Kitchen Design: Backsplash 101
Backsplash 101
A backsplash is a vertical extension to a counter which protects the wall from unintended splashes of water, grease splatter, or anything else. It can extend a few inches high or go as high as the ceiling. Backsplashes are more than just functional, though. Built with care and an eye toward the aesthetics, backsplashes can be a beautiful addition to your kitchen.They are much like jewelry and a classic black dress; too much jewelry ruins the look, too little does nothing for the dress. The same goes for kitchen backsplashes – you really need a trained eye to create the design and coordinate the backsplash with the countertops, cabinets into the overall design scheme. They can be one of the first things selected for a project – if you find an inspirational piece for instance, or most likely, it will be one of the last design details chosen.
Different designers will tell you different things, and the truth is that there’s no right answer. From a design perspective, some people like to make the backsplash the focal point and they play around with color and pattern. Regardless of when it is chosen, there are several important backsplash design considerations when planning.
Choosing your Backsplash Materials
Like all trends, , come and go. However, one thing that remains fairly timeless is a . comes in a ton of materials from traditional ceramic and porcelain, to , slate, glass, pressed tin, and more. Here’s what we recommend:
Choose a material that isn’t likely to go out of style. There are some wild options out there, but what you love today you may get sick of tomorrow. There’s a reason people often go with white !
Be honest about how much work you’re willing to put into it. Some materials require a lot of maintenance. sheets for example can look great, but they require regular cleaning to get rid of marks and fingerprints. If you’re not willing to put in the work, choose a different material that will be .
Your new tiles are going to be gorgeous — but will they be a pain to keep clean? Homeowners often select tiles for the style and character they add to the room, but ease of care is the point of installing wall in the first place. It’s there to protect your wall from splashes and splatters.
There are two main factors that affect how easy it is to keep a clean: the size and the material.
1. Size- consider the grout line, the space between each , which is filled with sanded or unsanded cement-like material. No matter how strong and water- repellent your tiles may be, unfortunately, grout is porous. Eventually, it will start looking a bit dull and dingy and will require special care. You can minimize this problem by applying grout sealer about two days a week after installation, and repeating once a year. Another way to minimize grout lines is to choose large format . The bigger the , the fewer grout lines for grime to stick to.
2. Material- When it comes to cleaning, not all tiles are created equal. Porcelain, ceramic, metal, and glass top the easy-care list because they resist staining, are naturally nonporous, and don’t require and special cleaners to do the job. Other tiles such as , and other natural stones are gorgeous in a installation, but they have special care requirements. All natural stone needs regular sealing to resist stains and other damage, even when used as wall . You must also use cleaners that are formulated for natural stone. If your kitchen is a busy place, consider using -look porcelain instead of real . Porcelain tiles can imitate any type of surface. Inkjet-printed porcelain tiles can imitate any type of surface, including wood grain and textiles. Although porcelain brick has a that makes it slightly more difficult to clean, it’s much easier to clean than real brick.
Make a choice based on your budget. Tiles are priced by square foot and can range anywhere from a couple of dollars to several hundred dollars per square foot. Before you get your heart set on anything determine the amount you need based on the space you’re working with. Inexpensive can look great when you play with pattern and grout, so don’t feel you’re compromising on style for the sake of price.
Patterns
One of the great things about backsplashes is that you can design them in a number of different ways (seriously, the options are endless). A favorite among designers and clients alike is take a really simple , such as a white subway , and arrange it in an interesting pattern. It’s a great way to add a subtle design detail while keeping things simple.
Grout
Grout is often an afterthought for many people, but it’s an important part of any . Not only does it lock in the tiles and give your a finished look, it plays an important design role. A used with white tiles creates a striking effect, as can a light grout with dark tiles. Consider all the options before making a final decision.
Fixture Placement
How can you ensure your is a clean fresh palette for your new design? We suggest using strip outlets and switches that are mounted just below the underside of the wall cabinets, this way they stay hidden by trim and don’t interrupt your design.
When designing your layout, make sure your borders, liners or decorative accents do not run directly into electrical outlets or switches. There is nothing worse than seeing a pattern broken up by an ugly receptacle. This is impossible without an expert electrical plan. If you are working around an existing electrical plan, it will almost assuredly limit your design options. With the help of a professional you are able to avoid these limitations and stressors.
