Kitchen Backsplash Tile: What You Need to Know
You bought a new home and want to make it your own. You’re starting in the kitchen and getting rid of the old, bringing in the new. One of the first things on your list is likely your kitchen backsplash. Like most homeowners, you don’t think much about backsplash tiles until you’re standing in the kitchen, staring at the dated tile on your walls.
So what’s your next step? You begin researching tiles and backsplash ideas and try to grab all the inspiration you can. You likely have a Pinterest board created with tons of different styles, and you think each one could work in your home. But that’s as far as you know how to go on your own. You need a company you can trust to guide you through your kitchen backsplash project. We’ve installed thousands of kitchen backsplashes over the years, and we want you to take advantage of our services. Partnering with Flooring Solutions for your backsplash project provides you with our design expertise and worry-free installation.
Whether planning a whole kitchen remodel or simply looking to update your current backsplash to something more your style, having professional tips on choosing the right tile for your space is crucial.
This guide will provide the inspiration and information you need to create the kitchen of your dreams (or at least the kitchen of your Pinterest board dreams!)
What is the Purpose of A Kitchen Backsplash?
An interestingly cool feature of a kitchen backsplash is that it provides both a practical and aesthetic benefit to your home. The practical benefits of a kitchen backsplash include protection from everyday food and beverage spills and the easy-to-clean aspect. Backsplash tiles are often easy to maintain because they’re made from materials like ceramic/porcelain tile and glass, which are easy to clean.
A backsplash has aesthetic benefits by quickly adding to the visual appeal of your kitchen or space. It would be very noticeable if you walked into a kitchen without a backsplash, as you would simply see a painted wall. Kitchen backsplash tiles can add depth to your kitchen and just the right amount of pop to help tie your kitchen design together.
Kitchen Backsplash Ideas & Inspiration
A kitchen backsplash tile can be used as a statement piece to bring color, texture, and pattern to your kitchen. But there are endless options, so having a starting place to get inspired by different designs can help. Where should you begin looking for kitchen backsplash ideas?
It all depends on the style you want to go with. Your style should play a significant role in product selection. Whether your style is contemporary, traditional, or more modern, selecting a backsplash tile that fits into that style will ultimately make you the happiest.
You can easily find inspiration by looking at certain options online or in magazines, such as subway tiles, natural stone, glass and marble. If you see styles that catch your eye, it’s always best to save a photo or let your flooring specialist know.
So what if you don’t really know what your style is? If you’ve never purchased flooring or done renovations to a home, you’re likely looking at these products for the first time. Not only do you have to figure out your design style, but you might be overwhelmed with product selection as well.
That’s where the Flooring Solutions Design Specialists can help you. Our specially crafted way of helping homeowners figure out their style is pretty simple. All you have to do is bring in a sample of your countertops, your cabinetry and your wall paint. If you don’t have all three, we’ll just start with one. These items will be very valuable as we dive into what style best suits you. We’ll take a look at some popular styles below.
Top 3 most popular backsplash styles
1. Subway tile
Subway tiles come in tons of different sizes. They are sleek and simple and mesh well with traditional & modern design styles. You can also purchase them in just about any color, even hot pink! So there’s no shortage of options.
2. Mosaic
You typically see mosaics mixed with natural stone or other glass pieces. Mosaic tiles come in various colors and sizes, but their most significant appeal is their different shapes. You can purchase mosaic tiles in shapes such as hexagons, circles, rectangles, and more.
3. Marble
Marble is a classic and timeless choice for a backsplash. It gives an elegant look and is still popular amongst homeowners. Marble is the most expensive of the three most popular styles.
Top 3 Kitchen Backsplash Tile Vendors
Glazzio tiles provide a unique and stylish look to their tiles. Their products are inspired by patterns in glass doors, ornate installations, and designs from all over the world. Glazzio is popular amongst homeowners because of the exclusivity of products not seen in many other tile collections.
2. Rickert Tile:
Rickert is a popular backsplash tile vendor for a few reasons. They are a wholesale distributor located in Matairie, Louisiana, so local shipping and availability is an advantage. Rickert Tile is an importer & distributor of various tiles, including Italian and Spanish ceramic & porcelain tiles.
