Tile Backsplashes

A new backsplash is a great way to upgrade a kitchen with your own personal style. The types ofmaterials that you can use is only limited by your imagination. There are hundreds of colors and finishes available and can be installed in combinations and designs to fit any kitchen or personality.

Glass tiles like those used above are a very popular choice these days.  As you’d expect, they come in many different shades and sizes, though generally they are smaller and mainly used on walls, especially backsplashes.  This backsplash (right) was made of partially recycled glass that had many different shades and variations between the tiles.  Along with the dark grout, this design adds some bold personality to your kitchen.  (These clients were Coke memorabilia collectors.) 

Today, there are numerous choices for your backsplash tile.  One interesting option is to mix in some stainless steel tiles.  This mosaic (below and left) has them scattered throughout, drawing your attention to this interesting detail.  From across the room they look like small mirrors that reflect light.  You can get stainless tiles in defferent tiles and styles and mostly I’ve seen them used as a decorative piece alongside other glass, ceramic or stone tiles.

A new backsplash can also be more affordable than other tile projects because there is often less prep work involved. For example, if you have drywall above your current countertop, the tile can be installed right over the drywall. It’s not considered a wet location like a shower surround, so the drywall foundation is suitable for a backsplash. This likely translates to around a 30% savings.

Tumbled Marble Stone Backsplash

I’ve installed a number of different types of backsplashes. The above pictures show the amazing transformation it can make in your kitchen. This design uses tumbled marble stone tiles, with a patchwork mosaic below some 4″ square tiles set on the diagonal. It’s not a large space, but it makes a statement. I was even able to ‘tape off’ some of the more porous tiles to retain the cool character of this natural stone.

Porous stones may not be the best choice for most backsplashes because they can be difficult to clean. The above backsplash uses travertine subway tiles with a decorative mosaic stripe running through it. The small mosaic tiles add a lot to the design and I was able to highlight the area behind the range as well.

Subway Tile Backsplash

All of these designs are fun to work with, but even a standard classic white subway tile looks great, especially in this older cottage-type home. This backsplash uses a white grout for a clean look, but you can change the grout color to contrast the tiles more. A light grey color is also a common choice.

Travertine Tiles with a Mosaic

These photos show a backsplash that I installed that was made up of travertine subway tiles with a horizontal mosaic stripe to dress it up even more. there are numerous choices for accent pieces like this, especially if you want to add a centerpiece or special tiles to accent the area behind the range.

Backsplashes are a fun project for me and can really be great way to upgrade your kitchen and give it some of your own style and character. Whether you have your own design picked out or you need some help deciding, I’d love to talk with you when it’s time to install a new backsplash at your home.

By the way, a backsplash doesn’t just have to be in the kitchen!  Here’s one that I did around a large soaking tub.  This mosaic mixes glass tiles with light-colored stone.  It’s a beautiful combination and also adds some extra texture because the stone tiles are slightly thicker than the glass ones.  This can be a pain to clean, but in the right location it is very cool.   [contact]