Room Design
Kitchen Design
By
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel
Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.
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Published on 03/24/24
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A beadboard backsplash is a simple finish that can add charm and coziness to your kitchen at an affordable price point. Traditional beadboard consists of narrow vertical wood panels that fit together using a tongue-and-groove system, creating signature gaps between the boards that add subtle definition to walls.
Modern beadboard options include variations like easy-to-DIY manufactured beadboard sheets that often feature wider vertical wood planks. These panels resemble vertical shiplap but are distinguished by the gaps between boards, rather than the overlapping wide horizontal boards that characterize traditional shiplap.
Check out these kitchens in various styles ranging from farmhouse to coastal, rustic, and modern that feature beadboard backsplashes in natural, white, or colorful painted finishes for inspiration.
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Beadboard and Peg Rail
A beadboard backsplash will lend character to a modern farmhouse kitchen. Liz Marie Blog paired the beadboard backsplash in this all-white kitchen with a pegrail shelf above for a cozy look.
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Colorful Tongue-and-Groove
Tongue-and-groove paneling painted in a rich color will add elegance to a traditional space. Open shelving painted in the same shade creates an opportunity to display decor or add storage, like this space from deVOL Kitchens.
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Tall Beadboard Backsplash
Give your kitchen a light and airy feel with a tall beadboard backsplash painted in the same color as the walls. Leanne Ford Interiors paired the thin beadboard backsplash in this renovated farmhouse kitchen with marble countertops, an apron front sink, and natural wood base cabinetry for a timeless finish.
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Beige Beadboard Backsplash
Give a modern farmhouse kitchen a sleek feel with wide beadboard panels from countertop to ceiling. Ashley Montgomery Design painted the paneling in a warm beige and paired it with black stone countertops and a small cap. Open shelving painted in the same color and finished with brass railings to match the plumbing hardware add storage and display space.
Dealing With Moisture
Traditional beadboard made from wood can absorb water, leading to warping. If this is a concern, choose waterproof or water-resistant beadboard made from materials such as MDF and PVC. Or mix beadboard backsplash walls with a short stone or tile cap where the backsplash meets the countertop for better durability.
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White Beadboard With Tile
Pair a traditional beadboard backsplash with a tile cap between the countertop and the wall to add protection against moisture and a decorative element. Maison de Cinq layered on white finishes in this French country-inspired kitchen for a cohesive look.
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Beadboard and Granite
Red painted tongue-and-groove paneling combined with black granite countertops and brass hardware will give your kitchen old world gravitas. This backsplash from deVOL Kitchens has distinctive grooves between wider wood panels that add definition to the kitchen.
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V-Groove Beadboard Panels
Choose a durable paint finish that will help protect a beadboard backsplash against water damage. Yellow Brick Home painted this DIY beadboard backsplash made from MDF with a few coats of Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel that is rated for both indoor and outdoor use.
Try Beadboard Sheets
Give your kitchen a modern look with sheets of V-groove beadboard panels that mimic the look of traditional beadboard albeit with wider planks whose V-shaped grooves are embedded in the board while being fabricated.
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Dark Stained Beadboard
Use dark finishes to give your kitchen a moody feel. Ashley Montgomery Design paired rich beadboard paneling with dark stone and chocolate brown cabinetry for a grounded feel in this modern farmhouse kitchen.
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Dark Blue Beadboard
Carry a beadboard backsplash from countertops to the ceiling and behind the range for a cohesive feel. White Arrowpaired deep blue beadboard wall paneling with light marble countertops and a small cap between the countertops and backsplash to make this space as user-friendly as it is stylish.
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Transitional Beadboard
Pair cream-color beadboard and matching cabinetry with mixed metal accents for a transitional kitchen. Whittney Parkinson Design mixed brass hardware and plumbing fixtures with copper cookware for a warm look.
How to Clean Beadboard
The signature gaps between beadboard panels give dust, dirt, and grime a place to hide. Be sure to dust as well as clean your beadboard backsplash with a damp sponge regularly to keep it looking its best.
