Kitchen Back Splash for Walls - Materials, Patterns and Colors
Whether you're renovating your kitchen or simply want to spice up your existing space, installing a backsplash is one of the best ways to add personality, protect your walls, and pull your design together. With so many materials, colors, and patterns to choose from, backsplashes present the perfect opportunity to showcase your style.
Read on to gain inspiration and expert advice for selecting the ideal backsplash to match your taste and transform your kitchen.
Benefits and Importance of Backsplash for Kitchen Walls
While they may seem purely decorative, backsplashes serve many integral functions in kitchen design. Most importantly, they prevent your walls from damage and discoloration. Kitchen backsplashes bear the brunt of grease, oil, and food splatters from the stove, oven, and sink - sparing your painted wall from stains. They also protect surfaces from heat, steam, and moisture that can lead to peeling or cracked paint and drywall problems.
Backsplashes brighten up kitchen spaces as well, reflecting light to make the room appear more open and airy. Their smooth surfaces are significantly easier to wipe down and keep clean compared to textured walls. You have the freedom to add pops of color, architectural shapes, or eyecatching materials you may not want on full walls. Backsplashes introduce creativity, allowing you to layer in textures, patterns, and hues that express your unique taste.
Popular Materials for Kitchen Backsplash
Homeowners have an extensive range of options when selecting materials for their kitchen backsplash. Let's explore some of the most popular choices and their distinct qualities:
- Ceramic or Porcelain Tile - A go-to choice for backsplashes, ceramic or porcelain tiles offer durability, water-resistance, affordability, and easy maintenance. Their hard, non-porous glaze resists stains, moisture damage, and heat. The variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and patterns available in tile make it possible to customize your design.
- Glass Tile - Glass tiles lend an eye-catching, polished look to backsplashes with their translucent, reflective sheen. While more expensive, glass tile comes in beautiful styles from sleek subway tiles to mosaic and mermaid designs. The downside is glass can crack or chip under hard impact.
- Metal Backsplash - For contemporary kitchens, metal backsplashes like stainless steel, copper, or tin provide an edgy, industrial vibe. Metals are naturally heat-resistant and simple to keep clean. However, stainless steel can show fingerprints and scratches over time.
- Stone Backsplash - Elegant natural stone choices like granite, marble, or travertine bring a sense of luxury as a backsplash. However, stone requires sealing to prevent staining and may have veining or pits that necessitate extra cleaning. It also comes at a higher price point.
- Mosaic Backsplash - Mosaic tiles compose images and patterns through small, pieced together ceramic or glass tiles. This intricate look provides visual interest, dimension, and a textural backdrop.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Backsplash
With the wide range of backsplash materials and options available, keep the following factors in mind when deciding:
- Your taste and kitchen's style - Does your kitchen lean traditional or modern? Rustic or contemporary? Match the material and design to your aesthetic.
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance - How readily can spills and messes be wiped away? Will the material show wear and tear over time?
- Moisture resistance - Consider potential splashes from sinks or steam from cooking. Porous surfaces require sealing.
- Budget - Prices range dramatically based on material, from $5 per square foot for painted glass to $50+ per square foot for custom cut stone.
- Ease of installation - Factor in complexity for DIY projects. Large format tiles are beginner-friendly.
- Heat resistance - Materials like metal and stone hold up to stove and oven heat better than wood or plastic.
- Pairing with countertops - Contrast or complement your counters with your backsplash color and texture.
- Kitchen size and scope - Are you tiling a single wall or full room? Order tiles accordingly.
Where to Install a Kitchen Backsplash
While backsplashes can span entire walls from countertops to ceilings, the most essential areas to protect include:
- Behind the stove or cooktop - This high heat, splatter zone benefits enormously from a non-porous, easy to clean surface.
- Behind the kitchen sink and adjacent countertops - Contains moisture and needs protection from water damage.
- On side walls or around windows - Prevents grease buildup and preserves paint.
- Perimeter of countertops - A full backsplash frame ties the whole space together.
- Accent sections - Small backsplash installations highlight particular areas.
Design and Layout Options
From color to layout, backsplashes offer seemingly endless design possibilities. Some top choices include:
- Subway tile - This classic square tile lined up in offset rows creates clean lines.
- Herringbone - Angled long rectangles result in a chic chevron pattern.
- Mosaic - Hundreds of tiny tiles in multiple colors shape images and designs.
- Mixed textures - Pair glass, stone, and metal tiles together for depth.
- Accent strip - A bold backsplash trim borders countertops.
- Full wall - Backsplash tile extends floor to ceiling for a commanding statement.
- Match countertops - Merge counters and backsplash for a streamlined look.
- Complementary colors - Contrast backsplash hues with cabinetry.
Preparing and Planning for Installation
Installing a kitchen backsplash tile project takes careful preparation and planning. Here are key steps:
- Remove old backsplash - Take down existing tile, stone, or laminate.
- Clean surfaces - Eliminate dirt, grease, and residue from the wall area.
- Gather materials - Tile, grout, adhesive, spacers, grout sealer, tools.
- Plan layout - Graph paper templates assist with tile measurements.
- Purchase extra tiles - Have extras on hand in case of breakage.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Follow these steps to hang a backsplash tile project:
- Prepare the surface - Apply adhesive primer/sealer to the wall area.
- Measure and mark - Map out tile location with a level and mark the starting point.
- Apply adhesive - Spread thinset mortar adhesive using a notched trowel.
- Set tiles - Press tiles into adhesive beginning at the starting mark.
- Use spacers - Place spacer strips between tiles for even grout line spacing.
- Allow to cure - Let adhesive fully cure 24-48 hours before grouting.
- Apply grout - Push grout into tile joints then scrape excess off the surface.
- Clean residue - Wipe remaining grout haze away with a damp sponge.