Backsplash Tips - Part 1, Overall Color and Design

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T1b-e-xpky6E94RJHPGEbYDPPpIBGzoSmNGJJr7jXuafz8i3dsMMeuDtc5jwP_yucAHUvuoNBfrYqrpXoWxXLV0tOR-tzNZ9AGaUOsBhrQ6VcdbOrpaR8qVlJa-tWUO122fooCJrVe3T/s1600/_DSC1487.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579349066110141298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T1b-e-xpky6E94RJHPGEbYDPPpIBGzoSmNGJJr7jXuafz8i3dsMMeuDtc5jwP_yucAHUvuoNBfrYqrpXoWxXLV0tOR-tzNZ9AGaUOsBhrQ6VcdbOrpaR8qVlJa-tWUO122fooCJrVe3T/s400/_DSC1487.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a><br /><br />You've found your countertop and cabinets and now you're stuck. You can't decide what to do with the backsplash. Many people get hung up here. They tend to overthink it and make more of it than it really is. The reality is, most of the time a backsplash is covered up with kitchen items, small appliances, etc. The <em>stuff</em> on a counter left out most of the time is visually becoming part of the backsplash. The pattern that you carefully laid out is interrupted.<br /><br />Take a look at all the stuff out on your counter now. Chances are it will be there after you build/remodel. Most people don't want to acknowledge that but it's true. I like to keep things out on my counter. It just makes cooking more convenient. As long as it's good looking, a crock of utensils, a pretty tray of oils and vinegars, a bowl of fruit, I don't see anything wrong with that. Add in a busy backsplash though and things can start to look cluttered. Keeping a <strong>simple design</strong> can make a nice backdrop for objects you keep out on the counter.<br /><br />When you look at a kitchen wall, with lower cabinet, counter, backsplash, upper cabinet, then maybe wall space and crown moulding, there are lots of elements to consider. So many things on a wall in a different color or tone are busy looking and not visually strong. I usually like to blend the backsplash with either the counter or the cabinets or have it recede by matching the color tone to the wall color it's on. It needs to <strong>relate</strong> to something.<br /><br />Lastly, if everything in your space is toned down or all one color and you want your backsplash to be the <strong>stand alone element</strong> in the room, go for it. Get some bold pattern or color going, just make sure everything else is subdued and plays a supporting role.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LSW0iEG7u_ZuL0Av6UY_yM3CjVQpuyaNxvBDzhJjMTrR5WU0dO4cu5YcJX5Orp-kk5riIHgQ_h-QyIcKs152qQ9-jZVzjWsLe7QP2jgD__AgJfsnmXPrNkPPDfk8eDdl86uyfWkkwMTS/s1600/minimalist-small-kitchen-glass-tile-backsplash-21.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579347331230769730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LSW0iEG7u_ZuL0Av6UY_yM3CjVQpuyaNxvBDzhJjMTrR5WU0dO4cu5YcJX5Orp-kk5riIHgQ_h-QyIcKs152qQ9-jZVzjWsLe7QP2jgD__AgJfsnmXPrNkPPDfk8eDdl86uyfWkkwMTS/s400/minimalist-small-kitchen-glass-tile-backsplash-21.jpg" style="display: block; height: 283px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 376px;" /></a> This red tile doesn't relate to anything else in this space. It looks out of place and maybe like the homeowner added it at the end of the job.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vWPrrQbDyzed7osfzwaeSShYsmrTslxH-BAnfuX6-L-r6Zb0mpNrN5RtkOp1ZRGaA-bwSv2kYx6hfR1DoWXQ4R36TzKwUowQrRcdVrYsWbhr6OBfLdIgjKotygSqhk14H_l4DqZqkscI/s1600/2a6f3cde531d.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579347332349693874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vWPrrQbDyzed7osfzwaeSShYsmrTslxH-BAnfuX6-L-r6Zb0mpNrN5RtkOp1ZRGaA-bwSv2kYx6hfR1DoWXQ4R36TzKwUowQrRcdVrYsWbhr6OBfLdIgjKotygSqhk14H_l4DqZqkscI/s400/2a6f3cde531d.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: arial; font-size: 85%;"><em>Decorpad</em></span></div><div></div><div align="center"><br /><br />I usually prefer simple backsplashes where subtle variation is the pattern.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGnV0Uj0prI0T6AOqnhlqK5U7cBpRNYbz15Qm-LNM9TrfyQ93_hLEN6J7ds6EOLzqTtbVwHrJY4fTlHD89LvwSgSZojynkzPN9X7ciMmUBqzY2JlMcyVt9LXVKwhxP2sUgLfdFi0fYuD-/s1600/6-southern-kitchen-dec0807_xlg-14566864.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579347326358255058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGnV0Uj0prI0T6AOqnhlqK5U7cBpRNYbz15Qm-LNM9TrfyQ93_hLEN6J7ds6EOLzqTtbVwHrJY4fTlHD89LvwSgSZojynkzPN9X7ciMmUBqzY2JlMcyVt9LXVKwhxP2sUgLfdFi0fYuD-/s400/6-southern-kitchen-dec0807_xlg-14566864.