauces, and liquids. This is the single biggest concern, but it’s completely preventable. Applying 2-3 coats of a quality polyurethane sealant (available in matte, satin, and gloss finishes) creates an impenetrable barrier that makes the brick wipeable and stain-resistant.
• Cleaning Challenges: The natural texture and grout lines of brick mean you can’t just wipe it down with a paper towel like you would a sheet of glass. For everyday spills, a damp cloth works fine on a sealed surface. For a deeper clean, a soft-bristled brush and a non-acidic cleaner are all you need to get into the crevices.
• Installation Complexity (Solid Brick): While veneers are DIY-friendly, using full, solid bricks is a major construction project. It requires a reinforced foundation, significant structural support, and professional masonry skills, making it a much more complex and expensive undertaking.

Real Brick vs. Thin Brick Veneer: What’s the Difference?

When you hear “brick backsplash,” most modern applications are referring to thin brick veneer, not solid brick. Understanding the difference is key to planning your project.

• Thickness & Weight: Solid brick is a full-sized structural brick, typically several inches thick and very heavy. Thin brick veneer is a slice of real brick, usually about 1/2 inch thick, making it significantly lighter and easier to work with.
• Installation: Solid brick requires a masonry foundation and mortar, a job for a professional. Thin brick veneer is installed on the wall with tile adhesive and then grouted, a process very similar to tiling.
• Cost: The difference is significant. Solid brick installation is labor-intensive and can be costly. Thin brick veneers are much more affordable, making the look accessible for a wider range of budgets.

9 Stunning Brick Backsplash Kitchen Ideas to Inspire You in 2025

Ready for some inspiration? A brick backsplash is a design chameleon, able to transform a kitchen’s entire mood. We’ve curated a collection of the top trending styles for 2025, from timeless farmhouse classics to sleek contemporary twists. Each idea comes with actionable tips to help you bring the look home.

1. The Classic Red Brick for a Rustic Farmhouse Vibe

There’s nothing more inviting than the warm, rustic charm of a classic red brick backsplash. This look is the heart of farmhouse style, creating an instant sense of history and comfort. It pairs beautifully with both crisp white cabinets for a clean contrast and warm wood cabinets for a cohesive, earthy feel.

• Materials Needed: Red thin brick veneers (e.g., “Chicago” style), tile adhesive, grout (light gray or off-white), tile sponge, polyurethane sealant (matte finish).
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Prepare the wall by cleaning it thoroughly and ensuring it’s smooth.
  2. Apply tile adhesive to the wall in small, manageable sections using a trowel.
  3. Press bricks firmly into the adhesive using a traditional offset pattern. Use tile spacers to maintain consistent grout lines.
  4. Allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours. Then, apply grout, pressing it into the joints and wiping away any excess from the brick faces with a damp sponge.
  5. Once the grout has fully cured (typically 2-3 days), apply two even coats of a matte polyurethane sealant to protect the backsplash without adding shine.

Pro-Tip: For an authentic farmhouse look, choose a brick veneer with significant color variation and a tumbled edge. Pair with butcher block countertops and open floating shelves to complete the aesthetic.

Pin this classic look to your ‘Farmhouse Dream Kitchen’ board!

2. Elegant Whitewashed Brick for a Bright & Airy Feel

If you love the texture of brick but want a lighter, brighter aesthetic, a whitewashed finish is the perfect solution. This technique softens the look of the brick, lending a clean, elegant, and subtly rustic vibe that works well in coastal, Scandinavian, and modern farmhouse kitchens. The German smear technique, which involves applying mortar unevenly, offers a more textured, old-world variation.

• Materials Needed: Red or brown thin brick veneers, white latex paint, water, a mixing bucket, a paintbrush, and several clean rags.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Install the brick veneer backsplash as described in the previous point and let it cure completely.
  2. Create your whitewash mixture by combining one part white latex paint with one part water in a bucket. Stir well.
  3. Working in a small section, use a paintbrush to apply the mixture over the bricks and grout lines.
  4. Immediately use a clean rag to gently wipe and dab off some of the mixture. The more you wipe, the more of the original brick color will show through.
  5. Repeat this process, section by section, until the entire backsplash is covered. Allow it to dry completely before applying a sealant.

