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Trending Backsplash Selection for a Kitchen Remodel.

From brick to wooden plank to modern ceramic, Backsplash has evolved with kitchen design throughout history. It defends cooking splash and grease from deteriorating the painted wall. It also can compliment the kitchen design with pattern and color. Kitchen designers can separate great kitchen from the good. There are many backsplashes materials to chose from and even more methods to have them displayed on the wall. In this post, we will be going over materials and how they can be utilized in a different kitchen remodel settings.

1. Subway Tile

The subway tile is a timeless choice for many kitchens remodel. Modern subway tiles are either made with ceramic, porcelain, or recycled glass.  The ceramic version in classic 1/2 offsets was first seen at the new york subway system back in the early 1900s. This inspired many designers to use the same layout as kitchen backsplash. The glossy glass subways are also frequently used as backsplash to creates a modern divide between clours. And Lastly, the porcelain vibration is an excellent choice for heavy-traffic areas such as entrance way or transitions. 

New york subway tile station
New York Subway Station

Most common size for subway tile is 3″x6″, these are great in every pattern formation. The brick pattern in 1/3 offset, offset refers to the way that the tile is stacked. 1/2 offset is having the tiles stack up against each other from halfway, and 1/3 is stacking up at the 33% from the edge of lower tiles. The standard brick may seem repetitive at time, but we can add different combinations of colour or materials of subway tiles together. This will create different visual effects. Herringbone is another popular pattern formation with the 3″x”6, the tile edge is cut in 90 degrees. Most Herringbone uses 2:1 ratio. This formation is not a good fit for larger kitchen as it can make the space look busy.

subway tile in different color 2
1/2 offset mix colour subway tile
Herringbone patterned Tile
Herringbone 2:1 ratio

If you find the 3″x6″ too short for your space, you can the grab the 4″x16″.  These lean and long subways mean you will have fewer grout lines.  This is a better selection if you decode to bring the subway all the way to the ceiling, as it requires fewer tiles and less busy compared to the 3″x6″ counterpart. The 4″x16″ looks best in either 1/4″ offset and vertical stack. Aside from the different offsets, there is also the perfectly balanced stack bond. The stock-bond is often found where the minimal wall tile is required. It’s a minimalistic design with consistent grout flow. It also requires minimal cutting effort and can be completed quickly by a professional.

Vertical Stack Subway Tiles
Vertical Stack Subway Tile
Stacked Subway tile
Stock Bond Subway Tile

2. Hexagon

If we label the subway as king of timeless backsplash, then hexagon is the queen of trendy. Whenever the hexagon tile is used in a kitchen, it’s a bold and eye-catchy element that steals attention. The hexagon tile is made using one of the three materials. Porcelain, durable for high traffic areas. Marble, porous, fragile, but provide luxurious feel. And glass, a translucent beauty. Each material has its’ own pro and con when incorporating into the design. If you cook frequently, it’s better to go with porcelain for maximum protection. If you are after aesthetics, go with marble and glass.

porcelain Hexagon wall tile
Porcelain Hexagon Wall Tile
Marble Hexagon Wall Tile
Marble Hexagon Wall Tile
glass hexagon wall tile
Glass Hexagon Wall Tile

There are two types of hexagon available in-market. First one being individual hexagon packed in a box. The porcelain hexagons are sold this way and the size starting around 7″x8″. This type of hexagon can merge with existing elements to create a centerpiece. The second option is the mesh-mounted hexagon, the hexagons are arranged on an interlocking mesh back. The marble and glass hexagons are usually sold in this way. Each hexagon attached on the mesh is around 2″x3″ with the entire sheet over 10″x10″. We recommend using these smaller hexagons in space with limited wall exposure. This type of hexagon is also not suitable for a minimalistic design approach as the appearance can get busy real fast. 

Hexagon Mix with vinyl
Mix Hexagon with Plank
Hexagon Mix
Mix Hexagon with Hexagon

3. Irregular Shape Wall Tile

The Irregular shape backsplash is a difficult element for any designer to include and master. This category includes the pebbles, the triangular, the penny round. These elements are found more frequently in outdoor projects as opposed to indoor. Porcelain, glass, and marble remain to be a popular choice for manufacturing irregular backsplash. Aside from the standard selection, there is also the choice of the quarry,  thick tiles that is mostly in a rectangular shape. Quarry tiles can stand stains very well and a great fit for farmhouses. Pebbles backsplash is made with natural stones. Like the granite countertops, the natural stone exhibits the natural beauty with variegated colors. 

pebble tile
Pebble Tile on Floor

4. Quartz

Quartz is well known for low maintenance, durable counters. This material has grown popularity in social media as an alternative to tiles. There are a number of benefit when using quartz as backsplash. Quartz slab large one piece that can easily flow through the entire wall of a standard kitchen. There will only a seam where you need a larer vertical piece, ie: rangehood area. the seam is much less noticeable than tile grout lines. Having one full piece on the wall, it will require less cleaning, grease will not get caught inside the cracks, a cloth is all you need to clean. From a budget perspective, mid-range quartz backsplash will cost roughly the same as installing tiles with most of the cost goes towards the material. One thing to note is that the quartz will have a fixed pattern on each slab and does not allow customization. If you are a homeowner looking for a bold, trendy design in oppose to minimalistic sleek approach, then tile is the better bet.

White-kitchen-insert-rangehood

There are other less popular options available to decorate the wall, but those may suit your specific need.  The wood plank works great for cottage homes. Stick and peel wallpaper is a budget-friendly alternative and easy to replace in the future. There are no right or wrong answer for any part of a kitchen remodel, it comes down to personal taste and how everything is blended together. 

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