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 313px;" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"><em> House Beautiful, John Oetgen</em></span></div><div align="center"><br />I love subway tile, especially here because it goes to the ceiling.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgIFTcyKAGuN-yvuY5F1TrbCCY6FDeROE1QaJzgLq3UEOgQDwD54tBFgWMRHbnvtdRXIL_vezNI7XrZcklY8q5100bbLAWExNz12bE0YFCPtcArB3bhWI9Hd1wV_WzKCQIYpJI_GNn4h0/s1600/white-kitchen-0106_xlg.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346865068003762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgIFTcyKAGuN-yvuY5F1TrbCCY6FDeROE1QaJzgLq3UEOgQDwD54tBFgWMRHbnvtdRXIL_vezNI7XrZcklY8q5100bbLAWExNz12bE0YFCPtcArB3bhWI9Hd1wV_WzKCQIYpJI_GNn4h0/s400/white-kitchen-0106_xlg.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 313px;" /></a><em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;">House Beautiful, Michael Berman</span></em> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br />I think this is such a strong kitchen design. Simple and straightforward, it's all about the integrity of materials. The backsplash and counter are both the same color....unifying color in different elements to make a stronger statement.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeLoQH8Eb-xnfCw63uy_YFvvZaYiNt814Rg5V9by-w1Ik3MTU0-kyHQS5ZTbTr0BP0zeCaWavsT7eCUbUL-rP5ZAP9d0gaefeAfrkvmKafnmVQJO02_ec4FDO8WAcGz-cJNjqMKFsOSse/s1600/5-blue-kitchen-0408-xlg+HB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346865370000098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeLoQH8Eb-xnfCw63uy_YFvvZaYiNt814Rg5V9by-w1Ik3MTU0-kyHQS5ZTbTr0BP0zeCaWavsT7eCUbUL-rP5ZAP9d0gaefeAfrkvmKafnmVQJO02_ec4FDO8WAcGz-cJNjqMKFsOSse/s400/5-blue-kitchen-0408-xlg+HB.jpg" style="display: block; height: 313px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"> House Beautiful, Frank Roop</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br />This project also blends the backsplash with the counter for a bolder statement and high contrast with the white cabinets. That dark turquoise is beautiful!<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniNXSGqy80GYV0IMopK-dyOGnvLvZu-NgQtwU_EizXZtCIa3E-SDPYrw-WlYt9MnHaf7HVoAXbsVJUf3sYS1qh_Zlelb6ri5XZOzn4u-J46PmdTr2dupNKBAjxQiAATyiSg8FRSpLMEB-/s1600/011.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346865671018946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniNXSGqy80GYV0IMopK-dyOGnvLvZu-NgQtwU_EizXZtCIa3E-SDPYrw-WlYt9MnHaf7HVoAXbsVJUf3sYS1qh_Zlelb6ri5XZOzn4u-J46PmdTr2dupNKBAjxQiAATyiSg8FRSpLMEB-/s400/011.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 269px;" /></a><br />This backsplash, counter, and hood of the same color and tone bring great contrast to the medium oak cabinets.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSdmgUsI4DvwzG3SsmZXDDNhziTPV9BkofoS8Bj0scw-itOi-eZhdHHG8OLcOypT7j0QoVM23Pd7M2K7KQDXjSTZqIjOn2qmsAEiyil0UEM88LQ0PmDsRGu1X-idOIR_Lq8a9O4Cii6uI/s1600/THome.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346187943395362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSdmgUsI4DvwzG3SsmZXDDNhziTPV9BkofoS8Bj0scw-itOi-eZhdHHG8OLcOypT7j0QoVM23Pd7M2K7KQDXjSTZqIjOn2qmsAEiyil0UEM88LQ0PmDsRGu1X-idOIR_Lq8a9O4Cii6uI/s400/THome.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 276px;" /></a> <em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;">Traditional Home</span></em></div><div align="left">If you like pattern, try some mosaics all over the backsplash. They appear as a wonderful texture from a distance and still provide a solid appearance.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXusVHEh7EryxZT19HlTIOKSssWf7VV9YKqHMe49wmVLROz60yHsHq8GTjl6poUKO9t-B5hU-N7EGg933vDh490OQtm62Gp6GiXM-7wpUuNTTCCLewr0tlxcPdxhxB965q8GepQYx_xb/s1600/Trad+Home.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346188019331298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcXusVHEh7EryxZT19HlTIOKSssWf7VV9YKqHMe49wmVLROz60yHsHq8GTjl6poUKO9t-B5hU-N7EGg933vDh490OQtm62Gp6GiXM-7wpUuNTTCCLewr0tlxcPdxhxB965q8GepQYx_xb/s400/Trad+Home.