Selecting the perfect backsplash for your kitchen can be an exciting yet daunting process. With so many options to choose from like materials, colors, textures, and patterns, it’s crucial to consider all the important factors so your backsplash complements your kitchen design aesthetically and functionally. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key aspects of selecting backsplashes from determining your budget and inspirations to picking practical materials and eye-catching styles that bring your kitchen vision to life flawlessly. Follow these tips and you’ll have a stunning, on-trend backsplash you’ll love for years to come.
Determine Your Budget
The first step is deciding how much you can spend on your backsplash installation. Budget realistically based on the size of your kitchen and whether you plan to install it yourself or hire a professional. Backsplash materials can range dramatically in price from $5 to $50 or more per square foot. Some budget-friendly options are:
- Ceramic or porcelain tile – $5-$15 per sq. ft.
- Subway tile – $5-$15 per sq. ft.
- Peel-and-stick backsplash – $10-$20 per sq. ft.
- Stainless steel – $10-$30 per sq. ft.
- Faux tin backsplash – $10-$25 per sq. ft.
More expensive choices include:
- Natural stone tile – $15-$50+ per sq. ft.
- Glass tile – $15-$50 per sq. ft.
- Metal tile – $15-$50 per sq. ft.
- Mosaic tile – $15-$50 per sq. ft.
- Marble slab – $40-$100+ per sq. ft.
Get quotes from contractors before setting a firm budget. And remember to factor in costs for backsplash accessories like trim pieces, grout, adhesive, sealant, and installation tools.
Gather Design Inspiration and Ideas
Look through home decor magazines, design websites, showrooms, and image galleries to discover the latest backsplash trends. Identify styles, colors, materials, and patterns that appeal to your tastes. Look for inspiration from:
- Your existing kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, and hardware finishes.
- The architectural style of your home – modern, contemporary, farmhouse, traditional, etc.
- Colors found throughout the rest of your home’s decor.
Some places to look for ideas include:
- Kitchen backsplash image galleries.
- Interior design websites and blogger kitchen photos.
- Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
- Model homes and kitchen showrooms.
- Home renovation stores like Floor & Decor or Lowe’s.
Save your favorite images to an inspiration board or folder to reference as you make design decisions.
Consider How It Complements Other Kitchen Elements
Your backsplash should integrate seamlessly with existing kitchen finishes for a cohesive look. Before selecting a style, compare possibilities to:
Cabinetry: What color and style are your cabinets? Do they have a wood, painted, laminate or solid surface finish? Match metals and wood grain finishes.
Countertops: Granite, marble, quartz, laminate? The backsplash should tie into edge details and colors.
Appliances: Stainless, black, white, or colored? Coordinate appliance finishes into your backsplash design.
Flooring: Hardwood, tile, vinyl? Make sure your backsplash color isn’t the exact same tone as the flooring.
Wall color: If keeping existing paint, choose a coordinating backsplash color.
By matching or complementing existing elements, your new backsplash will elevate your whole kitchen’s decor.
Decide on a Functional Backsplash Height
The height of your backsplash makes a difference both visually and functionally. Standard backsplash height is 4 inches from the countertop. Other options include:
- Partial height: 18-24 inches high. Good for open shelving or tall cabinets.
- Full height: Backsplash extends all the way to bottom of wall cabinets. Gives a custom look.
- Mosaic design: Subway tiles stack, staggered in rows. Classically stylish.
- Drywall to ceiling: Gives clean look but less protection from splashes.
Consider your cabinets, appliances, cooking habits, and cleanup preferences when deciding on backsplash height. Full height offers maximum splash protection and visual appeal.
Pick Practical Materials for Your Lifestyle
Backsplash materials should not only be beautiful but also durable and low-maintenance. Assess your lifestyle and cleaning habits to select a material that will hold up and look pristine.
- Glass tile: Gorgeous and shiny but requires diligent sealing and cleaning. Vulnerable to scratches and etching.
- Ceramic or porcelain: Budget-friendly, durable, easy to clean. Vulnerable to chipping on cut edges.
- Natural stone: Marble, granite, travertine add elegance but require sealing. Etches with acids.
- Metal: Stainless steel, copper, or tin resist stains, scratches, and heat. Labour-intensive installation.
- Peel-and-stick: Very easy DIY application. Prone to lifting edges or water damage over time.
Consider moisure and heat levels, cooking habits, cleaning frequency, and traffic to select a long-lasting, low-maintenance backsplash material perfect for your space.
Match Your Kitchen’s Decor Style
Selecting a backsplash design aligned with your kitchen’s overall decor style will ensure the space flows seamlessly.
