The Perfect Splashback for Your IKEA Kitchen

An IKEA kitchen is a smart choice: affordable, well-designed and with enough front options to suit every taste. The only thing that rarely gets the attention it deserves is that bare wall above the worktop. A custom splashback is the fastest and most affordable way to give your IKEA kitchen a premium look, without replacing a single cabinet. Below you’ll read how to pick the right design, how to measure perfectly, and why a made-to-measure splashback is often a smarter choice than IKEA’s LYSEKIL panels.

Why an IKEA kitchen deserves a beautiful backsplash

IKEA has been Europe’s largest kitchen retailer for years. The METOD system offers endless combinations of cabinets, fronts and worktops, but when it comes to the finishing touches it often leaves you to figure things out yourself. Most IKEA kitchens are delivered with a plain painted or tiled wall, while that wall is the first thing you notice when you walk in.

A well-chosen splashback does several things at once:

• Visual focal point: the splashback draws the eye and gives your kitchen character.
• Protection: splashes, grease and steam are caught by a smooth, easy-to-clean surface without grout lines.
• Added value: a finished kitchen looks complete and feels immediately more high-end.
• Personal style: choose from hundreds of designs instead of IKEA’s handful of standard options.

The best part: you don’t have to tear your kitchen apart. A splashback is mounted straight over the existing wall or tiles, often in less than an hour. The installation guide shows you exactly how it works.

IKEA LYSEKIL vs. a custom splashback: the honest comparison

IKEA sells its own wall panels under the name LYSEKIL, available in a handful of patterns and standard sizes. They do the job: your wall is finished. But if you want your kitchen to look like an interior designer took a look, you’ll quickly run into five concrete limitations.

• Design choice: LYSEKIL offers around 5 to 10 patterns. Designerwand gives you a choice of more than 500 designs, from marble look and wood look to concrete look, botanical, photographic and more.
• Made to measure: LYSEKIL comes in fixed sizes. A custom splashback is produced to your exact centimetres, including cut-outs for sockets and switches.
• Material: LYSEKIL is double-sided laminate. A DW Original splashback is printed on sturdy board with a scratch-resistant top layer. Want something heavier-duty? Go for solid aluminium or tempered glass.
• Seamless: LYSEKIL panels are 120 cm wide max. If you have a longer worktop, you end up with a visible seam. Our custom splashbacks are delivered in one piece up to over 300 cm.
• Price: LYSEKIL costs around €40 to €70 per panel. A made-to-measure splashback starts from €100, for a complete panel in your exact dimensions. For an average 200 × 60 cm backsplash you’re on a comparable budget, but with more choice, no seams and a clearly higher-quality finish.

In short: LYSEKIL is fine as a quick, budget solution. If you really want to upgrade your IKEA kitchen, a custom splashback is the logical next step.

Which splashback suits your IKEA kitchen style?

IKEA offers dozens of fronts within the METOD system. Broadly speaking, most kitchens fall into three styles: white, wood look or dark. Each style calls for a different type of splashback.

White IKEA kitchen (VOXTORP, RINGHULT, VEDDINGE)

A white kitchen is a blank canvas. Almost any design works here, but three directions consistently look best:

• Marble look: Calacatta, Carrara or Statuario instantly give a white kitchen a luxurious feel. Browse the marble-look collection.
• Botanical and green: tropical leaves or subtle plant prints bring life into a crisp white kitchen. Explore the floral and plant designs.
• Terrazzo and patterns: playful, colourful and thoroughly contemporary. Ideal if you’re after an airy Scandinavian feel. Have a look at the patterns & stripes collection.

With white fronts you can happily go for an eye-catching design. The neutral surroundings let your splashback take centre stage without making the kitchen feel busy.

Wood-look IKEA kitchen (ASKERSUND, EKESTAD, TORHAMN)

Wood fronts call for a splashback that adds warmth without competing with the grain of the wood:

• Concrete look: the combination of wood and concrete is an interior classic. Industrial, yet warm. Discover the concrete-look splashbacks.
• Natural stone in warm tones: think sandstone, travertine or warm grey. Blends seamlessly with the earthy tone of wood, with the same calm aesthetic.
• Subtle white or light grey: want to keep things calm? A light splashback adds contrast and space without distracting from your fronts.

Dark IKEA kitchen (KUNGSBACKA, NICKEBO, UPPLÖV)

Dark kitchens are bold and stylish, but can quickly feel heavy. The splashback plays a key role in balancing the look:

• Light marble look: white marble with grey or gold veining creates a luxurious contrast against dark fronts.
• Wood look: light oak or walnut brings warmth into a dark kitchen. Check out the wood-look splashbacks.
• Metallic or dark stone: for the all-in look. Dark bluestone or a black marble finish gives an uncompromising statement result.

Not sure which design suits your IKEA kitchen? Upload a photo of your kitchen through the free simulation service. You’ll get a realistic visualisation of the design in your own space, so you can choose with zero risk.

Measuring: how to measure your IKEA kitchen splashback

One of the advantages of IKEA kitchens is that they use standardised dimensions. That makes measuring your splashback relatively easy. Still, there are a few things specific to IKEA METOD kitchens you don’t want to skip.

IKEA METOD standard dimensions as a starting point

Most IKEA METOD setups share these characteristics:

• Worktop height: 91 cm (standard METOD base cabinet 80 cm + legs 8 cm + worktop 3.8 cm).
• Height between worktop and wall cabinet: usually 50 to 60 cm.
• Width: depends on your layout. METOD cabinets come in widths of 20, 40, 60 and 80 cm.

