#Kitchen Tile Backsplash: Big Impact, Low Maintenance - Porch Advice

Using lots of tile in the kitchen is a great way to add style and functionality.

There is a new trend in kitchen design: massive tile backsplash walls. So many of our great kitchen designers on Porch incorporate cabinetry and tile in such a way that the tile becomes more dominant than the painted walls or cabinetry.  Tile can be a great way to add color, pattern and style. It s easy to wipe down and maintain very important in the often-messy kitchen. Tile can also help reflect light into the space, opening up the room and making it feel larger. Under cabinet lighting can also help to show off tile colors and patters.

How to choose the right tile

When selecting tile for your backsplash, it s important to get samples and compare the tile with all of your other kitchen elements. If possible, temporarily affix your tile samples to the backsplash area so you can live with it for a while. Keep in mind that the backsplash area is nearly at eye level, making it a natural place to rest the eye. So choose a pattern or color that you can live with for awhile. Even if you choose a neutral color, remember that how the tile is placed on the wall, and the color of the grout, can make a bold statement even with a plain, white tile.

Tall backsplash areas are definitely a trend we love and below are some of our favorite examples found on Porch. Need to find a kitchen designer, contractor or professional tile installer for your next project? Find one on Porch .

This grey marble subway tile compliments the darker stone countertop and beautifully blends the dark and the light elements of this kitchen.

The dynamic detail of this tile gives a lot of movement and direction in this zen-like kitchen. It also helps break up the dominant wood in the room.

Using the same material on the countertops as well as the wall works well for this monochromatic kitchen. The veining creates movement and color variation.

The small square tiles, laid in a diamond pattern, create a playful but subtle pattern. The reflective tile helps bring in more light into the space.

This beautiful blue tile makes a colorful statement in this contemporary kitchen. Notice how the blue picks up the same hue in the glassware and really shows off the pops of orange. The heavy crackling, or crazing, makes for a vintage, uneven appearance.

White tiles, laid in a subway (or offset) pattern, is a classic way to employ tile on the walls. This type of pattern will work with a wide range of kitchen styles and materials, making this a long-lasting project.

Brick, or brick veneer, is a great way to add a rustic touch to a kitchen. Next to sleek, and shiny surfaces, this brick gives a wonderfully worn-in look to this space.

Using several colors of tile, and applying them in a random pattern, liven up this kitchen and make for a great visual draw into the room. Not having a pattern makes the wall very unique and personal and the variations of color help blend the different colors within the kitchen.

This mosaic, full of color and various sizes, act like a piece of art within the kitchen. The patterns and colors help blend the various materials, colors and patterns within the space making for a cohesive and exclusive kitchen.

This tiny, glass tile lends a huge amount of pattern and light into this small kitchen. The dominant grey lines move the eye around the space, giving movement as well as a nod to the other grey elements within the room.