Deciding whether to install a backsplash in your bathroom is an important design choice that can dramatically impact the look, feel, and functionality of the space. A quality backsplash protects walls from water damage, is easy to clean, and serves as a stylish focal point, bringing together the colors, textures, and materials already present. When thoughtfully incorporated, a backsplash ties the whole room together, elevating it from functional to beautiful.
Below we’ll explore why you may want a backsplash, the most suitable materials, popular design options, installation considerations, and alternatives if choosing to forego a backsplash altogether. With the right information, you’ll be equipped to determine if a backsplash is the right choice for your bathroom.
Why Consider A Bathroom Backsplash?
There are several excellent reasons to incorporate a backsplash in your bathroom design:
Protection From Moisture Damage
The number one purpose of a backsplash is to protect the walls around sinks, tubs, and showers from water exposure and damage. Bathrooms experience high humidity. Without a backsplash, drywall and paint inevitably absorb moisture. Over time, this leads to peeling, mold, and mildew. A quality backsplash acts as a water barrier, keeping the walls intact.
Ceramic tile, natural stone, and metal backsplashes are water-resistant and easy to wipe down after bathing. Their durability provides long-lasting protection, keeping bathroom walls fresh and intact for decades.
Easy Maintenance & Cleaning
In addition to moisture resistance, proper bathroom backsplash materials are designed for easy cleaning. Their nonporous surfaces prevent soap scum, hard water stains, and grime from penetrating the surface. A quick wipe down keeps them looking fresh.
Cleaning a backsplash is much simpler than scrubbing down paint or wallpaper. The durability and wipeable nature of backsplash materials make bathroom maintenance quick and hassle-free.
Visual Appeal & Design Impact
Beyond functional benefits, a backsplash brings visual appeal to a bathroom. The design choices are endless – materials, colors, patterns, shapes, and textures available for backsplashes pair beautifully with your existing tiles, cabinetry, fixtures, and accents.
A backsplash can harmoniously tie the whole room together, or artfully contrast with your design, adding intriguing visual interest. Either way, a backsplash makes a statement, becoming a focal feature in the room.
Increases Resale Value
Bathrooms with upgraded backsplashes tend to have higher resale value than those without. They read as more high-end, finished spaces that are move-in ready. The backsplash protects the walls, keeping the bathroom looking pristine and well-maintained over time.
For a relatively reasonable investment, a quality backsplash greatly increases the perceived value of a home. Real estate agents recommend them as an easy way to elevate the look of a bathroom before selling.
Best Materials For Bathroom Backsplashes
The optimal backsplash material for your bathroom depends on the amount of moisture, the existing style, and your budget. Consider the following options:
Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
Tile is the most popular choice for bathroom backsplashes. The variety of sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and patterns available in ceramic and porcelain tile provides endless design possibilities. Both perform well in high-moisture areas.
Ceramic tile is extremely affordable, starting around $5 per square foot installed. Porcelain tile costs a bit more but provides increased durability and stain resistance. Either material resists moisture and cleans up easily with just water and a cloth.
Tile backsplashes pair beautifully with natural stone and concrete design elements throughout the bathroom. They come in every style imaginable, from elegant marbles and minerals to hand-painted tiles featuring coastal scenes.
With proper sealing, tile backsplashes withstand decades of use while adding personality and polish to the bathroom.
Natural Stone
For a top-of-the-line backsplash with timeless appeal, natural stone is unmatched. Materials like marble, travertine, granite, and slate elevate any bathroom design. Each stone has a rich, unique aesthetic achieved naturally over centuries.
In addition to beauty, natural stone offers durability. Harder options like granite and slate withstand heavy use in family baths. Softer stones like marble and travertine can etch over time but bring unparalleled elegance.
Natural stone costs between $15-$100 per square foot but is a lifetime investment that increases resale value. The stellar protection, ease of maintenance, and sheer magnificence stone backsplashes provide make them well worth the investment.
Stainless Steel
For contemporary, sleek baths, stainless steel is a perfect backsplash choice. It has an ultra-modern, professional look, pairs beautifully with chrome fixtures, and is easy to wipe clean after bathing.
Stainless backsplashes come in sheet panels, varying metal grades, and brushed or polished finishes. Grades 304 and 316 are best for bathrooms. Stainless costs approximately $45-$75 per square foot installed.
Beyond the contemporary aesthetic, stainless steel backsplashes offer complete moisture resistance. A damp cloth removes soap scum and water spots instantly. Durable stainless backsplashes withstand decades of use.
Glass Tile
Glass tile provides a gorgeously sleek and luminous backsplash. The varied textures and colors, from clear to reds, blues, and frosted options, create a shine that feels almost ethereal. Glass tile costs $10-$20 per square foot installed.
Glass is nonporous and water-resistant, making it ideal for baths. The smooth surface wipes clean easily. Glass tile comes either translucent or opaque. Opaque glass blocks more light for a soft, muted look.
With proper grouting and sealing, glass backsplashes stand up well to humidity and daily use. Their luminosity enhances any design style from Victorian to modern.
