We're redoing our kitchen and have decided that instead of tiling a backsplash we would like to find a cheaper alternative...mostly because we now need to budget in a new washer and dryer and probably at least one bathtub so other things are getting the axe.

What's a decent looking alternative that has a chance of still adding value to the home?

Did my Kitchen in 2002 and installed a large "range" cooker, behind that and the splashback area behind the sink I decided against tiles for a variety of reasons.

My worktops were from "Bushboard" which I believe is a U.S. company and they did matching backs which are essentially a much thinner version of the worktops. I "finished" them with chrome strips where appropriate and they look as good now as the day they went up. If you go this way avoid the super-glossy surfaces which are marketed mainly for bathrooms as they show up every speck and smear - you'll be forever cleaning them.

Like Cal said (I think he's referring to a brand of laminate like Formica), you could match your countertops.  However, I'm not sure that's cheaper.  I've never really priced it out, though.

Tile is not that expensive UNLESS someone else is doing the work.  If you do it, and use reasonably priced tile, it's pretty cost-effective.

We redid ours in 2005.  In our kitchen, we have a LOT of counter space.  Granite was going to be $8,000-10,000.  So I chose a laminate that looked a LOT like real stone (non-glossy) and recovered the existing countertops for about $275 in materials.  That will not work if you have the formed round edges on your existing counters.  Then we tiled the backsplash (turned diagonally).  PITA when you get to outlet boxes.  But it looks great.

BTW, that was my first tiling experience (I bought a book and went for it).  Since then I have tiled the kitchen floor and both bathroom floors and have assisted a couple of other jobs for friends and family.  It's hard work but it isn't rocket surgery.

I LOVE tiling...but we're trying to be as budget minded as possible for the sake of our bath and laundry rooms.  We went with laminate counters...they look great, are literally 3~8% of the cost of stone, and they were easy easy easy to put in.  They're not an easy pattern to match, though, and they have the built in back splash riser thingy, so putting the same laminate on the walls would clash a little.

I wish my wife like copper/gold colors, because I would love to put up antiqued bronze or copper and that would be quite cheap.

not cost efficient but go stainless steel

Beadboard panels. 

Cheap. 

Easy. 

Tasteful.

Laminate countertops is enough laminate.   

 +1 to beadboard. Thats what we used as our backsplash in our remodel. I bought the natural wood and put some poly on it. Looks great and cost like $30 for 2 4X8 sheets..  

We own a few rental properties and I have done all the kitchens with beadboard. 

Last time I was in Lowe's they only had a textured white panel and a white faux time panel.  I'll look and see if they have something different but that's why we had ruled out beadboard.

I got mine at Lowes. Its in with the 4X8 sheets of plywood etc... Its not in the area w/ the painted stuff. Its unfinished pine.. they have better stuff but its like $40+ a sheet.

Jeez, I can't think of a much cheaper backsplash than white 4"x4" tiles., other than perhaps laminate.

Never thought of using beadboard; good tip!

Well I suppose that's what we're running with....Kalee chose something I would have never chosen but it'll be simple to put up...can have it done, sans paint, this weekend.