Kitchen Backsplash Ideas
| “That’s a small step for man, a giant leap for mankind”, remarked astronaut Neil Armstrong on the 20 July, 1969, as a billion hearts swelled with a vicarious sense of pride when he set foot on the moon. Prophetic words, that in fact have a great deal of resonance in the most generic aspects of your life. Like say, in kitchen backsplash ideas. But how can simple backsplash ideas have such a profound influence on the interiors of a kitchen? Ask any homeowner that has been through the ups and downs of a kitchen remodel or renovation project, and you’ll see the bigger picture. |
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Color. Character. Charisma. A few words that bring out the iconic essence of the infinite styles, designs and patterns in which the backsplash envelopes onlookers in complete euphoria.
It could be a ceramic tile backsplash that makes an Italian Tuscan kitchen look more appetizing with scintillating images of food platters. Glass wall tiles that break all barriers with their style and elegance and marble mosaic tiles that shimmer and sparkle in the radiance of under cabinet lighting, take decorating to a whole new level.
Painting the dull and dreary wall in an explosion of fascinating colors is just another day in the office for tile murals. Stainless steel and tin tiles more than turn heads with their subtle gloss and sheen. Extend the granite on countertops to the backsplash wall accentuated with a herringbone design decorative metal trim, and you have a rock-solid combination of beauty and a budget. That’s of course, if you’ve exhausted all your DIY backsplash options.
Making Quite A Splash
| For time immemorial, the kitchen backsplash was always regarded as another very banal functional aspect of the kitchen, and was treated with the same derision that’s normally reserved for things like grout, adhesive or even some clunky piece of hardware in the bathroom. Thankfully, today manufacturers, designers and homeowners have experienced a complete change of heart and have realized that it’s just not a surface that shields the forlorn wall behind the sink or cooktop from invidious food spatters and splashes of water. No doubt, protecting the kitchen wall is the raison d'être of the backsplash, but it also shoulders the responsibility of bringing about a sense of harmony among all the other members in the kitchen, rather blithely. It has now been unequivocally established that even a miniscule investment in this focal point promises a complete reversal of fortunes, at least in the interiors of the kitchen. |
Blazing A Trail With New Options
The infinite options to do up the backsplash in the kitchen have been greeted with immense enthusiasm by homeowners. The standard 4” backsplash has been displaced unceremoniously by a host of other options that cause quite a stir at the bottom of the kitchen cabinets. No longer do boring one-dimensional creations need to grace the wall. In fact, the backsplash can be the most spectacular addition to the interiors of the kitchen.
A backsplash design all over the space gift wraps a small kitchen in a hugely exotic cloak of intrigue. You could get decidedly random in your approach, with just a few accent tiles above the kitchen cabinets. The impact, however, will be categorically awe-inspiring.
Choices Galore
Marble, granite, mosaic, ceramic… you’re never hamstrung by lack of options when it comes to ideas to jazz up the backsplash. Here’s a look at some of the best that’ll leave you speechless:
- Ceramic tiles: That old war horse is still going strong, and how. And the reasons are not that hard to find. These tiles are durable, long lasting and very affordable. It’s the most effective way to enliven that lackluster kitchen wall. The glut of styles, colors, patterns and designs have enabled this supernova to shine brightly on the design horizon.
- Glass tiles: Just like their ceramic cousins, these tiles too inspire a great deal of admiration, thanks to a multitude of benefits. They are easy on the pocket, low on maintenance, hygienic and extremely durable.
- Mosaics: It’s the only way you can hope to create a masterpiece without the astronomical price that’s generally associated with one. With benefits of simple installation and not much maintenance, everybody can hope to fit into Da Vinci’s creative shoes.
- Glass: If thinking creatively has been handed over to you as an inheritance, just like a piece of family furniture, here’s one spot that can stand testimony to your genius. Paint it the way you like, and watch this no stain, no fuss surface add tremendous visual appeal and depth to your contemporary kitchen.
- Stainless steel: The other members of the metal family, like tin and copper, certainly need to brace themselves for a tough battle with this monarch. Durable, heat resistant, easy to clean, non-porous, flexible, environment friendly and creating an illusion of space, no wonder it’s making rapid strides in most restaurants and homes.
- Murals: Mexico, France or Tuscany, fasten your seat belts, for custom tile backsplash murals promise flights of fantasy like no other. Even a Louisiana inspired southern style is a great way to embellish your interiors.
- Stone: You’ll be amazed to see the absolutely surreal manner in which dark wood cabinets make a striking statement when combined with a marble or granite backsplash in light shades. The contrast of white cabinets with dark colored slate tiles is certain to stop your guests in their tracks.
Never Hit A False Note
So you do feel that installing a backsplash is an extremely daunting, cerebral task that calls for endless brainstorming sessions. Well, not anymore. Here are 10 tricks that are certain to ensure that you never go wrong during the installation process:
- Install the kitchen countertop first. Choose the countertop material with ingenuity and foresight, as it calls for a great deal of investment. The backsplash design must compliment or rather blend perfectly with the countertops.
- Invest in low voltage lights so as to highlight the radiance of the kitchen backsplash.
- Make sure you do not gloss over the importance of niches and ledges as nifty storage spaces.
- With the countertops in place, it’s now time to let your imagination run wild. A visit to the nearest tile shop or home improvement store would certainly pay rich dividends. Make sure you carry a piece of the countertop material with you when you decide to play matchmaker.
- With reams of newsprint being dedicated to the likes of backsplash ideas, spare a thought about scouring the glossy pages of books and design magazines. A trip to the hallowed interiors of places such as Lowes or Home Depot store is sure to be extremely inspiring. Just plonk yourself near their books section, and watch your spirits soar.
- Attention to detail is of paramount importance. So make sure you work out the patterns well in advance.
- Make sure you have catered for the not-so glamorous aspects like the adhesive and grout or special tools like wet saws.
- The choice of material is supreme. Make sure it complements the overall décor of the place. Stainless steel, glass and granite bring out the essence of a modern functional kitchen.
Hand painted tiles, marble, granite and travertine add to the enigmatic rustic appeal of a Mediterranean or old world kitchen. Mosaics, murals, copper and tin are other wondrous options.
- Now to the part that would bring out the best in you- colors. The shades in the backsplash must find some representation in kitchen counters and cabinets. The theme of the kitchen is another deciding factor. While an old world styled kitchen makes a vivid statement in subdued, muted shades of gold, beige and brown, kitchens that exude a Mediterranean charm in resplendent blues and refreshing greens are every homeowners dream come true.
- Textures are another aspect that have the innate ability to strike a chord with onlookers. Once again, it’s more than just the surface that meets the eye. Contemporary kitchen spaces are characterized by a no-fuss sleek shiny facade, neat lines and uncomplicated patterns. However, it’s a feeling of warmth that tugs at the heartstrings when you feast your eyes on the rugged, aged exterior of a country kitchen backsplash.
The only thing required while designing a kitchen backsplash is soaring imagination, quite like the stuff that sci-fi writers like the venerable Arthur Clarke was made of. Eye candy addicts can get gung-ho about style-savvy peel and stick reflective tiles or even incandescent recycled aluminum tiles that up the hottie factor.
Bright animations, captivating magnets and alluring porcelain cups and plates… a bright spark of an idea to revamp the kitchen backsplash needn’t be a collage of clichés.