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How to Choose the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash for Your Renovation Project?

How to Choose the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash for Your Renovation Project

Updated
6/15/2023

Table of Contents

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Choosing the ideal backsplash tile for your kitchen can be a daunting task. In many ways, kitchen backsplashes bring your kitchen design together, completing your kitchen's style with a regal finish, a unique pop of color, or a natural stone look. No matter your style, there's a kitchen backsplash to match, but how do you navigate how to choose a kitchen backsplash?

With an array of materials, patterns, and textures, there is a vast range of backsplash materials to choose from to complete your kitchen design. To help you perfect your kitchen remodel with the perfect backsplash, here are the top kitchen backsplash ideas, as well as tips on how to select your perfect match.

The Significance of a Kitchen Backsplash in Your Renovation Project

how to pick backsplash to match countertop

Choosing your kitchen backsplash is no simple decision. With the right backsplash material, you can totally shift the look and feel of your kitchen. But the backsplash material offers more than an aesthetic finish.

The kitchen's backsplash has a functional benefit, too. With the right backsplash materials, your kitchen gets protection from splatters and stains, too. This is wonderful in a bustling kitchen, where the backsplash can serve as an easy-to-clean wall finish while cooking new recipes.

In addition, beyond the visual appeal, the perfect backsplash can provide, it can also increase your home value. With an array of styles, your tile backsplash can enhance the overall design, appealing to new buyers with a stylish kitchen finish.

Explore the Diversity: Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Taste

Whether you're working with an interior designer for your kitchen remodel or are navigating creating your kitchen style on your own, a well-designed kitchen is nothing without the right backsplash tiles.

Serving as a stylistic element to show your unique taste, backsplash tiles can transform your kitchen, and there are a lot of options on the market today.

From subway tiles to glass tiles, mosaic designs, and grout colors, there are a lot of choices to make. To assist, we are sharing some of the most popular ideas for kitchen backsplashes today, whether you want a modern finish, contemporary design, or traditional look.

Backsplash Idea Description Benefits
Subway Tiles Classic and versatile option, perfect for a timeless look. Easy to clean, cost-effective, fits various kitchen styles.
Mosaic Patterns Intricate designs created by combining small tiles for a unique and artistic backsplash. Adds visual interest, customizable, creates a focal point in the kitchen.
Stainless Steel Sleek and modern option that adds an industrial touch to the kitchen. Resistant to stains and heat, hygienic, reflects light to make the space appear brighter.
Herringbone Chevron pattern created by arranging rectangular tiles in a V-shaped design for an elegant look. Adds a sense of movement, visually appealing, creates a sophisticated and upscale appearance.
Moroccan Tiles Vibrant and colorful tiles inspired by traditional Moroccan patterns, adding a bohemian flair. Infuses personality and warmth, unique design, brings a touch of cultural influence.
Glass Backsplash Reflective and translucent glass tiles that create a sleek and contemporary appearance. Easy to clean, reflects light to make the space appear larger, modernizes the kitchen design.
Brick Backsplash Rustic and textured look achieved with exposed brick tiles for a charming and warm atmosphere. Adds a rustic and cozy ambiance, durable, creates a timeless and inviting feel.
Marble Slabs Luxurious and elegant option with natural veining, adding sophistication to the kitchen. Timeless beauty, heat-resistant, enhances the overall value and aesthetic appeal of the kitchen.
Geometric Tiles Modern and geometric patterns that create a visually striking backsplash, perfect for a contemporary style. Adds a modern and trendy look, makes a bold design statement, adds depth and dimension.
Patterned Porcelain Intricate patterns and designs on porcelain tiles, adding a touch of elegance and visual interest. Low-maintenance, durable, brings a touch of artistry and sophistication to the kitchen.

No matter the backsplash you choose or the color palette you opt for, with a well-chosen selection, you can enhance your overall kitchen design for a more appealing, high-value finish.

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to check out the kitchen backsplash options in person, beginning your journey to the perfect kitchen renovation.

6 Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash for Your Renovation Project

6 Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash

Choosing your backsplash is not just about deciding between marble or tile backsplash, it's important to consider the entire kitchen in the process, too. Sounds daunting? We hear you. To help you begin your journey to find the perfect kitchen backsplash, here are six tips to help you navigate how to pick kitchen backsplash tiles and colors.

1. Discover Your Style Preferences for Your Kitchen Backsplash

The backsplash for your kitchen shouldn't be a last-minute decision in your kitchen's design. It's important that the backsplash is cohesive with your overall design, including your cabinet choice, countertop, and other style elements.

