Choosing a Backsplash: It's Impossible!
I do not understand how anyone is ever able to choose a backsplash. There is no way I could spin this book into a helpful "Ten Steps for Choosing a Backspalsh" kind of thing because I am paralyzed with indecision. There are too many beautiful choices!
Why do it in the first place? A backsplash protects bathroom walls from splashes and resulting stains and mold, while kitchen backsplashes also protect from greasy food splatters.
Where to begin? There are endless possibilities available today, but the most popular and practical material is tile. Tiles range in all colors, sizes, shapes and patterns. Some people do wild murals (a Tuscan landscape over the bar, vines and wine bottles, a cornacopia over the counter - not really my thing, but to each his own), some have a few patterned tiles within a larger white wall. Some are extend a few inches above the counter, while some go all the way to the ceiling.
There are so many beautiful opportunities that I didn't even make it past the first twenty pages of photos on Houzz after searching "backsplash" - before I knew it I had 24 favorites. Good job on tagging photos people! Here are just a few to get you inspired.
Why do it in the first place? A backsplash protects bathroom walls from splashes and resulting stains and mold, while kitchen backsplashes also protect from greasy food splatters.
Where to begin? There are endless possibilities available today, but the most popular and practical material is tile. Tiles range in all colors, sizes, shapes and patterns. Some people do wild murals (a Tuscan landscape over the bar, vines and wine bottles, a cornacopia over the counter - not really my thing, but to each his own), some have a few patterned tiles within a larger white wall. Some are extend a few inches above the counter, while some go all the way to the ceiling.
There are so many beautiful opportunities that I didn't even make it past the first twenty pages of photos on Houzz after searching "backsplash" - before I knew it I had 24 favorites. Good job on tagging photos people! Here are just a few to get you inspired.
Photos & Products
A stainless band is a great reflective and modern surface. I don't recommend this unless you a) really enjoy cleaning or b) have a 7-day-a-week housekeeper.
I love the variation in color and texture in these tiles. My only quibble is those switchplate covers breaking it up, but that's one of my personal neurosis - every great wall for artwork in my house is broken up by a stupid switchplate, alarm box, or thermostat.
Here the color in the room comes only from the backsplash detail.
Isn't this square detail wonderful? I love the way it breaks up the white wall.
That color is so delicious I want to lick it. What a wonderful way to introduce a color to a kitchen.
You can break up the pattern using the same color and shape in a new way.
Another nice way to accent with a band of different tiles. If you have a strict tile budget, splurge on a band of Ann Sacks tile and buy the white background for the rest of the wall at a big box home store.
This iridescent tile goes perfectly with the modern vent and hood. The verticality draws the eye up.
I am not sure what this is, but it looks like oversized tiles of stainless steel with a wood grain! Because the kitchen is so simple and the color palette is so limited, it totally gets away with this texture.
Here the tile resembles a framed drawing hanging on the wall.
Holy Hood! This is simply fabulous!
They got the pattern here just right. As for the wine selection, I'm not so sure...
I just love the graphic punch of black and white here.
Beautiful.
So lovely and calming - note how the horizontal pattern of the tile is echoed by the open shelving.
An autumnal mosaic backsplash.
Simple and Classic - I guess picking a backsplash doesn't HAVE to be rocket science.
This cook is not fooling around, and it looks like he/she doesn't want to risk staining any tile with food splatters.
This type of pattern has so much movement - it keeps a space that could look very austere lively instead!
Yes, picking out a backsplash can be frustrating! We have been trying to pick one out for 6 months as well. We have cream cabinets, a medium gray floor, and gray and white marble like granite counters, any ideas of what would look good and compliment the whole kitchen.