How to Decorate a Kitchen With Glass Tiles

For decorating a kitchen, materials that come to mind are granite, ceramic and stainless steel. But today's kitchen designs often infuse warmth through color and a modern twist with updated appliances. A kitchen's textures need not be limited to the traditional surfaces used for countertops and backsplashes. The latest trend in kitchen décor is toward the use of glass tiles. Here are some ways to feature them.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Peruse your choices. Before starting any decorating project, it's always a good idea to do some research. You need to decide on the overall look that you're trying to achieve in your kitchen, whether it's country, traditional, rustic or contemporary. Once you have a direction, you can begin your hunt for the type of glass tile you want to use, choosing from opaque, textured, colored, etched, clear and stained.

2. Consider its use. How you'll be using glass tiles in your kitchen is just as important as the ambiance you're creating. Think about whether the glass tiles will be purely decorative, or if they'll be in use daily or even occasionally. This will help you choose the type of glass tile for a particular kitchen project.

3. Design a spectacular backsplash. One of the most obvious places to use glass tile is on the backsplash, which is more commonly done in ceramic tile. Using smooth glass tiles on the backsplash has the advantages of resisting heat and being easy to clean and plays off the kitchen's natural light.

4. Highlight a window. As an alternative to a traditional window treatment such as valances, you can install glass tiles around the window as a border that will bring the eye toward the natural light source in the room. You can use any texture with any color combination, and using the tiles as your window treatment is definitely straying from the ordinary.

5. Feature a smaller unused wall. Most kitchens have odd spaces that don't get used to full potential, since kitchens have a lot going on with appliances and cabinets. There are usually walls screaming for decoration; instead of hanging the typical plates, spice racks or fruit pictures, adorn the wall with glass tiles. Make it the room's feature.

6. Create a conversation piece at meal time. Rather than purchase either a wood or ceramic tiled table for your breakfast area, design your own beautiful glass-tiled table. Using opaque tiles will conceal your backing and hide feet while eating.

7. Tile your island. If your kitchen is already equipped with a countertop you love, or if you're wary of using glass tiles as your countertop, use glass tiles on an island as an accent to your countertops. Choose a style and color that brings out your granite or laminate.

Tips & Warnings

• Glass tiles aren't as easy to manipulate as ceramic tiles for the do-it-yourself person; so if you're considering using glass tiles, hire a professional.

Resources

• Instructions for thousands of home and garden projects.