One of the most effective ways of upgrading a kitchen to handle cooking messes for very little investment is to install a colorful backsplash.
“Backsplashes didn’t used to be as popular as they are now, but these days, most kitchens have them,” says the owner of Clearwater’s Champion Tile and Marble, Dean Dupre. “And they have, over time, become a way to add a touch of personality to the room. Most people also use them to make a personal statement with color, pattern and design,”
Backsplashes not only keep water off the walls, but also catch food splatters. This is important when it comes to materials that stain easily, such as oil, wine and tomato-based products. Without the protection of a backsplash, walls can easily get permanent stains. For backsplash installation, choose materials that are easy to maintain and wipe clean.
“Although the first inclination is to install a backsplash that matches the flooring, you might want to reconsider that option,” Dupre adds. “Easily installed backsplashes, ones that are lively, exciting and relatively inexpensive, as well as easy to keep clean, are those made from tile.” Try to avoid choosing a granite backsplash as they retain stains and are difficult to clean unless a specific solution is used. This applies even if the granite is sealed. Granite must be resealed every few years.
Tiles have the added advantage of being highly versatile and visually appealing. An owner can also lay out and install them in a design pattern of his or her creation and are relatively inexpensive.
When choosing what material to use for a kitchen backsplash, keep in mind how often various pots and pans may spatter, splash and ding it, and plan accordingly to install something durable. Durability does not have to mean dull, uninteresting and so-so looking tiles that do not add to a kitchen’s ambience, but can now mean exciting colors and patterns, all of which are definitely affordable.
