Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

Backsplashes are an Important Design Element

The kitchen backsplash is not just a way to protect the walls behind the counters and make the kitchen easier to clean. With all of the variety of materials available it has become a way to bring a signature touch to your kitchen. It is the one area where you can get creative, pull the room together, and make a statement, all at the same time.

The backsplash is a practicality in the kitchen. It protects walls from splashes and splatters. Keeping this in mind, it should be made from a material that is easy to clean and maintain. Take into consideration your kitchen habits:

• The amount of cooking you do
• The type of cooking you do
• The time you have to maintain the area
• The look you want in your kitchen
• How much time you spend there

Make a list of kitchen backsplash ideas that you see in magazines or on television shows. By giving some thought to your needs, as well as your preferences, you will be able to choose a backsplash that you love.

Choose Your Material

There are a number of materials that are well suited for backsplashes. Each of them has positive and negative qualities:

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel creates a modern look in the kitchen. The backsplashes go with nearly any countertop style,and blend well with stainless kitchen appliances. They are durable, heat resistant and easy to clean. Stainless is the choice of most commercial kitchens because of these positive qualities. However, stainless can be scratched. Acidic foods, chlorine bleach, and harsh chemicals can ruin the finish or cause staining if they are not rinsed off quickly and thoroughly. High-grade stainless steel can be expensive.

Tile

Tile backsplashes can be colorful, subtle, or rustic, depending on the type of tile you use. Some of the options are:

• Glass tiles
• Metal
• Natural stone
• Ceramic

Tiles are easy to install yourself and easy to clean. They are heat resistant and, with the exception of natural stone, stain resistant. The grout can become discolored and be hard to clean, however, if you don’t seal it completely after installing your tile.

Wallpapaer

Wallpaper is an inexpensive, and quick backsplash idea. It, too, is easy to install. Splashes to the wallpaper may be difficult to clean off, and very humid conditions in some kitchen areas may cause peeling.

Other Choices

• Mirror tiles: Mirror tiles make an interesting backsplash and are easy to keep clean. They are great for adding light and space to a small or dark kitchen. Mirror tiles are simple to install yourself and will match any style of kitchen. They are breakable, and care will need to be taken with them.
• Magnetic whiteboard: This is a fantastic idea from HGTV for installing a backsplash that you can put recipes up on with magnets as well as write notes on with dry erase markers. This is easily cleaned and replaced.
• Antique ceiling tiles: Antique ceiling tiles are beautiful in a country style kitchen. Used as a backsplash they provide color and texture. They are not as easy to keep clean as some of the other materials because of their age.
• Cork: Cork kitchen backsplashes are very helpful to have. They are a great place to leave notes and information. Cork is very hard to clean, though, and it can wear out easily.
• Tongue and groove wainscoting: Tongue and groove is great for country and vintage looking kitchens. Painted with a good, scrubbable paint, it is easy to clean and maintain. The wood can be gouged and is not heat resistant.
• Chalkboard paint: Chalkboard paint is one kind of paint that is easily cleaned and is a good candidate for a backsplash. Notes can be written on it, and easily washed off.

Pictures of Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

• Remodeling Myspace
• Better Homes and Gardens
• Unusual Backsplash from Extreme Home Makeovers
• Vintage Ceiling Tiles
• Home Depot

Creating your unique kitchen is a satisfying project. Use these kitchen backsplash ideas as a jumping off place for other ideas. A beautiful kitchen is a valuable asset to any home. A fantastic backsplash is the key to making your kitchen more beautiful.