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Tired of staring at the bare wall space between your kitchen cabinets and countertops? A kitchen backsplash can help with that. And there’s no doubt backsplashes are popular in the kitchen design world. Most kitchen photos that come up with a Google image search for “beautiful kitchens” feature backsplashes. Read on to learn what installing a kitchen backsplash involves and how it will benefit you!
Why Add a Backsplash?
A backsplash is a decorative feature that will add more character to your kitchen. When it comes to selling your home, a well-done backsplash may increase your home’s value since many homebuyers are looking for a visually appealing kitchen.
Most backsplashes are easier to clean than painted walls. They often require minimal wiping with a damp cloth or sponge and are resistant to stains. Historically, kitchen backsplashes were installed for functional purposes. According to Mission Tile West, the first backsplashes were small, often only 4 inches tall and only placed behind the stoves and sinks of many homes to guard against splashes and splatters. But they’ve grown in size and evolved to serve also as a decorative feature over the years!
If you live in an area with high humidity, a backsplash also acts as an extra layer of protection from mold and mildew. Similarly, if your area is prone to bug problems, a backsplash will also add a barrier of defense against these pests that may otherwise sneak into little cracks in your drywall and between the walls and countertops.
Trending Backsplash Designs for 2022
Intrigued with what adding a backsplash can do for your kitchen? Here are some backsplash materials and styles we recommend:
1) Brick – We’re talking about real brick veneer in which brick is thinly cut and adhered to the walls with mortar mix. This is a great material to use if your kitchen features a more traditional and/or organic theme. Red-colored brick is also very popular for kitchens with an industrial theme.
2) Subway Tiles – These have a similar look to brick but are more contemporary. Subway tiles, especially white tiles, are extremely popular for backsplashes in modern homes.
3) Marble Patterns – There’s a reason marble patterns remain popular. The attractive veining of the stone gives a luxe appearance. Some kitchens use real marble, which is generally on the more expensive side. But if you are on a budget and do not mind using engineered stone, you can get the look of marble with less expensive quartz. We’ve come across both tiled marble as well as slab marble designs.
4) Chevron Patterns – If you love bohemian or farmhouse design, this is for you! Chevron tiles will add a boho touch to any kitchen.
5) Geometric Patterns – Hexagon and triangle tiles are also popular choices and will work well in a modern or minimalist kitchen. Some even feature a 3D pattern, which we think adds another layer of interest to the design!
Backsplash Installation Tips
There are several types of backsplashes, each with its own installation methods. With any of these methods, we highly recommend that your walls are clean and free from dust and grease so that the material can adhere properly.
1) Peel & Stick Tiles – These are easiest for D.I.Y installations as it just requires removing the adhesive backing and pressing onto a clean wall. Some peel and stick tiles are also easy to cut to size with scissors or a utility knife because they are thin and made of plastic.
However, be wary that this method will not work on heavily-textured walls because the adhesive will not have a flat surface to stick to. Heavily-textured walls will need to be smoothed out (or skim-coated) before you can effectively use a peel and stick backsplash.
2) Wallpaper – Using wallpaper as a backsplash opens even more design possibilities. There are so many wallpapers out there to choose from! However, like peel and stick tiles, wallpaper also works best on smooth walls. It will still stick to lightly-textured walls, but you can usually see the wall texture underneath it (which may not be the look you’re going for). Wallpaper will not work on heavily-textured walls, so you must smooth it out before wallpapering. We also recommend a moisture-resistant wallpaper for use in the kitchen.
3) Single (Non-Adhesive) Tiles – These will require use of a mortar mix. Because of the hardness of the material, cutting and trimming usually cannot be done with just scissors, but requires a saw or other heavier cutting machinery. There is more labor involved in installing these tiles, but it usually creates very professional, high-quality results.
4) Slab Panels – If you’re after a seamless and modern look, then slabs are the way to go. This is most often done with stone backsplashes. Large pieces of stone that have been cut to size are perfectly fitted into the space for the backsplash and held in place with a strong adhesive.
Add a Finishing Touch to Your Kitchen
Need ideas or installation help? We can help complement your cabinets with the perfect backsplash. Interested in having your entire kitchen remodeled? We can assist with that, too! Contact us or request a free estimate to get started!
Featured Image Credit: Rookwood Tile