When looking at your kitchen and the huge variety of backsplash options, ask yourself, is your space traditional or modern? Is it colorful or neutral? In addition, consider how much color is throughout the rest of your home and the overall design, bringing elements into your backsplash design to create a uniform style.

2. Evaluate Materials When Selecting Your Kitchen Backsplash

Another important factor when exploring backsplash ideas is the material. Typically, this decision relies heavily on how you utilize your kitchen and your cooking habits. If you are frequently utilizing the kitchen, you can expect a lot of splatters, so going with a backsplash without white grout is best. In addition, a backsplash with a glossy finish will be perfect, as it's an easy-to-clean material when the kitchen gets dirty.

For those less familiar with the kitchen, any material can be utilized, allowing for more fun and freedom without worrying about maintenance.

3. Contemplate an Accent Backsplash for Your Kitchen

For many, a backsplash is used as an opportunity to add an accent to the kitchen, choosing a specific tile color to give a more unique and eccentric look.

There are benefits to both accent and neutral backsplash options. For a neutral backsplash, you can design as you choose, adding quirky design elements to the decor. However, a colorful design can further implement your unique charm. Consider your preference, and if you're planning to sell soon, keep in mind common buyers' preferences.

4. Seek Inspiration and Gather Samples

When in doubt, look at inspiration. From Pinterest to a designer's previous work, there are so many backsplash ideas to explore to better zero in on your preferences.

When exploring a backsplash for your kitchen, we recommend exploring design magazines, websites, and social media platforms to look for inspiration and discover new or trending styles. As you explore these different platforms, you can better get a sense of what you gravitate towards.

As you explore options, be sure to consider how the materials and colors will look on your specific kitchen walls. In addition, it's always best to check out the materials in person, physically touching samples to make sure they suit your preferences.

5. Create a Budget Plan for Your Kitchen Backsplash

An important part of choosing a backsplash is budget. No matter how large or small the renovation, it's best to stick to your budget along the way, and for elements like backsplash, things can quickly get pricey.

While tiles may seem like a small, affordable addition, specific materials can come at a high cost, especially when considering the square foot needs. Depending on how much space you're covering, you may need a large amount of tile.

Keep in mind, tiles can range in price from as little as $8 per square foot to as high as $60. Keep this cost in mind when navigating your renovation and design, and don't forget to consider labor costs, too!

6. Unleash the Power of Color in Your Kitchen

To make the most of your kitchen wall space, backsplash materials offer the perfect opportunity to have a little fun with interior design, adding a colorful feature to give a pop of happiness.

For many kitchens, shades of blue and green are a go-to color choice, as they are more of a neutral color option and easily match several interior styles. However, bolder colors like red, pink, orange, and yellow have been gaining popularity, allowing you to enhance the overall style of your kitchen.

If you do opt for a colorful tile, it's important to consider your kitchen countertop and cabinet color, too. When it comes to how to pick backsplash to match countertop designs, with a colorful kitchen tile, it's best to stick to neutral kitchen cabinets and countertops for a more cohesive finish.

Different Types of Kitchen Backsplashes to Consider

how to pick kitchen backsplash

From tile backsplash to glass, granite, ceramic, and wood, there are a number of materials to explore. Explore more of each to make the right choice for your kitchen.

Tile Backsplashes

One of the go-to backsplash materials is tile. Touted for its durability, versatility, and affordability, a subway tile backsplash is perfect for a bustling kitchen, allowing you to match colors or create unique designs with this sturdy tile material.

Tile backsplashes come in a few different options, including ceramic, porcelain, and subway tile styles. Subway tile is an incredibly popular backsplash choice today, offering a simple yet effective design that can easily match the rest of your kitchen with a sleek, elegant look. Plus, they offer a minimalistic look that will last through the years, with both glossy and matte options. Subway tile can come in both porcelain and ceramic options, with porcelain serving as the more durable of the two with a more water-resistant finish.

Glass Backsplashes

The perfect kitchen backsplash for a sleek finish, a glass tile backsplash gives any kitchen a modern finish, offering a high-end look, plus easy maintenance.

While this isn't the most commonly used backsplash option, a glass tile is great when dealing with a lot of splashing or moisture. In addition, this tile option is often quite durable, and in many cases, scratch-resistant. However, keep in mind, glass backsplash must be installed professionally, because any flaws will be visible through the glass. For this reason, tempered or textured glass is typically recommended.