3. Emser Tile:
As one of the largest tile distributors in the United States, Emser is known for its unlimited design options and great customer service. Emser tile is popular amongst homeowners because of its natural stone collections at an affordable price.
You might find some of these options in your big box stores, like Home Depot or Lowes, but Flooring Solutions of Memphis (FSM) has exclusive options from these vendors through our brand partnerships. You can take full advantage of these specialty selections and exclusive pricing when you work directly with us.
Is the Cost of a Kitchen Backsplash Expensive?
The average cost for new kitchen backsplash tile is between $1200-$2800.
Backsplash tiles come in such a wide price range per square footage, as you can choose a budget-friendly tile like ceramic and porcelain or more specialty-type tiles like glass and marble. FSM average customer spends on average $1800. FSM customer average selects a specialty tile more often than a traditional option.
If a backsplash tile is expensive it’s largely dependent on the type of material used.
Since most backsplash areas are around 30-40 square feet, your price range options play a huge role in the cost. Ceramic & porcelain backsplash tiles are less costly than glass, natural stone, or metal. Labor to install the backsplash is usually more than the cost of the material. The average cost for a backsplash tile is between $15-$20 per square foot.
What factors can impact the cost of kitchen backsplash tile?
1. Unique/Custom patterns
A custom pattern might refer to a type of tile that has unique finishes and colors. There are also custom geometric shapes, floral patterns, printed designs such as photographs or logos, and mix-and-match patterns. These custom designs can likely impact the cost of your kitchen backsplash tiles due to their exclusive pricing and availability.
2. Decorative inserts
A decorative insert can look like an inlay, which is where two or more different types of tiles are combined to create a custom pattern. Mosaic tiles are also great examples of decorative inserts that can be cut and styled to just about any shape or size. These inserts are likely to increase the cost of backsplash tiles due to their high demand and high-quality materials.
3. Different manufacturers
Just like with Nike, Prada, or Louis Vuitton, some brands just cost more. Overall, that’s not always the answer we’re looking for, but it is an honest one. Certain manufacturers have brands that are highly coveted and used by high-profile designers and home builders. This can drive the cost for customers purchasing from their brands.
4. Specialty grout
If you want your backsplash to perform well, high-quality grout is something to consider. You want it to be stain resistant and easy to clean. However, performance is not the only reason or appeal for grout. To add a pop of color, you could install a glittered grout. Glitter is a fun element to add if it fits your style. High-quality grout is likely to increase the cost of your backsplash project, but keep in mind that don’t need a ton of grout to complete your project.
Can A New Kitchen Backsplash Make Your Home Worth More?
Overall, a kitchen may not look “complete” without a backsplash. More than just the ability to clean your wall easier, if you purchase a home, they’ve remodeled everything but the backsplash – it stands out negatively. Just like if the backsplash has been redone, but it was poorly installed or the design does not match the aesthetic of the rest of the kitchen.
Kitchen backsplash tiles can decrease property value if you select a backsplash that doesn’t coordinate with other items in the kitchen, is poorly installed, or is too “trendy”.
Kitchen backsplash tiles can increase property value when chosen wisely, and installed correctly. Home appraisers rank kitchens higher in value than other areas, so it definitely works in your favor to present a wow factor to a new buyer. It also can increase property value by being a statement piece to your guests and family and friends.
Overall, your backsplash has to appeal to YOU! Is it easy to maintain and clean? Is it unique to your house, and does it make you happy to look at? That’s most important!
What Kitchen Backsplash is Right For You?
Your kitchen should be your statement piece when friends and family gather around. When it comes to cleaning, you want minimal maintenance with protection against food and drink.
It can be a tricky decision, and on top of that, there so many different style choices out there, so how do you choose? These are all important things to consider in a backsplash, but not always easy to know how to look for them.
There’s no doubt a kitchen backsplash is one way to make your kitchen unique, and it’s a significant decision with a lot of effort on your part. So now the real work begins!
We’ve done some of the work for you and narrowed down some style options, as well as what you can expect to pay for new kitchen backsplash tiles. But the biggest difference is seeing the tiles in person, and even getting to take samples home with you and see them in your kitchen.
If you’re ready to move into the product selection phase, we’re here for you at Flooring Solutions. Browse our 10,000 square foot showroom, and let us help you choose a backsplash tile you’ll love to look at! Schedule a day and time to get started.
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