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Contemporary Beadboard
Modern beadboard sheets that feature larger panels will add texture to a modern space. Louis Duncan-He Designs installed a tall beadboard backsplash in this contemporary finished basem*nt that makes the small kitchenette feel more expansive. The vertical boards make the ceilings feel taller.
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Farmhouse Beadboard
Pair a classic painted white beadboard backsplash with a vintage sink to give a renovated farmhouse kitchen an authentic feel. Leanne Ford Interiors paired the wall paneling with a zellige tile backsplash above the gas stovetop and finished the range hood in the same beadboard to tie the look together.
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Beadboard Effect Wallpaper
For a budget-friendly take, try beadboard wallpaper. This apartment kitchen from xoxojackie.com mixes beadboard wallpaper with raised grooves for a trompe l'oeil look with multi-colored terrazzo countertops for a mix of old and new.
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Matching Beadboard Island
Give your kitchen a coordinated feel by covering both your backsplash and the front of your kitchen island in beadboard paneling. Foxy Oxie painted the beadboard finishes in this DIY kitchen renovation pearl gray to allow it to stand out against white walls, cabinetry, and countertops.
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Black Beadboard
Paint beadboard wall panels black or midnight blue for a dramatic look. This space from deVOL Kitchens combined wide tongue-and-groove paneling with white countertops and mixed metals for a high-contrast mix.
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Beadboard Everywhere
Carry beadboard paneling throughout the kitchen for a cohesive feel. Leanne Ford Interiors ran thin traditional vertical beadboard panels on every wall of this renovated farmhouse kitchen, painting it all bright white. Open shelving with decorative wall brackets are similarly white-washed for a coordinated look.
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Coastal Kitchen Beadboard
Cover the walls and range hood with wide vertical painted wood paneling in a modern coastal kitchen. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors paired the simple walls with decorative white embossed tiles over the sink that add texture to the minimalist space.
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Beadboard and Marble
Mix beadboard and marble for a classic pairing that can work in traditional, transitional, or modern spaces. Jessica Nelson Design paired wide beadboard paneling and stone slabs for a mixed material backsplash that adds texture to this neutral kitchen.
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Beadboard and Quartz Slabs
Mix marble-effect quartz with wide beadboard panels for a clean modern farmhouse look, like this space from Ashley Montgomery Design.
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Beadboard and Textured Wall
Add contrast by pairing a simple white beadboard backsplash with textured paint on the wall above. Jersey Ice Cream Co added texture and warmth to this timeless kitchen with soft pink paint.
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Full Wall Beadboard
Carry a wide beadboard backsplash all the way up to the wall to emphasize the tall ceilings of a cottage kitchen, like this space from Kate Marker Interiors. The clean white wood paneling modernizes the cottage kitchen decorated with rustic wood finishes and furniture.
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Butler's Pantry Beadboard
Line your butler's pantry walls with beaded shiplap or beadboard to complement wood cabinetry. Whittney Parkinson Design painted the beaded shiplap backsplash in a smoky blue-gray for a moody look.
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Stained Beadboard
Choose stained rather than painted beadboard wall paneling for a natural feel. Tyler Karu Design + Interiors paired wide boards that show off the wood grain with deep blue zellige tiles for a modern coastal kitchen feel.
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Beadboard Lighting
Use a tall beadboard backsplash as an anchor for ambient kitchen lighting. Embed a sconce into beadboard paneling to add warm lighting to your kitchen that doubles as decor, like this DIY kitchen renovation from Foxy Oxie.
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Dark Wood Backsplash
Pair dark stained wide beadboard backsplash panels with matching wood trim for a modern look like this space from Tyler Karu Design + Interiors. The dark stained wood adds dimension to the wall and contrast with pearl gray cabinetry.
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Wrap-Around Beadboard
Beadboard walls will help define a kitchen that is open to an adjoining room. Jessica Nelson Design paired painted taupe beadboard walls with marble countertops in this farmhouse kitchen that harmonizes with the nearby dining room.
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Budget Beadboard Backsplash
Beadboard is an affordable way to give your kitchen a makeover without a full renovation. The Frugal Homemaker installed this DIY beadboard backsplash for the budget-friendly sum of just $40.
