The simplest form of protection is a condensation-resistant paint, such as vinyl silk, which can be wiped down with a damp cloth. The only drawback with this approach is that any splashes that are allowed to remain on the wall for any extended period of time can cause staining.

A novel alternative to vinyl paint is blackboard paint. Two coats of this can be applied to wood, metal or sealed plaster with a roller or brush to produce a smooth, non-reflective finish that’s perfect for jotting this week’s menu, shopping list reminders or family messages onto with chalk. This can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to remove messages and splashes alike.

A tiled and grouted surface will provide excellent water protection, and indeed it is common to use the same tiles around the whole kitchen area to continue the theme. The main drawback to this method is that colourful foods from the hob can discolour grout.

Panels of stainless steel are widely available from most kitchen and appliance suppliers. These provide excellent stain, heat and water resistance for the wall behind, and add a contemporary twist to the room. Indeed, some matching cookers and extractor fans are offered with a matching stainless steel panel to unify the two appliances.

It is increasingly fashionable to use the same material as the worktop to cover the walls too. Available as ‘upstands’ which are just a few inches high to protect the wall from liquid spills, or as full height splashbacks, this approach can create a solid but streamlined look to a kitchen. The cost will clearly depend on the worktop material that you have chosen.

Panels of glass, coloured with paint on the rear surface, also make excellent splashbacks because, although they are prone to scratching, the toughened glass is stain, heat and water resistant. To avoid a ‘broken’ look, specialist glass manufacturers can create continuous lengths of glass to run the perimeter of the kitchen.