Enhance Your Kitchen With a New Backsplash

The wall space between your countertop and wall cabinets can become a terrific focal point for your kitchen, adding updated style to your home without a major investment. Here are eight ideas – and some pro tips – for creating a great backsplash look for your kitchen.

Many homes have a four-inch kitchen backsplash made of the same material as their countertop. The wall between the counter material and the cabinets above is painted the same color as the rest of the room. This is the most common combination in kitchens created by tract home builders. Most remodeled kitchens, on the other hand, have a full-height custom backsplash. The good news is, you don’t have to completely remodel your kitchen to add this feature to your home.

Practical pointers to consider when planning a backsplash change

Like most kitchen updates, changing your backsplash will likely add related projects to your timetable and budget. You should consider these before finalizing your plans, hiring any professionals or buying any materials. 

• If you're going to change your countertops, do that before you change your backsplash. Otherwise, they may get damaged during the top removal.
• Do you have a decorative range hood that may need to be temporarily removed during the installation? How long will it need to be down, and how will you prepare meals in the interim?
• If you don’t currently have lights under your wall cabinets, this can be an excellent time to add them. Have the wiring work done before you install the backsplash. You wouldn’t want to have to rip into it afterward, or miss the opportunity to add this upgrade.
• If you’re planning a tile backsplash, consider the grout color as part of the design, and as a potential maintenance issue. Consult with your tile installer about any non-staining materials and sealers that may be available in your area.
• Factor in any required maintenance for your selected backsplash material. Will it need to be periodically sealed, like marble or granite? If so, how often is this required, how much time will it take, and who will be doing it, a household member or a professional? 
• If you are planning a decorative accent for your backsplash, be sure you've got the right amount of space for it. You're going to need enough room not just for the design element itself, in most cases, but for field tile above and below to frame it. Usually, a range hood will accommodate this scale. An over-the-range microwave typically won't. Plan accordingly for the best results.
• Be sure to take your outlets and switches into account when planning the backsplash design. You don’t want a key accent interrupted by a switch plate.

Now that you’ve thought through the planning process for your backsplash, here are some ideas that can add great style to your kitchen.

Tile is a popular backsplash choice

Porcelanosa: Give your backsplash some bling with metallic tiles like these from Porcelanosa Mosaico Acero.

Tile is one of the most common and versatile choices for kitchen backsplashes. It offers choices for contemporary and traditional spaces, and makes it easy to customize a look with some creative design.

Tile isn’t always stone, ceramic or porcelain either. Glass tiles have become a popular design choice in recent years and metal tiles create modern looks around the country. Many projects combine materials for a more custom look. Your options are broader than ever before and limited only by budget and imagination.

Tin tiles create unusual, low-maintenance backsplashes

American Tin Ceiling Company: Not just for ceilings anymore, tin tiles like these from the American Tin Ceiling Company, can create a stylish, low-maintenance backsplash.

You’ve seen tin tiles on the ceilings of historic homes. They add texture, drama and a subtle sparkle to a room. They can also create a beautiful, unique backsplash. Many are sized perfectly for a standard 18 inch backsplash height, too, minimizing the waste involved in many surfacing projects. There are also options beyond silver in today’s tin tiles. They’re now also available in bronze, copper, gold and non-metallic finishes to increase your design flexibility. One of their best features is cleanability. Being able to easily wipe splashes off of the surface behind your cooktop is a great benefit for busy home cooks.

Painted backsplashes are affordable and easy to create

A decorative painting professional like KJ Decorative Finishes can create a custom painted backsplash for your kitchen.

Paint has long been a designer’s best friend. It can completely change the look of a room both quickly and affordably. Taken a step further, paint can create a reasonably-priced decorative backsplash for your kitchen. Using kitchen-friendly paint, it can also be extremely low-maintenance. Just wipe off spills and splashes on a scrubbable paint surface and your cooktop area will always look great. Unless you’re artistic and knowledgeable about paints, though, you’re going to want to hire a decorative painting professional to do the job for you. The results can be customized to your space, taste and budget and since you’re not having a whole room done or hard-to-reach area, it won’t necessarily be an expensive project. 

More ideas for your kitchen backsplash

Layered resin, like this Varia Ecoresin from 3Form, creates natural drama.

Backsplashes can also be made from stainless steel sheets, professionally-installed. The steel will add a soft reflection, modern, industrial style and little maintenance. An often-DIY backsplash can be made from beadboard panels cut to fit. They work best in traditional, country and transitional kitchens. A carpenter would be a good resource for this project if you’re not handy yourself.

Colored glass or resin sheets are newer ways to cover your backsplash. Both can be lit from behind with LED lights for modern drama.  The resin sheets often sandwich decorative elements like vines or leaves for added impact. These, too, are professionally-installed projects.