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"> Traditional Home</span></em></div><em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"></span></em></div><div align="left"><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCaxYZlcwVU56p3_i5FC0t_bz0ZjrkB2eV2zA3cl3TK10CsRyJBUqGzZ_lciR8zuLclHT-1yI_jidIT4Rqr7Z7GQOQGb3YysELa0vRPBeshKve_ZS6zbJ0y0SV4xplrg7ShvZX6-Yt0mt/s1600/TH.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579346184922327730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCaxYZlcwVU56p3_i5FC0t_bz0ZjrkB2eV2zA3cl3TK10CsRyJBUqGzZ_lciR8zuLclHT-1yI_jidIT4Rqr7Z7GQOQGb3YysELa0vRPBeshKve_ZS6zbJ0y0SV4xplrg7ShvZX6-Yt0mt/s400/TH.jpg" style="display: block; height: 304px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;">Traditional Home</span></em></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">This tile has such a small repetitive pattern that it reads as a mosaic. Beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh1uUWXxfcg7G-CbtE2qWVlVcvAwfUZoAl7HsY7fPq7VuKY6vtAyagHOlrD8SsorFvTi8H8OGMWD61SPjsUYn7CUbKQDcxCQiEOLqWzj-0y8FwAezoO7Dghpn17nrairfqh72IllVZmq6/s1600/3-easyandbold-0508-xlgHB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579343877312794114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdh1uUWXxfcg7G-CbtE2qWVlVcvAwfUZoAl7HsY7fPq7VuKY6vtAyagHOlrD8SsorFvTi8H8OGMWD61SPjsUYn7CUbKQDcxCQiEOLqWzj-0y8FwAezoO7Dghpn17nrairfqh72IllVZmq6/s400/3-easyandbold-0508-xlgHB.jpg" style="display: block; height: 313px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"><em>House Beautiful, Jay Jeffers</em></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">The overall repetition in this pattern is showcased here. The same pattern is repeated in the chair backs.....great design! That pattern stands out even though it's subtle because everything else is a soft tone on tone scheme.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwBrKgvkkfR-ZxOjVAUiNQpkfi3ZmazlAXhPRx8RycgTDLRO5moJ_ZFtUE2VNFwfsH2OowqiROdTJmYlC3v9ZIwUlYFCKxxVXQNEeXQPMmhq-Vhd9bczl0e-gxtlrSEN1MQwgoqKgdQ9E/s1600/3_kitchen-decorating-ideas-ss26.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579342486765604546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwBrKgvkkfR-ZxOjVAUiNQpkfi3ZmazlAXhPRx8RycgTDLRO5moJ_ZFtUE2VNFwfsH2OowqiROdTJmYlC3v9ZIwUlYFCKxxVXQNEeXQPMmhq-Vhd9bczl0e-gxtlrSEN1MQwgoqKgdQ9E/s400/3_kitchen-decorating-ideas-ss26.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"><em>Elle Decor</em></span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">This bold pattern is the showpiece here. Nothing tries to outshine it. Not that it could....love it.<br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n0w23w8CsdjTzYSCuATThEALGoWTft6HLTrAK3LK-AMR0XxmPM81KmgUPcAkYJE0myAxy5xBi7ymiS9caGp06sRm8mjCT-c4cVoRVEyMy-HEGE5HYf_OQIp4RVDLnlJSMX3v-ga4J5J_/s1600/hbx-watson-fireisland-0310-de-28162212.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579342486325650178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n0w23w8CsdjTzYSCuATThEALGoWTft6HLTrAK3LK-AMR0XxmPM81KmgUPcAkYJE0myAxy5xBi7ymiS9caGp06sRm8mjCT-c4cVoRVEyMy-HEGE5HYf_OQIp4RVDLnlJSMX3v-ga4J5J_/s400/hbx-watson-fireisland-0310-de-28162212.jpg" style="display: block; height: 313px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><em><span style="color: #666666; font-size: 85%;"> House Beautiful, Marshall Watson</span></em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><br />I love this blue glass tile. Everything else in this kitchen is toned down and allows the blue tile to become the star! It's like the ocean has come into the house.</div><div align="left"><br />To recap......<strong>KEEP IT SIMPLE</strong> if you have a lot of items you keep out on your counters, <strong>RELATE</strong> the backsplash to something else to create a stronger look (i.e. same color as an adjacent element), or <strong>MAKE A STATEMENT</strong> with some stand out tile and nothing else around for it to compete with.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />To read another post about backsplash design...go<a href="http://designinthewoods.blogspot.com/2012/05/walls-of-tile.html"> HERE.</a><br /><br />I've Moved! Visit my new blog at <a href="http://carlaaston.com/designed/" target="_blank">Designed w/Carla Aston</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>

Backsplash Tips - Part 1, Overall Color and Design

You've found your countertop and cabinets and now you're stuck. You can't decide what to do with the backsplash. Many people get...

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