Alternatives to tiles for kitchen wall - any suggestions please?

[PrincessConsuelaBanana]

We’re getting a new kitchen fitted and this is the first time either me or DP have had any work like this done, we’re complete DIY / home improvement novices. We’re going for navy blue with oak effect worktops and I really like Victorian style blue / white / grey patterned tiles for one wall to go in the gap between the base / floor units and the upper wall units. I really don’t want actual tiles though because of the grout and the cleaning of the grout etc. Does anyone have any suggestions for something that could be used instead please? Or is there something we could use with tiles that actually does stop the grout getting discoloured?
Thank you in advance!

The grout shouldn't get too discoloured on a kitchen splash back but what about having grey grout?
Or have glass splash back with a pattern on it?

www.diysplashbacks.co.uk/monochrome-encaustic-tile-splashback

We chose to only put a backsplash behind our range cooker and sink, but opted to use wallpaper with clear tempered glass over the top 😉

If you're particularly worried about discolouration of the grout you can use a grey coloured grout, and buy a bottle of sealant which you spray on to seal the grout.
Tile sealant

We have copper - I love it

A glass or plastic panel splashback looks good and easy to clean.

We wanted splashback panels in a marble style but when the sample arrived decided against it. Apparently they are good as splashvscks but not round sinks etc as you can see the edges/joins and they don't look very good round corners. I don't like tiles for the reasons you've said! But we ended up with very long, close spaced tiles and light grey grout. I know someone who wanted marble effect panelling and used huge bathroom tiles behind their cooker/hob instead.

We have Silestone [engineered quartz] worktops with an upstand and, to my surprise, the paint on the walls has stayed in amazingly good condition. It's kitchen-grade emulsion and wipes clean.
I wanted to avoid tiles as I hate grout, and trying to keep it looking nice.
We do have one glass panel, on the wall behind the hob. This has proved really easily wiped clean. If any greasy splashes do get stuck on they can be scraped off, or polished off with the finest grade of wire wool.

Believe it or not… vinyl!!

instagram.com/jesrosevinyl?utm_medium=copy_link

Some brilliant suggestions here thank you so much everyone! Going to look into them all and see what we can find in the style and colours we’re wanting - the vinyl is an awesome idea

I hate tiles in the kitchen (grout, ugh) and went for granite upstands and a glass wall. Mine's orange which I love, but it comes in lots of colours and designs.

You can buy special grout which is designed for industrial settings. It has resin in it and apparently doesn't stain .