Backsplash 101: Choosing Your Kitchen Backsplash

When it comes to remodeling or designing your kitchen, we know there are a lot of choices to make! You want your kitchen to be both durable against the messes and to come together in a flawless design. One of the decisions many homeowners struggle with is what kind of backsplash to install in their kitchen. With so many materials and colors to choose from, how will you ever make the decision?

Legacy Bath & Kitchen is your prime resource for San Antonio kitchen backsplash remodeling. Our team can help you consider the best options for your backsplash and invest in the one that will endure the test of time and tie your entire kitchen together. Check out some of the most common questions and backsplash ideas that we encounter with our clients, and start relieving some of that stress!

What’s The Best Backsplash For Kitchens?

Unfortunately, there is not one material (or color) of backsplash that supersedes all the others. What makes a backsplash the best option depends on your style, needs and budget. There are many different options with pros and cons that may seem appealing to some homeowners and not appealing at all to others. The key is to remember to take into account both your interior design AND your expected wear and tear.

Does The Backsplash Have To Match The Countertop?

After carefully choosing your kitchen countertops, you may feel unsure about picking a backsplash to be installed next to it. Some countertops are simple, some are more involved, but there’s always a backsplash idea to make your kitchen beautiful. One big factor to keep in mind is that your backsplash does not have to match your countertops — in fact, many designers recommend that they contrast each other!

Should The Backsplash Be Lighter Or Darker Than The Countertop?

If you’ve taken the previous suggestion to heart, you’re now wondering how to contrast your countertops and backsplash. Again, there’s no one best way to contrast these two materials. Some homeowners are looking for a statement aspect of their kitchen, which may lead to dark backsplashes or unique materials like glass or metal.

The most common trend is to make your counters darker than your backsplash. This doesn’t mean the counters need to be black and the backsplash white, but the subtle lightening of colors from the ground up to the ceiling draws the eye up. Your kitchen will seem bigger than it is and airier.

How Do You Pick A Backsplash Color?

Specifically, when considering tile backsplash, it can be overwhelming to decide what color to use. Luckily, the professionals have a few tips to make the process easier!

• Take your time — The best way to make sure you’re going to be happy with your backsplash choice is to give yourself time to get used to it. One clever way to do this is getting samples of tile you’re interested in and placing them temporarily in the kitchen. You’ll be able to view them during daily movements in your home, and you’ll get to see how the changing light affects their appearance throughout the day.
• Consider your entire kitchen — Another great way to tell if your selections are going to fit in your kitchen is by looking at your countertops, hardware and fixtures. All of these things together might be able to help you decide which color fits best in your kitchen.
• Make it interesting — Even the simplest backsplashes can become interesting. Don’t settle for a block of bland color — try incorporating small tiles of accent colors or materials to tie in other materials from your kitchen!

Where Should The Kitchen Backsplash End?

<Horizontally, your backsplash should end as close to the end of your cabinets or countertops. Vertically, you have more options. The age-old tradition of stopping the backsplash at the bottom edge of your cabinetry is not your only choice. Many homeowners decide to push the backsplash all the way up the wall to the ceiling for aesthetic effect. You may also want to consider your budget when asking this question as ceiling-high backsplashes are going to use more material.

Need More Backsplash Answers?

Legacy Bath & Kitchen is dedicated to providing our customers with all the support and guidance they need before making important decisions about their homes. That’s why you can count on us to answer all your questions — especially ones we haven’t answered on our website! If you’d like to speak to a backsplash professional, contact us!