Backsplash is an important design element in any kitchen. It serves both aesthetic and functional purposes – protecting the walls from splashes and spills while also adding visual interest. When planning a kitchen, one of the key considerations is determining how much backsplash to install. There are several factors to take into account when deciding on the appropriate amount of backsplash for your space.
Introduction
Backsplash typically covers the wall space between countertops and cabinets. It is commonly made of tile or other durable, water-resistant materials. The purpose of backsplash is to protect the walls from water, grease, food, and other messes that can occur during cooking and cleaning. Aesthetically, backsplash also provides an opportunity to incorporate color, texture, and pattern into the kitchen’s design. Determining how much backsplash to include depends on your kitchen layout, style preferences, and budget.
When deciding on backsplash amounts, there are a few key guidelines to consider:
- The bare minimum is to install backsplash only behind the stove. This protects the wall behind the cooktop where splatters are most likely.
- For more protection, backsplash can extend the length of the countertops on one, two, or three walls. The most common configuration is backsplash on the wall spaces around the stove and sink.
- Full backsplash covers all applicable wall surfaces from countertops to cabinets. This creates a seamless, cleaner look.
- Backsplashes can also extend past wall cabinets up to the ceiling. This is referred to as a full-height backsplash.
- Islands and peninsulas typically do not need backsplash since they lack wall space.
The amount of backsplash needed depends on your functional needs, design tastes, and budget. Evaluate the cooking and cleaning routines in your kitchen to determine what areas are prone to splashes. Also assess your decorating style – is it contemporary, rustic, traditional? Consider how much tile work fits within your budget. Keep reading for more factors that can help guide your backsplash decisions.
Functional Considerations
The main purpose of backsplash is to protect walls from damage. When determining how much backsplash to install, consider which areas of your kitchen are most likely to need that shield.
Cooking Splatter Zones
The number one backsplash function is guarding walls from cooking messes. Evaluate your kitchen layout and identify potential “splatter zones.” These are the areas most susceptible to grease splashes, sauce splatters, and other food prep mishaps.
At minimum, you will want backsplash directly behind the stove. This protects the wall behind the cooktop where boilovers, pops of bacon grease, and other stovetop spills are common. Having backsplash behind wall ovens is also wise to catch drips and leaks.
Other cooking zones to consider are areas around busy prep surfaces. For example, if your design includes an expansive island for chopping, mixing, and tossing, the surrounding wall space could benefit from backsplash too.
Any place you frequently cook, bake or prep food has potential for messes. Adding backsplash to these active work areas can save you from constantly having to scrub the wall surfaces clean.
Cleaning and Maintenance
In addition to cooking splatter, backsplash helps minimize damage from routine cleaning. The backsplash surface is designed to withstand frequent wiping, scrubbing, and disinfecting. The walls behind the backsplash are more vulnerable.
When mapping out your backsplash layout, take into account high-traffic zones where you frequently clean. The wall area around the kitchen sink is an obvious necessity. Having backsplash behind dishwashers is also practical.
Check for other cleanup hot spots based on your kitchen workflow. Do kids tend to make messes at an island or breakfast bar that requires daily disinfecting? Does your microwave nook need a backsplash guard? Addressing these areas in your backsplash design reduces wear and tear on the surrounding walls.
Visual Breaks
In addition to covering high splash zones, backsplash can provide nice visual breaks in your kitchen’s wall surfaces. All-white kitchens have grown in popularity over the years. While this look is attractive, large expansive white walls can also feel sparse and monotonous.
Strategically placing backsplash offers texture and color variation against the blank walls. Integrating tile designs draws the eye and keeps the space visually interesting. Using backsplash to break up the wall surfaces adds character and dimension to an all-white or neutral color scheme.
Style Considerations
In addition to functional protection, backsplash significantly impacts the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. When planning backsplash amounts, decide what look and style you want to achieve.
Create a Focal Point
Backsplash offers a great opportunity to create a focal point within your kitchen design. Use tile work, bold colors, or unique patterns to make the backsplash a defining feature. Limiting backsplash to one area, like behind the stove, allows you to highlight that specific spot.
Concentrating backsplash onto one wall draws the eye to that space. Floating shelves, decorative range hoods, framed artwork, or pendant lighting can expand that focal point. Keeping the surrounding walls clean and neutral in color helps the backsplash pop.
Unify the Space
To make a kitchen feel cohesive, backsplash can also span multiple walls. Running tile work throughout the kitchen creates visual continuity. This approach works well for contemporary, minimalist aesthetics.
Connect separate zones like an entertainment space, breakfast nook, or kitchen island with continuous backsplash. Using consistent materials and colors unites the overall area. Limiting backsplash solely to the work triangle risks feeling too disjointed and abrupt. Backsplash flowing around multiple walls makes a kitchen feel more uniform.
Incorporate Color
In addition to protecting walls, backsplash presents an opportunity to integrate color into a space. Whether using vibrant glass mosaics or muted pastel subway tiles, backsplash offers a relatively simple way to infuse color into your design.