Lesson Learned: Test your whitewash mixture and technique on a spare brick or an inconspicuous area first. This helps you perfect the transparency before committing to the whole wall. A 50/50 paint-to-water ratio is a great starting point, but you can add more water for a lighter, more translucent wash.

Love this bright idea? Save it to your ‘Kitchen Remodel’ board!

3. Modern Gray Brick for a Sophisticated Look

Gray brick offers an understated, sophisticated alternative to traditional red. Its cool tones are perfect for creating a modern, sleek, or even moody kitchen design. It provides a subtle texture that adds depth without overwhelming the space, pairing perfectly with stainless steel appliances, dark cabinets, or creating a high-contrast look with light cabinets.

• Materials Needed: Gray-toned thin brick veneers, dark gray or black grout, tile adhesive, trowel, polyurethane sealant (satin finish).
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Select a gray brick veneer that complements your cabinet color. A lighter gray works well with dark cabinets, while a darker charcoal brick pops against white cabinets.
  2. For a distinctly modern look, install the bricks using a stacked bond pattern, where bricks are aligned perfectly in vertical and horizontal lines.
  3. Use a dark grout (dark gray or black) to minimize the contrast between bricks, creating a sleek, monolithic appearance.
  4. After the grout cures, apply a satin-finish sealant. This adds a slight sheen that catches the light and enhances the contemporary feel.

Pro-Tip: The color of your grout dramatically changes the final look. For a cohesive, modern aesthetic with gray brick, match the grout color as closely as possible to the brick color itself.

Click to save this sleek design to your ‘Modern Home’ Pinterest board!

4. Bold Black Brick for a Dramatic Statement

For a kitchen that truly makes an impact, a black brick backsplash is an unforgettable choice. It’s bold, dramatic, and surprisingly versatile. A black brick wall creates a powerful focal point, adding incredible depth and texture. To keep the look balanced and not overly dark, pair it with light countertops, warm wood shelving, and metallic accents like brass hardware.

• Materials Needed: Black or charcoal thin brick veneers, black grout, tile adhesive, polyurethane sealant (satin or semi-gloss).
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Install the black brick veneers using a traditional offset pattern to highlight the individual brick shapes.
  2. Use a matching black grout to create a seamless, deeply textured wall effect.
  3. Balance the darkness by pairing the backsplash with light-colored countertops (like white marble or light quartz) and warm wood open shelving.
  4. Apply a satin or semi-gloss sealant. This will add a subtle reflection of light, preventing the black from feeling too flat and making the texture pop.

Pro-Tip: A black backsplash absorbs a lot of light. Ensure your kitchen has excellent lighting, especially under-cabinet LED strips, to illuminate the workspace and highlight the brick’s beautiful texture.

Dare to go dark? Pin this dramatic look for later!

5. Dynamic Herringbone Pattern for a Contemporary Twist

Who says bricks have to be laid in straight lines? Arranging thin brick veneers in a herringbone pattern adds a dynamic, eye-catching element to your kitchen. This layout elevates the humble brick into a sophisticated design feature, adding movement and visual interest that works especially well in both modern and transitional spaces. It’s a fantastic way to make a big impact, even in a small kitchen.

• Materials Needed: Thin brick veneers, tile adhesive, notched trowel, a tile saw (essential for edge cuts), grout, and sealant.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Find the exact center point of your backsplash wall and draw a perfectly vertical line as your guide.
  2. Start laying the bricks from the center line. Place the first brick at a 45-degree angle to the line, and the next one at an opposing 45-degree angle to create the first “V” shape of the pattern.
  3. Continue working your way outwards from the center, ensuring the pattern remains tight and consistent.
  4. Use a tile saw to make the necessary angled cuts for the bricks that meet the countertop, cabinets, and corners.
  5. Once the adhesive has cured, grout and seal the backsplash as usual.

Lesson Learned: A herringbone pattern requires significantly more cuts and is less forgiving of mistakes than a standard offset pattern. It’s a fantastic DIY project, but be prepared to measure twice and cut once! Creating a cardboard template of your backsplash area first can help you plan the layout and minimize wasted material.

Add a twist to your kitchen! Save this pattern idea to your ‘Design Details’ board.

