Backsplashes are not a new innovation. By some means or another, this concept has been around for centuries. While backsplashes now play an important ornamental role in interior design, the beginning intent was to protect walls from spills and splatters caused by food preparation in the kitchen. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that designers re-invented this concept to a completely new level. They aren’t just seen in kitchens, they're also common in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and often in statement walls. Backsplashes have turned into a focal point that is an affluent blend of interesting materials and unique designs. Let us look at the different types of backsplashes you can use to elevate your space!
Types of Backsplashes
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles preserve their reputation as an easy, sturdy, versatile, and economical choice for homeowners. Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, it's the perfect choice for a budget-friendly look. Making it easier for you to find the perfect match for your future home!
Average Cost: $6.29- $29/SF
Country Floors
Glass Tile
Glass tiles offer similar benefits as ceramic tiles in regards to their being multifaceted and easy to maintain. Compared to other materials, glass reflects light, therefore, making the space look brighter and larger. Glass tiles also come in a variety of opacity levels, with some tiles providing a clear translucent effect and others offering a more matte result.
Average Cost: $12.02- $31.85/SF
Stone
Stone tiles come in a variety of tile and slab options with an array of different finishes. They're also available in a wide variety of stone options such as sandstone, limestone, and travertine. The most popular options are granite, marble, and quartz for their chic elegance. Finishes range from a variety of textures, from rough/rustic to lightly textured stone.
Average Cost: $15.37- $ 30.49/SF
Royal Stone
Natural Stone
Using stone as a backsplash can give your kitchen an organic and natural look. Different stones can evoke a dramatic and bold statement. However, stone is a more expensive option and more porous so it's important to keep on top of regular maintenance by using PH-neutral cleaner + periodic resealing.
Average Cost: $20.37- $31.49 PER SF
El Dorado Stone
Mosaic
Mosaic is a classic choice for anyone who wants to add texture diversity and a pop of colour to any space. Due to the popularity of mosaic tiles, they are available in hundreds of layouts and range from wood to plastic. A pro tip is to always investigate the cost of insulation for each pattern since even a seemingly simple-looking pattern can be very complicated and costly to install.
Average Cost: $13.94- $27.39 PER SF
Peel and Stick
Anyone who is looking to install a kitchen backsplash without going over their budget can benefit from using the peel and stick tile alternative. This option offers a large range of tiles made of vinyl, metal, glass, and stone. Not only is it very easy to install and therefore further its affordability. All you need to do is cut the tile to the required size, peel off the sticker and stick it on the wall.
Average Cost: $7.05- $32.20 PER SF
Wood
Choosing a wood backsplash is a great way to elevate your space and it works with many styles! It can add a rustic ambiance to the space, but it can also add a contemporary and sleek look. One thing to consider when choosing wood as a backsplash is to use polyurethane to preserve its durability and protect from stains/water damage.
Average Cost: $24.98- $44.20 PER SF
Brick
Brick tiles are a great way to add a sleek and trendy appearance to your walls. They are widely used as a feature wall in living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens. Brick walls preserve the same shape, texture, and colour due to their durability. As a result, they are heat and weather resistant and can be used on exterior surfaces as well.
Average Cost: $22.98- $35.20 PER SF
Antiqued Mirror
An antiqued mirror can give a very rustic and amiable ambiance for a backsplash. It’s a great way to add openness and volume to your space by allowing a reflective capability to take the limelight of any space. I know what you’re thinking, doesn’t a mirror get dirty? You can actually go weeks without running a cloth over them because of their rugged design. A great option for a rustic design!
Average Cost: $15.98- $68.99 PER SF
Go DIY Go
Tile Shapes
Subway Tile
The first subway tile, being a subset of rectangular tiles, was made in New York in 1904 in a subway station which is where it got its name! These days, subway tiles are available in an assortment of materials, like ceramics, stone, glass, and marble. It can be placed in any kitchen style, from traditional to hyper-modern design. The perfect option for a contemporary or Industrial design!
All Modern
Diamond
Diamond-shaped tile is a classy touch to any space and offers plenty of unique designs. It can be used in one tone or multiple tones to give more dimensions to the surface. From small to large scale size, this is a great option to add to any wall or floor as a sophisticated statement.
Mercury Mosaics
Penny Round
The classic round tiles were widely used in the 20th century mostly in black in white penny style patterns. Today, penny round tiles come in different circle variation forms, materials, and finishes. Penny tiles are not only a great choice for curved walls due to the pliable sheet but are also great to create unique designs with shapes and even text.
Tile Club
Fish Scale
This coltish pattern entails an s-like curve, consisting of two arcs that curve in the opposite direction, and its design and shape resemble scales on a fish. This distinctive tile originates back to the 8th century and continues to be popular to this day. Today is widely used as a beautiful backsplash statement that can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. A great option for a creative and unique modern home space!
Bedrosians
Arabesque
Arabesque style takes inspiration from mosaic tiles found in the middle east and north Africa. If you’re looking to achieve a unique solution for your space, an arabesque tile can help give the space an exotic ambiance. If you're looking to create a shabby chic atmosphere, classic arabesque tiles come in all sorts of colour palettes and materials.
I Lash You
Hexagon
Hexagon tiles have been around for many years. Each tile has 6 sides that fit effortlessly together to generate a unified pattern that looks great in any size. Hexagon tiles could make a room appear bigger if it’s installed in a large format. This is an ideal choice for a wonderful backsplash, but it can also be ideal for flooring.
Mosaic Tile
Monochramtic vs Colour
There’s no correct answer when it comes to selecting the right colour for your backsplash as it all comes down to if it works well with the cabinets and shelves that you have selected for your design. If you’re looking for more of a cohesive and consistent colour palette, choosing a monochromatic/neutral combination would be something to look into. On the other hand, if you are looking to create a statement with your backsplash, go bold!
In short, we understand picking out the perfect backsplash can be an overwhelming process. So, we hope this information takes a little bit of stress out of your decision! Grab a few samples, bring them to your room and play with different options. If you are working on a design for your kitchen design, we also recommend taking a look at one of our previous blog posts about Fun, Easy, and Affordable Ways to Update Your Kitchen and Knobs or Pulls: Your Guru Guide to Cabinet Hardware so you can put a full design together. If you need help, book a complimentary intro design call with us and we would be happy to help!