Evaluate the colors already present in your kitchen cabinets, floors, walls, and furnishings. Select backsplash hues that coordinate well with existing elements. For example, pick up a minor accent color already found in the countertops. Or choose tiles with colors that contrast nicely against cabinetry or flooring.
Colorful backsplash enlivens the space. But stick to just a few complimentary colors so the palette feels cohesive. Limiting the amount of visible backsplash helps keep the colors from becoming overwhelming.
Express Your Style
Tile backsplash offers a chance to add personal style. From modern and sleek to rustic and handmade, backsplash designs can reflect your tastes. A basic challenge is choosing which tile designs fit your overall decor.
Clean-lined subway tiles pair well with contemporary and transitional kitchens. Elaborate mosaic patterns and artful medallions work nicely in Old World spaces. Choose enduring classics for traditional aesthetics or trendy patterns for the latest looks.
Plan how much backsplash to feature based on how prominently you want it to be noticed. Restrained designs, like simple subway tile, tend to seamlessly blend. Make a bold style statement by using an ornate or ultra-modern backsplash form on multiple walls.
Layout Configurations
When determining how much backsplash to install, map out the most appropriate configuration for your kitchen’s particular footprint and workflow. Typical layout options include:
Backsplash Behind Stove Only
At the bare minimum, backsplash should cover the wall space directly behind the stove. This protects that heavy splatter zone where spills and grease are most problematic. Limiting backsplash to just this area allows using a more distinctive and expensive material within budget. It is also quick and easy to install.
However, ending backsplash abruptly can feel disjointed and visually unappealing. Strategically placed trim pieces help transition backsplash edges. For a unified look, continue countertops, color, or materials up the exposed wall space.
Stove + Sink Backsplash
Expanding backsplash to cover the stove wall as well as the sink area is a common and budget-friendly approach. Protecting these two zones addresses messes from cooking and cleaning. Visually, using the same tile and colors connects the stove and sink into one backsplash design.
For this layout, tile work extends along the countertop from the stove up to surrounding cabinets. It then carries over to the sink base area. Optional variations are adding a focal point behind the stove or extending partial-height backsplash along the gaps to tie the areas together.
Full Backsplash on Perimeter
Installing backsplash along the entire wall length behind countertops provides maximum protection. This full backsplash frames the perimeter of the kitchen against messes from prep, cooking, and cleaning. Visually, the tilework acts as a decorative border.
The perimeter backsplash commonly covers the stove wall including surrounding counters and the sink base area. From an aesthetic standpoint, continuing the same tilework around all applicable counter spaces makes the design feel cohesive. The backsplash ties together individual segments into an integrated whole.
Full Wall Backsplash
For a seamless look, backsplash tile can cover entire walls from countertops to ceiling. Fully tiled walls create a clean, sleek appearance because the backsplash becomes part of the wall surface. This works especially well in contemporary or modern kitchens.
Visually, full wall backsplash makes a small kitchen appear larger. The extended tile pattern fools the eye by making the wall seem farther away. Full wall backsplash also allows using fewer trims and accent pieces since tile covers everything.
From a practical standpoint, full wall backsplash maximizes protection on vulnerable walls. The downside is significantly higher installation and material costs due to the greater tile coverage.
Full-Height Backsplash
In addition to backsplashes confined to counter areas, full-height backsplash extends from countertops all the way to the ceiling. This option works well if you want to create a focal or accent wall. It adds drama and visual interest to the space.
Typically, full-height backsplash highlights a particularly active area like behind the stove. Carrying vibrant mosaic tiles from counter to ceiling draws attention to that spot. Full-height backsplash can also help anchor a room by adding color and texture on an expansive blank wall.
Backsplash on Island
Islands and peninsulas don’t necessitate backsplash since they lack wall space. But adding tile to the sides adds color and decoration. For example, putting stone or ceramic along the exterior base visually anchors a large island. It also protects the island edges from minor splashes and dings.
Just be sure to use durable, moisture-resistant materials on islands. Regular drywall or wood will deteriorate quickly. Creative options include using the same backsplash tile stacked horizontally or decorative metal sheeting.
Budget Considerations
One of the biggest factors determining backsplash amounts is cost. Tile, glass, metal, and stone backsplashes greatly vary in price ranges. Overall budget impacts how extensively you can cover your walls in backsplash.
Material Costs
Some affordable backsplash tile options include:
- Ceramic subway tile
- Stone mosaic sheets
- Peel-and-stick faux tiles
More expensive choices involve:
- Full slabs of natural stone
- Intricate handmade mosaics
- Metal tiles or sheet
Material costs constitute the largest portion of your total backsplash spending. Limiting the backsplash space and amount of specialty tile needed is a prime way to cut expenses.
Carefully calculating the square footage you plan to cover and purchasing only enough tile avoids wasteful overbuying. Scout sales and clearance items to score deals on quality materials.
Professional Installation
In addition to material costs, factor in labor if you plan to hire professional installation. Backsplash projects often fall into tile setters’ minimum service fees because the covered area is relatively small.
