How We Designed Our Dream Stone Backsplash Kitchen

A natural stone backsplash can completely transform how a space feels. Ours brought so much warmth, history, and quiet texture into our kitchen—and we’re absolutely loving it. It’s become one of our favorite features in our home and in so many of our client homes, so today we’re sharing what inspired it, how we actually installed it, and what we’ve learned along the way.

If you’ve been exploring kitchen design, dreaming of a more European-inspired or rustic kitchen, or just looking for timeless ways to add character, a natural stone backsplash might be exactly the detail that ties it all together.

How Stone Changes the Feel of a Kitchen

A stone backsplash kitchen brings warmth in a way that tile or slab rarely can. It creates real dimension and makes the kitchen feel grounded—almost as if it’s existed for a hundred years rather than being recently built.

This is what we love most about it. It brings heritage into a new build without feeling heavy or overly rustic. Whether your style leans toward a European kitchen or a cozy rustic kitchen, the stone softens the space and makes it feel collected over time.

Things to Know Before Installing

Like any natural material, stone requires some thought and planning. Here are a few insights we learned through our own project.

Mortar matters. Test different mortar colors with different sand options. Yellow sand versus white sand can completely change the final look of your grout lines. The spacing between stones changes the feel too, so spend time adjusting until it’s exactly right.

Stone is a commitment. This isn’t a backsplash you’ll casually swap out next year. If you cook with a lot of splatter-heavy dishes—frying, oil-heavy sauces—consider doing stone on the perimeter and a countertop backsplash behind the range.

Be present for the first stones. The initial layout sets the tone for the entire wall. Stand with your mason as those first stones go up to make sure the spacing, mix of tones, and shapes feel right to you.

How We Installed Our Stone Backsplash

We used Horizon Stone’s 19th Century Sedona, purchased as individual stones. Here’s exactly how we did it, step by step.

Step 1: Apply the adhesive. Apply ACRYL Pro Adhesive directly to the back of each stone. For larger stones, thin-set works really well too. Press each stone firmly onto your cement board.

Step 2: Add spacers. Use spacers to keep everything aligned while it dries. Derek cut ½-inch wood spacers for this. Leave them in place for 48 hours while the adhesive sets.

Step 3: Remove the spacers. Once the adhesive is fully set after 48 hours, remove all the spacers carefully.

Step 4: Pipe the mortar. Use a piping bag to apply mortar between each stone. This can get a little messy, so gloves really help here.

Step 5: Fill any gaps. After about five minutes, go back and push mortar into any gaps or cracks you might have missed. This ensures everything is filled properly.

Step 6: Smooth the mortar. Wait about ten minutes, then use a wet sponge to smooth the mortar and soften those grout lines.

Step 7: Create the German smear effect. While the mortar is still slightly damp, feather your wet sponge across the stone faces. This smears just a little bit of mortar over the front for that beautiful aged look.

Step 8: Seal if desired. We actually chose not to seal ours and haven’t had any issues. But sealing is totally optional depending on your lifestyle and how much you cook.

Money-saving tip: Use yellow sand for the scratch coat. Since it isn’t visible behind the stone, you don’t need the more expensive white sand.

Cleaning and Maintenance

This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer might surprise you. There’s virtually no maintenance required. We didn’t seal our stone, and it’s held up beautifully. Dirt and stains blend naturally into the texture.

Every few months we use a handheld vacuum with a bristle attachment to dust it. For small stains or splatters, we just wipe with dish soap and water. That’s truly it.

What to Expect Cost-Wise

For a 100-square-foot area, you can generally expect $3,000–$4,000 for materials and labor combined. That cost varies by region, stone type, and your mason’s experience, but it gives you a good starting point for budgeting.

Why Our Clients Love It Too

We’ve now installed natural stone backsplash in several client kitchens, and the feedback is always the same—they absolutely fall in love with it. It adds character without overwhelming the room, and it feels warm, natural, and timeless. Exactly the aesthetic we aim for in every project.

Our Lake Ferry kitchen remains one of our favorite examples. The stone added beautiful dimension to an otherwise neutral space and instantly became the focal point everyone notices.

Is a Stone Backsplash Right for You?

If you’re drawn to texture, natural materials, and spaces that feel lived-in from day one, a stone backsplash kitchen is such a beautiful choice. It pairs perfectly with European influences, rustic kitchens, and modern farmhouse designs. Most importantly, it creates a warmth that feels both inviting and enduring.

If you’re building a home or planning a remodel and want help choosing materials, our Complete Homebuilding Guidebook includes stone recommendations, paint colors, and kitchen design tips to help you create a home that feels timeless from the very beginning.