The Different Types of Kitchen Backsplash

From the minute you wake up for your morning cup of coffee, all throughout the day to that late-night craving — there is no doubt that you spend a lot of time at home in your kitchen. Since you want to enjoy you time spent here, the kitchen design is an important factor to consider. A key focal point in the kitchen is the backsplash, since it is at eye-level and makes its way around the kitchen. It has to look good and fit the aesthetic that makes you feel at home.

Installing a backsplash is also one of the easiest and most affordable ways to spruce up an existing or brand-new kitchen. It not only protects the walls from spills and splatters, but it adds an appealing eye-catcher as well. Backsplashes have transformed from solely a protectant, to a decorative element that will either stand out or compliment a color scheme. 

With the plentiful options to choose from, it’s difficult to decide which backsplash would work best for your kitchen. You not only want to choose a material that will hold up through your daily kitchen routine, but one that fits your style and will remain a timeless staple. With this in mind, the following is a list of several backsplash options and their pros and cons in the kitchen space.

Tile

subway tiles are the most popular backsplash pattern in modern farmhouse and farmhouse-inspired kitchen designs.

Since it is one of the most affordable, cleanable, and diverse materials, tile remains the most popular backsplash material in today’s market. You can find them in different shapes and styles, making virtually every backsplash unique to its own design. The two most-used tile backsplashes are ceramic tile and glass tile.

Ceramic Tile (or porcelain tile) can be whatever shape, style, or color you want it to be – which is what makes it so popular. It is also affordable and durable, making it one of the most hassle-free choices when it comes to the backsplash. However, the install can be a bit trickier since there is a learning curve for installing it.

Glass Tile adds a lot of visual interest without being overbearing. Since they are slightly transparent, they can easily be bright and bold. Glass tiles will also catch the natural light that comes into your kitchen, giving them a unique shine. The slight downsides would be it can be more expensive and be harder to install.

Stone backsplash gives any neutral color scheme a beautiful touch of texture.

Stone

Stone—and marble—have more of a luxe aesthetic to them. Their dynamic textures and color schemes really take the backsplash world to the next level and truly transform your kitchen. What was once a dull, uninteresting kitchen can now be a modern, dynamic cooking space for people to gather. However, with a more luxurious look comes a bigger price point and a greater level of maintenance required.

Wood 

The use of shiplap in kitchens has increased dramatically with the ever-so-popular modern farmhouse look. Shiplap is essentially taking plywood of any thickness, painting it, and layering it in a horizontal pattern over your wall. You could also use any natural or reclaimed wood as a backsplash to give more rustic charm.

It is important not to underestimate the difference a great backsplash can make to a kitchen. It can add a gorgeous pop of color, texture, or tie together your kitchen color scheme perfectly. You want to feel confident and at home in your kitchen, so falling in love with aesthetics is imperative.