Mosaics
Mosaic tile backsplashes provide artistic flair. Tiny tiles form scenic patterns and images or geometric shapes in vivid colors. Mosaics cost slightly more than ceramic tile at $5-$25 per square foot.
Groupings of small tile pieces create the mosaic designs. Popular options include penny tile rounds, octagons, hexagons, and artistic patterns. The choices are endless.
Mosaic backsplashes require careful grouting for moisture resistance. Their vivid beauty elevates bathrooms beyond the everyday. For budget-friendly pizzazz, mosaic backsplashes can’t be beaten.
Design Considerations
Several factors go into designing a cohesive, functional bathroom backsplash:
Placement
Backsplashes protect walls behind sinks, tubs, showers, and any areas prone to moisture contact. Often they wrap partially or fully around the room.
Consider splashing vertically from counter to ceiling behind sinks and vanities. This aesthetic opens up the room visually. For showers and tubs, take backsplashes at least 4 inches above the lip. This prevents dripping water from penetrating walls.
Size of Tiles & Patterns
Larger tile sizes, like 12-inch squares, create a contemporary, seamless look. Interesting combinations of varying sizes add design appeal. Consider mixing large and small mosaics or combining tile shapes.
If installing tile in a brick pattern, offset the grout lines for a cleaner look. Combine various colors and textures in mosaic designs to make a statement. Use your backsplash tile choices to enhance your overall bathroom style.
Complement Other Finishes
Choose backsplash tile that complements existing fixtures, flooring, paint, and accessories. Matching or contrasting finishes prevents clashing.
Tie your scheme together with even subtle common tones in porcelain, natural stone, or glass tiles. Coordinate metallic backsplashes with silver, gold, black, or wooden vanities and fixtures.
Grout Color
Grout holds the tiles together and comes in a variety of colors. For light tile, use white or off-white grout. With darker tiles, choose darker shades like gray, tan, or black. Match or contrast grout with the tiles depending on the look you prefer.
Additionally, consider sealed grout. This resists staining better in humid bath environments. Coordinate waterproof grout with your quality backsplash tiles.
Use Accents
Elevate your backsplash design with accents that enhance the motif. Frame with mosaics or inlay with stone, marble, or decorative metal strips.
Add a focal point using an artistic medallion, clustered seashell tiles, or lettering spelling out words like “Renew” or “Unwind”. Bathroom backsplashes offer many possibilities for personalization.
Installation Tips
Installing a backsplash is best left to professionals, but you can prepare the space to make the job smoother. Here are some top tips:
- Remove existing wallpaper, paint, drywall, molding, sinks & fixtures from the backsplash installation area. Provide a blank canvas.
- Look for water damage behind walls that need repair before installing the backsplash. Address leaks.
- Install cement board behind drywall. It provides a waterproof base for the backsplash.
- Choose high-quality setting and grouting materials formulated for bathrooms. Use a latex additive with grout.
- Opt for sanded grout. It adheres better than unsanded varieties.
- Use color-matched sanded caulk between the counter and backsplash. This allows for differential movement.
- Expect the job to take 2 full days – day 1 for prep work and installation and day 2 for initial grouting and cleanup.
With good planning, high-quality tiles, and professional installation, your bathroom backsplash brings lasting beauty and protection for decades.
Alternatives To A Full Backsplash
If a full backsplash isn’t in your budget or design plan, consider creative ways to reap some benefits on a smaller scale:
Mosaic Medallion
A colorful mosaic circle or rectangle installed a focal point behind sinks adds artistry without tiling the entire wall. Opt for a medallion featuring seashells, flowers, or colored glass. Costs start around $50.
Tile Border
Run a decorative row of tile along the top of side walls and around windows to create a border. Choose from penny tiles, glass mosaics, or ceramic rope lines. At 4 inches tall, a border adds a pop of interest for around $3 per square foot.
Peel-and-Stick Faux Panels
Adhesive backsplash panels made of water-resistant materials mimic the look of tile for less. Peel-and-stick panels costs $3-$10 per square foot. Use behind standalone sinks.
Paint
Inexpensive paint is the easiest moisture barrier for an accent wall or sink surround. Use high-gloss enamel or epoxy paints formulated to resist moisture and condensation. Re-paint every few years when needed.
Get creative with paint colors and shapes. Outline frames, stripes or geometric designs around sinks. Paint offers a budget-friendly backsplash solution.
Conclusion
The choice of whether to install a backsplash is an important one that impacts your bathroom’s functionality, visual appeal, and maintenance needs. Weight the pros and cons and material options against your budget, design scheme, and goals.
If moisture protection, easy cleaning, and elevated aesthetics are essential, a quality backsplash is likely the right choice. Tile, stone, metal, glass and mosaics all offer durability, aid maintenance, and allow for creative designs.
Prepare properly, work with professionals, and choose high-quality materials to get the maximum benefits from your investment. With careful thought and planning, your new backsplash ties the room together, prevents wall damage, and keeps your bathroom looking freshly elegant for decades to come.