1. Material
Window
Mirror
Mixed media

2. Type
This is more of a format category; I wouldn't put "iridescent" in there.
Subway tile
Square tile
Mini tile
Mixed tile format
Art tile
Mosaic
Slab
Sheet
I think there should be a word indicating long, thin modern-type tiles, like the super-long, super skinny subways. That's a whole category; I just can't think of the word right now.

3. Color
Yes, I'd put in specific colors
White
Cream
Red
Orange
Brown
Yellow
Green
Aqua
Blue
Purple
Silver
Beige
Copper
Black
Multi
Metallic
Your words are also useful, though--colorful, dark, etc.

Special Features
Liner
Niche

Hey Starpooh,

Not sure how to word this but something along the lines of asking where the tile came from... Big Box, tile store, online, and artisan are the four choices that I can think of. It would help others who might be looking for that color and/or size tile.

set on diagonal
running bond
grid
4x4
6x6
3x6
etc. for measurements of tile
stacked stone
synthetic stone
natural stone
Starfire glass

Is there any way to add approximate cost per square foot? You are an amazing person, btw!

Starpooh- you are AMAZING!!!! You are a saint! The only thing I would like to add to this convo is this- I think there should be a differentiation for slab material backsplash (marble/granite) from tumbled marble backsplash, etc...That way its easier to search for the one you are looking for!

Type: arabesque (ok, so I might be the only one ever to use this category)

I think the idea of where it came from is good too, but perhaps we would be able to free form the exact supplier, so many people do ask "where did you get that from"

OT, I know you are working on the b/s category right now, but when you do counters/granites, I remember that Bianco Antico wasn't in the old one. And so many times there are people who want to know "I'm in Central NJ, who did you use?"....it would be nice if we were able to have a category for our location and then on the counter or cabinet site we could say what fabricator we used (and if we were happy or not). Am I getting crazy? Sorry.

Love ya for doing this work, you are the best.

Wow! No wonder the backsplash categories were skipped for the original FKB. There are tons of varieties. This sure does kick up the # of categories. But that's good! Whatever makes it easier for you to search.

marcolo - Thanks for the huge list! I've included just about all your suggestions. I'm not sure how to incorporate your "long, thin modern-type tiles, like the super-long, super skinny subways". How about a category for Tile Size? It could be a write-in area as in Width x Length. Would that help the search or make it more complicated?

On a site note - I'm really in awe of you folks, too. So many people would be totally overwhelmed by the dozens of categories. But you guys want more and more!

earth_pal - Good idea about where the tile was purchased. How about a category called Backsplash Supplier? It would be another write-in textbox where you can enter both the name of the store and the location.

kitchendetective - Great suggestions! I've added the category Backsplash Patterns to incorporate many of your ideas.

elle3 - Sorry but I really want to stay away from the cost of specific items. Only the total kitchen budget is included.

brianadarnell - Not sure what to do with this. Would it make sense to add tumbled to the Backsplash type?

beekeeperswife - arabesque??? I had to google that one. So I entered "kitchen backsplash arabesque". Guess what came up as the #1 search result? Your GW kitchen post! ha! There were actually many other GW'ers looking for the tile. So I'll include it.
Instead of a checklist for countertops there will be a write-in textbox. So any granite name can be entered. But I like the idea of adding another textbox for the fabricator. :-)

These are the latest categories:

Backsplash Material:
beadboard, brick, ceramic, copper, glass, granite, limestone/travertine, marble, paint, slate, soapstone, stainless, tin, stacked stone, synthetic stone, natural stone

Backsplash Type:
Subway tile, Square tile , Mini tile, Mixed tile format, Art tile, Mosaic tile, Slab, Sheet, Arabesque, Tumbled

Backsplash Patterns:
grid, set on diagonal, running bond, mosaic, mural, accent tiles in border, accent tiles embedded

Backsplash Tile Size:
this will be a write-in textbox (WxL). (Or would it be best to include specific choices?)

Backsplash Color:
same as listed by marcolo.

Backsplash Supplier:
This will also be a write-in textbox. Members can enter the store where the tile was purchased. They can optionally enter the store location (some folks are hesitant to give away their location).

