How to Choose a Kitchen Backsplash: 5 Things to Consider

A backsplash earns its keep twice — it protects the wall behind your sink and stove, and it sets the tone for the whole kitchen.

The practical job is simple: shield the wall around the sink and stove from heat, water and the mess of food prep. The bonus is that a backsplash is one of the least expensive ways to add real style to a kitchen. If you are installing one or replacing what is already there, keep these five things in mind.

1. Start with the budget

Material costs vary enormously. The cheapest option is plain paint. Tin panels step it up, and don’t overlook wood — sturdy and practical without being pricey. Simple materials, plenty of charm.

Tile runs from simple to spectacular. Glass tiles are pretty and fragile, and cost more than plain ceramic. As a rule, the simpler the shape, the cheaper the tile — worth remembering while you are admiring the mosaics.

Texture adds depth, and usually cost. A cheaper route to the same effect is to change the pattern rather than the tile: inexpensive subway tiles laid in herringbone or brickwork look considered, and stacking them with the seams lined up reads as distinctly modern.

2. Match the kitchen you already have

Fallen for a gorgeous Italian mosaic, but your kitchen is ultra-modern? The backsplash will fight the room. It is far cheaper and easier to match the backsplash to the kitchen than to redecorate the kitchen around the backsplash. Pick complementary colours, materials and shapes so the finished result reads as one piece.

3. Be honest about maintenance

Choosing a beautiful backsplash and keeping it looking new are two different problems. If you want to wipe it and forget it, the material matters:

• Ceramic and porcelain — tile gives bacteria and mould very little to hold on to
• Glass — resists both stains and mildew
• Granite and marble — beautiful and unique, but need effort to keep clean and must be resealed periodically
• Stainless steel — lasts, and doesn’t corrode or stain, which is why restaurant kitchens use it

4. Decide how much wall to cover

Work out the total area first. Where a wall has no cabinets, the backsplash can run all the way to the ceiling if you want it to. If the kitchen is small and already looks busy, restraint tends to win — cover the high-need areas and stop there.

5. Think about resale

Will you be selling any time soon? If the answer is yes, or even maybe, steer away from the unusual and stick to simple and elegant. Neutral colours and straightforward shapes are pleasant rather than striking, and they appeal to far more buyers. Save the bold, complicated design for the home you plan to stay in.