I need help with kitchen backsplash ideas for almost finished reno.

12 years ago

Hello,

I just renovated our kitchen, and now I have no idea what to do for the backsplash. (See before and after pics.)

I think the backsplash is very important to "pull the kitchen together", so I don't want to just pick arbitrary colors. I have absolutely zero design/style sense, which is why I picked neutral colors for the cabinets (faux wood grain), the counter top (faux slate), and the floor (flat gray tile).

My wife and I have looked at a hundred pictures of different backsplashes in various magazines and online, but they *all* look great. We have no idea what would look good for *our* kitchen. :(

So... does anyone have any suggestions for a backsplash design/style/colors/pattern that would look good with my new kitchen? I think my wife would like a "bold" color or highlight or something, because otherwise the kitchen is pretty... uh...blah...

The only "must have" is that the backsplash material needs to be very easy to clean and care for.

Ideas? Suggestions? Let me know what you think!

Thanks!!

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Comments (11)

User
12 years ago
Start by keeping pictures of backsplashes that you like and pretty soon you'll see a pattern develop.
hstraf hstraf
Original Author
12 years ago
In all honesty, my wife has been doing this for over 2 years (since we started saving for the new kitchen)... and she still has no idea what she wants. The problem is that she likes so many different things... and we haven't really seen any kitchens that look similar to how ours turned out... so it's difficult for us to imagine our kitchen with another kitchen's backsplash.

We're both very "design and imagination" challenged. To get the kitchen we have, we actually paid a kitchen design company $50 to put in our desired stuff and have them print out a 3D image for us.

(I asked them, but they won't do a backsplash design for us...)
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feeny
12 years ago
Since you already have a 4" backsplash that matches the counters, do you really need one? It will created a divided look with two materials on the walls. I like the simplicity of what you've chosen so far and would focus instead on choosing a wall color you like. Then you could bring in bright pops if an .accent color in your accessories (small appliances, bowls, etc.). Bright red? Lime green? Something fun.
feeny
12 years ago
Here's an example of a kitchen with a countertop and small backsplash like yours that chose tile that continued the color of the counters, building in small accents:
Craftsman Kitchen · More Info
hstraf hstraf
Original Author
12 years ago
That's a good idea. The only problem is that the wall is pretty messed up from where I removed the old backsplash (gray tile in the "before" picture). So right now there is the old backing from the tile and ruined drywall where I had trouble removing the old tile. :)

I like your idea to just do something solid and simple that doesn't take away from the countertop part that is on the wall. (Not sure what that is called.)

So what if we did just a basic white or maybe ivory (slightly off-white) or beige tile with a few colored "accent" tiles thrown in to add some interest? Do you think that would look ok?

If so, do you think we should get small tiles or big tiles?
hstraf hstraf
Original Author
12 years ago
Ah.. I just saw your picture. Yes! That is really nice looking. That's what I was thinking with the "accent" tiles (The green ones in the picture.) I will show this to my wife and see what she thinks.

Thanks!
feeny
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
And here are two examples of kitchens that left the backsplash alone, using just the small one like you have:
Mill Valley Arts & Crafts · More Info

Kitchen + Dining spaces · More Info
goodtaste
12 years ago
I would say go for a "SLATE" backsplash - it is all natural stone, very easy to clean and maintain and would blend the light colored wooden cabinets and the black counters - even if you have oil spills or splashing on those walls while cooking, it is very easy to clean wit just plain soap water - just google for slate backsplash and look at the images to get an idea
PRO
Subway Tile Outlet
12 years ago
How about a Stainless Steel tile? Or perhaps a neutral glass tile? We would be very happy to send you some samples to compare and put in your space. We love to help people find the right tile for them so please feel free to contact us if we can help in any way.
Stainless Steel Tile Products · More Info

Glass Tile Backsplashes by SubwayTileOutlet · More Info
babbs50
12 years ago
Since the kitchen is neutral, what are your favorite colors? A pale turquoise glass tile would be lovely in my opinion, but what colors do you and your wife like?
PRO
Custom Home Remodeling Inc.
10 years ago
removing the 4" backsplash would make your decision easier. Installation of your current backsplash is a "designer flaw". Example, the transition of backsplash and c-top is like the transition of flooring as it changes. Location is key, like the transition under a doorway when material and surface location used changes.