- Farmhouse: Subway tiles, distressed wood, pastel hues
- Modern: Bold geometric shapes, metal, unique textures
- Rustic: Natural stone, exposed brick, wood accents
- Contemporary: Sleek tiles, glass, marble, high-gloss
- Transitional: Mix of traditional and modern
- Coastal: Soft blues and greens, weathered finishes
- Eclectic: Vintage, varied textures, global influence
Incorporate finishes and use colors that accentuate your kitchen’s aesthetic. The backsplash is an opportunity to enhance the decor style you love.
Consider Colors and Patterns
Backsplashes aren’t limited to basic white tiles. You can incorporate colors, patterns, prints, and dimensional textures for extra visual interest.
Color Options
From pale neutrals to bold, saturated hues, now is the time to integrate your favorite color palette.
- Soft neutrals like greige, cream, light gray, and taupe
- Classic whites, blacks, and grays
- Warm natural earth tones and woodgrains
- Vibrant jewel-toned colors and deep hues
- Metallic sheens like gold, silver, bronze, pewter
Match existing cabinetry and counters or make the backsplash pop as an accent wall with contrasting hues.
Patterns and Prints
Patterns add personality beyond basic tile shapes. Consider fun prints like:
- Moroccan fish scale tiles
- Colorful hand-painted ceramic tiles
- Whimsical floral designs
- Watercolor marbleized effects
- Geometric triangles, arrows, diamonds, grids
- Artsy custom murals
Patterned, shaped, or inset tiles create focal points behind cooktops or sinks. Accent with classic subway or penny round tiles.
Textured Tiles
Dimensional and textural tiles lend depth, interest, and visual texture:
- 3D tile shapes like hexagons, chevrons, curved inserts
- Crackled glazes, frosted glass, fluted surfaces
- Metallic mosaic tiles, tumbled natural stones
- Wave shapes, diamond ridges, bubble glass tile
- Overlaid tile patterns like herringbone
- Lasercut tile designs
Combine with glossy ceramic, marble, or glass tile base.
Select a Statement Layout Pattern
The layout pattern you choose makes a big impact on the overall look. Have fun playing with different layout designs:
Classic Grid
- Straight classic grid of all one tile
- Stacked rectangular subway tiles
- Small squares in an offset bricklike pattern
- Mini mosaic tiles in grid formation
Focal Shape Layouts
- Circular inserts around stove vent
- Rows framed by contrasting border tiles
- Geometric or artistic tile shape as centerpiece
- Marshal your favorite tiles in a showstopping focal design
Modern Sleek
- Slim long rectangular tiles in horizontal rows
- Architectural solid-colored slab tiles
- Multi-sized rectangular tiles in alternating horizontal bands
- Contrasting grout color adds modern edge
Moroccan Inspired
- Bouquet-shaped tile clusters
- Hexagonal tiles forming honeycomb shapes
- Colorfully hand-painted starburst designs
- Metallic accents and glass mosaic tiles
Draft your layout and play with different patterns before finalizing the design.
Carefully Select Your Grouting
The grout between your tiles is both functional and a key design element. Consider grout color and width choices:
Grout Color
- Match grout color to tiles for a monochromatic look
- Contrasting grout becomes part of the pattern
- Dark grout accents light tiles and vice versa
- Colored grout adds a pop of accent color
- Clear sealing grout is nearly invisible
Grout Width
- Thin grout lines ≤ 1/8 inch are classic and sleek
- Wider grout shows off shape and bevels
- Small mosaic tiles suit tiny grout lines
- Large format tiles look best with wider grout
Test grout colors on a board with tile samples. White and gray are the most versatile and timeless choices.
Incorporate Accent Materials and Textures
Mixing materials, finishes, and shapes creates visual interest and depth:
Accent Tiles
Use accent tiles strategically as insets, borders, or sections:
- Shimmering glass tile accents
- Natural stone inserts
- Metallics as focal point
- Contrasting subway tiles
- Geometric ceramic shapes
Decorative Borders
Frame your backsplash with decorative borders like:
- Contrasting tiles
- Bullnose, chair rail trim pieces
- Strip lighting underneath top border
- Painted accent color on wall edges
Mixing Tile Shapes
- Combine small and large format tiles
- Stack rectangular with specialty tiles
- Mini mosaic tiles framed with long rectangular
Mix and Match Materials
- Stainless steel sheets and tile combo
- Natural stone with classic white ceramic
- Marble inserts in geometric glass grid
Textural Interest
- Pebbled stone, crackled glaze, bubble glass
- Focal section of 3D tiles
- Combine glossy and matte tiles
- Overlapping and stacked tile shapes
Carefully Map Out Your Tile Layout
Carefully plotting measurements will ensure your tile layout is aligned and ratios scaled correctly. Mark these measurements on your plans:
- Measure the overall area to tile for total tile needed
- Height of the backsplash
- Outlets, windows, and obstructions
- Pattern repeats and tile cuts needed
- Border placements and sizes
- Location of focal points and accents
Having a detailed tile layout map ensures you purchase enough tiles and cuts are mapped out accurately during installation.
