Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

Kitchen backsplashes have evolved into being more than just a practical component of your kitchen design. Their main function is to protect walls from splashes and stains that can happen when cooking or prepping food. A backsplash goes behind cooktops and sink areas and is usually made from low-maintenance materials that are easily cleaned. There are exceptions to this though, as sometimes homeowners might opt for materials that are more time consuming to maintain, viewing the backsplash as a focal point of a kitchen design.

Installed at eye-level, they are immediately obvious in a kitchen remodel, so need to be carefully considered. You can make a statement and bring texture and color to your design with a well-chosen backsplash. Current trends are really embracing experimentation with backsplash materials and styles. Glass-covered wallpaper, metals, and natural stone are all coming to the fore to enliven the area between kitchen countertops and upper cabinets.

You could also continue a backsplash to the ceiling or even remove upper cabinets for a dramatic sweep that draws the eye up for maximum impact. Modern backsplashes have morphed into architectural feats with industrial aesthetics and high-end materials. Read on to find out how there is a style suitable for every space.

What Do You Want in a Kitchen Backsplash?

Primarily, a backsplash should protect your wall against all eventualities in the busiest part of your kitchen design. Your lifestyle has a large part to play in your decision too. The type of cooking you do, and how often you do it, helps to determine how durable your backsplash should be. It should be able to endure steam, spills, and heat and resist scratches that can happen during scrubbing. It should wipe clean easily, so it doesn’t harbor dirt or oil residue. As you want your backsplash to last several years, it should be something that is modern, but won’t go out of fashion easily. If your countertop ticks all these boxes then consider a backsplash in the same, or similar material to create a unified style.

Marble

Marble is a classic natural stone that has been enjoying a revival in contemporary kitchen designs. A marble backsplash adds both texture and elegance to a kitchen remodel. It is stain, heat, and water resistant, but not moisture proof so be sure to clean spills right away to avoid staining. It can also be sealed regularly to increase its moisture and stain resistance. It comes in a wide variety of colors and veining, and you can install it as tiles or a large slab. If your countertop is understated, then a patterned marble backsplash can enliven your kitchen design. If your backsplash covers a relatively small area of your kitchen remodel, you can consider investing in a high-end material such as marble as a way of incorporating luxury into a space. Fluted designs are also increasingly popular, adding visual interest and texture, contrasting with the flatness of countertops and cabinets. You will have to regularly seal marble and specialist installation is required with this high-end material.

Tiles

Backsplashes can be as large or as minimalist as you like, and tiles are a great way of bringing durability, character, and style to a kitchen remodel.  Your backsplash can range from about 18 inches high behind the sink and cooking area to a full wall stretching up to the ceiling. If you are only covering a small area, you can afford to experiment and be a bit bolder with your choice. You could try tiles that are the same size but different colors and patterns or geometric patterned tiles in one color or a variety of shades in each tile. If you choose a busy tile pattern it’s probably best to keep the color scheme to a minimum to avoid your backsplash taking over the space. Here are a few of the latest trends in tiles to inspire your kitchen design backsplash style:

• Moroccan fish scale tiles focus on pattern, letting you arrange them whatever way you like for a playful look.

• Hexagon tiles form a beehive pattern, resulting in a unique focal backsplash.

• Mosaic tiles come in pre-made sheets that make it easy to bring color and pattern to your kitchen backsplash.

• You could go for a standard style, such as square tiling and give it a twist with a different material, like marble.

• Arabesque tiles come in a variety of materials and colors to create a unique focal point in your kitchen backsplash.

• Highly glazed Moroccan Zellige clay tiles are hugely on trend. Their uneven, shiny finish bounces light around the room and enlivens a white or neutral kitchen design.

• Wood-look tiles are also an option to achieve the warmth of wood without the potential damage to your backsplash.

• Subway tiles are still popular and can be arranged vertically, in an offset horizontal pattern or a herringbone design for a fresh take.

Color Block

Why not consider a customized backsplash in a single bright color to make a statement? Acrylic sheets or an expansive glass panel in an accent color can express your style and make a focal point of your backsplash. Alternatively choose a single bold tile color to give your kitchen design a one-of-a-kind style. Keep your cabinetry and floor relatively neutral and then condense all the color into your backsplash to give your kitchen remodel the wow factor. This will brighten the space and make it more individual.

Exposed Brick

Exposed brick is a versatile material that can be incorporated into most kitchen design styles. It will complement a rustic kitchen and also work well in an urban or industrial remodel.  It lasts a long time, especially if sealed. You can use a clear sealant or paint your bricks to suit your style. Your brick backsplash can take on different looks, depending on what you surround it with. Warm wood and textured wicker containers result in a rustic appearance, but exposed plumbing and metal hardware gives it an industrial vibe. Whatever your look, an exposed brick backsplash brings an air of laid-back chic to your kitchen design.

Luxurious Metals

Metallic backsplashes give your kitchen design a unique appearance.  It can be found either as a metal panel or in metal tiles, sometimes in a mixed mosaic format with other materials like glass or stone. Brass and copper backsplashes are a relatively new and bold choice that add a lustrous shine to your kitchen remodel. It could be added in a small section to create a design focal point. These materials can stand on their own or be coordinated with cabinet hardware.

Mirrored Backsplash

Using a mirrored backsplash is a great way to increase natural light in your kitchen design. It also brings character and individual style to any space. Antique glass is ideal for introducing a vintage look to your kitchen remodel, but it’s also excellent at masking any scratches or marks. If your backsplash is extra-large, then antique tarnishes also make the mirrored surface a little less disorienting. Mirrored surfaces bounce light back into the room, making it feel airy and bright and giving the illusion that it’s twice as large. A deep recess with a cooktop would be the perfect place for a mirrored backsplash as it brings the space forward and the room’s reflection enlivens the backsplash.

Wood Backsplashes

Wood paneling, shiplap, and beadboard can work well for a farmhouse or rustic kitchen design. It costs less than many other materials and can be updated with paint. Wood is easy to cut, so forming a template around sockets on site is an advantage. You would need to invest in moisture resistant grade MDF boards to avoid your backsplash swelling or contracting. The paint should also be moisture and heat resistant and have a durable gloss or satin finish, making it easy to clean. A natural wood backsplash will need regular oiling or waxing to ensure it is stain resistant. Consider limiting wood to a part of your backsplash, paired with another, more durable surface behind your cooking area.

Engineered Quartz

The more practical the materials you choose for your kitchen design, the more functional it becomes. Engineered quartz is a very durable material that comes in large slabs that can be easily installed as a seamless backsplash. It is crack, scratch, and stain resistant and can mimic many other stone materials. Improvements in production techniques mean that veining and other natural embellishments can be emulated in an engineered quartz backsplash. Pairing your backsplash with a matching quartz countertop can give stunning results. A kitchen design professional can ensure that your backsplash and countertop have a seamless join with the aid of a detail such as a rolled edge.

The most sought-after backsplashes are those that marry durability with style. Marble and tiles are always popular and can be paired with other materials to define different areas of your kitchen design. A quartz slab is a stylish and practical choice and creates a seamless style when it matches your countertop. Add lights under your cabinet to further enhance the appearance of your backsplash and create essential task lighting where you need it. Whatever you choose, a backsplash is an ideal opportunity to bring color, texture, and pattern to your kitchen while protecting your walls from splashes, spills, and splatters. Contact us today at Lang’s Kitchen & Bath and our kitchen design experts can guide you through your options as part of a full kitchen remodel.