Backsplash Tips

Choose a Style

• When it comes to settling on a backsplash style, consider the overall look of your kitchen. An old-world style backsplash has a comfortable, warm feel and works best when cobblestone, tumbled marble, chipped tile or other aged materials are used. Hammered copper may also be used for an old-world style backsplash with a more dramatic look. This style of backsplash typically works best with a kitchen that features neutral colors like gold, tan and brown.
  
  A Mediterranean-style backsplash is more colorful and incorporates shades that evoke images of the seaside, such as blues and greens. Cabinets and counter tops should be lighter in tone.
  
  For a more modern flair, consider a contemporary-style backsplash, featuring clean lines and materials like polished granite, glass tiles, metal or stainless steel. Consider this style if your kitchen already features stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. For a truly unique backsplash, consider combining elements from a couple of the various styles.
  
  

Mosaic Backsplash

• The color of the backsplash is just as important as the style. Typically, it is best to design your backsplash so its colors complement your cabinets and counter tops. However, you can also use the backsplash to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral kitchen. A mosaic pattern is ideal for this purpose because you can incorporate small pieces of stone or tile in brighter colors into a palette that is more neutral in color overall. Using a mosaic pattern also allows you to create a more unique backsplash because you can design a one-of-kind pattern for the space.
  
  

Maintenance Issues

• Consider the maintenance issues involved with your backsplash. Located directly behind your sink and cook-top area, your backsplash must be cleaned on a regular basis. If you choose a porous material, it will absorb food, grease, moisture and other items and will be more difficult to clean. Some tiles and other materials may be permanently stained as a result. To avoid this, do not use unglazed tile or materials for your backsplash. Ceramic, glass and porcelain tiles are good options because their glaze does not absorb food and liquids, so any residue can simply be wiped away.
  
  

Space

• Most standard backsplashes comprise 16 to 18 inches between the bottom of the kitchen cabinets and the counter top. If you are planning an intricate mosaic design, this may not be enough space. Your counter tops must be installed prior to the backsplash, so their height cannot be adjusted. However, you can move your cabinets higher on the wall to give yourself anywhere from 20 to 24 inches to build your backsplash. Before enlarging the backsplash area consider the overall size of your kitchen. A large backsplash may overpower a smaller kitchen, particularly if it features a colorful, detailed design. Big, open kitchens that feature high ceilings are ideal for a larger, more dramatic backsplash.