6. Industrial Chic with Exposed Brick and Metal

The industrial chic look is all about embracing raw, utilitarian materials. An exposed brick backsplash is the soul of this style, providing a gritty, textured backdrop for other industrial elements like stainless steel, dark metal, and reclaimed wood. This design celebrates imperfections and creates a space that feels both hard-working and effortlessly cool.

• Materials Needed: Brown or red brick veneers with a rough, uneven texture, dark gray or black grout, metal (steel or iron) pipe for shelving, and thick wood planks.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Install a rugged-looking brick veneer, intentionally embracing imperfections in the brick and spacing.
  2. Use a dark grout and consider a slightly “messy” application technique like overgrouting (where grout covers some of the brick edges) for an authentic, aged look.
  3. Build and install open shelving using industrial pipe fittings and thick, reclaimed wood planks above the backsplash.
  4. Pair the brick with stainless steel appliances and countertops to complete the ultimate industrial aesthetic.
  5. Seal the brick with a matte sealant to protect it while maintaining the raw, unfinished appearance.

Pro-Tip: To achieve the most authentic “exposed brick” feel, look for reclaimed thin brick veneers. These are sliced from the faces of old, demolished buildings and bring genuine history, character, and patina to your space that’s impossible to replicate with new materials.

Get the loft look! Pin this industrial kitchen inspiration.

7. The Brick and Marble Fusion for Ultimate Contrast

One of the biggest kitchen backsplash trends for 2025 is the art of mixing materials. Combining the rough, matte warmth of brick with the smooth, polished coolness of marble creates a stunning textural and visual contrast. This high-end look is all about sophisticated layering, resulting in a kitchen that feels custom, luxurious, and full of personality.

• Materials Needed: Brick veneers of your choice (classic red or whitewashed work well), a marble slab or large format marble tiles, and high-quality sealants appropriate for each surface.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Designate clear zones for each material. A popular and practical design is to use brick for the main backsplash walls and install a solid slab of marble behind the stove as a feature.
  2. Another option is to run a brick backsplash along the perimeter counters and feature a waterfall marble countertop on the kitchen island.
  3. Ensure a clean, crisp transition between the two materials. A simple butt joint, where the two materials meet directly, is often the cleanest and most modern approach.
  4. Carefully seal both surfaces with the correct type of sealant for each material to protect them from kitchen splashes and stains.

Pro-Tip: This trend is all about balance. Let one material be the star of the show. If you choose a dramatic, heavily veined marble, opt for a more uniform and subdued brick. Conversely, if your brick is highly rustic and varied in color, pair it with a calmer, less busy marble like Carrara.

Save this high-contrast look to your ‘Luxury Kitchen Ideas’ board!

8. Custom Painted Brick to Match Your Style

Have an existing brick backsplash that feels dated, or want to perfectly coordinate your backsplash with your cabinet color? Paint is the answer! Painting brick is a fantastic way to get the texture you love in any color you can imagine. From deep greens and blues to soft beige, a painted finish can completely transform your kitchen’s look while being a budget-friendly update.

• Materials Needed: Existing brick backsplash, TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner, a quality primer for masonry (like Zinsser 1-2-3), high-quality interior acrylic latex paint (a semi-gloss finish is recommended for kitchens), paint brushes, and a small roller.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Thoroughly clean the brick with a TSP solution and water to remove any built-up grease or grime. Let it dry completely for at least 24-48 hours.
  2. Apply one to two coats of a masonry primer. This step is crucial to block stains and prevent the porous brick from soaking up all your expensive paint.
  3. Once the primer is fully dry, begin applying your chosen paint color. Use a brush to cut in the grout lines and then use a roller for the flat faces of the bricks.
  4. Apply a second coat for full, even coverage. A semi-gloss finish is ideal for a backsplash as it’s durable and easy to wipe clean.

Lesson Learned: Do not skip the cleaning and priming steps! Any residual grease or soot on the brick will cause the paint to peel and fail over time. Without primer, you will use far more paint and end up with a blotchy, uneven finish. Patience during prep work pays off with a beautiful, lasting result.

Want a pop of color? Pin this painted brick tutorial now!

