Dan's Papers - October 5, 2007 - A Beautiful Backsplash

As I've grown older, I've realized I've been spending an increasing amount of time in the kitchen. Not in a "You're a woman and you belong in the kitchen" kind of way. I really am just finding more and more pleasure in creating my own meals. From the trip to the farmstands to find healthy local ingredients to the splash of red wine in my glass as I fire up the stove, I find cooking an incredibly satisfying process. But it would be even more pleasurable if, when I looked through the steam of my bubbling concoctions, I saw a beautiful kitchen. And one simple addition can make all the difference in the world. In my case, the accent that my kitchen is missing is a backsplash.

Now, you may be saying to yourself, "What is a backsplash? And if I don't know what a backsplash is, is there any way that I need it?" Well, the answer is yes. The backsplash is the area just above the stove. Presumably, the original use was strictly functional: they protected the wall from getting covered in sticky red sauce or stinky lobster juice. But now, the backsplash has become a piece of art in and of itself. In an otherwise ordinary kitchen, a backsplash can show off your unique character and add ambience to one of the places where you spend a large chunk of time. So that's why you need it. Now how do you get it?

There are literally dozens of different kinds of backsplashes to choose from. You have a wide range of materials, designs, and price ranges to consider. In this article, I will name a few of my favorite options, and point you in the direction of some good resources for backsplashes, in case you want to take your search further.

My absolute favorite type of backsplash is mosaic. This adds a rainbow of color to your kitchen, and you can design it yourself. You can either order a mosaic, commission someone to do it for you, or do one yourself. The benefits of installing a backsplash yourself are that it is more cost-effective and you can use materials that mean something to you. For example, remember your old favorite mug that's been glued back together so many times that if you put liquid in it, it would just seep right out? There are better uses for that lovely piece of ceramic! Add it to your mosaic backsplash and treasure it every time you look up from the stove. You can choose a particular picture you want to create, or just make a design in the colors you want to accent. Just make sure you select colors that go well with the rest of your kitchen.

Mosaic backsplashes range in price from around $2 to about $15 per square foot, and the average backsplash is about 20 square feet. So, for somewhere between $50 and $300 you can brighten up your whole kitchen!

Other great materials you can use for backsplashes include tile, granite, and glass. Tile backsplashes are probably the most popular. They have the same benefit as mosaics in that they can really bring color and brightness into the kitchen. They're also quite simple to do yourself. Ceramic tiles are very durable and economical. Granite is a much more expensive material, but for this reason, it's a great investment. Adding granite backsplashes and countertops is a quick and easy way to raise the value of your home. They look sleek and elegant, and granite backsplashes complement almost any kitchen color scheme. Granite comes in mostly neutral colors, so it's not necessarily the way to go if you're looking to lighten up the room. But if you're looking to make it more elegant, it is a sure thing. Since granite is more expensive, however, you probably don't want to risk doing it yourself. Hire a professional to make sure the job gets done right. Another elegant option in backsplashes is glass. Glass tiles backsplashes can be simple and sleek, or they can be found in intricate patterns. Either way, glass tiles are versatile and easy to clean, and they can add a lovely delicacy to your kitchen.

Whatever material you decide to use, adding a backsplash is a very simple way to improve the looks of your kitchen. It's important to feel good about your surroundings, and a subtle touch may be all your kitchen needs.