Choosing the Right Kitchen Backsplash for You – Designing your dream kitchen means considering each element, choosing the colors, materials, and features that makes the most sense for you and your family. As you plan your kitchen remodel, one of the elements that will make a significant design impact, as well as have some practical implications, is the backsplash.
Ready to get started designing your dream kitchen remodel? We can help. Contact us any time to learn more about how our designers can help you plan the renovation you’re hoping for. With advanced 3D technology and a network of contractors who are fully licensed and insured, you can rest easy with the peace of mind that the job will be done right.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Backsplash for You
Gather Inspiration
Before you meet with our designers or make any big decisions, start by gathering inspiration. Staring at tile samples can be totally overwhelming, and often uninspiring. Because it is hard to imagine how that tile sample will look in a backsplash, in a completed kitchen, start by finding inspirational photos.
Websites like Pinterest can help you find out what you like. Save photos of kitchen backsplashes you like, and share them with your designer to help us understand your style and see what you are drawn to. Even if you don’t love everything about the inspiration photo, save it and make note of what drew you to it.
Maybe its the color scheme, the tile pattern, or the way it contrasts with another element in the kitchen design. Whatever you like about it, we can help you draw inspiration and recreate it in your own space.
Choose Your Materials
Choosing your backsplash materials involves a combination of considering the look and the functionality of the material. In general, backsplashes are made from one of the following materials:
- Tile
- Natural stone or granite
- Stainless steel
- Mirrored steel or glass
In addition to thinking about which one looks the best to you, consider the maintenance required and your lifestyle in the kitchen. For example, granite and natural stone will need to be sealed regularly, usually every year or so. Other than the sealing, though, they are low maintenance and won’t look dirty after cooking near them. If you regularly cook and entertain, you may like the fact that they always look just about the same.
Stainless or mirrored steel, on the other hand, is extremely low maintenance and won’t require any sealing or refinishing in the future. However, it will show every splatter and fingerprint, needing to be regularly wiped down and polished if you cook often.
Tile is the most low-maintenance option, especially if you choose an upgraded, well-sealed grout that is easy to clean.
There is no best material for a backsplash, but there likely is one clear winner when you are looking for the one that is best for you.
Choose Your Pattern
If you choose a tile, selecting a tile pattern is another important factor in the design. You can choose something timeless like a stacked or staggered rectangular tile, or you may want something more intricate or detailed with a uniquely shaped tile.
This is another part of the design process that will be greatly helped by turning to your inspiration photos. Keep in mind that backsplashes can be costly and time-consuming to replace, so choose something you will like for a long time to avoid feeling stuck in an outdated design choice a few years from now.
Consider the Whole Kitchen Design
As you choose your backsplash design, remember that it needs to complement the kitchen design as a whole. Make sure your backsplash choice is not competing with another element in the kitchen. For example, a dramatic marble countertop may not pair well with an intricate backsplash if they both end up looking too busy. Create balance in your kitchen design by choose just a few statement elements and opting for more simple, supporting roles from the other parts of the design.
To get started with your kitchen remodel, contact us any time.
