A kitchen refresh?
Yes, please. We want it yesterday.
As a group of people who are concerningly obsessed with home decor, we can’t let a day go by without discussing a new trend, a potential renovation, or experimental ways to use artificial green walls. We think that might even be against company policy.
Thankfully, we get paid to do it.
And recently, we’ve been looking into kitchens - the all-star room of every home. Particularly, we’ve been exploring kitchen backsplash ideas, prompted by the colorful minds of a few clever clients.
You don’t need a wrecking crew for every revamp. For the kitchen, you might only need some backsplash designs to tie it all together.
If you also want to turn your kitchen into the standout space you know it deserves to be, stick around for a fast and fabulous guide on backsplashes.
What is a Kitchen Backsplash?
A kitchen backsplash is an installation on the wall behind your countertops, stove, or sink.
The name itself reveals its primary function: to protect your wall from splashes, spills, and stains that can occur during cooking, even for seasoned cooks. In a way, the backsplash is an extension of the countertop. It can stretch as high as the ceiling or just short of it.
In some kitchens, it stops midway up the wall.
While all ideas have their place, if you cut your backsplash short, you’ll find yourself scrubbing grease off a wall that’s determined to hold onto every stain. That’s a battle you don’t want to fight. Ever.
Kitchen backsplash designs have evolved from the days when they were just functional. Now, people use them as focal points or statement pieces - the crown jewel of the kitchen, so to speak. We’re living in a time where a kitchen can double as a tourist attraction for your guests.
Today, we’ve got options galore - classic subway tiles, mosaic patterns, glass panels, and the like. Each design brings its own flavor to the kitchen, much like your dishes.
But a good backsplash for a kitchen should be tough - a kitchen’s suit of armor, if you will. There’s little use for a stunning backsplash that can’t stand up to the daily grind of cooking. That’s why you opt for materials that are easy to clean and durable.
And it doesn’t matter whether you can whip up macarons to perfection or just know how to press “start” on the microwave - everyone can benefit from a kitchen backsplash.
4 Popular Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
Let’s break down 4 popular kitchen backsplash design.
Each has its charm and quirks and can lend well to different kitchen aesthetics. You can tweak and adjust your backsplash at will and even switch out your choices seasonally.
Here’s what you should know:
Tile
A kitchen backsplash with tile was one of the first options we had available for our food hubs. And for good reason - they’re easy to clean, reliable, versatile, and always there when you need them.
Installing tile behind your stove can extend the life of your kitchen and save you some unbearable elbow pains from wiping and scrubbing. In just a swipe or two, tiles go from greasy to glowing.
And the choices are almost infinite. If you want bold and brazen - choose a resplendent mosaic that guests mistake for an art piece. Or, if you want subtle - you can’t go wrong with subway tiles in soft hues that add just the right amount of texture.
The only qualm we have with a tile kitchen backsplash is that - while it’s a classic - it’s not groundbreaking. So, if you want to stop people in their tracks, you need to think outside the tile box. Tile is dependable and can be fun, but for a kitchen that turns heads, it’s worth taking a step into the unexpected, don’t you think?
Brick
Warm, inviting, rustic. If you want to tie any of these words to your kitchen, look at installing a brick backsplash.
A brick kitchen backsplash brings a charm to the space few other materials can replicate. A kitchen with brick is rugged and refined because no two bricks are the same. In a way, it’s both uniform and unique. The natural grout variation offers a tinge more character and allows for customization. You can choose between different colors and even add glitter!
A modern backsplash should never concern itself only with aesthetics. This works for brick because it concerns the environment, too. Brick is a green choice. It doesn’t generate as much waste as other materials during production and it’s non-combustible.
Of course, it’s also timeless. It’s been around for centuries, and it’s not going anywhere soon.
Window
Ready to put a sledgehammer through the wall and open up your kitchen to the outside world?
We know that not everyone can afford such luxury, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, here’s a treat for you. If the exterior of the kitchen wall you’re working on overlooks part of your garden, you’re already on the right path. For this to work, you’ll want a view worth showcasing.
If you carve out a hole above your stove to find a drab wall or fence on the other side, don’t abandon your vision. Instead, browse our faux green wall collection, choose your favorite lush foliage, and install it on the plain wall. Then, add the window, frame it with a decorative rim, and get a green backsplash that accompanies every meal you make.
A modern backsplash like this is all the more intriguing when you remember that the foliage doesn’t need your help to survive and thrive. This idea allows natural light to flood in and makes the greenery part of your kitchen’s decor.
Before you do anything, remember that this isn’t a renter friendly backsplash, it’s permanent. Consider how the window fits within the layout of your kitchen. Highlight it as a centerpiece and make your space conducive to a relaxing and enjoyable cooking experience.
Wallpaper
If you want a DIY backsplash in less than a few hours, you’ve probably already encountered peel-and-stick wallpaper. Wallpaper is the wild card in backsplash - especially if you’re renting and need something easy to apply and remove.
There’s an inconceivable range of possibilities with a wallpaper kitchen backsplash. You can choose any picture or pattern that suits your style or go against the grain of your aesthetic and slap on a statement piece that grabs attention.
Wallpaper can be as conventional or as out-there as you like. Since it’s a renter friendly backsplash, you can have almost total control over the kitchen’s look without making any permanent changes.
So, when the mood strikes, the wallpaper goes down, and another goes up in its place. And don’t worry, you won’t have to dip into your savings to do it - it’s one of the most affordable choices out there.