A kitchen and bathroom backsplash serves both practical and aesthetic purposes in your home. Not only do backsplashes protect your walls from water damage and stains, but they also add visual interest and tie together the overall design of the space. With so many backsplash options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to select the right material and pattern for your kitchen or bathroom. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about selecting, designing, and installing backsplashes in your home.
What is a Backsplash?
A backsplash is a protective surface installed on the wall behind a countertop, sink, stove, or other fixture to prevent water damage and stains. Backsplashes are typically made of water-resistant materials like ceramic tile, stone, glass, or metal. The backsplash fills the space between the countertop and upper cabinets, covering a portion of the wall approximately 4-6 inches tall.
In addition to protecting the walls, backsplashes serve as decorative focal points in kitchens and bathrooms. The colors, textures, and patterns of the backsplash material coordinate with the overall design of the space. Backsplashes are available in a diverse range of styles, allowing you to add visual interest and your own personal flair.
Benefits of Installing a Backsplash
There are several benefits to installing backsplashes in your kitchen and bathroom:
Protects the walls from water damage: Backsplashes create a water barrier behind sinks, stoves, and other areas prone to splashes. The water-resistant materials prevent moisture from seeping into the drywall and causing stains, peeling paint, mold growth, and other damage.
Makes cleaning easier: Materials like glass, metal, and ceramic tile are easy to wipe down and keep clean. A properly sealed backsplash prevents grime, grease, and soap buildup.
Adds style: Backsplashes come in endless colors, textures, and patterns to match your interior design. Use the backsplash as an opportunity to add visual interest and coordinate with your cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
Increases resale value: Upgraded backsplashes are attractive features for potential home buyers. They indicate that care and investment have gone into the kitchen and bathrooms.
Allows for easy updates: Installing a new backsplash is a simple weekend project that can give your kitchen or bathroom an entirely fresh look. Backsplashes can be replaced without the major renovations required for countertops or cabinetry.
Popular Backsplash Materials
There are many types of materials to choose from for your backsplash application. Consider the pros, cons, and characteristics of each to select the best option for your space:
Ceramic & Porcelain Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tiles are among the most common backsplash materials due to their durability, affordability, and variety of options.
Pros: water-resistant, easy to clean, heat-resistant, affordable, available in endless colors/finishes/patterns
Cons: grout lines can get grimy but are easy to refresh with grout cleaner
Best for: traditional tile patterns or mosaics, rustic or cottage styles, coordinating with countertops
Stone Tile
Backsplashes made of stone tiles, such as marble, granite, and travertine, add natural beauty and texture.
Pros: naturally water- and stain-resistant, heat-resistant, adds organic texture
Cons: expensive, heavier to install, porous stones can stain
Best for: Old World charm, complementing natural stone countertops
Glass Tile
Glass tile backsplashes have a reflective, sleek, modern look. Glass types include clear, frosted, opaque, and colored.
Pros: water-resistant, easy to clean, elegant sheen, variety of colors and finishes
Cons: tiles can crack or chip if hit, grout can discolor
Best for: contemporary styles, adding a pop of color, pairing with stainless steel
Metal Tile
Metal backsplashes like tin, copper, stainless steel, or aluminum provide brilliant shine.
Pros: highly water-resistant, durable, reflective surface, cleans up nicely
Cons: prone to smudges and fingerprints, higher cost than ceramic or porcelain
Best for: industrial edge, professional kitchens, complementary metal finishes
Subway Tile
Subway tile features rectangular tiles set in a brick-like pattern. Typically made of ceramic or glass.
Pros: classic, timeless look, available in tons of colors, easy to install
Cons: some find the rectangular style boring or dated
Best for: versatile, clean-lined look, farmhouse or vintage decor
How Much Does a Backsplash Cost?
The cost of a backsplash depends on the material, size of the area, pattern complexity, pro installation vs DIY, and other factors. Here are some typical backsplash price ranges:
- Ceramic or porcelain tile: $15-$40 per sq. ft. installed
- Natural stone tile: $40-$100 per sq. ft. installed
- Glass tile: $20-$50 per sq. ft. installed
- Metal tile: $15-$50 per sq. ft. installed
- Subway tile: $5-$15 per sq. ft. for materials if DIY
Always account for additional costs such as grout, sealant, adhesive, trim pieces, and tools. Hiring a professional tiler adds $200-$500 for installation labor.
How to Select a Backsplash Design
Choosing a backsplash design involves considering your kitchen or bathroom’s overall style, colors, cabinetry, countertops, and other elements. Here are some tips for selecting a cohesive, integrated backsplash design:
- Match the tones of your cabinetry, countertops, flooring, and other finishes to create a coordinated color scheme. Contrasting tones can work well too.
