For many people, the kitchen is the heart of the home and, although relatively small in area, the kitchen backsplash is incredibly important because it’s one of the first things you see when you enter a kitchen. Rather than rushing into your project, devote plenty of time to designing your perfect backsplash (after all, this isn’t something that can be easily changed). Here are 11 sure-fire ways to create a beautiful and stylish tile backsplash design:
1. Map it out.
The backsplash is quite literally one of the first things you notice when you enter a kitchen, therefore, you should take special care in planning your kitchen backsplash design. It must not only be beautiful, the backsplash must tie the entire room together. Make sure to consider all the elements such as the countertop, floors, cabinets, and wall color. And never forget the importance of little details to create a professional looking tile design!
2. Go for durability.
The kitchen is such a huge part of our daily lives. Although it is certainly the place where we nourish our bodies, it is also where we relax, visit, entertain, and even just “hang out.” The kitchen must feel clean, vital and comforting. The materials must be durable and stylish… you know, beauty and function! A metal tile backsplash can easily fit the bill. Metal tile is an attractive tile option that can easily withstand the “heat of the kitchen.”
3. Choose your style.
A kitchen backsplash is the finishing touch that can make or break a room. The backsplash must be in sync with the rest of the kitchen. Backsplash designs really do work best when they echo the kitchen theme. It just doesn’t make sense to have a retro style backsplash in a French country kitchen.
4. Create the mood.
In addition to the size, pattern, and shape, there is a factor much harder to put into words: aesthetics. Your choice of material, as well as pattern, should reflect the mood you hope to achieve. Do you prefer rustic or modern, subdued or vibrant, sleek or textured? Every material has a different character. Keep looking at pictures of different kinds of kitchen backsplash tile designs to pinpoint your taste.
5. Express yourself with color.
Because the backsplash is a relatively small area, it’s your chance to play with color. You can choose soft, subtle colors for a warm and inviting kitchen or you can be more daring. A random checkered tile pattern in bold colors can bring character and energy into a little kitchen. Who says that small kitchens have to be boring?
6. Play with pattern.
Patterns add interest – especially if you are on a tight budget. One easy way to save money is to select standard tiles in complementary or contrasting colors and then arrange them to create an interesting backsplash tile pattern. For instance, an unusual checkered pattern can make your kitchen feel like a charming French bistro rather than a boring rental apartment.
7. Use texture.
As with color and pattern, texture can set the tone for your entire kitchen. For example, earth colored granite tiles cut into a uniform size are warm and inviting, while metal tiles, on the other hand, create a contemporary and modern feel.
8. It’s all in the details.
It’s the little details that make a kitchen “yours” instead of looking like it just came off a showroom floor. Intriguing kitchen backsplash designs are more about thoughtful details than grandiose gestures. And honestly, it doesn’t take much to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen tile design. A few well-placed decorative tiles, diamond tiles instead of squares, or a colorful checkered diamond tile backsplash can literally set your kitchen apart from the rest.
9. Select the material with care.
The resurgence of tile has brought many different types to the market like ceramic, stone, and glass. In fact, the variety of tile can be quite overwhelming. Take some extra time to choose your backsplash material. As mentioned, you want something durable and beautiful. More importantly, you want a tile design the reflects your sense of style since you are probably going to have this tile design for some time.
10. Get the most bang for your buck.
You can get the most bang for your buck by investing in the area above the range or cooktop. A custom backsplash above the stove creates a natural focal point for your kitchen.
11. Get creative.
Want to break from the norm? Why not extend your kitchen backsplash all the way to the top of the cupboards? The clean lines will make your kitchen feel more modern. Have you ever thought about using glass blocks as a kitchen backsplash? Natural sunlight can easily transform a kitchen from a dark and dismal room into a radiant, bright space that you want to hang out in. Get creative!