What is it About Backsplashes That Makes Us Swoon?

Back splashes are by far my favorite design element in the kitchen.  A back splash can create a beautiful focal point or blend into the background to set off beautiful cabinetry.  The trick is to know what you are trying to achieve at the outset.  Do you want an old world style, a modern flair or a design that reflects your quirky personality? 

There are endless possibilities when designing a back splash.  Tiles can be mixed to create elegance or to pull elements of the overall kitchen design together.  It is very important to consider all of the design elements when choosing the tile.  All elements work in concert to create atmosphere and beauty within the space.

When looking for something modern you might turn to glass, metal or a simple subway tile set vertically instead of horizontally.  In the kitchen below, the homeowner was looking for a modern flair to enhance an otherwise traditional design.  This was done utilizing black glass tile and a bold color on the walls.  The under cabinet lighting illuminates the tile to give a three dimensional element to the room.  The result is wow when turning the corner into this kitchen.
                                          
                                                           abkitchendesigns.com

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The next kitchen utilizes modern cabinetry along with a tile that has a contemporary shape.  The light colored grout accentuates the tile shape and color.  As you can see, the color on the walls nearly matches the grout color which pulls it forth in the photograph.   The cabinetry are set on metal legs and the style speaks of very modern clean lines. The kitchen contains a neutral color palette so visual interest is added with the backsplash and the fine wood grain of the cabinetry.

 

tilebydesign.net



Old world style is still a popular design choice for kitchens.  The back splash in these kitchens often are made of natural stone or a tile that mimics the look of natural stone.  Notice the kitchen shown here, different size slate tiles were utilized in combination with a mosaic over the stove to ceate a focal point.  The back splash fully complements the scroll on the hood as well as the glazed cabinetry giving a sense of being in Europe.   It becomes elegant as a result of the muted color palette.  The size of the tiles complement each other versus competing with each other so the eye is drawn to the intended focal point.

Wainscoting is the last material I will mention today that may be used for a back splash to give a cottage feel.  The next kitchen pulls of  a modern cottage feel by utilizing inset cabinets painted in white and a back splash in wainscoting.  This is typically an inexpensive back splash as compared to some tiles and yet gives great impact in the right kitchen.  Here it does not stand out, instead it creates a complementary element and adds texture.   



kitchen-cabinets-and-hardware.com



You can see that the options are many and choosing can become a daunting task.  Know your style and work with a designer if in doubt.  It is like creating a piece of artwork for your home and can be a lot of fun.