A backsplash serves many functional purposes for your kitchen: it makes the surface easier to clean, preventing stains and water damage to your walls.
This element adds as much stylistic effect to your kitchen as it does function. A backsplash helps tie the walls and countertops together; it can blend in seamlessly or make a statement.
You don’t want your backsplash to command too much attention, feel out of place, or be a downright eyesore – so how do you choose the right backsplash for your newly designed kitchen?
1. Figure out how much material & determine your budget
Before diving into specific selections, consider how much of your kitchen remodeling budget you are willing to put toward the backsplash. If you want expensive material (such as marble or handmade tile), or to cover a large area of the wall, you’ll need to plan to allocate more toward this element.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost of getting the backsplash installed on top of the materials. Once you have rough figures for how much you can allocate toward the material itself, it can guide your decision making.
See also: How to avoid blowing the budget on your kitchen remodel
2. Get inspired by your kitchen's design style
To choose a backsplash that will add to the overall effect of the room instead of detracting from it, you need to identify your new kitchen’s design style. If you’re going for transitional, modern farmhouse, midcentury, or another style, this will influence which backsplash will suit your kitchen best.
If you still need to define your aesthetic identity, you’re in luck: take this 5-minute quiz to discover your kitchen design style.
Research what others with a similar style to you have done in their kitchens. Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz are a treasure trove of creative inspiration.
3. Decide how you want your backsplash to interact with the rest of the room
Consider the existing elements of your kitchen - the cabinets, countertops, fixtures, appliances, flooring, and hardware. How do you want your backsplash to interact with these elements? It can provide contrast through color, pattern, or texture, or it can blend right in!
Do you want your backsplash to integrate seamlessly? You may want to choose colors for your backsplash that match ones that can be found in your cabinetry and other existing elements.
Want your backsplash to pop? Pick a material that brings a dynamic differentiation to the current materials in the space.
See also: The top cabinet colors you need in your Seattle kitchen
4. Pinpoint opportunities for accent areas
If you’re looking for an opportunity to incorporate a tasteful accent into the room, you can do this with your backsplash above the range and the sink. These are the perfect locations to play up pattern, because the eye is naturally drawn to these areas.
5. Test out your favorite
Obtain tile and color samples, and tape them to your wall. Live with them for a while, if you can.
This exercise will help you determine if a selection is one you like seeing every day, or if was a passing preference. You’ll be able to better visualize how the material will interact with the space and feel more confident in finalizing your backsplash decision.
6. Consider wear and tear and other important attributes
We already mentioned that a backsplash material should be easy to clean, especially for the areas behind a cooktop or other busy prep area. You should also seek a water-resistant material; behind sinks and dishwashers, this quality will be even more important.
Natural materials are usually a better option that manmade, since engineered materials can have an artificial look and feel to them. However, beware of porous textures, including natural stone. These materials are more prone to staining and damage.
7. Give yourself a long lead time
There are many tile suppliers to choose from and tens of thousands of tile options, but none of them are immune to stock challenges. To negate any issues due to delayed shipping times or stock issues, order your tiles far ahead of when you’ll need them.
While common tiles may be in stock and orders could easily be fulfilled in 1-2 weeks, if you’re ordering a large lot of unique tiles that may be manufactured in small batches or far away, you should allot 6-10 weeks for your order to be completed.
See also: How long will my kitchen remodel take? Estimate an accurate timeline
8. Get the help of an interior designer
If you want an expert to help guide you in selecting the perfect backsplash material and the hundreds of other decisions you need to make during a kitchen remodel, working with an interior design will give you access to deep knowledge of aesthetics and functionality.
The beauty of working with a design-build firm like Innovative Home Renovations is that you’ll have an interior designer dedicated to your project, as well as a site manager and project coordinator that all work under one roof. You’ll have a well-rounded team that will help you design and create a kitchen you’ll love for years to come.
If you’re ready to be empowered, educated, and in control of your Seattle kitchen remodel, contact us to meet with a project manager.
by Haley Carroll