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A Hunker report highlights nine non-tile backsplash treatments used in Joanna Gaines’ design projects, from quartzite and marble to brick, concrete, shiplap and exposed stone. The examples come from past Fixer Upper projects and Magnolia properties; they are design references, not a new product launch or announcement.
Joanna Gaines has used nine alternatives to conventional tile backsplashes across past Fixer Upper renovations and Magnolia properties, according to a Hunker report. The examples include quartzite, galvanized metal, soapstone, marble, brick, concrete, shiplap, tongue-and-groove boards and exposed stone, showing how backsplash materials can connect with a room’s finishes and character.
The roundup draws on homes featured in Fixer Upper, the related Colorado Mountain House project, Magnolia properties and Gaines’ own design commentary. It describes past installations rather than a newly announced collection or a change to building guidance. Gaines has previously written on the Magnolia blog that homeowners are not limited to tile for a backsplash.
In the La Pequeña Colina home, featured in Fixer Upper Season 5, Episode 5, polished Macaubus quartzite was installed with its gray veining running horizontally. Gaines wrote that the stone offset the room’s rustic wood features and brought a modern look to the kitchen. Marble appeared in a different setting: the butler’s pantry in Fixer Upper: The Castle paired Calacatta marble counters and backsplash with sage-green cabinets.
Other examples use materials for texture or function. The Chicken House kitchen featured whitewashed brick pavers, which Gaines said helped keep patterned stove-side tile from looking busy. A craft room in the House of Symmetry used galvanized metal as a magnetic surface, while a modern ranch renovation used concrete backsplash panels. In the Magnolia House kitchen, Gaines kept exposed shiplap; a Mini Reni butler’s pantry used vertical tongue-and-groove boards. Bathrooms in the Colorado Mountain House used soapstone, and the Gristmill set for Magnolia Table retained exposed, whitewashed stone walls.
How Material Changes the Kitchen
The examples matter to readers planning a renovation because they show that a backsplash can be selected for more than splash protection or a familiar tile pattern. Stone, brick, metal and wood each create different visual effects, and some can contribute other practical features: Gaines’ galvanized-metal installation also worked as a magnetic board.
The projects also illustrate how a material choice can respond to the rest of a room. Quartzite brought a more modern note alongside rustic wood, while brick pavers provided contrast with patterned tile. These are design examples, not proof that every material is suitable for every kitchen. Durability, cleaning, installation and the surface’s exposure to water or heat should be checked for the specific product and location before work begins.
quartzite backsplash slabs kitchen
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Past Projects Behind the Ideas
Gaines’ design work has included both conventional tile and non-tile finishes. The Hunker report notes her use of subway tile and handmade tile as well as materials that depart from standard backsplash layouts. The roundup is built around examples from episodes and properties, including projects dating to Fixer Upper’s earlier seasons, rather than a single recent renovation.
Some of the featured surfaces are not kitchen backsplashes. The galvanized metal was installed in a craft room, and the soapstone examples are bathroom backsplashes. The Gristmill’s exposed stone was part of a broader effort to uncover original features of a late-19th-century mill. That distinction matters: the list offers ideas from varied rooms and buildings, not a recommendation that each material be used in the same way.
What the Roundup Does Not Establish
The report does not compare the materials’ prices, installation costs, maintenance needs or long-term performance. It also does not establish that Gaines endorses each option for every home or that any one material is a better choice than tile. The examples are drawn from specific designs, and the suitability of a finish depends on its product specifications, location and installation.
Several installations are described in rooms other than kitchens, and some designs combine materials rather than replacing tile throughout the room. The report does not provide measurements, product sources for every surface or detailed installation instructions. Readers should treat the projects as visual references, not a complete renovation plan.
What Homeowners Can Check
No follow-up announcement or new Gaines project is identified in the source material. For homeowners considering one of the alternatives, the next step is to confirm that the chosen material is appropriate for the intended surface, including its exposure to moisture, heat, grease and cleaning products. They can then compare samples with nearby counters, cabinets and flooring, and ask a qualified installer about preparation, sealing and upkeep.
The specific projects remain available as design references through the cited Fixer Upper episodes and Magnolia material. Any cost, availability or product details may depend on the supplier and location; the roundup does not provide current purchasing information.
Key Questions
What backsplash alternatives did Joanna Gaines use?
The roundup lists quartzite, galvanized metal, soapstone, Calacatta marble, brick pavers, concrete, shiplap, tongue-and-groove boards and exposed stone. The examples come from different homes, rooms and projects.
Did Gaines say homeowners should stop using tile?
No. Gaines’ Magnolia blog comment says people do not have to be limited to tile. The report also notes her use of subway and handmade tile in other projects.
Which example combined brick with patterned tile?
The Chicken House kitchen used whitewashed brick pavers on the sink side and patterned tile on the stove side. Gaines said the brick helped keep the tile from making the room look busy.
Are all nine examples from kitchens?
No. The galvanized metal was used in a craft room, and the soapstone examples were in bathrooms. Other materials appeared in kitchens or on the Magnolia Table set.
Does the report compare cost or maintenance?
No. It describes the design examples but does not provide a cost comparison, maintenance guide or performance ranking. Homeowners should check product specifications and installation needs for their own project.
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