How to Kitchen Backsplash

• Kitchen backsplashes can have a significant visual impact in a kitchen
• Choose enjoyment of the backsplash design above trendiness
• Coordinate kitchen countertops with backsplashes
• Kitchen design is in the eye of the beholder – love yours

In this month’s edition of “How to…” we are talking backsplash. A backsplash is a selection with significant visual impact in a kitchen. It is a design element that you can have some fun with or not – that is up to you and the look you are trying to achieve. You can go for a bold choice, a personal choice, or a tile with a story OR you can keep it more subdued. Either way, when making this selection, here are a few things to consider:

✔️ Currently, the most popular options are stone or tile. As a continuation of the countertops, stone will create a uniform look. Tile is much more customizable and will give you another design element to work with. 

✔️ The overall style of your kitchen should influence your selection—for the most part, you want to keep your elements within one style. 

✔️ Coordinate with your countertop— your backsplash is right next to your countertop, so it’s crucial that these two selections work well together. You can think in terms of polarity—a dramatic countertop will need a more neutral tile so your eyes have a place to rest. Conversely, if you choose a neutral countertop you may want to choose a tile that has more interest. It is important to understand that patterns on a backsplash (or any vertical application) will read more profoundly than those on a countertop surface. 

✔️ Don’t forget to match your sheens—if your countertop has a matte finish, then you may want to have a matte backsplash. Likewise with high-gloss. 

✔️ Check your trendiness—make sure you love the tile and won’t tire of it. Trends come and go—it’s okay to install design elements that are trending, but be sure you are installing them because they bring you joy, not because they’re hot right now. 

✔️ Consider tile layout options—the layout pattern of your tile matters just as much as the shape. You can make simple tile look more interesting by choosing a layout pattern that elevates the design, either subtly or boldly. Grab a tile layout chart and play around with orientation options when designing your kitchen backsplash. 

✔️ Make sure that you view selections in your finished space or in multiple kinds of light to ensure your selections coordinate because the color of your tile and grout will look different in the store or showroom than they will in your finished space with your specific overhead, under cabinet lighting, etc. Gather samples of your counter, tile, grout, and cabinetry and view them in different lighting to weed out any undertones that don’t go together.  

✔️ Don’t hesitate to consult a professional designer! You are investing in your home and there is no better way to ensure not only that you’re maximizing your ROI but also that your kitchen design will bring you joy for many years to come. Details matter; each individual selection affects the whole. In addition to key elements such as cabinet finish and countertop, there are smaller items such as grout, paint color, and lighting that all add up to put your selection and design over the top.