Kitchen Backsplashes: Find a Great One to Update Your Kitchen

I have so many interesting, unusual and classic kitchen backsplash ideas for you!  A kitchen backsplash is simply the area in between your cabinets and your counter.  It can be a great update for a do it yourselfer.  A well designed, modern kitchen usually has sophisticated appliances, well-crafted cabinets, beautiful flooring and usually has a coordinated backsplash.  A backsplash is not only decorative, but functional.  It can be a classic ceramic, gorgeous glass or even super easy to install peel and stick.  It protects your walls from kitchen splatter and makes clean up a breeze.  A backsplash can bring you a long way towards a more modern looking kitchen.  It can give you a clean blended look or you can choose something that stands out and is a focal point of your kitchen.  The backsplash can be just under your cabinets or taken to the ceiling.  The sky is the limit!  The choices are almost endless.

Is it Difficult to Install a Backsplash in a Kitchen?

A tile backsplash is actually a great do it yourself project for the beginner.  There are many, many videos and step by step tutorials out there.  You can probably find a video or online tutorial specific to the tile and grout that you choose to use.  Check on youtube and the popular home supply websites.  You will need a good eye for detail and a little patience, but most do it yourselfers have that anyway.  Do your research and plan ahead so that you have everything that you need at hand.  Installing a backsplash is a very doable job.  If it is your first time, stick with a simpler pattern.  If you don’t have to pay for labor, your kitchen backsplash can be a relatively cheap home improvement.

Factors to Consider when Designing your Backsplash

A kitchen backsplash is one of the most popular options to reinvent the look of your kitchen. With such a wide variety of designs and materials, it is not difficult to create a really impressive look for your kitchen.  First, before you jump in, you should closely evaluate your surface, cost and lifestyle when making your design choices in order to get the best results.  You want your backsplash to express your personality, but also meet your functional needs. 

Application Surface

Before choosing a backsplash design and material, it is important to know where it will be applied.  What are the nooks and crannies of the area like?  Are there a lot of outlets?  Are there a lot of edges?  Which appliances does the backsplash have to wrap around?  Will one design and material combination present a multitude more tile cuts?  All of these factors form the size and shape of your design.  When making a choice, consider the design and material for your specific surface. This consideration will ensure that your backsplash choice will be appropriate for your surface and will not present any difficulty when you install it.

Cost of Backsplash

Before determining what your preference is in material and style, you should determine what your budget is for your backsplash.  Kitchen backsplash tile prices vary widely.  Take your budget into consideration before choosing.  Multiply the width by the height to determine the square footage of tile that you need.  Then, by determining the price per square foot of various tiles that you like, you can figure out some total estimates and the tile that might fall within your budget.  There are so many options in each material price bracket that with a little effort, I am sure that you can find a tile at your price point to suit your needs.

Your Lifestyle

Consider your lifestyle when choosing a kitchen backsplash.  Is your kitchen a gathering place, but you don’t really cook?  If so, the decorative aspect of your backsplash might be more important to you.  Do you cook frequently?  Do you have kids?  If so, you may want to choose tile that is easier to clean and has fewer grout lines.  For example, a small scale mosaic with lots of grout is going to be more difficult to clean than a larger subway tile.  A stone tile backsplash requires you to be a little more careful with your backsplash.  It absorbs water and it is a little more difficult to clean.  Choose the tile and design that makes life easier for you.

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Backsplash Materials

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is made from clay and fired in a kiln so that it is permanently hardened.  The tile often has a decorative glaze.  A ceramic tile backsplash is probably the most common type of kitchen backsplash.  With good reason, it is durable, easy to clean and comes in many, many variations.  The official, white, glazed 3″ x 6″ ceramic tile is the classic subway tile.  Subway tile comes in many variations and is super versatile. Ceramic tile will protect your kitchen from food splatter and stains.  Ceramic tile comes for a very reasonable price as well.

Porcelain Tile

Like ceramic tile, porcelain tile is made from clay and fired in a kiln so that it is permanently hardened.  The difference between ceramic and porcelain tile is that porcelain tile absorbs less water.  So, it has the same good durablity, but is even easier to keep clean than ceramic.  It comes in many, many variations.  Porcelain tile is slightly more expensive than ceramic because it absorbs less water.  The price difference might be worth it to you in the kitchen.

Glass Tile

Glass tiles are made of glass with glaze on the back of the glass.  Glass tiles are stunning and somewhat modern.  They add a sparkle of light to any room.  The glass bounces light and makes a space look bigger.  They are easy to clean and do not stain.  Fingerprints will show a bit more on their glassy surface though.  So, that should be taken into consideration.  Also, glass is hard, but can scratch.  All considered, glass tiles are great option for both bathrooms and kitchens.

Stone Tile

Stone tiles are made from natural stone such as marble or slate.  Stone can be a beautiful accent as a backsplash in a rustic kitchen.  A stone backsplash can add depth and beauty to your kitchen.  It can be used in both modern and traditional designs.  A stone backsplash is definitely harder to clean than other choices.  Stone can be damaged by acid in food and drink.  Furthermore, it does absorb water.  You must weigh the beauty of stone with your lifestyle.  If you are willing to be a bit more careful with your backsplash, stone is a beautiful choice.

Stainless Steel Tile

A stainless steel kitchen backsplash is another choice that is becoming fairly popular.  A stainless steel kitchen backsplash can be installed in a sheet or by tiles.  It can have different shades and finishes.  Compared to a ceramic tile, it is very low maintenance.  Although it might show a few fingerprints and dirt, it can usually be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  If you did not know stainless steel was even an option for a kitchen backsplash, you should take a look at it.  It would be striking in just about any kitchen.

Design for Your Backsplash

There is no correct backsplash for your kitchen.  Ultimately, it is what pleases you the most and the choice that works best for your lifestyle.  Choose a material that you love.  Combine the material that works for you with either a modern or traditional design to suit the needs of you and your family.

Modern Backsplash

Modern design tends to be sleek, minimalist and current. There is no rule that says you can not pair a modern backsplash with a traditional kitchen.  Any combination can look great.  Materials like glass, stainless steel and some ceramics lend themselves to a more modern design because they are sleek and minimalist.  To make your backsplash more modern, you could install triangle shape tiles, larger subway tiles or very slim tiles.  You could also tile vertically instead of horizontally for a more modern look.  Taking the tile all the way to the ceiling is a more modern look as well.  Lastly, color, color and more color.  Gone is the era of only a neutral, bland backsplash.  While a neutral backsplash can still be fabulous, these days any color from blue to yellow to red can be a beautiful, unexpected focal point in your kitchen.

Traditional Backsplash

Traditional design offers classic details, darker colors and rich details.  Warm rustic colors and neutrals lend themselves to a more traditional design.  Less splashy colors are used for more of blended look in traditional design.  There are a multitude of tiles that can be used in traditional design.  Any warm stone neutrals, mosaic tiles and ceramics will work in traditional design.

A kitchen backsplash is a tremendous addition to any kitchen.  You can choose glittery and bright, super colorful or a beautiful mosaic.  You can always fall back on the classic, easy to install, white subway tile.  It is liked by all, blends with just about any kitchen and will never go out of style.  Take your time, there are so many choices.  The color, design and material combinations are limitless.  Be creative and choose a backsplash that you will enjoy every time that you walk into your kitchen!

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