Washbasin backsplash - Extra protection needed?

Hello forum,

In the course of the new apartment I bought, I also find myself in the position of having to furnish a bathroom. Until now, I have always used whatever was there and am therefore not really aware of what is important and what I actually like.

After I already started a thread about the size of the shower, the question now is how to design and protect a backsplash of the washbasin. Are tiles the method of choice? (I don’t know anything else), can you also simply paint it? What other options are there? I am a bit puzzled right now...

Above the washbasin, I will install a small shelf, then a mirror above that, possibly a mirrored cabinet, but probably just a simple mirror.

I hope you have tips on what and how I can design the backsplash. It is a new building (in case that should be important).

Well, what do you like? Tiles are always a good choice. If you don't want those, wallpaper fiberglass, painted with latex. Or stick a plastic panel, available at the hardware store. Or an Ikea wall panel would also work.

Thank you, Nordlys. I didn't know it was that easy :-). I will probably wallpaper with fiberglass and then paint. Or a few pretty, smaller tiles. I hope I can stick them on myself. Thanks anyway for your well-illustrated answer. That definitely helps me.