CON – Dark Colors Absorb Light and May Make the Kitchen Feel Smaller. Light colors reflect light. Dark colors absorb it. If your kitchen is small or dimly lit, a dark backsplash may add to the problem.
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. Add open shelving to repeat and emphasize those lines and create a cohesive illusion of a larger space.
The design should be used to balance out the light and dark shades of the other elements, so if you have light cabinets and countertops, you may want to choose a dark backsplash to bring more depth to the kitchen. If you have very dark cabinets or countertops, a light backsplash will help the kitchen feel fresh.
If you have a dark kitchen that lacks adequate sunshine, then a light colored backsplash can immediately brighten up the space and make it look larger. Light tones like white, ivory and cream reflect light and make a small or dark space appear more open, from floor to ceiling.
Everybody knows that dark colour can dominate a space and make a room appear smaller than it actually is. However, choose a light colour scheme and it will create an airy feel and even the illusion of space.
They're Susceptible to Scratches
While they might not show them, black kitchen cabinets are very susceptible to getting scratches from fingerprints to wear and tear marks, and others. Apart from frequent cleaning, you might need to add paint coats now and then to protect your kitchen cabinets.
If your kitchen is more traditional, classic cabinet colors like creams and whites make good choices — and if your design is more modern, bright colors often work best. Think about the size. If your kitchen is on the small side or is not well-lit, darker colored cabinets could make the area feel cramped.
Neutral kitchen backsplashes are classic and will work well in modern kitchens. They also blend into the background to let other elements stand out more. For example, if you have a white kitchen countertop like marble or quartz, consider gray kitchen backsplashes to blend well with your kitchen countertop.
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.
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.
Backsplashes need to line up with the upper cabinet.
It doesn't have to align with both although that would be nice! Usually the end of the backsplash tile, if aligned with the uppers, will die ON TOP OF the countertop below.
A glossy kitchen backsplash makes the kitchen looks wider, too. Also, this kitchen backsplash type is very easy to clean. Glossy kitchen backsplashes are the go-on to add shine to the cooking space whereas the matte kitchen backsplash is very popular for those who want to achieve a plain and elegant kitchen look.
From favorite paint colors to specialized design advice, Benjamin Moore's color and design experts have the answers to a common homeowner question: How do I make a small room look bigger and brighter? Lighter paint colors like off-whites, light neutrals, pales, and pastels give the illusion of larger, brighter rooms.
We recommend choosing pale tile shades such as white, cream, beige or grey because they can make the room look lighter and brighter.
Mixing 3 or more sizes together and creating a tile pattern from it can give your room the feel of being larger than it is. One of the more popular tile patterns that uses 3 or more sizes is called a Versailles Pattern. This pattern will help create a feel of expansiveness which in turn will make you room feel bigger.
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.
The most popular kitchen backsplash trends for 2023 are going to be bold, bright and colorful. You can choose from a variety of colors such as green, brown, blue, red and yellow but make sure you pick a color that complements the rest of your kitchen's decor.
Ceramic tile is the most popular option for a kitchen backsplash. Ceramic tiles are incredibly versatile—they come in many shapes, sizes and colors and can be installed in numerous patterns.
So, if you have lighter cabinets and countertops, you should incorporate a darker backsplash to provide more visual interest and depth to your space. When you have darker cabinets and countertops, you should bring in a lighter backsplash to make your kitchen feel fresh and inviting.
White Is the Most Popular Backsplash Color
Porcelain and ceramic tile together are the top choice among homeowners upgrading their kitchen backsplashes as part of their remodel.
The key when determining whether your backsplash should be lighter or darker than your kitchen counters is to choose the opposite of whatever hue the countertops are. For example, let's say your counters are very dark. If your backsplash were a dark hue as well, all it would do is blend in.
But here's the challenge: do dark colours make spaces look and feel smaller than they actually are? If so, shouldn't they be avoided in a small kitchen? The Short Of It: Yes, Black Cabinets Can Visually “Shrink” a Space.
Bright white, off-white, soft white and cream will always be a popular choice for kitchen cabinets of every style, from ultra-modern to country cottages. The beauty of these laid-back neutrals is that they can be given a bespoke look with different worktop materials, brassware and wall colors.