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Light Natural Beadboard
Light natural wood paneling adds a fresh modern feel to your kitchen or butler's pantry backsplash. Marie Flanigan Interiors paired wide beadboard paneling with white stone countertops for a light and airy feel with plenty of warmth.
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Beadboard Paneling
Mix modern beadboard paneling with wide boards with stone for a seamless and practical pairing. Ashley Montgomery Design paired flat beadboard wall panels with thick trim details around the window and French doors for a dimensional look.
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Two-Tone Beadboard
Give your black-and-white kitchen some edge with a two-tone painted beadboard backsplash. Leanne Ford Interiors painted the lower portion of this beadboard kitchen backsplash in a semi-gloss black to add contrast with the white above, carrying the dark color on lower cabinetry and the central dining table.
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Beadboard and Veined Marble
Mix wide beadboard paneling with heavily veined marble for a modern feel with a mix of textures, like this kitchen from Mindy Gayer Design Co. The neutral tones of the various finishes create a calm feel with plenty of interest.
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Beadboard Around Window
If your kitchen sink has a window above, run beadboard around it and to the ceiling to make it feel airier. Marie Flanigan Interiors paired white beadboard wall panels with dark stained wood countertops and brick tile flooring for a timeless country-style feel in this spacious walk-in pantry.
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Beadboard and Stone
Mix a white beadboard backsplash with a dark gray stone cap and integrated range backsplash for a custom look, like this space from Whittney Parkinson Design.
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DIY Beadboard Backsplash
Pre-made beadboard paneling is an affordable DIY project to fix up a kitchen that's in need of a refresh. Artful Homemaking covered up an uneven wall after ripping out an existing tin backsplash with a single sheet of beadboard paneling that cost less than $20, giving the kitchen a fresh and clean look without breaking the budget.
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Wide Beadboard Backsplash
Beadboard paneling adds a subtle hint of texture to a wall but is happy to take a back seat when more colorful or patterned finishes come along. Ashley Montgomery Design paired a modern beadboard backsplash with decorative patterned tile behind the range in this traditional style kitchen. Natural wood accents add warmth.
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Cottage-Style Beadboard
Mix a traditional beadboard backsplash with thicker wood-clad cabinetry doors for a cozy cottage-style look. Paint it all white for a cohesive feel that will bring attention to the subtle variations in the wood finishes.
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Granite Countertops
Adding a beadboard backsplash is an easy, affordable way to update your kitchen without a total renovation, like this DIY space from Liz Marie Blog.
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Beadboard With Subway Tile
Mix vertical beadboard panels with horizontal subway tiles to add texture to a small all-white kitchen. Classic Shaker cabinetry completes the timeless mix.
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Beadboard Laundry Nook
If your kitchen includes an adjacent laundry nook, create a cohesive look in both spaces with a beadboard backsplash. Becca Interiors created a clean finish by running the beadboard backsplash all the way up to the ceiling and on the adjoining wall. A black apron-front sink adds a modern farmhouse feel.
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Beadboard Cabinetry
House of Chais flipped the script with beadboard upper and lower cabinetry painted in alternating shades of white and gray to complement a graphic patterned backsplash. The beadboard finishes dominate the wall but the tile backsplash keeps it easy to maintain.
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Coat With Polyurethane
Protect beadboard made from natural wood with a top coat of polyurethane, like this DIY painted pine beadboard backsplash from The Merrythought.
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Tall Dark Beadboard
Define space in a rustic kitchen with a freestanding bank of cabinetry and a tall beadboard backsplash over the sink, like this space from deVOL Kitchens. The dark paint adds contrast with white walls and countertops and rustic wood ceiling beams.
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Beadboard and Textured Tile
Mix beadboard walls with textured tiles in the same color for a practical and textural look, like this vintage-style country space from deVOL Kitchens.
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Decorated Beadboard
Hang a black metal dishrack on a beadboard backsplash wall to provide a place to store or display dishware, like this modern farmhouse kitchen from Ashley Montgomery Design.