Choosing a tile backsplash can be a daunting task. Most people recognize that the backsplash is one of the first things you notice when you walk into a kitchen. If it’s not right, it can create a disconnect with all the other design elements in the room.
The first thing I would suggest, before you even start looking, is to put yourself in the right frame of mind. Consider all the items you have already chosen. Think about your flooring, your cabinets, your paint colors, and your countertop. We will see the importance of each of them in the selection process.
1) Your Floor – Your floor sets the mood of the room and therefore the mood you want to convey with your backsplash. A more contemporary porcelain tile floor might call for a glass tile backsplash. A hardwood floor might call for the type of tile you’d find at an arts and crafts tile store.
2) Your cabinets: Just like the floor, cabinets also set the “mood” of the room. You usually want a bit of contrast between the tile and the cabinets. There are exceptions. There’s nothing wrong with putting, say, white subway tile with white cabinets, but you might want to consider adding color with accents, like a row of glass, to avoid a monochromatic vibe.
3) Paint Color – Here again, you want to create contrast. If your tile backsplash wall ends at the cabinets against a painted wall, you don’t want them to be the same shade. The same color is fine, as long as you create a bit of contrast in tone.
4) Countertop – This may sound strange, but ask yourself the question; if my cabinets and countertop had a baby, what would it look like? Just as a child takes on the traits and characteristics of its parents, the tile backsplash must somehow incorporate some traits and characteristics of both the countertop and the cabinets. It unites them so that neither dominates the other.
Tile backsplash is the last thing to be installed in a kitchen renovation. It’s like the icing on the cake or the icing on the ice cream. It can make or break your entire vision. I hope this tip helps. Whether you’re looking for a unique look at a craft tile store, or you’re looking for a more conventional look at your local tile store, these guidelines will help you complete your project without a hitch.
