Last summer, Marion and Rick Jones decided the 45-year-old kitchen in their Dunwoody home needed a fresh look.
After consulting with Chanel Jones, a kitchen designer at Home Depot’s Perimeter store, and Lisa Hudson of Romanoff Renovations, the project got underway.
While no walls were removed, the kitchen was gutted. New appliances, granite countertops, cabinets and under-cabinet lighting were added. So were dark wood floors from 50 Floor.
For Marion, one of the toughest kitchen decisions she faced was choosing a backsplash. With the help of her 20-something daughter and Jones (the kitchen designer), Marion selected a textured marble tile called Emperador Blend Bamboo.
“I wanted the backsplash to have a rich look and coordinate with everything else,” Marion said. “It does. I love it.”
Kitchen backsplashes, the wall area between the top of the counter and the bottom of wall cabinets, used to be purely practical: They protected wall surfaces from sprays and splatters.
But today’s backsplashes are as decorative as they are functional, according to Maria Stapperfenne, a longtime kitchen designer and 2014 president-elect of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), a trade group.
According to NKBA’s 2014 trend report, the top materials for backsplashes are: glass, ceramic or porcelain tile and natural stone. While subway tile remains a popular choice, laminate and painted wallboard as backsplash materials are on the way out, the report noted.
No matter what your style and budget, there is backsplash material, color and design to suit you — and your kitchen. For help in choosing a kitchen backsplash, consider these tips from Stapperfenne, houzz.com and NKBA.
What to consider
Countertop first. Designers often suggest choosing the countertop first because the countertop often constitutes a good chunk of your budget. It also will be installed before the backsplash. There are generally fewer color and pattern options for countertop materials, while there are seemingly unlimited backsplash options.
Full or short? Four inches is the average height of a short backsplash, but full backsplashes have become more popular. A full backsplash extends from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the cabinets. Some often extend from the countertop to the ceiling behind a sculptural hood. Extending the backsplash to the ceiling also can give a small kitchen a grander appearance.
Home style. Keep the style of your home in mind when selecting a backsplash. A kitchen is architecturally part of the home, so it should be consistent with the remaining architecture.
Kitchen specific. Choose a backsplash material and design that enhances or unifies other features in the kitchen, including the cabinetry, walls and other decorative aspects.
Focal point or not? A backsplash can act as a focal point, creating drama and interest, or balance the other materials and elements. An unusual or bold backsplash also can provide a much-needed accent.
Purpose, plus. A backsplash can be a great place to add contrast and texture — or more storage — to your kitchen design.
Power of one. Selecting one backsplash treatment promotes continuity.
Best time. Change or add a backsplash either during a kitchen remodel or after. You don't want to add a backsplash if you plan to remodel your kitchen anytime soon, because you'd have to replace the backsplash once you start ripping out cabinets or adding countertops.
Whom to hire. If you're confident in tiling techniques — leveling a wall and adding grout — adding a new backsplash could be a DIY project. But if you have an expensive material, hire an experienced installer. Ask for a referral from your contractor, designer or the tile company.
Backsplash materials
Tile. Tiles, whether made of natural stone, glass or ceramic, are popular backsplash choices. But the process of selecting tile can be overwhelming with choices ranging from classic subway tiles to custom mosaics in various shapes and colors. How you lay the tile, such as on the diagonal or in a herringbone pattern, can make a design statement as well.
Natural stone. The beauty of natural stone is that no two pieces are the same. Choices include marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate and quartzite. Since stone is porous, it must be sealed to resist stains.
Porcelain and ceramic. Porcelain tiles, which are harder and denser than regular ceramic tile, also tend to be more expensive. Both are still top backsplash choices.
Glass. Glass tiles add shine and sparkle to a backsplash. For another look, mix glass and stone tiles. A single sheet of glass, painted on the back, lends color and easy-to-clean protection behind a range.
Metals. A tin, copper or stainless steel backsplash can give your kitchen a vintage, commercial or modern feel.
Mirrors. Used in homes in the 1980s, mirrors are making a comeback as a backsplash material that can work in almost any kitchen design. From traditional to antiqued, mirrors can add light and space. They are easy to clean, too. If mirrors are too much for your kitchen, use them as a backsplash in a buffet area or serving station.
Wood. Butcher block, beaded board or charming tongue-and-groove backsplashes create a casual feel in a cottage, beach or farmhouse-style kitchen.
Other. Cork, recycled tile and glass are other material choices. Or what about a red-brick backsplash, paired with concrete countertops for an old, industrial-kitchen look?
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