A kitchen backsplash is more than a way to keep kitchen walls clean. It's so much more. Your backsplash helps set the decorative tone of the room, adds a splash of color and style, and gives your kitchen panache. When you think about it, that's a whole lot of bang for your buck. Whether you're totally remodeling your kitchen or want a small change that will make a huge impact, a carefully considered backsplash can make all the difference.
Glass: Rise and Shine
A glass backsplash is great for a number of reasons. Glass is often recycled, making it an eco-friendly tiling choice. It's super easy to keep clean, making it a smart choice. And its shine will make any kitchen feel fresh. Glass is available in any color you can dream up, and will last a lifetime. It's classy and cool, while always in style.
Texture: Not Just for Fabrics
A 1959 Swiss study illustrated an interesting fact: different cells in the human brain respond to different lines and shapes. In short, we're drawn to patterns. If you want your backsplash to become the star of your kitchen, consider a tile that has been hand-glazed for added interest, or even a mosaic tile that draws attention without overwhelming the space.
Stone: Really Rock Out
Speaking of texture...there's nothing quite like stone for introducing an outdoor element into your home. It's rustic, but clean. Warm, but inviting. Just as there are thousands of different stones found in nature, there are a myriad of different shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from when it comes to stone backsplashes.
Handmade: For One-of-a-Kind
If you're one of those people who wants to walk into your kitchen and know that no other kitchen on the planet looks quite like it, handmade tiles are for you. Your imagination coupled with an artist's interpretation creates a truly unique look, from calm and cool to utterly exciting. Handmade tiles are, literally, pieces of art that cover the landscape of your kitchen, changing it from an ordinary space to a gallery of sorts.
Porcelain:Â Maintenance Free With an Added Pinch of Drama
If ease of maintenance is your goal, then porcelain tile may be just the ticket. You choose a color that works for the space, choose a design that inspires you, and you're set to go. The best part, it is almost impossible to stain because porcelain is impervious to moisture.Â
When most people think of porcelain, they think of larger floor tiles. But today many porcelain lines have both traditional mosaics and linear mosaics. Check out Travertino Elegante from Ascot, for example. Another option is to take a porcelain tile and have any shape you want fabricated from the field tile. What a great way to make a statement that will belong just to you.
Pulling it All Together
As with any good design plan, it is a good idea to have your kitchen decor worked out in your mind before putting it into action. If you want your backsplash to act as a backdrop for more dramatic elements, like cabinetry or lighting, choose a style that is able to fade into the background.
If you want your backsplash to make a decorative statement, make sure that it is the "loudest" thing in the room so that your kitchen decor does not become cluttered.
With so many options to choose from, you're sure to create a unique space just by changing your backsplash.
