Backsplashes today can be both elaborate and elegant without being over the top. Looking to update the space behind your sink? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Now more than ever there are an abundance of materials available for the design of your backsplash. Gone are the days of just plain tile to frame the area. Backsplashes today can be both elaborate and elegant without being over the top. Looking to update the space behind your sink? Here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Determine Your Personal Style
While it is easy to get lost in the many available options, the first step you need to take before you select your materials and design, is to determine your personal style. This can be traditional, transitional, contemporary, or even a combination of several looks. Your personal style will serve as your guide when selecting the materials to create your backsplash design.
2. Consider the Magic Formula
The floor, countertop and backsplash must all work together for your kitchen to have an even, balanced look. Keep in mind that the backsplash should not be treated as a separate entity to the overall space. All elements need to work to create an overall effect.
3. Glass Makes a Statement
Whether glass is in the form of a simple tile, an intricate waterjet design, custom or decorative liners, it’s the perfect material to create a contemporary or transitional feeling. Glass mosaics which mix in metal, stone, precious gems or, mother of pearl, also add texture and movement. The variety of these glass textures and hues helps create an intricate movement for the backsplash.
4. Mix it Up
Add interest and combine different materials, like stone mosaics with with glass tile. Try mixing it up and use metal stix mosaics, which is is a tile with interlocking, linear pieces tile. Or try experimenting with shades of cement tiles to add dimension. Another way to mix things up, is to install a backsplash with different sizes of the same material.You’ll be surprised by what a little bit of variety will do for the design.
5. Go Custom
Custom tile crafted by an artisan is the perfect look for any traditional space. Consider using hand cast tile for the hood area, which will create a mural effect as a focal point.
6. Pattern to the Rescue
Thanks to some remarkable new technology, there are many different styles of water jet patterns available for your backsplash design. Water jet patterns are made with machines that use a very high-pressure jet of water to cut into stone or glass materials, shaping them into precise, beautiful designs. Water jet designs can be quite costly, however the costs are manageable if used in small doses. Even the smallest hint of these materials, whether in herringbones, penny rounds or rhomboids all add tremendous visual appeal.