Light it Up
Highlight your with under-cabinet lighting to create the most impact. We recommend installing under-cabinet LED strips towards the front of the cabinet (it accents the splash more) and choosing one with a frosted plastic lens (it cuts the reflection on your countertop
Many traditional designs have a blanket serving as an accent piece above the range. In many cases, we use field tiles set straight or diagonal, with a chair rail border by the hood and range to highlight the area and add decorative plant-ons, inserts, or liners. Limestone, tumbled , slate, porcelain, metallic and ceramic tiles have all been used. Subway patterns are still a staple and have evolved. Some of them may even be set vertically instead of horizontally.
Full-height , or quartz is sometimes used as the and can be the statement piece of the kitchen.
For a more contemporary look, large format tile in simple colors with simple lines is often used. And even though they are simple, they can provide a striking effect! Another design option that is trending right now is . can be incorporated lots of different ways – distressed, hammered, patterned, or brushed.
Backsplashes are the front and center of today’s kitchen designs. Gail Drury, says that she’s seeing “ and countertops are becoming more of a backdrop to create striking and artistic designs with , paint and other elements that are easily changed out and updated.”
Glass Tiles
Glass Tiles – Glass tiles were by far the strongest trend for number of years. Glass tiles bring brightness, color, and clean lines to a kitchen. They are easy to install and easy to care for. Drury designer, Samantha Schoell explains that the latest trends in design are “simple lines with contrasting colors, subtle elements of luxury through color and instead of carvings and fussy details.”
As a bonus, glass is extremely easy to maintain and care for: glass is non-porous so it never needs to be sealed, protected, or treated – simply wipe down with your cleaner of choice, and you’re good to go.
The only downside may be its hot/cold trendiness – glass backsplashes popularity comes and goes – they’ve enjoyed the limelight for a year or two now – and we’d predict that the trend will taper off and make way to some of the upcoming
Mosaic Tiles – Mosaic tiles in a combination of glass, ceramic, and stone have also been on the steady rise. Providing a mix of clear and opaque on a creates an unrivaled depth and dimension. Mosaics can be a repeating pattern or custom designed, allowing you to find the exact combination of color, , and material that is best for your kitchen design.
Stone Backsplashes
or g create a bright elegance to any kitchen. The clean lines and classic beauty provide a timeless look. and maintain (especially as a ), polished or honed look stunning with dark cabinets and appliances.
The chameleon of the arena, classic porcelain or can be whatever your kitchen needs it to be. is available in a multitude of sizes, styles, finishes, and colours – making it a shapeshifter of timeless style and proven durability.
Ceramic options can both be playful and bold, and neutral and classic – and some even come with bevelled edges to accent their aesthetic appeal, thanks to their everlasting popularity. Being relatively inexpensive and easy to work with helps maintain the elevated stature of as a solution.
More of an installation pattern than a tiles style itself, installation design helps to elevate and exemplify the possibilities of and is reminiscent of a parkette floor in an old art deco building, or – the bones of a herring fish. It gets its lasting style from Roman roadmakers in ancient times and was carried over to structural and interior design work in Europe, Asia, and North America.
If most of your kitchen is white to reflect a crisp, modern appeal – changing things up with a complimentary, yet eye-grabbing design as a pattern is a great way to pull attention to the finer details in the space, helping create a curated aesthetic.
Your is a great area to compliment and tie in your and as well. When considering the different options, it’s important to remember the elements from the design style you already have or hope to have. Working with your designer, you can go through all the options of what will work best for your cabinets, countertops, and overall aesthetic.
Still not sure which is best for you? Take this quiz for some insight into making that big decision. There are so many different types of , including pre-meshed mosaics and inkjet-printed lookalikes, it’s not difficult to find designs that provide easy care while also creating a designer look in your kitchen or bath.
There are so many exciting products out there to make your personalized for your kitchen. Overall, the is a playground of endless possibilities and is key to your overall design effect. We hope that you have found some inspiration with our client-focused designed backsplashes featured in the above and let us know if we may be of assistance on your kitchen project. For further inspiration and visit our kitchen design portfolio or go to the contact page and to let us know what you had in mind!
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