Our Favorite Backsplashes
Updated: Sep 21, 2022
...And what you need to know about them
So maybe you're just looking for a light refresh in the kitchen or you're planning out your entire kitchen overhaul. There are so many different factors when it comes to designing a kitchen both aesthetically and functionally, and it is so important to have a good understand of the selection you choose to put into this space. So take a look at our round up of our top 4 different backsplashes
#1 - Zellige Tile
Zellige is such a great tile and so its no wonder why its in this list. It comes in so many different colors, shapes, and finishes that its bound to fit almost any aesthetic. The most popular zellige distributors that I run into are ziatile.com riadtile.com, and cletile.com and each one has beautiful colors and shapes to fit your needs.
Reasons why I love Zellige:
Durability - Zellige tile has been around for hundreds of years. Thats for a reason
Uniqueness - Each tile is handmade and therefore unique. There is a lot of variation in both color and size
Clean-ability - Because of the glaze used to finish these tiles it makes these tiles non porous and easy to wipe down
Texture - If you know me, then you know I love texture. Its so important to incorporate texture into a space and you get that with Zellige
Heat - Its heat resistant, so its great to use for the application behind a range.
Things to know before you buy:
You really have to make sure to have an installer that is familiar with this type of tile. It is not easy to install
This tile will never align exactly, so if you like precision this isnt for you.
My preferred way to finish the edges of this tile is to use a mitered edge. However you can use a Schluter if you are not familiar with installing this kind of tile. But just know that if you have a lot of edges you will need to figure out how to finish them.
The cost of this material is quite high depending on where you purchase from, and the labor to install is usually a bit higher as well.
#2 - Solid Material
Using a solid slab material like what you are using on your countertops is a great way to add some character and set your space apart. One of the things I love is that you can really bring in some natural beauty with marbles and quartzites.
Reasons why I love Solid Slabs:
No Grout! - They are easy to wipe down and you dont have to worry about those pesky grout lines getting dingy
You can create an integrated floating shelf. I always love this look
I always love a natural stone statement
Things to know before you buy:
Material matters - not all quartz are made the same and you have to choose a material that can stand the heat if you are putting it behind a range
marble and quartzite can etch and stain - so you have to be careful to wipe up spills immediately
You have to get it in a thin slab. Not all materials come in thin slabs so keep this in mind
Depending on the material and design, you may need some extra bracing when framing out the wall