This gives you a solid starting point, but always measure the actual situation. Walls aren’t always perfectly straight and distances can vary by a few millimetres.

Step-by-step measuring

1. Measure the width: measure from wall to wall (or cabinet to cabinet) at three heights: top, middle and bottom. Note the smallest measurement.
2. Measure the height: measure from the top of the worktop to the bottom of the wall cabinets. Do this at at least three points along the width.
3. Sockets and switches: note the position of every socket. Measure the distance from one fixed reference point, for example the left corner of the splashback.
4. Check the wall: hold a spirit level against the wall. Does the wall deviate more than 3 mm across the width of the splashback? Consider levelling the wall first for a perfect finish.

Read the full measuring guide for detailed step-by-step instructions with images.

Tip: order slightly larger

When ordering, feel free to add 5 to 10 mm of extra width. The splashback disappears behind the worktop at the bottom and against or under the wall cabinets at the top, so a few extra millimetres won’t show and will save you from a tight fit.

Materials: which splashback fits an IKEA budget?

Designerwand offers three materials. Each has its own character and price range, and for most IKEA kitchens there’s one clear winner in terms of value for money.

• DW Original: the most popular material. Lightweight, scratch-resistant and easy to install yourself. Starts from €100. Ideal for IKEA kitchens because it’s budget-friendly and still looks premium. Read more about DW Original.
• Solid (solid aluminium): exceptionally heat-resistant and robust. Suited to intensive use and behind a gas hob. Slightly higher price bracket, but virtually indestructible. See the details on the solid aluminium page.
• Glass (tempered glass): tempered glass with the print on the reverse. The most luxurious option, with a glossy, deep look. Highest price bracket, but the result is spectacular. More info on the tempered glass page.

For most IKEA kitchens DW Original offers the best value for money. You get a high-quality splashback that looks more expensive than it is, and that you can install yourself without any special tools.

Want to see and feel the material first? Order a sample and judge the quality at home in the light of your own kitchen.

From order to installation: here’s how it works

Ordering a splashback at Designerwand is done in four steps:

1. Choose your design: browse the splashbacks collection or get inspired by the various design categories.
2. Configure to measure: enter your exact dimensions using the online calculator. You’ll see the price for your chosen material immediately.
3. Optional: free simulation: upload a photo of your kitchen for a free simulation. That way you know before you order that the design fits your IKEA fronts and worktop.
4. Receive and install: your splashback is made to measure and delivered to your door. You install it yourself with construction adhesive or the included mounting system. Check the installation instructions for details.

Delivery usually takes 5 to 7 working days. There’s no need to hire a professional: most customers install their splashback themselves in 30 to 60 minutes.

Inspiration: popular IKEA kitchen + splashback combinations

For inspiration: these are the combinations we regularly see from customers with IKEA kitchens.

• VOXTORP white + Calacatta marble look: the classic. Sleek, timeless and looks like a kitchen with double the budget.
• ASKERSUND ash pattern + grey concrete look: warm wood combined with rugged concrete. Industrial and inviting at the same time.
• KUNGSBACKA anthracite + white Carrara marble: the contrast between dark fronts and light marble is pure elegance.
• VEDDINGE grey + botanical print: a subtle grey kitchen brought to life with green leaves as the splashback.
• RINGHULT high-gloss white + terrazzo: playful, modern and perfect for anyone who doesn’t want their kitchen to feel plain.

Every IKEA kitchen is different, and that’s exactly why made to measure works so well. You decide the design, the dimensions and the material. The result is always unique.

Frequently asked questions about IKEA kitchen splashbacks

Does a custom splashback fit every IKEA METOD kitchen?

Yes. Because every splashback is made to measure, it fits any IKEA METOD setup, regardless of your cabinet combination or layout. You provide the exact dimensions and receive a panel that matches to the millimetre. It’s also the solution for non-standard setups such as a corner kitchen or an island with its own backsplash — something IKEA itself doesn’t offer.

Is a custom splashback more expensive than IKEA LYSEKIL?

A custom splashback starts from €100. For a standard 200 × 60 cm backsplash you’re often looking at a comparable budget to two LYSEKIL panels side by side. The difference is in what you get: a seamless panel in exactly the right size, a design from a collection of more than 500 options and a higher-quality material that lasts longer and is easier to clean.

Can I install the splashback in my IKEA kitchen myself?

Absolutely. Most splashbacks are installed with construction adhesive or the included mounting system. In IKEA kitchens the wall behind the worktop is usually flat and free of obstacles, which makes installation even easier. You don’t need any special tools. Read the installation guide for all the details and a step-by-step plan.

How do I know which design suits my IKEA kitchen?

Upload a photo of your kitchen through the free simulation service. You’ll receive a realistic visualisation of the design in your own kitchen, so you can be sure it matches your IKEA fronts and worktop. Want to judge the materials for yourself too? Then order a sample and see the print and texture at home in your own light.

Conclusion: give your IKEA kitchen the splashback it deserves

An IKEA kitchen is an excellent foundation, and it’s a custom splashback that really makes it feel personal. On a budget from €100 you choose from hundreds of designs, receive a seamless panel in your exact size and install it yourself in less than an hour.

Whether you have a sleek white VOXTORP kitchen, a warm wood-look ASKERSUND or a bold dark KUNGSBACKA: there’s always a splashback that takes your kitchen to the next level. Browse the full splashbacks collection, request a free simulation to see the result in your own kitchen, and discover how easy a made-to-measure IKEA kitchen splashback can be.