Designing any part of your house needs a lot of decision-making, especially the kitchen. But one can’t deny how fun it can be too, especially when selecting the backsplash tiles. It’s like expressing yourself through the kitchen walls, cabinets, and appliances. Coordinating all of those elements will make your kitchen aesthetic.
There is a wide array of kitchen backsplash ideas to choose from so you can let your imagination run wild. If you like traditional designs, you can use a subway design that covers the space between countertops and cabinets.
If your kitchen features open shelves or no upper storage, you can use tile envelopes. That way, the backsplash tile covers the entire wall surface. You don’t need to use wallpaper as a backsplash material.
Whatever type of kitchen you have, there’s bound to be a backsplash idea for a grand kitchen glow-up!
What are Backsplash Tiles?
Backsplash tiles are materials used to fill the gaps in a kitchen or bathroom wall. Usually, those gaps are found between cabinets and a countertop and span the entire length of the countertop.
Traditionally, it already has a wide variety from small patches above a farmhouse sink to mosaic-style to match the flooring. There are more textures, color schemes, and patterns to combine. However, today’s tile backsplashes are brilliantly accented and used for the most trafficked areas of the house.
Photo by Dan Waibel Designer Builder
Using a backsplash is just one of the many ways to modernize your kitchen. Ideally, you’d want the backsplash to be installed simultaneously with the countertop. However, it can also be a professional or DIY project at your leisure.
Smart Ways to Buy Backsplash Tiles
The most common styles for backsplashes are ceramic, porcelain, cement, stone, marble, and glass. However, just because they’re common doesn’t mean they’ll fit well in your kitchen.
The best tile for your kitchen backsplash depends on your preferences and creativity. Do you want a rustic farmhouse kitchen look with antique bricks? Or perhaps you’d want a sleek style that complements your appliances?
Photo by Designs of the Interior
The sky’s the limit with creativity but some background knowledge will help in your search for tiles for the ultimate kitchen glow-up. Tiles are priced by the square foot and the material so don’t expect your tiles to be priced similarly.
Take the material marble for instance. It’s very expensive but you can shop smart for the best and most affordable backsplash tile. Here are some shopping tips to help you make sound financial decisions in the tileshop!
1. Get a Marble Look-Alike
A glazed porcelain tile can mimic the appearance of expensive marble. Its glossy coat will shine and look brilliant to anyone seeing it.
Photo by Melissa Miranda Interior Design
2. Try Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
There are countless options among these types of tiles for your kitchen. From traditional to contemporary or vice versa, your choices are endless and your kitchen will surely look unique!
3. Combine Stainless Steel and Natural Stone
The combination of these two materials gives off a warm atmosphere in your kitchen. It’s a unique combination because of the different appearances of natural stone.
4. A Masterpiece with Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are packed in smaller patterns and tend to offer you more than their price. Depending on the materials used, you can turn your kitchen into a masterpiece!
5. The Popular Sheet Glass
Sheet glass is an increasingly popular material for the kitchen because it’s easy to maintain. If you’re worried about spillage and splashes, sheet glass is very easy to clean up. And using glass adds a lighter look to your kitchen too.
6. Use Wood for a Rustic Aesthetic
Wood isn’t a typical choice for the backsplash but it’s a top choice for getting a rustic aesthetic. However, because of its properties, it’s less functional and high maintenance. You need to research the right varnish and enhancements to use to get the most out of it.
Photo by Ascent Contracting Inc
Backsplash Ideas and Combinations
1. Glossy Mosaic
Glossy mosaic tiles give an artistic shine to your kitchen. You can find them in different motifs, depending on the overall theme you want to make.
2. Capri-Esque Tiles
Art takes references from history, including artistic designs on tiles. The creator might be inspired by an island in mid-century Capri, giving them a wave-like shape.
3. Art Deco
An art deco style for backsplash is the way to go if your kitchen is going for an all-out glamor. The backsplash’s subtlety will balance out the colors of the space, be it the surrounding walls or the floor.
4. Green and Copper Tones Together
Green and copper tones in the kitchen give it a fresh summer feel. Green tiles in the background and copper kitchenware have a nice contrast. It’s pleasing to the eyes and a unique deviation from the usual blue, white, and gray schemes.
Photo by Mulberry’s Design House
5. Stripes with Subway Tiles
Subway tiles may be common but they offer a lot of room for creativity. If you want a unique backsplash design, you can mix and match different colors of subway tiles.
If your cabinets are white, you can contrast them with green tiles. And to make it pop, you can alternate the green and white tiles in rows to look like stripes.
6. Mirrored Tiles for Good Lighting
Mirrored tiles are good at maximizing light so windowless kitchens make great use of them. They might be too eye-catching if you overdo it so try to keep them low profile. That said, you have your little disco ball in the kitchen if the situation calls for it.
Photo by Transitional Interiors, LLC
Conclusion
Decorating the kitchen takes a lot of decision-making and creativity. People hire professionals or do it themselves to express their creativity. Those that view the kitchen as a personal space would probably agree with that sentiment.
That said, the backsplash tiles of a kitchen are just one of the most important design decisions for a homeowner. The kitchen is a high-traffic area that’s sure to be viewed by guests so an aesthetic and functional setup is recommended.
There are several designs for backsplash tiles that can get overwhelming. But with the right research, you’ll be able to discern how to buy the right tiles for the right price. And then, having your imagination run wild and combining different designs will bring out a unique kitchen appearance.