Backsplash Special Features:
Backsplash unusual design
Backsplash: short backsplash (made of same material as counter)
Backsplash iridescent
Backsplash window
Backsplash mirror
Backsplash mixed materials
Backsplash Liner
Backsplash Niche

Any other ideas?

Would someone be able to search on "any" or "all" of their selections?

I can't believe I still can't remember what that skinny modern tile format is called!!!!

How about some functional attributes, like ''stainproof'' or ''no resealing required''? Or even ''DIY-able''?

I hope I'm not too late to the game here, but I am constantly searching for "Craftsman-style" or "arts and crafts" tiles and backsplashes. Handmade tiles is another category that I frequently search for. On a different note what about full backsplash versus 4 inch or partial backsplash or tile all the way up the wall. You may can think of a better way to word it, but these are some topics that come up on the GW forum a lot.

marcolo is thinking about sticks... sometimes called bricks and sticks/or bamboo sticks . How about manufacturer? Some people might want to search by Jeffrey Court, Walker Zanger, Oceanside... etc.

Waterfall

I refer to the way my backsplash run ends as the waterfall effect. It tapers down and out from the last cab to the counter.

I think there is a type of backsplash tile or pattern also called waterfall.

Jodi-

marcolo- I think the word is pencil tile mosaic.

starpooh, will the site allow someone to search multiple subjects like "black cabinets" and "colorful" "glass" backsplashes? I know when I was picking a backsplash, I would search the internet that way.

Thanks for taking this project on! You rock!

matchstick (skinny,skinny) or fingerjoint (slight wider)

I might have missed this already being listed but what about 'style':

Contemporary
Traditional
Craftsman (as mentioned above)
etc.

You are doing a FAB! job.

Pepper

Hmm. I see there's controversy about what to call those skinny tiles.

I think "style" is an important search item, but I'm not sure it should be tied to backsplashes alone. What is a marble subway tile in a mod kitchen? Vintage? Modern? You'd have to put the style search button next to each element, from faucets to cabinets to flooring to lighting, etc.

Slowly refining the entries. I modified the tile size to include categories of sizes. I also added a new category for backsplash size.

Here's what the data entry form looks like with the current categories:
{{!gwi}}

Here's part of the Extended Search Form.
To search for "black cabinets" and "colorful" "glass" backsplashes you would simply select those fields in the search function. Like this:
{{!gwi}}
Since the backsplash manufacturer doesn't show up in the search list. So to find a specific manufacturer you would add the name of the main search box at the top. Then you can extend the search from there.

And about style... there's an overall kitchen style category that includes Contemporary, Traditional, Arts&Crafts plus tons of other selections.

I'll try to get a demo going soon so you can see all the possibilities. :-)

My backsplash is a wooden niche.

Sandstone is another potential backsplash material I recently read about.

Thanks! I added both sandstone and wood to the materials category (and updated the image above).
To search for wooden niche you would select material=wood and special features=niche.

You are a techno saint.

WOW!!! This is going to be incredible! Since you asked for opinions, shouldn't stacked stone be natural stone (as you have synthetic separately)and "stacked" be the type or pattern?

calimama - Yup, you're right! I added materials=natural stone and pattern=stacked stone. (And updated the image above.)

marcolo - haha! Actually techno geek.

I tried to break down the tile size category. Are these new categories reasonable?
Square - Tiny (under 1x1)
Square - Small (1x1 to 2x2)
Square - Medium (4x4)
Square - Med Large (6x6)
Square - Large (over 6x6)
Rectangular - Tiny (under 1x2)
Rectangular - Medium (1x2 to 2x4)
Rectangular - Large (over 2x4)

One thing your form doesnt seem to contemplate is "no backsplash". I specifically did not want anything as a backsplash because I am going for an unfitted vintage utilitarian look. I felt a backsplash in such a kitchen would make it look less authentic, since they were not decorative.

It was hard to find examples of this, except in things like listings for European vacation villa rentals!

Also fieldstone and plaster/clay

Or just "other"!

Oh and pewter, zinc and copper counters

Oh and thank you!,,,,,

mtnrdredux - I don't have a backsplash either. Just never got around to it. But the checklist had included "Paint" which is what I consider my backsplash. But I suppose that's confusing. So I did add a No Backsplash item.
And thanks for the other suggestions. I added material=fieldstone and material=plaster/clay.
And added countertop material=metal.

