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Kitchen Backsplash Mistakes to Avoid, According to Interior Designers

Pabio November 1, 2024

A backsplash plays an important role in protecting a kitchen wall from spills and marks, and is also an aesthetic feature of the room. However, if you get the design wrong, it will be a disappointment on both counts, and that’s why it’s crucial to know the kitchen backsplash mistakes to avoid.

And who better to ask what can go wrong than interior designers, who tend to see the same mistakes over and over again when it comes to kitchen backsplash ideas. Know what mistakes they see and you’ll avoid the heartache of having to start over – or the need to tolerate a design that doesn’t deliver on its promises.

Below you’ll find the top mistakes design professionals see when it comes to kitchen backsplash, along with their expertise on what you should do instead.

1. Not prioritizing function

Kitchen with tile backsplash with decorative tile surrounded by white and ivory cabinets and a dark wood island

(Image credit: Julie Anne Burch)

If you want get the right kitchen backsplash for the area behind the stove, it is a mistake not to think about what it will have to face, according to the interior designer Julie-Anne Burch.

“One of my clients fell in love with a beautiful mosaic from a renowned New York tile company,” she says. “It had a delicate, shell-like design: an absolute work of art. However, it was installed behind the stove and, although it looked good, the daily splashes in the kitchen quickly made it impractical. We had to exchange it for something more durable.

She adds: “The bottom line: The backsplash behind a stove should prioritize function over art. The trick is to choose a design that is both beautiful and can withstand the heat and splashes of a busy kitchen. This could be a favorite color or a durable artistic tile (like the Dutch tiles above).

2. Not sealing the stone

Dark wood kitchen with marble tiled backsplash

(Image credit: Andrew Giammarco)

Natural stone can create an attractive environment backsplash material but pros often see results from not sealing it.

“Choosing porous materials like marble or natural stone without sealing them can lead to stains and damage from cooking splatters,” explains Alan Bermanpresident of Archetype Architecture. “To prevent stains, reseal the stone backsplash every six months. To test if it is time to reseal, you can place a small amount of water on the backsplash. If the water beads up, the seal is still effective. If it penetrates, it’s time to reseal.

“Another option to prevent staining would be to install a protective film such as TuffSkin,” he says.

3. End of backsplash too low

A white kitchen with a metal pot on the stove, a skylight, blue-green countertops and backsplash

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth / Roundhouse)

A backsplash that ends in the middle of a wall is a no-no, but it’s something designers see frequently.

“Failing to extend the backsplash up the wall to the bottom of your cabinets or to the hood behind a range is a big mistake,” says Leslie Dapperlead designer at Rumor Designs in Colorado. “It often makes that space feel unfinished.”

Going higher is a simple solution, but make sure to budget for the extra tile.

4. Neglecting to Align It Left and Right

Kitchen with island and bar stools, stove, neutral cabinets and patterned backsplash

(Image credit: @jennasuedesign)

Not aligning it on both ends is a mistake when you finishing a backsplash on an open wall.

“A big mistake is not extending your backsplash appropriately to align with nearby countertops or cabinets,” says Teri Simonedesign manager at Nieu Cabinet Doors. “If you have a natural stopping point (i.e. a wall), this can simplify the design, but if your wall is open beyond where the countertop stops, the backsplash must stop in line with the upper and lower parts.”

5. Ignoring the overall design

modern kitchen with dark green cabinets and marble backsplash

(Image credit: Alexandra Kaehler Design, photography Aimée Mazzenga)

It’s easy to think of the backsplash in isolation, but that can be a mistake, for example. Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos by Williams Papadopoulos Design.

“Sometimes when customers do a little shopping on their own or spend a little too much time browsing Pinterest, they can easily be wowed by vibrant, exciting samples in a tile showroom, or by photographs perfectly curated on design blogs with a myriad of impactful backsplash options photographed in unrealistic, empty kitchens,” they say.

Why might an interesting backsplash be a mistake? “First, kitchens are now generally part of our primary family living spaces and must exist within the whole design context, peacefully with all other elements, in a complementary way,” they say. “Anything like a noisy backsplash that screams ‘Hey! Look at me! “, can disrupt the balanced composition of the domestic space that we occupy most.

“Secondly, all the beautiful, brightly colored tile samples in isolation may look like beautiful works of art, but when used as a backsplash in your kitchen, inevitably a “layer of real life” ends up on the countertop in front this backsplash. . Once you layer these two elements, you have a visual circus.

Their advice? “Because many kitchens are just one element of a complete open space informal dining room and family loungewe tend to keep our backsplash selections quiet. Most often, just use the same slab material as the backsplash countertops.

“Make no mistake, we are not advocating the design of a ‘bland oatmeal bowl’ because it is safe,” they add. “We strongly suggest that your backsplash selection may not be the right place to locate the “statement moment” in the most important space in your home. »

6. Incompatible Styles

Kitchen with modern flat-front cabinets, metal backsplash and stove

(Image credit: Archetype Architecture Photography: Seth Caplan)

Pairing a backsplash and kitchen cabinets in different colors interior design styles is an error often encountered by professionals.

“Not considering the overall style of the kitchen is a common mistake,” says Alan Berman. “For example, an ultra-modern kitchen and a traditional backsplash may look out of place.

And the opposite is also true. Put a modern style backsplash together with traditional or transitional cabinets and the result will not be harmonious. The good news is that this is an easy mistake to avoid with consistency in style.

7. Pair a Countertop Backsplash and Tile

Kitchen bathed in green color

(Image credit: deVOL Cuisines)

Putting together a countertop backsplash and tile is a faux pas that won’t do a kitchen any favors. “The four-inch countertop backsplash and then the tiles above it tend to look dated and we don’t usually design it like that anymore,” says Leslie Dapper.

However, there are two alternatives. “You should either extend your countertop to the wall to act as a backsplash, or lay tile where it meets the countertop and along the wall,” advises Leslie.

8. Get the scale wrong

Pale pink shaker kitchen with white subway tiles and glass wall cabinet

(Image credit: Bare kitchens)

Not taking into account the size of the tiles and the proportions of the surface to be tiled is a mistake, according to Metro Tracyinterior designer and host of an interior design show House doctor.

“If the kitchen has a short distance between the counter and the underside of the cabinet – about 18 inches – it’s important to think about the size and orientation of the backsplash tiles,” she says.

“If you were to choose a very standard 6 x 3 inch subway tile and lay it vertically, you would only get three rows of tile from the countertop to the underside of the cabinets,” she explains. “It would make the space a bit cumbersome. However, if you laid the tiles horizontally, you would install six rows, making the backsplash appear larger.

The way to get around this backsplash trap? “It’s important to think about size in conjunction with layout,” she says.

A backsplash that enhances a kitchen should be consistent with the rest of the kitchen’s colors, materials and style. But practicality is also a must, with a choice that won’t be compromised by prep and cooking, nor will it require hard work to keep clean.

Le-verdict

Le-verdict

Kitchen Backsplash Mistakes to Avoid, According to Interior Designers

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Kitchen Backsplash Mistakes to Avoid, According to Interior Designers

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