Choosing Kitchen Backsplashes

MAKE IT SPLASHY!

You’ve gone through the whole process – selected new kitchen cabinets, countertops, drawer pulls. You’ve thought about the layout and functionality of your cabinets and the color and texture of your countertops. You’ve finished it off with just the right amount of bling with your cabinet knobs and pulls. You’re ready to get those appliances installed and whip up a nice gourmet meal, right? Not so fast. Typically the final selection, the kitchen backsplash offers protection for your wall surfaces and allows you to add one more level of pizazz to your design.

PURPOSE AND PROTECTION

Function.
Originally, the kitchen backsplash served to protect your vertical surface between the countertop and the cabinets from water and grease splatter. Over time, painted sheetrock (or paneling, gasp!) can begin to look dingy and dirty. Even with regular cleaning, it’s not a surface meant for that kind of wear and tear. Initially, this was prevented by a 6” splash of countertop material, but a “full splash” has become the norm.

kitchen stove with tile backsplash

MATERIALS AND MONEY

Form.
There are a lot of options to select from when looking for kitchen backsplash materials. One must decide on the material – porcelain and ceramic tile offer a variety of textures, shapes, and colors as well as lasting durability. Whereas natural stone is available in slab, tile, or mosaic form, but requires sealing to protect from discoloration due to food splatter. Then, decide on the layout.

  • Cohesive – When looking to create a simple, cohesive design, there’s nothing more classic than a simple subway tile, and with today’s options expanding beyond the solid 3×6 designs, you can opt for a variety of sizes, colors, and textures while staying within this classic shape. Many varieties even incorporate subtle shading differences within the tile, so you can get color variation without going too far outside of your comfort zone.

  • Statement – Looking to add extra glitz and glamour? Add a decorative mosaic tile or even handpainted natural stone to up the wow factor. You can make a statement with a natural stone and metal inlaid mosaic, decorative liners, and even replica encaustic tile patterns. Or, blend both worlds and take advantage of the extra height at the stove and use liners to create a frame for that fancy tile without committing to the entire splash. You can incorporate a more simple tile for the remainder and allow just the stove area to pop.

  • I want it ALL – One surefire way to select a backsplash that is BOTH cohesive with your kitchen design and still makes a statement is to use the same material as your kitchen countertop for your backsplash. A large monolithic piece of stone or quartz slab is sure to make a dramatic impact, albeit it is likely the most expensive option that you can select. Need something a little more budget-friendly? Well, read on.

contemporary kitchen stove hood

MORE FOR THE MONEY

We’ve established that the backsplash is a high-impact zone when it comes to making a statement, but when you consider the total square footage of your backsplash, a little splurge won’t break the bank. Most kitchens feature about 40-50 square feet of backsplash area, so the difference between that $5 and $10 or $15 per square foot decorative tile sounds like a lot when you think about it individually, but when you do the math, you’ve got a showstopping piece for “only” an extra $500 or so dollars. Comparatively speaking, you’ve made a statement in your kitchen that you’ll see every day for less than the cost of a weekend getaway or wardrobe update.

The team of designers at Classic Cupboards is here to walk you through every step of the process, capping off your design with a backsplash that is not only functional but ties together your entire design. Give us a call to start your transformation today!

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