Kitchen Backsplashes - Unique Ideas

As the focal point of many homes, even the most cost-conscious homeowner may decide to remodel or add a few stylish touches to their kitchen. One way to spruce it up is by installing a new backsplash.

Backsplashes serve not only utilitarian purposes, but can add a lot of extra style. Though they are great at catching inadvertently airborne foodstuffs so they won't stain the paint on your walls, they can also be a relatively inexpensive way to update a kitchen. These days, there are so many different types of materials and styles of backsplashes available that the 18 20 inch space between the countertop and wall cabinets can be transformed into nothing short of a work of art.

The most popular, budget-conscious material for a kitchen backsplash is 2-4 inch ceramic or porcelain tile, which can be purchased online or at any home improvement store if you stick with something relatively simple. Ceramic tile is extremely versatile and the most economical choice. Prices can vary dramatically from style to style, though, so before you get your heart set on one particular type, make sure you shop around and check out the price tag. Kitchen tiles can range from a buck a tile to more than $20, depending on whether they are hand made or machine-pressed. The clay, firing, and glaze all factor into the cost too.

One way to get extra bang for the buck is to select a simple, inexpensive tile for the field and trim, then use a distinctive mosaic or glass tile for a liner. Setting tile diagonally also adds an extra coolness factor, but is a more challenging cut which can be problematic if you are doing it yourself.

Applying the tile to just the counter area where you are likely to splash can also save a bundle instead of installing the backsplash throughout the kitchen.

Aside from ceramic tile, here are a few typical materials and styles used in modern kitchen backsplashes:

• Mosaic Tile Recently, mosaic tile patterns have been one of the most popular choices for backsplashes. Mosaics can be made out of glass or various types of clay. You can install them yourself or have it professionally done. They can run from $12+ per square foot depending your source. If your counter to cabinet distance is 18 20 inches and the length you want to cover is about 12 feet then your backsplash will be around 20 square feet. So, the project can end up at about $300 on the low end when you add in the cost of adhesive, tools, grout, and sealer. Of course, with more exotic tile the cost can be much more.
• Fused Glass and Ceramic Tile Murals Glass or tile murals can add amazing style to your kitchen, but they are very pricey. A mural tile backsplash will cost about $50-$80 per square foot on the low end, and about $180 or more per square foot on the high end, so watch out for these if you're on a tight budget.
• Glass Tiles Typically glass tiles range from $27 per square foot for standard colors at Lowe's, Menard's, or Home Deport and $50+ for more artistic colors. Custom-made patterns can cost much more. This particular backsplash is one of the most practical because it is the easiest to clean, doesn't stain, and few other materials offer such variety.
• Stainless Steel These backsplashes give your kitchen a very sleek, modern look, and are highly durable. Though stainless steel is attractive, one of the downsides is that stains and splatters (such as grease) show. A lot. A brushed or quilted finish minimizes this however, and Barkeeper's Friend can remove stains that can't be removed with a paste of baking soda. Stainless runs about $30-$100 per square foot, depending on quality and fabricator.

If you're going for a more creative or unusual touch, there are several different routes you could take. Although these are all interesting ways to liven up a kitchen, you have to be careful because while you may love that cartoon tile backsplash of the Beatles, if you're planning on selling your home soon somebody else might not be so enthused about it. Also keep the overall layout of your kitchen in mind when installing any kind of backsplash. If you're not planning on changing the rest of the kitchen, remember to pick colors and textures that work with your current appliances and color scheme.

These are some of the more creative and non-traditional backsplash ideas:

• 3-D Collage This is quite easy to do and a lot of fun to create yourself. A backsplash of clear resin allows you to embed neat objects right into it. The result is a very cool, interesting collage of household objects.
• Pressed Tin Tiles Another trendy idea for a creative backsplash is making designs in tin, such as different shapes and symbols. Old tin tiles can be revamped by creating eye-popping pressings for not a lot of money.
• Geometric Glass Tiles Small tiles are used in this design to create a Tetris -type look with different colors and textures. Mix and match colors to make any design you want, whether it's large or small blocks of color or lines.
• Mirrored Backsplashes Wonderful for the image-conscious who like to watch themselves cook. Seriously though, these are made out of thermo-foil and are extremely strong and don't succumb to cracks, breakage, or chipping.
• Cartoon Backsplash Pick your own cartoon laminate design for a hip way to update your kitchen.
• Natural Stone Polished granite, marble, and tumbled stone are all options that offer almost as much versatility as ceramic tile. Porous stone needs to be treated and sealed to prevent stains.
• Plate Glass Clear plate glass can protect painted surfaces (think fresco) or add its own style. Pale green glass panels with embedded wire is just one intriguing possibility. Stainproof and easy to clean, installation can be tricky.
• Glass block It's definitely not a weekend project and requires major construction, but glass block is very cool, easy to clean, and adds lots of ambient light to your kitchen. Okay, so maybe when you build your house.

If you have a free weekend, most of these backsplashes can be your next do-it-yourself project. The mosaic, mural, and tile backsplashes are all medium-skill projects, given at least some experience with home improvement. If not, it's a good idea to comparison shop for installation prices.

The key to keeping it simple is your plan. Measure your backsplash area carefully to calculate the number and type of tile for your design. One approach is to plan your design using grid paper by carefully laying out your design considering the tile size, width of grout lines, and edge pieces. Use colored pencils to represent color changes.

Plan your cuts. Tile projects explode exponentially from something you thought would be simple Friday evening to something that is a major project Sunday afternoon when you don't plan your tile cuts. Electrical outlets are a particular nuisance and prove conclusively that the devil really is in the details.

Whichever medium you choose to install, whether it's a bold glass tile mosaic or a trendy 3-D collage, these small changes will give your kitchen a real kick in the pantry.

If you don't have the time to tackle a backsplash installation, one of the professional contractors available through ContractorNexus can help.

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