Kitchen Backsplash

The primary purpose of a backsplash is to protect your walls above your countertops from the food, grease and grime that is splattered and spilled as part of everyday cooking. Installation is done either as a continuation of the countertop (up the wall) or as a separate piece, usually as a ceramic tile.

The kitchen backsplash can also be a creative design element to your room giving you freedom to do almost anything with the color and texture; making it an excellent accent feature. You can use the backsplash to either feature the countertops or the walls, or make it blend entirely with either one. Some people use mirrors to give the room a larger appearance.  You can give the impression of a seamless countertop by matching the color of the backsplash perfectly, or by having the countertop itself serve as the backsplash.

There’s no one rule when it comes to backsplash dimensions. You can make it short (just a few inches) above the countertops, or extend it clear up to the cabinets. It should generally reach the bottom of any windows, but you do have complete flexibility depending on the design impact you’re trying to achieve.

Some people take kitchen backsplash designs to an artistic level creating beautiful mosaic tile designs that go well beyond a simple 4 inch wall protector. They’ve been used as featured art above stoves and on open wall areas.

From a practical standpoint the kitchen backsplash should be made of a material that will serve its purpose of protecting your walls and for easy cleaning it helps if the backsplash is stain resistant and accepts standard cleaning products.

A backsplash isn’t a required feature, neither from a practical nor design standpoint. Some kitchens (including mine) go without one. Others may choose to use a simple wallpaper border in place of tiles.  Installation of a backsplash can be especially difficult if the walls aren’t level and plumb. Wavy walls would either require the wallpaper option or none at all.

Where to do more design research

Your local home remodeling and improvement store can give you more design ideas for which backsplash works best in your kitchen. You can consult with various kitchen remodeling books, or look at internet websites and pictures for inspiration. We recommend the following sites:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_kitchen_bath_backsplash/article/0,1797,HGTV_3743_1374418,00.html

http://www.designerglassmosaics.com/gallery_backsplashes_dgm.htm

Helpful installation and remodeling tips

• If your tile choice will incorporate both plain and textured pieces, be sure to buy them all at the same time so you’re sure to get a perfect dye match. Waiting until later to buy certain pieces could result in a slight color difference from differing dye lots at the factory. 
• Before installing the tiles permanently on the wall, lay them out on the floor or countertop first so you can make sure the design you’ve chosen is the right one.
• If installing ceramic tile backsplashes its best to get non porous, or vitreous, tiles as they will absorb the least moisture.

Overall your options are limitless and really give you a chance to flex your creative muscle. Get going, you have a kitchen backsplash to install!