TILE MAKES A SPLASH ...
... as stylish backsplash in a kitchen
A tile backsplash may seem like a small detail in an overall design plan but, depending on the type of tile that is chosen, it can really become the focal point of a space.
Not only does this “backdrop” come to the forefront of the space when properly installed, but it can accentuate other details in a room (i.e., countertops, wallpaper, light fixtures). And you can also incorporate a motif in the design, perhaps a particular shape or pattern, to add stylish personality to a kitchen or bathroom.
“I would say it’s the easiest tile project you can do in your house, and it has the biggest impact,” said Marc-Andre Millette, marketing and web manager at La Tuilerie. “You don’t need a lot of tiles, like when you do a shower or the walls surrounding a bathtub, so it’s not that expensive either. You can go as low as $300 and have something that really differentiates your space.”
The most daunting thing about a backsplash is choosing the type of tile. The choices seem endless, from the materials and colour to the texture and overall design.
Will you do a straight layout or more of a mosaic? Will you use a smooth-surface tile or something with coarseness?
“Right now, the trend is not a question of colour but more a question of shape,” Millette said. “There are all kinds of tile shapes, many more than before, including unique configurations such as triangles and long hexagons.
“Another great option is treated tiles, which are tiles where there is a lot of relief and texture. That way, you can stay with an all-white colour palette and the treatment is going to give you the wow effect.”
Small tiles are easier to work with when it comes to backsplashes, he said. They obviously require much less cutting and manipulation than larger tiles, and it’s much simpler when creating a certain layout on your wall; big tiles make it tricky to execute a streamlined design.
Subway tiles (longer, more rectangular shapes) continue to be popular, having been a go-to choice for backsplashes for more than a decade.
Today you can find a wide range of subway tiles from very long and sleek, to smaller and more compact and they work well in either a traditional setting or one that is more contemporary.
Marco Chiarucci, director of retail operations at Ciot, has been seeing a lot of glass used in backsplashes.
“Our clients love patterned glass, which can come in big panels that we cut to size and that has a pattern inside the glass,” he said. “It can be very cool.
“A lot of our customers who have a stone or quartz countertop will also continue with the same material in the backsplash. That way, there is a continuous flow to the overall look.”
Mosaics have always had a place in tile design, specifically when it comes to backsplashes. In fact, tiles have been used in mosaics for centuries.
“They still have a big place in that application,” Chiarucci said.
“It’s very modern and sleek, as most kitchens today are very minimalistic, so it fits right in.”
Another thing to consider when choosing tiles for a backsplash is their resistance to water and moisture, which is especially important in the bathroom and kitchen.
“You don’t want to have tiles in a backsplash that are difficult to maintain or clean,” Millette cautioned. “Any natural stone that has too much texture is going to be hard to wash, as are wood tiles.”
A backsplash lives up to its name: it can make a real splash in the kitchen or bathroom. But it’s all about the types of tiles, and their configuration, that really puts the look over the top.
Shop around, look and feel all the different tile options, and create a backsplash that gives your space a dose of stylish personality.