The kitchen is one of the most used and enjoyed rooms in your home. Why not give it a little something extra? A beautiful backsplash can transform your kitchen into a trendy, charming space for entertaining and preparing meals. It’s a little upgrade that takes the room from “meh” to “wow.”
With so many backsplash colors, styles, and design options to choose from, you are sure to find a backsplash that really fits your style and color scheme. However, if you are just beginning your kitchen remodel process, selecting your backsplash can be a tad bit overwhelming.
Should you really invest in a backsplash? If so, what kind of design trend should you follow?
We hope to answer those questions for you. This post will outline the value of investing in kitchen tile backsplashes, analyze some of your options, and inspire you by covering some of the trendiest designs.
A. Why Should You Invest in a Kitchen Tile Backsplash?
Kitchen backsplashes aren’t just beautiful – they serve a practice purpose, as well. A backsplash will protect your kitchen wall from moisture and the messy stains that come with cooking. We never recommend leaving your kitchen walls exposed.
Kitchens collect a great deal of moisture, and your kitchen walls can easily become susceptible to mold and mildew growth. Mold spreads quickly, causes health issues, and often leads to expensive structural repairs to your home.
Backsplashes significantly minimize this risk by shielding your walls from spills and residual moisture. The best part? Adding this practical (and beautiful) element to your kitchen isn’t all that expensive.
Average kitchen may vary due to the type of backsplash you pick. Should you choose to DIY the project, you may be able to bring those numbers down even lower.
Many of the most affordable backsplash tile options on the market are aesthetically pleasing, stylish, and durable. Trust us when we say that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get the exact look you want.
This brings us to your design choices.
B. Kitchen Backsplash Tile Options
a) Polished Porcelain Tile
Polished porcelain tile is one of the most popular and economic choices for kitchen backsplashes.
Due to advanced printing technology, porcelain tiles can now mimic any style or pattern, so you can get creative with your design. Polished porcelain tiles are arguably the most affordable choice, but they are printed with a realistic texture and made to look expensive.
Porcelain tiles are difficult to stain, water-resistant, and durable. They can withstand heat, wine and grease stains, and pretty much anything you might throw at them while cooking and cleaning. Additionally, polished porcelain tiles are visibly appealing, require very little upkeep, and will last for decades.
b) Glass Tile
Glass tiles are another extremely popular choice for kitchen backsplash designs.
A glass tile design allows you to create a sleek and modern backsplash for your kitchen. The translucent material reflects natural light, which can make your kitchen appear both larger and brighter. We often recommend this choice to clients that are dealing with dimly lit or small kitchens.
Glass tiles come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and mosaics, so you can find a design that matches your exact kitchen design goals. You can even order them in unique finishes such as frosty, infused, and shiny.
Another benefit of glass tiles for kitchen backsplashes is that they are water-resistant and easy to clean. You can quickly wipe grease stains and splashes off glass tiles with an all-purpose cleaner or even soapy water. Glass also minimizes the chances of mold and mildew growth since it doesn’t retain moisture.
Looking for eco-friendly kitchen tile backsplash ideas? Recycled glass could be a great option. Recycled glass tiles are made from the melting and repurposing of old materials. Typically, they are just as durable, stylish, and easy to clean as new glass tiles.
c) Porcelain Wood-Look Tile
Through advanced technology, porcelain tile can be printed to mimic the look of natural wood. The surfaces of porcelain wood-like tile are even textured like real grain. This wood-like look can add a rustic, warm feel to your kitchen.
Porcelain wood-like tiles are resistant to fire and water, durable, and easy to maintain. These tiles allow you to capture the look of traditional wood without creating a fire hazard in a room where you’re often using electronics and gas. Unlike real wood, porcelain tiles will not need to be re-sealed, stripped, sanded, or re-stained.
Because porcelain wood-look kitchen backsplash tiles are man-made, they come in an array of colors, finishes, and textures. Choose between traditional oak, rustic driftwood, and rich cherry, just to name a few. With such an extensive selection, you can find the perfect porcelain wood-look tile design for your kitchen.
d) Glossy Ceramic Tile
Glossy ceramic tile offers a modern kitchen backsplash feel. Its shiny, high-gloss finish brings an expensive feel to any kitchen remodel for an affordable price. Glossy ceramic tile doesn’t just elevate the overall look of your kitchen – it also brightens the space by reflecting natural light.
Ceramic tile is both stain and water-resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. You don’t have to worry about extensive upkeep to extend the lifespan of glossy ceramic time. Just wipe away stains as they appear.
High gloss ceramic tile come in a variety of colors and sizes to fit any kitchen ceramic tile backsplash ideas you have. A glossy ceramic kitchen tile backsplash is a great way to add a sense of luxury to your remodel.
e) Marble Tile
If you are looking for a kitchen backsplash design that will never go out of style, marble tiles might be the way to go.
It’s important to keep in mind that marble is a natural material, which means it requires more maintenance than many other kitchen backsplash tiles. Over time, natural stone will develop micro holes that can absorb kitchen stains. To fill these holes, you will need to clean your marble tiles regularly and reseal them once a year.
Although marble requires a bit more upkeep, it is durable and built to last. Smooth marble tiles come in different shapes, hues, and finishes to match any kitchen design and color scheme.
Installing marble kitchen backsplash tiles can be expensive, but we’d still recommend considering marble if you’re going for an elegant, timeless design.
C. Popular Trends in Kitchen Backsplash Tiles
a) Take Your Tiles To A Greater Dimension
If your kitchen has open shelving or empty wall space, you can fill it with ceiling-height backsplash tiles. Filling blank spaces with backsplash tiles will help bring your entire kitchen together.
If you decide to install your backsplash tiles all the way to the ceiling by the canopy hood, consider playing around with different combinations of colors, patterns, and textures. Breaking up the design of your ceiling-height kitchen backsplash helps it stand out and gives it a luxurious, textured look.
b) Add a Metallic or Mirrored Finish
Every little detail matters when it comes to your kitchen backsplash tiles, including the finish. Metallic and mirrored finishes allow you to make your backsplash the focal point of your kitchen.
A mirrored kitchen tile backsplash finish reflects natural light enhances its appeal during the day and brighten your kitchen. To take advantage of mirrored finishes at night, you can add lighting fixtures under your cabinets. At night, the light reflection creates a dramatic look that’s ideal for setting the mood for a party or gathering.
Metallic tile finishes look come in different colors and treatments. Because metallic finishes look and feel like real metal, it enhances the look of modern appliances and gives you kitchen a unique industrial feel.
c) Use Large Tiles for Small Kitchens
Do you need some small kitchen tile backsplash ideas? Ironically, using large tiles might be the way to go, according to many designers and homeowners this year.
Traditionally, kitchen backsplash tiles are 6 “x 6” . Although this has been the most common size for years, more and more people are seeing the value of larger tiles for small kitchens. They help create the feeling of a larger space and continuity, which is why they are ideal for a small kitchen remodel.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post gave you a better understanding of the importance of your kitchen backsplash, showed you some great tile options, and opened your mind to helpful kitchen tile backsplash ideas.
If you need kitchen backsplash ideas or help with your kitchen remodel, OMG Kitchen and Bath can help. We have been assisting homeowners with their renovations for over 25 years. Our team will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your dream kitchen becomes a reality.
For more information about our design services, contact us online or call 948-540-8859.