This Season
 

How to Buy a Kitchen Backsplash

Although it's important for a backsplash to enhance your kitchen's beauty, its primary function is to protect your walls from food-related stains. Here's how to buy a kitchen backsplash.

Related Searches:
    Difficulty:
    Moderately Easy

    Instructions

      • 1

        Look at examples of kitchen backsplashes in home magazines or kitchen remodeling books. Pay close attention to kitchens that resemble yours, as your new backsplash should complement your current décor.

      • 2

        Visit design centers or a home improvement store to view samples. Materials appropriate for kitchen backsplashes include ceramic tile, tumbled stone, granite and stainless steel. Take several samples home for reference.

      • 3

        Choose colors that complement your appliances, countertops and flooring. It's best to plan a kitchen backsplash around semi-permanent structures instead of temporary design elements, such as your dishes. If you're planning a complete kitchen remodel, consider the style of your new room and which shades best suit the room's overall feel.

      • 4

        Mix it up. Buy a kitchen backsplash that includes more than one material, color or pattern. Most backsplash material comes in multiple shapes, sizes and shades. Some companies sell pre-stamped tiles designed to create murals or intricate designs.

      • 5

        Set a budget and stick to it. Fortunately, kitchen backsplashes usually have low square footage, which makes the materials affordable. Travertine and marble, for example, often represent expensive choices for floors. However, you can buy a kitchen backsplash for a lot less money.

      • 6

        Decide whether to install the backsplash yourself. Most stores that sell kitchen backsplash material, offer installation for an additional fee. If your backsplash includes complex designs, professional, installation is the wisest choice.

    Tips & Warnings

    • Some natural stones are porous and not resistant to water. Buy presealed kitchen backsplash materials or apply a sealant after installation.

    • Choose your countertops before buying the kitchen backsplash. Counters are more of a focal point than backsplashes and have more limitations in terms of appropriate materials.

    Related Searches

    Read Next:

    Comments

    You May Also Like

    Follow eHow

    Related Ads