Should the kitchen splashback blend or make a splash?
“Oh, those kitchen splashbacks look so fancy. I just want to use the left-over tiles for my one”. That is what a client in Ponsonby said today when I showed him some of our newly finished kitchen splashbacks.
Another client in Mt Eden, two days earlier, told me that he already had rustic mosaic tiles for his kitchen splashback. But he did not know which grout color he should pick, to match the tiles and get well with the whole kitchen.
These two clients found us for the same purpose: a kitchen splashback. However, their requirements for the splashback are different. One is to help his wife save time while cleaning the kitchen wall. The other is to express his personality and style.
A tiled splashback functions to protect the wall from “splashes and splatters”, that come from cooking. The tiled splashback is easy to keep clean. Beyond that, a tiled splashback is also a stylish and lasting surface. It is a decorative tool to inspire home Chefs. It expresses your personality or style. A tiled splashback is a spot where you can be free with your creativeness and where there is no limit for your choices.
But, the seemingly endless choices for kitchen splashbacks sometimes make you feel overwhelming. You can follow the following tips, to narrow down your choices:
Step 1: Take inspiration
Looking for inspiration is a good place for you to start, from tile stores, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, design websites, or your friends’ places, restaurants, or cafés. This will open your eyes to tile shapes, colors; and sizes, or tile laying patterns. Thanks to this, you will visualize how a particular tile would fit in your space, how the combination of tiles works, or how unusual elements should be added.
Gathering these ideas helps you catch up with the trend, find a particular style you feel attracted and have a common sense of what should be cared about to have a perfect splashback.
Step 2: Shape a clear style/plan
You need to clear your mind about what you want: right material, right pattern, and right color.
Regarding tile materials, you should look at such factors as:
- You usually cook there, is it easy to clean?
If the answer is: yes, you should not choose mosaics as they look beautiful but are much more difficult to clean than larger tiles, which require fewer joints and grout.
- Is the kitchen splashback next to water taps? If yes, you should not choose metal tiles as they easily decolorize even when they are sealed.
- Is the light in the kitchen enough to shine the glass mosaics splashback? If not, you should avoid the glass mosaics splashback as you cannot see the color you expect.
- Do you expect that all tiles are identical and all the joints are even and on straight lines? So, you should not choose the handmade or rustic tiles, which form up uneven and unglazed kitchen splashbacks.
If you like something irregular or unexpected, pick the handmade ones. They're yours!
Regarding tile colors, you should think about whether you like the kitchen splashback, which is complementary or contrasting with the whole look of the kitchen. But remember: whatever color you choose, the look should be tied together!
Not only tile colors, but grout colors also play an important role in building up this harmony. It’s about finding pieces that complement rather than compete.
Regarding tile patterns, some patterns such as diagonal or hexagonal ones create the illusion of a larger space. They make you feel the space opens up.
If you desire a bold kitchen splashback, an eye-catching tile pattern should be considered. You can design the rest of your kitchen around this.
Step 3: Mind your budget
You have developed an amazing plan, but when you get it quoted, it’s completely out of reach. Trust me: it is quite a nightmare, at that time after all the efforts you put into your plan.
But, again, trust me, as there are many ways you can achieve a perfect look of your kitchen splashback for less without compromising too much.
If you are wondering how you can do that. Please move to Step 4.
Step 4: Find a trusted local tiler
Your tiler will answer all your questions and help you figure out what works for your kitchen splashback.
They are with you to find alternative options to fit your budget.
With Cozy Tiling, your Auckland tiler, we first ask our clients what their ideas are for the kitchen splashback: where they want to have the splashback (up or down, surrounding the window or not, up to the ceiling or in the middle...), what tile size/style they will use; and what the tile laying patterns.
Cozy Tiling will then ask our clients to send some photos of the whole kitchen, to see how their ideas fit in the look. One of our local tilers may come to see the site. We finally discuss with clients every detail from tile shapes, tile characteristics, tile colors to how the tiles should be layered.
If the clients still wonder about their choices, Cozy Tiling’s tilers may make some samples for the clients.
Cozy Tiling, your Auckland tiler is here to listen to your tiling ideas and make the best versions in reality.
For more consultation on kitchen splashback, please contact us, your local tiler: www.cozytiling.co.nz.