Complex layouts, specialty cuts, natural stone, and mosaic all contribute to higher installation pricing. Strategically using backsplash only where truly needed limits the required labor.
Doing the tile work yourself is a potential money-saver, but only if you have the necessary skills. Improper installation can ruin an otherwise well-planned backsplash design.
Total Project Investment
Approach backsplash budgeting by calculating total project cost per square foot. Rather than focus on tile prices alone, factor in additional supplies like grout, trim, sealant, and tools. Include installation labor if applicable.
Dividing the total investment by the number of square feet covered determines the actual cost effectiveness. This helps weigh design decisions like material choices or the amount of space designated for backsplash.
Limiting backsplash square footage is a direct way to reduce overall budget. But don’t cut back too much that you sacrifice needed protection and visual appeal. Careful planning allows achieving both function and beauty affordably.
How Much Backsplash Do You Need?
Determining appropriate backsplash amounts depends on your kitchen layout, splatter patterns, style preferences, and budget factors. Keep these tips in mind when planning:
- Focus first on covering high splatter zones like behind the stove/oven and sink areas
- Add additional coverage in spots prone to spills and frequent cleaning
- Use backsplash strategically to create focal points or continuity
- Select durable, low-maintenance materials that fit your decor
- Measure square footage and purchase only enough tile to avoid overbuying
- Consider hiring a professional installer for complex designs or natural stone
- Limiting backsplash space is an effective way to cut costs
- Include adequate backsplash for needed protection but don’t overdo it
The ideal amount of backsplash depends on your particular space. Just be sure to account for both functional and aesthetic considerations when making your decisions. Analyze how you use your kitchen along with your taste preferences. This allows installing the perfect backsplash layout to match your cooking and cleaning habits, lifestyle, and design vision.
FAQ About Backsplash Amounts
Many homeowners have additional questions when determining proper backsplash size and coverage. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How high should backsplash be?
Typical backsplash height ranges from 4 inches to 18 inches. The standard is 4-6 inch backsplash matching the countertops. For a full backsplash, install tile from counter to just under wall cabinets at about 16-18 inches high.
Full height backsplash goes all the way from counter to ceiling, which can be 30 inches or higher. Opt for standard heights unless creating a focal wall or needing to protect a larger area.
Should backsplash match countertops?
Matching backsplash to countertops creates a streamlined, seamless look. Contrasting colors and textures can feel disjointed.
But exact matching is not mandatory. Sometimes a slightly different backsplash hue addsnice variation. Just be sure the two surfaces coordinate well together.
How much does backsplash cost?
Backsplash tile prices range widely from $5 per square foot for budget ceramic to $75 per square foot for high-end materials. Unique designer tiles can cost over $100 per square foot. Average mid-range backsplash cost is $25-50 per square foot installed.
Focus more on total project cost rather than just tile prices. Factor in grout, trim, sealant, mortar, and tools. Hiring a professional tiler also impacts spending for labor and service fees.
Can backsplash get wet?
Backsplash should always be water-resistant and non-porous. Ceramic, metal, glass, stone, and other backsplash materials are designed to withstand splashes, spills, and routine cleaning. Use appropriate grout and caulk to seal seams and edges.
Avoid drywall or regular wall paint behind sinks or stoves. These standard wall finishes will quickly degrade and warp when exposed to moisture. Always use backsplash-specific materials.
Is backsplash necessary?
Strictly speaking, backsplash is an optional design choice. But it serves very useful functional purposes. The absence of backsplash will lead to more wall damage, frequent repainting, and moisture issues.
Even if opting for a minimalist look, include backsplash where needed for seamless maintenance. Focus on covering splatter zones and moisture-prone areas. This prevents having to constantly clean and repaint wall surfaces.
Conclusion
Determining appropriate backsplash size and placement is an important kitchen design decision. Backsplash serves both aesthetic and functional roles. The ideal installation balances eye-catching style, budget factors, and vital wall protection based on your unique space.
Carefully evaluate your kitchen layout and identify high splatter zones. Use backsplash strategically to create focal points or design continuity. Limit overbuying materials by calculating exact coverage needs. Include adequate backsplash where needed without overdoing it.
With smart planning, you can install the perfect backsplash design to match your cooking habits, lifestyle, and vision. The result will be a kitchen backsplash you admire and appreciate every time you cook a meal and clean up.
How Much Backsplash In Kitchen: In Summary
- Backsplash covers the wall between countertops and cabinets to protect from splashes and spills. The amount needed depends on your kitchen layout, style, and budget.
- Key areas to cover are splatter zones behind the stove, sink, and other prep/cleaning spots prone to messes.
- Typical height is 4-18 inches. Full backsplash goes countertop to cabinets. Full height is countertops to ceiling.
- Consider how much backsplash you want for aesthetic impact – focal point, color, or continuity.
- Measure square footage carefully and buy only what is needed. Material costs are the biggest expense.
- Focus first on function then optimize appearance. Include adequate backsplash for splatter protection without overdoing it.