A stylish kitchen splashback can transform your cooking space. With options from natural stone to tile splashback, it can be the focal point of your new kitchen design. Whether you prefer the modernity of subway tiles or the classic look of mosaic tiles, the right tile splashback can make or break your interior design plan. People often overlook this part of the renovation because they’re caught up on the benchtops, cabinetry, and appliances. But easy to clean tiles add an aesthetic backdrop for your design, but they also protect your walls from cooking spatter.

What Is a Kitchen Splashback?

A splashback is a material that covers the gap between the benchtops and cabinets. It generally spans the countertop’s entire length. It serves a functional purpose: to protect the wall from food splashes and water damage from the sink. Still, it also serves an aesthetic purpose with a vast offering of options available to suit any kitchen style.

How To Decide On A Splashback For My Kitchen?

If you are looking at the raft of kitchen splashback ideas, you will know how many choices you have. So, how do you decide on the right splashback for your kitchen? There are several factors to consider.

  • Height

The standard is 4 inches, but many people prefer to run their kitchen splashback up the wall to meet the bottom of their cabinetry. By tiling the entirety of the wall around the countertops, you ensure it’s protected from all the happenings in your kitchen. You can also create a seamless design by running your splashback right to the ceiling.

Ultimately, it’s down to you. Making a mess in your kitchen is a widespread occurrence, so choose a taller splashback. If that’s not a problem, the standard size should be sufficient.

  • Benchtops

Your splashback meets your countertops, so the two must complement each other. If they clash, it will throw off the entirety of your kitchen design. So, choose a splashback that offers a contrast or complements your countertops. If one is patterned, the other shouldn’t be. They can’t both serve as statement pieces or focal points; it’s one or the other. For example, a simple splashback is perfect if you choose granite benchtops with solid veins. If you want a white kitchen with solid white countertops, you can opt for pattern tiles on your splashback to tease out your accent colour.

  • Statement

In interior design, having a statement piece or a focal point is the standard. Every modern kitchen’s design revolves around a statement so that it catches your eye the moment you walk into the room. The question is – do you want your statement to be your kitchen splashback? It can be an attractive option, considering exposed bricks or marble tiles.

  • Practical Considerations

Every material comes in at a different price point and offers a different aesthetic. It would help if you considered what your kitchen needs are. How often do you cook, and what do you cook? Do you tend to splash and make a lot of mess? Or are you an oven-heavy user rather than the hob? Answer these questions to understand better what type of splashback is right for you. A glass splashback is a great option if you produce heavy steam. But if you splat oil & grease while cooking, a higher splashback in stainless steel is more appropriate.

Tips For Choosing A Kitchen Splashback Tile

Your design will be unique to your needs and vision, but there are still tips you can follow to make sure it’s a stylish look. You might not be thinking about selling up right now, but if you think it could happen in the next seven years, you should consider resale value. So, choosing a timeless look will ensure it doesn’t date quickly. The size of your kitchen will also factor into the decision. If you’re dealing with a small space, you want a clean look to make the space look larger. Bonus points if you can use natural light to your advantage.

Your budget will certainly come into play, so you should expect to spend anywhere from $45 to $120 per square metre on average for budget tiles. But that will increase quite a bit as you venture into more expensive materials like stainless steel and glass. So, if you are thinking on the luxury end, expect to spend at least $350 per square metre.

What’s the Most Popular Kitchen Splashback?

Subway tiles are easily the most popular kitchen splashback. A simple white look with a staggered classic brick-joint pattern. It’s fresh, sharp, modern, and truly timeless. You aren’t locked into the brick style lay. There are a variety of contemporary designs to choose from. Diagonal and vertical styles are growing in popularity, as are different colours.

Your splashback doesn’t need to match your countertop, and it can simply complement it. So, if you’re opting for solid white countertops, you can choose a different subway tile colour.

What is the Best Splashback Material For A Luxury Kitchen?

If you plan a luxury kitchen, you likely want a luxury splashback to finish the look. But which material is suitable for a luxury splashback? When you get up to the luxury materials, it is a personal choice dependent on your kitchen’s overall aesthetic. Natural stone is luxurious because it is unique. You won’t see any other kitchen with your exact piece, so it leaves an impression.

Mirror or toughened glass exude luxury and are the perfect choice for minimalists. The shiny finish uses natural light to make the space brighter and more prominent.

Whatever your decision, whether it’s the timeless subway tile, glass or stone slab, we would love to help you find the splashback that meets your needs and complements your kitchen aesthetic. Schmidt Kitchen & Interior Designs can help turn your existing space into your dream kitchen.