- Consider the style of your home and decor – traditional, modern, rustic, industrial etc. Choose backsplash materials and patterns that align with the overall aesthetic.
- Look for inspiration from home magazines, design websites, home improvement stores, and backsplash photo galleries online.
- Gather samples of tile, stone, glass, etc. to view colors and textures up close. Many tile stores have sample pieces.
- Focus the backsplash behind appliances and plumbing fixtures where it’s most needed functionally. You can do a small focal backsplash with an accent material.
- Layout options include full wall coverage, a backsplash “rug” (focal panel), geometric patterns, listellos, mosaics, combinations of materials, and more.
- For resale value, classic subway tile backsplashes are a safe bet, but go with a style you love.
Once you’ve selected the right backsplash materials and design for your space, it’s time to plan for installation.
How to Install a Kitchen or Bathroom Backsplash
Installing a tile, stone, or glass backsplash is often a DIY-friendly project if you have basic tiling experience. Here are the key steps:
Gather Supplies
- Backsplash tiles/materials and grout
- Mortar or adhesive appropriate for the tile type
- Trowels, grout float, sponge, buckets
- Tile spacers and tile cutter
- Sealant
- Safety equipment – gloves, glasses, knee pads
Prepare the Surface
- Remove existing backsplash if present; clean and sand the area.
- Fill any holes or imperfections with spackle; sand smooth.
- Paint the wall if needed so your accent backsplash pops. White is common.
Plan Your Layout
- Measure the space and sketch a layout; account for focal areas.
- Dry lay the tiles on the countertop first to visualize spacing and patterns.
- Cut any specialty edge pieces you’ll need with a tile cutter.
Apply Mortar and Tiles
- Apply a layer of mortar or adhesive using a notched trowel.
- Press tiles into the mortar, use spacers for consistent grout lines.
- Cut and place any accent tiles, mosaics, trim, etc.
Let Dry, Grout, and Seal
- Let tiles set for 24 hours before grouting (time varies on materials).
- Apply grout between tile joints, smoothing with a grout float.
- Wipe away excess grout with a damp sponge.
- Apply sealant to protect grout and tile surfaces.
With the right prep and materials, installing a backsplash is totally doable over a weekend. Enjoy your new stylish, mess-resistant backsplash zone!
FAQs About Backsplashes
How far should a backsplash extend?
The typical backsplash height is 4-6 inches. Full height backsplashes extending up to the bottom of wall cabinets are also popular. For a focal backsplash, limit it to the area directly behind the sink and stove.
What’s the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?
Ceramic and porcelain are made from similar clay materials, but porcelain contains finer particles fired at higher temperatures, making it denser, harder, and more water-resistant than ceramic tile.
Do backsplashes need to be sealed?
Sealing is especially important for grout and natural stone backsplashes to prevent staining and discoloration from moisture. Sealants add water protection and make surfaces easier to clean.
What’s the most expensive backsplash material?
Natural stone backsplashes like marble, travertine, and granite tend to be the most expensive, costing $40-$100 per square foot installed. Handmade art glass or mosaic tiles also rank on the pricier end.
Can you put backsplash tile over existing tile?
In some cases yes, but it’s best to remove old tile and start fresh with smooth drywall. Installing over existing tile risks trapping moisture if the layers aren’t fully sealed.
What backsplash goes best with white cabinets?
White cabinets pair beautifully with nearly any backsplash material and color. Subway tile, marble, and glass mosaics are safe choices. Go bold with a contrasting navy or black backsplash or soft with pale blues and grays.
Should backsplash match countertops?
It’s common to match backsplash and countertops using similar materials like coordinating granite slabs and stone tiles. But mixing materials like marble counters and glass mosaic backsplash can look amazing too – get creative!
Final Thoughts on Kitchen and Bathroom Backsplashes
Upgrading to a backsplash is one of the best returns on investment for kitchen and bathroom renovations. Not only do backsplashes protect your walls and make cleaning easier, but they provide the perfect finishing touch to tie your whole design together in style.
Hopefully this guide provided you with inspiration and the fundamentals of designing and installing the perfect backsplash for your space and taste. Always consider the overall decor, color scheme, and architecture of your kitchen or bathroom when selecting materials and layouts.
With the right backsplash as a focal point, you can bring your kitchen or bath design to the next level. Just think – no more scrubbing grimy walls or worrying about water damage and stains behind sinks and appliances. Go ahead and make a backsplash your next weekend project to give your home an instant stylish upgrade.
