When designing your kitchen, a question that you’ll have to answer at some point is: what should my kitchen backsplash do I want? The backsplash of a kitchen refers to the space against the wall between the upper cabinets and the countertop. Backsplashes can wrap around the kitchen or cover parts of the wall. They can be tucked away between cabinets, or they can have an open upper edge like behind the sink, behind the oven range, or elsewhere. Some people even install kitchen backsplash tiling all the way up to the ceiling!
The purpose of backsplash is to provide a waterproof, tiled surface to prevent water damage to the walls of your kitchen.
Consider the Types of Backsplash
There are many different types of backsplash. Here are the most common ones.
Tile
Tile is a great choice for your kitchen backsplash. You can get tile in many different shapes and you can arrange it into beautiful patterns. You can also pick the color of the grout between each tile to give your backsplash a more unique look.
Stone
Stone is another popular backsplash material. Marble backsplash kitchens are particularly popular these days.
Glass
A glass backsplash will give your kitchen a very modern and contemporary look.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is another option for your backsplash, and it often goes behind the stove.
Measure How Much Backsplash You Need
Once you have an idea of the type of backsplash you’d like for your kitchen, it’s time to do some measuring! Measuring the area of your kitchen that needs backsplash will give you an idea of how much you’ll need to so you can prepare a realistic budget.
To determine how much backsplash you’ll need, measure the length of the space where you’ll install the backsplash tile and multiply it by the height of the space. You may have to do this a few times if you have several areas you need to cover. Once you have the square footage amounts, you can add them up to have an idea of how much tile you need. Tiles are often priced per square foot so this figure is important.
When you go to buy, keep in mind, it is recommended to buy an extra 5 or 10% of tile just in case you break a tile or misplace some by accident.
What is the Most Popular Kitchen Backsplash?
Subway tile is one of the most common types of kitchen backsplash you’ll find in new homes. This is a great option if you are decorating a home that you intend to sell. If you’re decorating a home that isn’t investment real estate, then you will probably want to go with a more unique option in line with your tastes.
Backsplash Pricing
Tile doesn’t have to be too expensive. You can find great backsplash tiling for less than $10 per square foot. If you shop around you can get it for half that. Of course the more luxurious material you choose the more you will pay for your backsplash material.
Budget-friendly Backsplashes
The most affordable backsplash materials you’ll find are generally synthetic materials with simple designs. Subway tiling tends to be very affordable.
Layout & Grout
You can choose from different layouts when arranging your backsplash tile. Creating patterns is generally done by a professional but you can find some great inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram as well.
Grout is the material used to hold tile together. You can pick grout in many different colors which will change the look of your backsplash completely. A color that’s similar to the tile that you have will create an even tone and blend in. Choosing a contrasting color, whether it’s darker or lighter, will create a more bold and dramatic look. I think both can look beautiful in the right setting!
You also need to consider the grout joint size. The Joint size of grout refers to the space between each tile. a typical joint size is 1/8 of an inch but it can be as large as ¼ of an inch too.
Consider Countertops and Cabinets
Don’t leave your backsplash design to the last minute. It should be on the priority list just as high as the countertop material and cabinet color. Look at many different examples to make sure that you know exactly what you want. Backsplash is definitely something people notice so don’t take this decision lightly!
Scale
The scale of the tile you choose also plays a big role in how it appears. You may have a particular shape in mind that you really like but it’s important to consider how large or small you want it to be.
Maintain & Care for Backsplash
Backsplash should be cleaned regularly especially when food or water hits it. To prevent damage, you may wish to have your backsplash tile sealed professionally.
I hope this backsplash guide helped you understand a little bit more about kitchen backsplashes. Don’t underestimate the power of a backsplash. We will share the best kitchen backsplash ideas very soon to inspire you!
