Planning and designing a kitchen is hard!

More than just an efficient and organized space, you want to create a home that has texture, depth, and style. But with such a wide array of choices…

“How do I choose a backsplash that’s right for my kitchen?”

It’s tempting to zero in on one element of your kitchen that you’d like your backsplash to coordinate with: your countertops, for example. Of course we want our tile to complement, but first and foremost take a step back and look at your kitchen as one whole statement.

1. decide your style

Rather than focusing on the color of your cabinets or countertop and trying to find a tile to coordinate, think big picture. Try to figure out what you want your kitchen’s personality to be. Are you going for a fun, happy space? Something exotic and eclectic? How about clean, airy, and white? A sunny coastal kitchen? A room that feels timeless and traditional? Or do you want your kitchen to feel modern, sleek and industrial? Decide your style and let that help narrow your decisions on color and pattern.

Once you’ve nailed down your kitchen’s design personality it becomes much easier to narrow down your tile options. Now you’re ready to make the next decision, which is: do you want your tile to be a main player or do you want it to have more of a supporting role?

2. Main player? Or supporting role?

Basically, is the backsplash the design element you want to take front and center? Or would you rather that it blend in and act as a compliment to the other elements in your kitchen?

The kitchen backsplash presents an opportunity to bring color, pattern and texture to your space. Choose a pattern that you love and make it the focal point of your room.

Supporting elements don’t have to be boring. A handcrafted subway tile can add warmth and character without drawing too much attention to itself, blending in nicely with these off-white cabinets.

3. Consider Your Countertops

Which do you select first- countertop or backsplash? How do you coordinate colors? Is it OK to mix patterns? And how do you pair the two? When it comes to selecting countertops and backsplash it seems the possibilities are endless.

Here is a simple rule of thumb when it comes to hard surfaces- a busy backsplash against busy countertop does not work.

Busy countertops like granite should be paired with a solid color backsplash tile.
A backsplash with a bold pattern needs a quiet, subtler countertop material that doesn’t compete.

4. Take your time

When it comes to the hard finishes in a home, the things that can’t be easily changed, you want to make sure the choices you’re making are ones you’ll be happy with for a long while. Take your time. Tape tile samples to your kitchen walls. Observe how they look as the lighting changes throughout the day. Consider how they coordinate with your cabinetry and light fixtures. Get a second option. No one wants to pay for a kitchen renovation and be ready to change it all again in five or ten years.

Are you ready to get started on your kitchen backsplash but need some help?

Schedule a consultation