A Few Tips for Choosing a Kitchen Splashback
A kitchen splashback is very important, as it protects the walls behind a stovetop from water damage, food stains, and even the potential for fire. A splashback behind the kitchen sink also protects the walls from water damage and the risk of resultant mould growth. When you're ready to shop for a splashback for your home, note a few tips for choosing the right material and style:
Add contrast
The splashback is the material between the benchtops and the cabinets in the kitchen, so consider how you can add some contrast between them, rather than trying to match and coordinate these materials. If you match the benchtop, cabinets, and splashback, the surfaces may all blend in with each other too much, and the kitchen may seem overly dark or downright muddy. Also, if you have white cabinets in the kitchen and a light benchtop surface, the splashback is a good chance to add some colour and visual interest. Choose a dark or bright colour against all that white, so that your kitchen doesn't seem too bland and boring. You can also opt for glass splashbacks, which can come in many colours!
Size of kitchen
The size of your kitchen is important when choosing a splashback; in a small kitchen, small tiles can seem busy and crowded. Undersized tiles can also seem cluttered in an overly large kitchen. Choose medium tiles or a solid glass splashback in very small or very large kitchens, to avoid this look.
Also, the shape and size of the splashback can enhance the size of the kitchen space; oblong subway tiles can add length to a smaller kitchen. A solid glass piece can also draw attention away from a small kitchen or one that feels boxy and otherwise claustrophobic.
Replacement and durability
Some soft tile materials may be more prone to breakage than a metal or glass splashback; not only would this mean more work in having to replace those tiles, but you also need to consider the cost and availability of replacement tiles. If you opt for very expensive stone tiles and have them coloured or dyed a particular shade, it can be expensive, if not impossible, to find a replacement when needed.
The same is true of materials like granite or slate; natural stone will always be very individual and distinct in its colour and marbling, so trying to replace a broken tile or slab with something that matches the rest of the splashback can be virtually impossible. Consider metal, glass, or a factory-made tile that is affordable and readily available for your splashback, to avoid this risk.