You’ve selected a new stove, beautiful cabinetry and countertops that are just waiting for you to prep food on them. You’ve chosen flooring and paint swatches and faucets. Your new kitchen design is coming together, but something is missing – your backsplash! Learn how to choose a kitchen backsplash to match your countertop.
Complimentary colors alone won’t always lead to a perfect match. You must also consider patterns, movement, and sheen to create a look you’ll truly love.
Most experts will advise you to choose your countertop before your backsplash. This is because your countertop is a much more significant investment than your backsplash. It is what will get the most use, and it is one of the most visible features in your kitchen.
From a practical standpoint, your kitchen countertop also must be installed first. Once it is in place, you could then take home sample backsplash tiles and double-check how they look with the countertops, cabinetry, and fixtures. You can also get an idea as to how they look in different lighting throughout the day.
Colors
Countertop and backsplash colors should complement one another. Consider using a color wheel to help evaluate your options since it shows you what colors blend nicely together.
Some homeowners will choose a backsplash tile that has a color matching the veins or spots of color in their countertop. This can be a great option if you also consider the patterns and movement in the countertop and backsplash tile. You don’t want them to compete with one another.
If you have a countertop with a lot of movement in it, which is especially common with granite countertops, consider a more subdued backsplash, so your eyes have somewhere to rest.
If your countertop is uniform and neutral, feel free to amp up the backsplash with a burst of color or more intricate tile patterns.
If your countertop has different patterns and movement but the backsplash tile you love also has a busy design, then try matching the color palettes. It will ensure the countertop and backsplash feel more cohesive rather than compete with one another in both pattern and color.
Another option is to run your countertop onto the backsplash. This creates a sleek, clean, uniform look, and can be an economical choice if you have extra countertop material left over.
Materials
The purpose of your backsplash is to protect your walls from spills, splatters, mildew, and mold. Keep that in mind when you choose materials—they are going to get messy. Make sure whatever material you want can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth or sponge.
If you select larger-size tiles, you’ll also have to use less grout, which will mean fewer joints and less cleaning. Also, note that some backsplash materials need more maintenance than others. Natural stone backsplashes will need to be cleaned and sealed periodically – probably about twice a year.
Some homeowners like the sheen of their countertop and backsplash to match – meaning if their countertop has a high-gloss finish, they also want shine in their backsplash.
If you need to check any backsplash, countertop or type of cabinets come and visit our showroom!