A kitchen is an integral part of a home, and is one of the most frequented and used areas of your home, every day. Not only is it used to make and serve nutritious food to your whole family, it is a space that enhances and brings out your creativity. Thus, it stands to reason, that a kitchen should never be boring aesthetically, and should have the looks to match both the feel and importance of the space. Sometimes, simply tiles cannot fulfill what you need from a kitchen’s looks, which is where kitchen backsplashes come in! Not only do these backsplashes add to a kitchen with its aesthetics, they play a major functional role in kitchen, that is often overlooked. Keep reading to learn more about kitchen backsplashes, and the various uses they have!
What are kitchen backsplashes?
Backsplashes are additional tiles or material that fits in the space between cabinets and the countertop. Its purpose is to prevent things like grease, water and other miscellaneous stains from damaging the uncovered kitchen walls, especially behind high-activity areas like a stove. These backsplashes come in a plethora of sizes, colours, materials, and shapes, and are employed throughout the kitchen. In fact, what you might have thought to be part of the kitchen wall, could actually be a kitchen backsplash!
What are the Different Types of Backsplashes?
Backsplashes come in a large variety of styles, be it classic, vintage, minimalistic, or contemporary. However, one of the most important aspects of a kitchen backsplash is the material. Here are the different types of materials that are used for kitchen revovation:
Stone: Natural stone is quite a popular choice when it comes to kitchen backsplashes, because they mesh well with the overall aesthetic of most kitchen walls, and have a simple yet elegant look. Additionally, stone comes in a wide range of options such as granite, marble, limestone, and more; giving it a lot of choices and variety. Lastly, stone is a naturally hard and stain resistant material, making it the perfect choice for a backsplash, as grease, water, and other stains will not be absorbed, and provides good protection for the wall.
Tiles: Tiles are one of the most common types of kitchen backsplashes that people opt for, due to their affordable nature, and large variety of designs. Tiles are available in porcelain, ceramic, and more, and is highly customizable in terms of design, shape, and size. Tiled backsplashes often gel the best with the overall kitchen walls, and seem like an extension of the wall’s aesthetic. While tiles can be more susceptible to damage, they work well as backsplashes, as they do not absorb the stains, and can be cleaned quite easily due to their smooth nature.
Concrete: This material is a unique addition for backsplashes, and often adds a rugged, and natural look to the kitchen’s aesthetic. Concrete is available in several colours, and pairs well with other similar elements in the kitchen, such as a concrete countertop. Concrete is extremely easy to clean, but may also stain depending on the liquid.
Stainless Steel: This is a material that goes extremely well with minimalistic and modern aesthetics, and is extremely easy to clean, while also being durable; protecting the exposed walls. Additionally steel is resistant to moderate heat temperatures, making it a good material to use in the kitchen setting. However, it is important to know that it also dents, scratches, and bends quite easily.
Why Does my Kitchen Need a Backsplash?
Here are some of the benefits of having a backsplash in your kitchen:
Easy cleaning: Kitchen walls can stain quite easily, and cleaning them is a hassle. Installing the right type of kitchen backsplashes over them can ensure that cleaning is no longer an inconvenience, and can be maintained better. This also protects the original kitchen wall from any stains that occur while cooking!
Enhances kitchen aesthetic: With kitchen backsplashes having so many different styles, colours, and types, it makes for a plethora of different patterns and combinations you can add to your kitchen, and enhance the looks of the space! Additionally, backsplashes can help better complement the area’s aesthetic, compared to the plain kitchen walls; especially through the level of customization that can happen.
Easy to replace and affordable: While the original kitchen tiles and walls may be durable, they have a risk of breaking as they age. If a few tiles break, more often than not, the whole kitchen wall backdrop may need to be replaced, which can cost a lot, and can be a hassle to replace cabinets. This can be offset by kitchen backsplashes, which are considerably easier to install, while also being more affordable!
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Backsplash?
Here are some of the steps you need to take to choose the best backsplash for your kitchen:
- Choose the right material: The material you choose for your kitchen backsplash is the most important decision to make, as it affects various factors such as durability, stain resistance, looks, and the overall maintenance.
- Ensure the size matches: Make sure to measure out the spaces between the cabinets and countertops where the backsplashes will go, to ensure an accurate fit!
- Customize the aesthetic: While this does largely depend on the type of material your backsplash it, make the looks your own, and adjust the aesthetic of the covering according to the colours and style of your kitchen!
- Pricing: This is subject to the material, size, and looks of the backsplash, but make sure you get a fair price, and the durability matches its worth!
Conclusion:
Kitchen backsplashes are a great addition to any cooking space; adding aesthetical value to the bare walls, while also protecting them from any stains or blotches that may occur when cooking. These backsplashes come in a plethora of different varieties, and choosing the right one can be a difficult decision. So, head to Impression Kitchens for help with all your kitchen backsplash needs!
