Aside from purely aesthetic reasons, installing a backsplash can help preserve your walls in kitchen areas where water and moisture are prevalent, like behind the kitchen sink and the stove. Doing this can prevent stains and make cleaning the area behind your sink or stove an effortless task.
So, do we need backsplashes in our kitchens? The short answer is no, of course not, but that does not mean that they have disappeared entirely in modern kitchen design, they have just had a major rehaul.
What can I use instead of tiles in a kitchen? There are a whole host of materials that you can use as a splashback instead of tiles, including glass, stainless steel, laminate and corian. Some of the alternatives are actually easier to clean and more affordable than tiles.
There are many dangers of having a bathroom vanity without a backsplash. Some include: Wall and paint damage: Water can seep and sit behind your bathroom sink. And, even if you used waterproof paint, you'll still have issues and damage can occur with constant water contact.
The purpose of any backsplash is preventing water, grease, and other messes from damaging your walls, particularly behind stoves and sinks. In addition, backsplashes also offer unique colors and design patterns to customize a kitchen to your unique style.
Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall. In most cases, the space behind the fridge is not visible anywhere in the kitchen. There is no need to spend money on labor and materials for a place you will not see. Do put a backsplash behind your cooktop and hood vent.
One of the ways that you can add a little extra value to your home is by adding a tiled backsplash to your kitchen or bathroom. This is a more up-to-date touch that is also very functional. It gives you a lot of options and will attract a potential buyer's eye.
Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.
Pragmatically speaking, the backsplash protects the wall from water stains and damage—or, marks from tools and gadgets that live on the counter. Still, many creative locations make sense to add a backsplash. Tile backsplashes can be added to bathrooms, behind toilets and sinks, and even surrounding showers.
One of the biggest cons of a 4-inch backsplash over a full-tile backsplash is that the design is a little outdated. Though still a popular design, many kitchen designers tout the more modern and trendier full-tile design.
Pressed metal is a traditional, classic alternative for tile splashbacks. It is actually laid in pieces and can often help you achieve a contemporary setting too. It creates a great texture, which will give your kitchen some oomph. A natural pressed metal splashback works perfectly with a country-style kitchen.
Think marbles, concretes, bricks, metallics and glossy blacks and whites – the opportunities are endless! Splashbacks are not only practical to help protect your walls from any unruly cooking, by they also prevent steam and heat from damaging the wall behind.
'To ensure not including a backsplash is still practical, we usually use glass to protect wallpaper or if using paint, as in this kitchen, choose a water-resistant pool paint. Mineral plaster is also a good solution but only in kitchens that aren't too heavily used.
Quartz is a beautiful, durable surface that can be installed just about anywhere. While it's typically used for countertops and tub surrounds, it can also be utilized as a kitchen or bathroom backsplash.
Install a backsplash with strong horizontal lines, like shiplap or subway tile laid in a bond pattern. Those horizontal lines make the kitchen feel wider than it really is.
Use a striated backsplash to make the kitchen look bigger
You can even choose bigger or smaller tile cuts — the idea is to trick the eye into making the kitchen feel longer than it is.
Tin or aluminum backsplash tiles aren't particularly hard to install, but you can make it even easier by using faux metal tiles sold in a big, continuous roll. These rolls are 25 inches high, the perfect size to reach from the counter to the bottom of the cabinets.
However, the 2023 trend is using stone tiles to add texture and style to your kitchen. Whether you decide to use tiles with a weathered finish or ones that have an acid-wash look, your kitchen backsplash will be spectacular with stone tiles.
It is a simple, clean, and elegant way to update your kitchen without having to do a complete remodel. A timeless backsplash can be made from a variety of materials, including natural stone like marble or slate, glass, or even metal.
All-White Kitchens
For the past decade, we've been seeing white walls, white tile, and Carrera marble. People are tired of these muted palettes, and designers are bringing in color— which we love.” Most designers also agree that white-on-white kitchens will look dated in 2023. So what color will be the new white?
You don't need a backsplash, but without one, your wall is exposed and will require a higher level of maintenance. From a durability standpoint, it's recommended, but not needed.
Kitchen Backsplash Cost Per Square Foot
Narrowing down the type, wall area and labor details can help you arrive at a more accurate estimate. Don't sweat that $220 per square foot price. Most homeowners will spend much less, somewhere between $15 and $35 per square foot, including labor and materials.