9. Mid-Century Modern with Reclaimed Brick

Mid-Century Modern (MCM) design is known for its clean lines, organic shapes, and connection to nature. While it might not be the first style you associate with brick, the right kind of brick can add the perfect touch of authentic, earthy texture. The key is to choose a brick with clean lines and pair it with classic MCM elements.

• Materials Needed: Thin reclaimed brick veneers (look for ones with a more uniform, rectangular shape and consistent color), adhesive, grout, and floating shelves.
• Step-by-Step Directions:
  1. Choose a reclaimed brick with cleaner lines and a consistent warm orange or brown tone, which was a common material in mid-century architecture.
  2. Install the brick using a clean stacked bond or a simple, traditional offset pattern.
  3. Pair the brick backsplash with signature MCM flat-panel wood cabinetry, especially in warm woods like walnut or teak.
  4. Incorporate other Mid-Century elements like simple, minimalist hardware, sleek floating shelves, and a few carefully chosen decor items in classic colors like teal, orange, or avocado green.

Pro-Tip: The key to making brick work in an MCM kitchen is to let it be the primary source of texture. Keep all other surfaces smooth and lines clean to honor the design style. Avoid adding other rustic elements like barn doors or ornate fixtures, which would clash with the aesthetic.

Love vintage vibes? Save this Mid-Century idea to your ‘Retro Remodel’ board!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to a Perfect Brick Backsplash

Feeling inspired? Here are the most important points to remember as you plan your project.

• Seal, Seal, Seal: This is the most important rule. Untreated brick is porous. Always apply 2-3 coats of a quality polyurethane sealant (matte for a natural look, satin for a slight sheen) to protect your investment against stains and moisture.
• Veneer is Your Friend: For the vast majority of kitchen remodels, thin brick veneers are the best choice. They are lighter, more affordable, and much easier to install as a DIY project than full-sized solid bricks.
• Grout Matters: Don’t underestimate the power of grout color. It can dramatically change the final look. White or light grout makes patterns pop, while dark or matching grout creates a more monolithic, industrial feel.
• Don’t Fear the Clean: While it is textured, a properly sealed brick backsplash is easy to clean. A soft brush and mild, non-acidic soap and water are all you need to tackle any kitchen mess.
• Style is Versatile: From a cozy farmhouse kitchen to a sleek industrial loft, brick can fit almost any design. The key to success is pairing it with the right cabinets, countertops, and finishes to complete your vision.

People Also Ask About brick backsplash kitchen

Is brick good for a kitchen backsplash?

Yes, brick is an excellent choice for a kitchen backsplash. It is strong, durable, and can easily withstand the heat from a stove. When it is properly installed and sealed with a polyurethane sealant, it’s also resistant to moisture and stains, making it a practical and long-lasting option that adds timeless character to any kitchen.

What are the cons of brick backsplash?

The primary con of a brick backsplash is that untreated brick is porous and can absorb liquids, leading to stains. This is easily solved by applying a quality sealant. Secondly, its textured surface can be slightly more challenging to wipe clean than a smooth tile, sometimes requiring a soft brush for a deep clean.

Are brick backsplashes hard to clean?

A properly sealed brick backsplash is not hard to clean. The sealant creates a protective barrier that prevents grease and food from soaking into the brick or grout. For daily wipe-downs, a damp cloth is sufficient. For tougher, dried-on spots, a soft-bristled brush and a simple mixture of warm water and mild dish soap work effectively.

What is the trend in backsplash in 2025?

For 2025, a major trend in backsplashes is mixing materials to create rich texture and contrast. Combining a rustic material like brick with a sleek, polished one like a marble slab is a very popular high-end look. Additionally, using traditional materials like brick in unexpected patterns, such as herringbone, or painting it in bold, custom colors to match unique cabinetry are on-trend ways to personalize a kitchen space.

Final Thoughts

A brick backsplash is more than just a wall covering; it’s a way to infuse your kitchen with a story, warmth, and character that will last a lifetime. It proves that a surface can be both ruggedly handsome and elegantly refined, tough enough for a busy family kitchen yet beautiful enough to be its centerpiece. Whether you crave a cozy farmhouse feel, a sleek industrial edge, or a bright and airy retreat, there’s a brick style waiting for you.

Which of these ideas sparked your imagination the most? Let us know in the comments below