The Right Tile for Your New Backsplash

Kitchen backsplashes don’t have as long a history as some wall coverings, but they do date back nearly 100 years. When indoor plumbing became commonplace, and kitchens began to have running water in all households, the backsplash began to emerge. By the 1930s, it was considered a staple of the kitchen design. Its original purpose was to provide a waterproof surface that would cover the walls from splashes and help prevent damage.
Over time, people began to make their backsplashes more decorative, introducing different patterns, colors, and materials to the area. And as time went by, and waterproof backerboard and better cleaning materials emerged, the backsplash became less about protecting the walls and more about completing the kitchen design.

Every kitchen design is different, which can mean that every backsplash tile selection can be different as well. Backsplashes can use many types of tile including ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, and cement. And each of these materials comes in a wide range of colors, sizes, finishes, and styles of their own. To help narrow down all of these choices, it helps to take a look at the things you’ve already selected for the kitchen design. The following tips are designed to help you find the right tile for your project.

Begin to narrow down your selections by taking into consideration the colors already being used in the kitchen. This will include your wall color, as well as the color of the countertops, cabinets, and flooring. If you plan on having prominent artwork or colorful dishes on display as well, these will also factor in.

Your backsplash tile can pull a color or tone from any of these things, or simply be something that coordinates well with them. For example, you may pull a fleck of color out of a granite or quartz countertop to be the main color of the backsplash, and incorporate lighter or darker shades of your wall color to balance it out. If you have a lot of colors already in use, consider choosing something neutral for the backsplash that is similar in undertone – such as a cool white if you have a lot of blues, greens, and grays or a taupe if you have a lot of earth tones.

The material for your backsplash can be easier to narrow down based on the style you want for the space. For example, if you’re going for a cottage look, a ceramic or marble tile may be a good fit, while for something French country, you will want something with a pattern, such as a ceramic tile or a cement tile. If you have lots of natural and rustic elements to the design, then natural stone may be the right fit.

You’ll also want to consider how the space will be used and cleaned. While ceramic, glass, and porcelain tiles are easy to care for in this area, some times like cement or stone could be stained by splatter behind a cooktop if you don’t seal them regularly. Always be honest with yourself about your cooking and cleaning habits when choosing a tile for an area that may see splashes.

The style of the tile that you choose will also be influenced by many things. These can include not only the overall design of the kitchen, but also things like your countertop and cabinets. Some very ornate cabinets and busy countertops work best with a more simple backsplash. Other more subdued countertops or simple cabinets may provide nice contrast for a bold backsplash. Be sure to take into the overall style of your home as well to find a tile that will fit in.

Backsplashes today are mainly used for decorative purposes. That means that choosing the right tile can often feel more overwhelming than other choices in the room. It also means that it’s OK to take your time and find the perfect fit. If you need help locating the right tile, be sure to make an appointment with one of our Design Consultants, who have the knowledge and expertise needed to help guide you to the right choice. Call or stop into one of our locations today to get the perfect tile for your backsplash.