Stone Backsplashes

If you're looking for a more unique backsplash for your kitchen, stone is the way to go.

Stone tile offers a timeless and elegant look, and comes in a variety of different materials, including marble, quartz, and granite. When utilizing a stone slab, it can often look sleek and well-done when implemented as an extension of the countertop, matching your countertop material to your stone slab on the wall This serves as a visual extension, creating a modern, sleek look.

Ideal for those looking for a timeless, decluttered kitchen, granite or stone backslashes offer a simple and neutral completion to your home.

Metal Backsplashes

While an unlikely choice, metal backsplashes are growing in popularity due to their modern, industrial look and feel, plus enhanced durability offerings.

When choosing a metal backsplash, it's important to select your metal choice correctly. Whether stainless steel or copper, there are various options to choose from that can offer different durability and finishes.

Stainless steel, specifically, is popular in professional kitchens but can offer residential homes an elegant and classy finish. Ideal for kitchens with. a lot of traffic, stainless steel offers the perfect amount of simplicity, while allowing for easy maintenance with splashing or humidity.

Wood Backsplashes

Offering unique features unlike other tile options, wood material is the perfect kitchen backsplash for adding a bit of warmth and versatility to your home.

Depending on your style, there are many wood materials to choose from. Whether you want a more rustic, worn finish with reclaimed wood, or a cool butcher block look, it's important to explore the options to best match your overall design.

Keep in mind, wood is not the most durable material. However, when maintained regularly and properly, and when professionally sealed, it can make a great wall finish in your kitchen.

Backsplash Decision-Making: Essential Do's and Don'ts for Your Kitchen Renovation

kitchen backsplash ideas

When choosing the details for your kitchen splash, there are a few do's and don'ts to consider along the way to ensure a durable surface and timeless design you will be satisfied with.

Before finalizing a choice, homeowners should consider:

  • For those that spend a lot of time cooking or tend to make a mess, it's best to avoid white grout. This is harder to clean and will show visible stains on the surface.
  • Consider the trim pieces of tiles needed for the corners of your design. Specifically, if you are tackling this project on your own, it's important to calculate these corners before, tailoring them to fit into the pattern with the right shape.
  • Look into eco-friendly options, such as recycled glass, mosaic tiles, or bamboo. They are durable, stylish, affordable, and eco-conscious.
  • For renters or homeowners looking for a quick, affordable upgrade, peel-and-stick tiles can be a good solution and can be easily replaced at any time.
  • Do not use stone or matte subway tiles if your kitchen is frequently messy. These materials require special techniques to remove greasy stains.

Elevate Your Kitchen Space: Get Professional Renovation Services from Zenith Design + Build

Whether you're all about a pattern, a bold pop of color, or simply ensuring that the material you choose is built to withstand all your cooking adventures, finding the right backsplash for your kitchen can totally transform your kitchen.

Offering both design assistance and renovation teams in Washington state, our team at Zen Renovations can help guide you through the kitchen backsplash options, helping you select the right design and functionality for you. To begin, contact us today to learn more.

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Kevin Harris

Kevin Harris

Company owner
Kevin earned his Master's at the University of Maryland School of Architecture in 1998, and has dedicated the last 30 years to renovating homes in his community. He also led a construction training program for high school dropouts.

Backsplash FAQs: Answers to Common Questions

How to calculate the amount of backsplash you need?

To calculate how many tiles you need for your backsplash, start by measuring the width and height of the wall area you want to cover. Then, multiply the width by the height to get the square footage. To be safe, add 10% to account for any cuts that will need to be made.

Keep in mind - it's better to have a little extra than not enough!

Popular kitchen backsplash trends: what's hot right now?

Currently, modern kitchens are all about white subway tiles. This sleek, timeless option matches every design and allows for more customizations with decor and other kitchen elements.

Matching vs. contrasting: should your backsplash match your countertop?

When choosing a backsplash tile, it's important that your selection compliments your countertop, but that doesn't mean it has to match exactly. In fact, many countertops and backsplashes use different colors or designs, contrasting or complimenting each other in some way for a cohesive, yet not plain, design.

Easy backsplash installation: which types are the simplest to install?

The easiest backsplash materials for installation are peel-and-stick backsplash, although this Is not the most long-term option, nor the most valuable. However, peel-and-stick backsplash is readily available at most hardware stores and can make for a simple DIY experience to elevate your home in a cinch.