Order Extra Tiles for Errors and Later Repairs
It’s always smart to over-order tiles by 5-10% more than the total square footage measurements. This accounts for:
- Inevitable tile cuts and installation errors
- Breakage of delicate tiles like glass or handpainted
- Ability to easily replace damaged tiles over time
- Additional backsplash projects like adding to a new stove
Storing extra tiles prevents frustration when repairs are needed and batches are discontinued. Confirm prior to ordering that you can return unopened surplus tiles.
Gather Your Installation Tools and Materials
Installing a kitchen backsplash is an ambitious DIY project requiring an assortment of specific tools and materials. Be sure to have on hand:
For Demolition
- Drop cloths, dust masks, eye protection
- Pry bar, putty knives, hammer, utility knife
- Shovel, trash bags, and shop vacuum
For Prep
- Tile adhesive cleaner, rags, scrub brushes
- Painter’s tape, masking paper, plastic sheets
- Levels, squares, yardstick, pencil, ruler
For Installation
- Notched trowel for spreading adhesive
- Tile cutter, nippers, grinder for specialty cuts
- Tile spacers, grout float, rubber grout float
- Mixing buckets, caulk gun, grout sealer
Finishing Touches
- Grout, applicators, soft cloths for polishing
- Caulk in matching color, sealant, cleaning solutions
With all your tiles, tools, and supplies ready in advance, you can confidently DIY a stunning backsplash installation.
Carefully Prepare the Surface Area
Proper preparation is crucial for creating a smooth, clean canvas for tile installation.
- Remove existing backsplash completely, fixing any wall damage.
- Thoroughly clean the surface area to remove any grease, soap scum, or residue.
- Sand, scrape, or grind problem areas to smooth rough textures.
- Check for any hollow or uneven areas and fill with mortar if needed.
- Prime and paint the surface area with latex primer if needed.
- Let wall surfaces dry fully before moving onto tiling.
Taking time to meticulously prepare surfaces prevents tiles from loosening or cracking over time.
Follow Best Practices for Installing Tiles
Carefully installing your backsplash tiles row by row creates a stunning professional finish. Follow these best practices:
- Dry lay rows on a flat surface before installing to map out spacing.
- Mix adhesive following package directions for correct consistency.
- Use a notched trowel at 45 degree angle to spread even adhesive layer.
- Set the bottom row completely level using tile spacers for consistent grout lines.
- Firmly press tiles into adhesive with some twisting motion. Be meticulous!
- Strike a chalk line periodically to keep rows perfectly straight.
- Use tile nippers to trim and shape specialty edge tiles.
- Let adhesive fully cure 24-48 hours before grouting.
Patience and care at each step ensure tiles adhere solidly and evenly.
Master Tips for Grouting Seamlessly
Grout fills joints between tiles, finishes the look, and seals surfaces. Follow these tips for flawless grouting:
- Wait 24-48 hours after installing tiles to start grouting.
- Apply grout sealer to porous tiles beforehand per manufacturer.
- Mix and apply grout using a rubber grout float working small sections.
- Push grout firmly into joints and gaps between tiles.
- Drag grout float diagonally to scrape off excess grout evenly.
- Polish grout lines with minimal water and soft cloths.
- Use a grout saw detail tool for tight corners and edges.
- Let grout fully cure 48-72 hours before sealing and polishing.
Allowing grout time to set prevents hazy residue on tile surfaces for clean polished lines.
Add Finishing Touches for a Polished Look
Once your gorgeous new backsplash is fully installed, add those subtle finishing touches:
- Polish and seal grout lines per product instructions.
- Use matching colored caulk between tiles anddrywall.
- Seal natural stone tiles against staining and etching.
- Finish edges with bullnose tiles or paint for a custom look.
- Clean any residual haze with tile cleaner and soft cloths.
- Finish open sides with coordinating end caps or trim.
- Stand back and admire your stunning, quality backsplash!
Enjoy Your Beautiful, Functional Backsplash
You made it! Revel in having a kitchen backsplash that is tailored to your style, protects your walls, and makes cooking and cleaning easier for years to come. Here are some backsplash benefits to enjoy:
- No more scrubbing paint or drywall to remove stains
- A polished, upscale accent wall that elevates your whole kitchen
- Being able to wipe up splashes easily keeping walls pristine
- Tiles that are simple to clean and keep looking like new
- A completely custom look reflecting your personal taste
- More prep and cooking space for improved kitchen functionality
- Added resale value making upgrades worthwhile
Tackling a kitchen backsplash project successfully boosts confidence in your DIY skills. Now think about how to use leftover tiles to expand your new backsplash into other rooms!