Picking the right backsplash tile for your kitchen or bath can be a daunting task because there are so many different options available. Because of this, we have created a sort of guide below on the 5 tips to finding the right backsplash for your specific needs.
Determine What Your Style Is
Chances are that your home reflects who you are. If you are more traditional and like toned down colors, you probably have a home that is decorated in a traditional style. Likewise, if you are more of a modern person – very trendy and updated, always has the newest shoes and electronic items, chances are your home is also modern in style. This is the first step to finding the right backsplash for your house; your personal style needs to reflect upon the tile. Otherwise, what’s the point, really? It’s your house, you should feel at home! Not only is your personal style going to help you figure out what colors or textures to use, but also what materials to use. Modern tends to deal more with stainless steel, glass, or wood.
Your Backsplash is Not A Separate Entity
It’s important to remember that the counters, the flooring and yes the backsplash, ALL have to work together in tandem. Don’t treat your backsplash like it’s a single entity, look at the entire kitchen as a whole. All three of these elements need to work together to create a balanced look. One of the ways you can tell if you are going to have a balanced look is to actually “copy” someone else’s idea on some of those home improvement websites like Houzz. You can also look at Home Design software that allows you to design things like a backsplash on your computer so you can get a better idea if it would work in your home or not or how good it would look. Obviously nothing is better than seeing a design up close and personal, but unless you want to spend a lot of money to have it installed only to realize you don’t like it, Houzz and a software program might be a little more beneficial and cost efficient.
Mix Your Materials/Mix The Tile Sizes
Who ever made a rule that said you weren’t allowed to mix materials? No one! In fact, in a lot of homes people do this and if its done right and can look amazing. Some examples are porcelain and marble, marble and wood, glass and granite, etc. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. When possible get samples from the showroom you are working with and ask them if you can take a few samples home to see which ones you like the best together. You can also mix tile sizes. You don’t have to use 2×2 tiles all over your wall. You can use 2×2 and 4×4 or whatever looks best to you. Adding some variety to your backsplash could end up creating a really amazing look!
Water Jet Patterns
If you don’t like the look of a plain old backsplash, today’s technology allows you to get a custom built backsplash. These are done using water jets that can etch and pattern almost any material including glass or stone. These cutters can create a really precise and attractive design for any kitchen or bath. It should be mentioned that something like this will cost a little more money, but it might be worth it if you are going for a certain look. For instance, a home that has an Italian or Grecian style kitchen could do a diamond pattern in the background and on top of that a large slate of marble that has been designed into scroll work. It’s very unique and very different.
Glass Can Make A Real Statement
It doesn’t matter if you want the main part of the backsplash to be glass and then bring in other materials or you want to have the main part be stone or porcelain and then add accents of glass; glass is very trendy right now for a backsplash. Glass mosaics are also pretty cool; these can add in different variations of glass such as colored glass, precious gems even pearls. Creating a backsplash with glass is not only classy, but it can be completely customized as well.
Hopefully these tips will help you find the right design and materials for your next backsplash project.
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