Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

Whether your backsplash blends in with your kitchen design or stands out as a focal point, it is an opportunity to define your kitchen style and show off your personality.  The backsplash completes your kitchen design but is also a practical and necessary element of your kitchen, as it protects the walls from water, grease, and food splashes. 

The backsplash simply refers to that area of wall in your kitchen above the sink, range, and countertops that is particularly prone to splashes and mess.  Your backsplash can cover an area of wall up to just a few inches above the countertop or it can go all the way to the ceiling.  This relatively small area in your kitchen design is often left until last when contemplating a plan for your new kitchen, but in reality it is a prime opportunity to set the tone for your kitchen renovation in an area that is highly visible.  If you decide to take advantage of this design opportunity, the kitchen backsplash is open to endless possibilities for materials and designs that can turn it into as bold or subtle a statement as you want for your kitchen design. 

There are so many choices available that it can be a daunting task to select your backsplash.  The first step is to determine your own kitchen design style and then decide how you are going to express that style in your backsplash.  Once you know your own style, consider the many materials available and determine the one that best fits your style, budget, and the requirements of your household.  Don’t forget to consider grout, as it is very important how your tiles adhere to the walls and sealing your grout ensures it will last longer.

There are numerous materials you could consider for your backsplash design, including glass mosaic, a sheet of glass, metal, limestone, marble, stone, handpainted or custom designed tiles, stainless steel, wood, graphite, or sustainable resources such as recycled glass, cork, or bamboo.  Each has its own benefits in terms of durability, ability to clean it, available colors and shapes to create a design and more.  You can even mix and match materials and colors to create an eye catching design.  Here are a few examples from our own design gallery:

A sheet of glass is simple to clean, and reflects light to create a beautiful effect while also adding color to your kitchen design.

The tiny tile mosaic in this backsplash adds sparkle and color to an otherwise classic white kitchen, and complements the stainless steel hood, pulling together the look of this kitchen design.

The natural materials here go hand in hand with the beautiful natural materials used throughout this kitchen design.  The neutral color palette gives a classic, traditional look, but the focal point inset above the range is created by using the same material in a different orientation.

Changing the orientation of the tiles can also allow you to layer your backsplash with tiles facing one direction to create a base and a different direction above this.

Add a pop of color to help define the personality of your kitchen and spice up your backsplash design.

Your kitchen backsplash is an excellent opportunity to be creative, so visit our kitchen design gallery here to find more ideas for your new backsplash.