A backsplash is the protective wall surface behind a sink or stove in a kitchen or bathroom. It's usually made of tile, stone, metal, or another water-resistant material that's easy to clean. The name makes sense when you think about what happens during cooking or washing dishes: water, grease, and food particles splash backward onto the wall. Without a backsplash, your walls would get stained, damaged, and grimy pretty quickly.

In kitchens, backsplashes often extend from the countertop up to the bottom of the cabinets. They catch splatters from cooking, spills from food prep, and splashes from the sink. In bathrooms, a backsplash behind the sink helps prevent water damage when people wash their hands or brush their teeth.

Many people choose decorative tiles or patterns for their backsplash since it's such a visible part of the room. You might see colorful ceramic tiles, shiny subway tiles, or even glass mosaic patterns. A backsplash is both practical and decorative: it protects the wall while adding style to the space. Next time you're in a kitchen, look at the area behind the stove. That section of tile or stone doing the important work of keeping the wall clean and dry is the backsplash.