How to Choose the Right Tiles for your Kitchen Backsplash

Your kitchen backsplash serves two main purposes. Firstly, it is designed to protect the wall and make cleaning up that much easier. The second main benefit of a backsplash is the fact that it will spruce up your kitchen décor and really complete the overall design. Backsplashes come in a variety of materials and colours. Tiles are one of the most sought after due to the fact that they are available in so many designs and they are very easy to clean. If you are searching for the perfect design but you’re not sure where to begin, here are some tips on how to choose the right tiles for your kitchen backsplash. In the meantime, you can simply browse our online tile store to get any inspiration.

Get a visual idea

If possible, get your hands on some sample tiles, prop them up and try to visualize what they will look like once the backsplash is in place. You can compare several designs one at a time before narrowing down your options. If you are not able to get your hands on samples, you could try using a mobile device or even printing out pictures of the designs to get a rough idea.

Designs and colours

When it comes to choosing a tile colour, this will depend on the colour scheme of the room as well as your personal preferences. It’s good to remember that darker colours can make a room appear smaller while lighter shades open the space up.

One of the first decisions you will need to make is whether you want a neutral colour or something that will really stand out, like a red for example. Once you have a colour or a couple of colours in mind, you can then choose between plain designs and those with accents here and there.

You will also need to choose whether you would like glazed or unglazed finishes. Then there are other options like matte, high-gloss and even semi-gloss for something in between. While matte designs look beautiful, it is important to remember that they can be more prone to things like oil stains. Glossy tiles have an extra layer on top which means that spills don’t penetrate the tile and they are easier to clean.

Patterns and shapes

Tiles come in all shapes, sizes and patterns. Some patterns are designed to repeat on each tile while others require several tiles to complete the full design. You can also get more out of your design by changing the angle of your tile to create a horizontal, diagonal or herringbone effect.

You can even install your identical tiles in different directions so that the pattern does not repeat in the same direction over the entire surface. Another great idea is to create a kind of focal point above the sink or stove. You can do this by adding a complimentary tile and arrange it in a creative way for you to highlight certain areas of your kitchen.

Budget

While some might prefer to save money in the short term with cheap tiles, others understand that this is an investment and quality is more important. So, when you want a tiled backsplash that will stand the test of time and look great for years, consider the quality of the tiles you are buying. If you have a larger area to cover and you are on a tight budget, just remember that larger tiles are more affordable and easier to install than the really small ones.

Remember, when placing your tile order, you should always order extra to allow for cutting and any breakages. Tiles can crack and break when you are working with them so it’s best to be prepared. The easiest way to find your ideal tile is to check our tile eshop. For more professional advice and information, call Flooring Liquidators at 1 (866) 473-7222. Alternatively, you can use our Store Locator to find a location close to you.