How to Select the Perfect Backsplash for Your Kitchen
Last month, I shared this post about 5 Important Things to Know when Selecting a New Backsplash. We talked about various tile investments and maintenance levels, about style longevity, and about some ways to get creative with your backsplash.
Today, I want to take it a step further and help you select THE perfect backsplash for your kitchen. It starts and ends with these 3 steps…
Not one but TWO beautiful and timeless backsplashes in this kitchen we renovated.
Step 1: Get inspired… but in the right places
If you have ever walked the aisles of a tile supplier, you know exactly how overwhelming it can be. There are many hundreds of styles, and that’s just for the tile itself. Add in the number of possible backsplash configurations, and you have thousands of options at your fingertips.
I know that having a lot of choices sounds like a good thing, but having spent time with homeowners in this very situation, I can tell you — it’s actually more mind-numbing than exciting. How do you choose just ONE of a thousand options? Enter, decision paralysis.
So, when I say to get inspired, I don’t suggest heading to your nearest tile store. Instead, spend some time on sites like Pinterest and Houzz to see what types of kitchens catch your eye. Create Pinterest boards with your favorite images; then, narrow them down again and again until you find the few that really excite you.
Because it can be hard to choose a backsplash based on what one tile looks like, having a vision of the end result can make your selection much easier.
If you’re working with us: We’ll show you several examples or browse through your Pinterest boards together. We’ll discover what look you love and make some backsplash suggestions for your budget and lifestyle. Easy as that.
Marble mosaic tiles in a diamond pattern - from our 1970s Kitchen Remodel
Step 2: Consider functionality
In my previous backsplash post, I talked about the different materials that can be used to make tile. Some of these are more durable than others, are better for cooking or hosting, and require less upkeep. Here’s a quick recap:
Natural stones, like granite and quartzite, are very durable but might require sealing periodically.
Mirrored and stainless steel backsplashes are a great option for making a small space feel bigger and brighter, but fingerprints and smudges are often visible.
Porcelain tiles, stainless steel, and man-made stones (like quartz) are materials that are best at standing the test of time in a high-traffic space.
The next step is to narrow down your selections to just a category or two of materials. Since you already have an idea for the look of the backsplash, knowing the material will quickly eliminate a vast number of options. The way ahead becomes much clearer!
If you’re working with us: We’ll be sure to take all of these considerations into account and make some recommendations we know you’ll love long into the future.
White subway tile isn’t as simple as you might think. Can you guess just how many shades of white are out there? Hundreds! It works in this space because of Step 3...
Step 3: Choose the backsplash and counter together
The third step is to choose your backsplash and countertop materials together. These two sit right next to each other in your kitchen and must be stylistically cohesive to create a beautiful space.
It’s also much easier to make adjustments to your selections when you are still in the planning stages. Installing a backsplash and then hunting down the perfect countertop is difficult. Same with having a countertop in place and looking for the perfect complementary backsplash. It’s not impossible, but it limits you.
Choose them together, and you’ll be sure to have a perfect match. Bonus? Once you’ve chosen these two items, many of the other elements of your kitchen will naturally fall into place.
If you’re working with us: Together, we’ll create a design plan for your backsplash, countertops, and entire kitchen. Selecting all of your design elements at once ensures that it will be stunning, functional, personal to you, and effortlessly timeless.
So, what do you think? Have you found some courage to select the best backsplash for your kitchen? If you need a little help along the way — or you have a full-scale kitchen renovation you’re ready to take on — we would be honored to help.
Reach out to us here, and let’s see what we can create together.
Warmly,
Sarah & Steve Abbott