There will also be information boxes where users can enter additional information in any of the major categories. All fields are searchable.

Part of my kitchen has mostly gray backsplash and another has mostly burgundy, so would appreciate those color options. Seems others could possibly have one of those colors, too. (I'm trying to say they're not likely to be unique just to me.)

Looking great!

I'm such a newbie here, but I just wanted to add what I happily found just yesterday for my backsplash:

I'm getting ceramic tile beadboard!! Just what I wanted. The tile size is 8" X 24". I'm guessing that would go in the category of "large rectangle" right? It just seems sooooo much bigger than 2" x 4". Also, would this be considered a "pattern" or in any way a special feature? The only reason I'm asking is because I had this idea (tile that looked like beadboard) and I tried to search it and I even asked in a couple stores, and all I found was nothing. Then, I got the thought to call it "ceramic beadboard" and ask a specific question about it here, and I was able to find stuff. The next thing I know the tile guy is showing me very reasonably priced ceramic beadboard that he's only seen used in bathrooms, but will make what I think will be a beautiful backsplash in my kitchen!!!!

When the time comes when my kitchen is actually done (OK - we haven't even started demo yet, but I DID sign a contract), what would be the best way to enter my information? Is it considered "beadboard" or is it a "large tile?" Will there be an "other" category" and maybe "keyword search" function so you could put in something really specific like the phrase "ceramic beadboard" or something like that?

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site and I am so appreciative to all of the kind and patient people out there who put so much time in! When all is said and done and I am going to write a post that outlines EVERYTHING in my kitchen that actually came from GW (as far as the idea). It's just amazing!!!

With extreme gratitude...

SQ

I didn't see something that would match what I'm planning to do, (which may be too singularly weird to merit its own tag).

I plan to use a hand-drawn, painted design of fruits and vegetables on the backsplash behind my range. It's a design of my late Mother's that I originally was planning to have transferred to tile, but I now think it would look better just painted on a flat panel and hung up.

So a category of of: Painted > Still life ?
As for DIY, or not - I will try my hand at recreating it, but may need to enlist a more skilled artist in the end.

I suppose it goes under "Other" most conveniently, but I did try to search to look at similar things but found nothing. Perhaps others are in the same boat.

May I say again that the FKB, and your untiring efforts with it, are one of best resources available for anyone contemplating a kitchen project. Thank you very much!

L

All those choices are amazing, thank you starpooh and everyone contributing!

Starpooh - I am trying to think of all the questions that come up on backslashes, one that seems to come up alot is grout color,size and sealer. I don't necessarily think it needs to be it's own category, but it would be great if folks were encouraged to include this information somewhere. :)

rhome410 - How could I possibly have forgotten to include gray and burgundy? :-)

SusieQusie60 - Searching for ceramic beadboard won't be quite as straight-forward as I would have wanted since both are in the backsplash materials category. (You can only select one item from each category for the extended search.) But you could select material=ceramic then use the overall search field to find beadboard. Not the best way to search but there are limitations to this setup. Here's an example (I removed all other categories from this image to reduce the size.)
{{!gwi}}
And I added another selection for rectangular tile. Does this make more sense?
Rectangular Tiny (under 1x2)
Rectangular Small (1x2 to 2x4)
Rectangular Medium (2x4 to 3x6)
Rectangular Large (over 3x6)

calimama - I've added a new backsplash category for Additional Information (and will do the same for cabinets, countertops, etc.) This can be used for anything else members wish to include. Maybe we can also ask for the kitchen owner's opinions here?

liriodendron - I was thinking that "mural" would cover your painting. A more specific description can be added to the new Additional Information section.

Again I have updated the image that I posted yesterday with the latest modifications.

Wow - I can't believe a got a personal shout-out for my suggestion/post. I am truly honored. I also can't believe that someday (hopefully not in the too distant future,) I'll have the joy of entering all of this info about my own finished kitchen. I hope I can figure out how to post pictures directly into the thread, rather than through a link by then!!

Hi Starpooh,

Thank you for doing all of this work. The Finished Kitchens Blog has been such a valuable tool to many of us. Thank you for taking the time to make it even better!