Sunday, November 21, 2010

Tips to Create a Winning Kitchen Backsplash

These three important tips will point you in the right direction to create a winning kitchen backsplash.

  1. Decide on the countertop you want first. Then you can start talking tile and backsplash designs. Make sure the two complement each other. Don't draw attention away from a stunning counter with a busy tiled background. If the countertop is plain or simple, then let the backsplash be the focal point. Here's a few photos that show the "yen and yang" relationship of a counter and backsplash.

    backsplash design

    A bright bold backsplash using Barcelona San Jose 6" x 6" pairs nicely with a simple solid-color counter.

    The Indian Teal brown granite countertop takes center stage. The decorative dots and field tile are the supporting cast.

    backsplash design

    Decorative Spanish Teruel Dots sparingly accent the Yucatan Chamois 4" x 4"

  2. Work with the available space. You can't fit 10 pounds of gold into a 5 pound sack. Large tiles with big patterns just don't work in that tiny wall-space behind the sink with that big picture window - no matter how much you love that tile. It sounds obvious; but pictures make it very clear.

    backsplash design

    Cuban Heritage Design 110 2B 8" x 8" requires eight (8) tiles to complete both the cross and medallion pattern. It works well for a large wall with no cabinets. The same impact could not be achieved here:

    backsplash design

  3. Define your style. A kitchen designer can really help. First, though, try to define the experience you want to achieve, the importance of aesthetics versus 'ease of maintenance'. Do you like clean lines and contemporary designs or classic patterns? Bright colors or muted colors? Vivid colors or earth tones? Finally, answer questions similar to those we posed on how to Discover your Dream Bath (hint: substitute 'kitchen' for 'bath').

Here's a few more kitchen backsplash designs. Which is your favorite?

backsplash design
Oporto Kitchen Backsplash

backsplash design
Tuscan Kitchen Backsplash

backsplash design
Alcala Backsplash

3 comments:

Fun and Fit: Kymberly and Alexandra said...

My favorite is the light blue Cuban Heritage. Very soothing and pleasing for me.

Bill Buyok said...

Alexandra, Thanks for voting on your favorite kitchen backsplash! The Cuban Heritage design is a favorite of mine, too. This backsplash design and kitchen makeover was featured in the October 2010 issue of This Old House. Find out more in our recent blog post, Cuban Heritage Cement Tiles featured in This Old House.

The Rock Junkie said...

Great post! Love the bright backsplash in the first picture. Here's another post I found helpful on backsplashes that your readers may enjoy: http://www.kitchenimproved.com/index.php/backsplash-ideas-kitchen-remodel/

Thanks!