Special offer

Choosing the right backsplash for your kitchen!

By
Home Stager with Abella Home Staging & Redesign

Choosing the right back splash for your kitchen can be a nightmare! With so many options out there, you can go crazy trying to find one that  will work with your counter. Especially if you chose a granite counter top which seems to be everyone favorite! Most granite counter tops have a pattern, so you should keep this in mind when choosing a back splash. Keep it simple, is the best way to go, this way your back splash is not competing with your counter tops.

The fastest way to date a kitchen is to chose trendy tiles, unless you're planning to replace your tiles every few years!! It better to keep them neutral, this way it's timeless and you can get quite a few more years before they become dated!!

 

Linda Paul Studio

Here's a perfect example of a back splash competing with the counter top! Another tip don't let the granite company talk you into getting the 4" or 5" ban around the back splash. That is so outdated!!! I don't even know the purpose behind that!

 

Kitchen Stone

Although the back splash is simple, it's the wrong undertone for the cabinets. The cabinets are a warm tone and the back splash is a cool tone. Plus there's that ban again!!

 

Granite World

 Nice job on choosing the back splash. It doesn't compete with the counter top, the colors work. And no ban!!

Abella Home Staging & Redesign (Before remodeling)

Here's a client's kitchen that was in desperate need of updating. Staying within the confine of the kitchen we were able to give it the updates it so desperately needed!

 

After

 

As you can see we went with a more simple back splash. Letting the beauty of the cabinets and counter top shine through! I stress to my clients that it's the accessories and the color that will pull space together. What are your thoughts?

 

Wendy Tomm
Beyond the Walls - East St Paul, MB
CCSP, RESA-PRO, BBB - Wpg Realtors

Carmela.  Great photos.  A few of my clients have been using 'glass bamboo' tiles for their backsplash.  They look fabulous.  There are so many different styles out there I absolutely love picking the one that suits the counter and kitchen the best. 

Aug 22, 2011 09:19 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Thanks Wendy, it's all about getting the undertone right in choosing your finishes!!

Aug 22, 2011 09:21 AM
Janet Jones
Just Your Style Interiors, LLC - Kihei, HI
Home Staging, Interior Redesign Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Hi Carmella--nice remodel on that kitchen.  I hope they found the space to keep everything in the cabinets now.  I think too many people see back splashes as a place to get creative and seldom does it work.  Plus I think it's better to have a design that will stand the test of time. 

Aug 23, 2011 02:07 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

JANET I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. IF YOU GO TO TRENDY ON A BACKSPLASH I THINK YOU WILL TIRE OF IT QUICKLY!! BEST TO GO WITH TIMELESS!!

Aug 23, 2011 02:10 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

You make great points Carmela, love the remodel on your client's kitchen!

Aug 23, 2011 11:04 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Thanks Karen, they are a pleasure to work with. Which all my clients were this way!!

Aug 23, 2011 11:58 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Carmela, you are so right-sometimes people want everything to make a statement and the statement ends of being"We're competing but no one won", so it's important to know when to keep it simple and clean.

Aug 23, 2011 02:54 PM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Your examples are excellent. The remodel looks great but I prefer the color of the old cabinets in the room LOL.

Aug 24, 2011 05:52 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Joanna, couldn't agree with you more!!

Sep 02, 2011 11:17 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Thanks Janice. The old cabinets were formica. In order to get that color we would have to reglaze the cabinets and it was more money then she wanted to spend!!

Sep 03, 2011 12:45 AM
Phil Hillerman
Crye-Leike Realtors® - Rogers, AR
Crye-Leike Realtors®

Hi Carmela, Nice job on the de-cluttering of the last kitchen.  It is amazing how many online photos look like your before shot.  Have a great day!

Sep 22, 2011 01:41 AM
Carmela Abella
Abella Home Staging & Redesign - Port Jefferson Station, NY

Thanks Phil and the nice part of it is, that she keeps it that clean now!!

Sep 22, 2011 03:04 AM