A tile backsplash can go a long way in adding a unique look to a kitchen.
When buying new construction, consider adding rows of tiles in a whimsical fruit or Tuscany-style flower pattern instead of a plain painted wall. Blend the colors and style with the countertop and floor.
Also bring in tile with textures that complement the rustic lighting over an island or a special glaze on the cabinetry.
The wall space between the countertop and the wall cabinets is called the backsplash. The space often is 18 to 20 inches high, but it may be taller or shorter.
A house with a large kitchen with an industrial-size oven, for example, might have a large section of wall that is exposed behind the oven. In that scenario, a buyer might want several feet of bold tile to help accentuate that area.
If there is a window on the wall that has cabinetry, the backsplash might be shorter under the window. Consider the varying heights along the backsplash when selecting the tile pattern.
Look for a style that will look good in a 3-inch space below the window, as well as in the taller section below the cabinetry.
The smaller sections can enhance the overall backsplash design without getting lost under the window.
In selecting tile for the backsplash, consider the colors and styles you will use on the floor, cabinetry, and countertops. Many buyers focus on tile that will bring together the design of different areas of the kitchen.
If you are adding cherry cabinetry and a maple floor, for example, look for a tile pattern that complements the cabinetry or floor or both.
Tiles with red tones will make a more dramatic statement and help bring out the richness of the cherry cabinets. Tiles with white and beige tones will add a more subtle touch and accent the floor.
Or, look for tiles with a pattern that contains both colors. Tiles with a white background and a pattern in light cream and red would coordinate with the cabinetry and floor.
Another option is to add some contrast with a cream tile that blends with the maple floor and some randomly placed black ceramic tiles. The backsplash would pull together the cabinetry and floors and a black granite countertop.
Ceramic tiles are sold in hundreds of colors and patterns, from rustic textures to soft pastels to bright primary colors. Many popular tiles are designed to look like granite and other natural stones. This trend is an offshoot of the emphasis that many homeowners place on having granite countertops and other stone products in their kitchens.
“You have a lot of ceramic tiles that are trying to emulate natural stone,” said Leslie Reynolds, design center coordinator for University Village, a 930-unit development on the city’s Near West Side. “They have more dimension and more movement.”
A home buyer might combine a natural stone floor, such as slate, with a granite countertop and a backsplash that ties the two together, said Kurt Sauser Jr., vice president of Designer Kitchens in Deerfield. The backsplash could be made of authentic stone or a ceramic that adds a similar look.
Some homeowners want to insert lots of color to draw attention to that area.
The stone look can help give a new kitchen the appearance of Grandma’s old house.
Some are made to look worn and aged. The style blends well with more traditional kitchens with ornate cabinetry molding, raised panel doors, cornices, and period hardware.
Those who prefer a more contemporary design would look for a polished tile that looks like granite or a tile with bold colors.
Manufacturers typically sell tiles with two or three coordinating sizes and variations of the main pattern. A wall tile might be made in a 4-inch by 4-inch size and a 6-inch by 6-inch size, for example. The same pattern in a 1-inch by 1-inch size could be used as a border or to create a wall pattern.
Some buyers also vary the size and spacing of the tile, instead of having even rows of the same size tiles for a backsplash.
“It lays out like a puzzle,” said Danielle Bajerski, general manager for Bourbon Tile Inc. in Highland Park. Another way to add an interesting look is to use ceramic tile for most of the backsplash, then insert some glass or metal tiles in random locations throughout the wall. The glass adds a different dimension and allows the light to bounce off nearby tiles and reflect off the glass tiles.
The metal can be used to blend with stainless steel appliances or a more rustic kitchen design.
Ceramic wall tiles are priced from $1 to $25 per tile or more, depending on the material and design. The cost to add a backsplash in a new house could range from $100 to several hundred, depending on the size of the area and the type of tile.
Tiles are sold in a matte finish that adds a more subtle look or in a gloss finish. Some also have raised edges or other textured areas to add another dimension to the design.
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Allison E. Beatty is a Chicago-area freelance writer. If you have questions or information to share regarding new home buyers’ product and design choices, write to Choices c/o Chicago Tribune, New Homes Section, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611.
