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Give Thought to the Kitchen Backsplash

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:13:10 +0000

As you go through the stages of remodelling the kitchen you main focus is going to be on the way in which the kitchen is set up as a functioning workspace but there should also be thought given to the decorative features that can be added to it too. From the bench tops, the cabinet doors, the floors and the appliances, everything comes together to play a major part in making it a space that is pleasant to work and socialize in.

One of the crucial features that will enhance the look of the entire room is the backsplash and what is used to define it. The backsplash is primarily a protective coating on the wall to ensure water and food does not spatter on it to damage the surface during the cooking and washing up tasks. There are a lot of different backsplash ideas around and they can all be useful for their decorative nature as well as the ability to protect the walls.

The use of tiles, and particularly mosaic tiles, is the traditional type of backsplash material that is chosen with the small squares providing the option of a single solid color or a multi-colored effect. Topping the tile backsplash with some type of border tile can help to enhance its decorative appeal. Ceramic tiles that have been placed together in a mural effect is also an outstanding way to turn the backsplash into a key feature. Travertine tiles and Talavera tiles are both particularly useful for this.

Making use of colored glass will also provide you with a backsplash that is spectacular and will certainly ensure the room takes on a different glow. Glass is extremely versatile and can be subtly altered to include decorative highlights and other features that offset other aspects of the room. A bonus with using glass is that it will allow you to make use of lighting, looking particularly effective when low lights are shined upwards from behind the glass to create a visually attractive effect.

Other materials you might consider when creating your backsplash is natural stone such as marble, granite or limestone or metal such as stainless steel, copper or tin.

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How To Clean And Maintain Your Granite Kitchen Backsplash

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:59:06 +0000

One of the most elegant kitchen backsplashes that has gained popularity by the day is the granite. It can either be in the form of thick slabs or tiles. In addition, its inherent durability and elegance coupled with its shiny glaze are the main reasons why it has found its way into other installations aside from the kitchen walls. We can find them neatly arrayed on the floors and walls of many commercial establishments such as offices, malls, and hotels. Although they may carry a high price tag, many have found them to be worth their cost. However, even if they are durable pieces, they still need to be maintained and properly cleaned in order for them to retain their glossy appearances. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, they would look dull and worn out over time. More so, if you have a granite backsplash installed in your kitchen area, then you might want to read our simple granite cleaning and maintenance tip below.

Actually, granite slabs or tiles are very easy to maintain and clean. All it would need is just your discipline to be consistent with the maintenance and cleaning chores in order to have them retain their wholesome elegance for years to come.

Moving on, here are some simple cleaning and maintenance tips:

Regular Backsplash Cleaning – The kitchen is perhaps one of the busiest areas in the house. Being so, tons of activities related to cooking and baking can result into the backsplash being stained with oil slicks, grease, sauce splashes, and other cooking ingredients. As such, you must have to clean the backsplash as soon as you are done in the kitchen. Always keep in mind to never leave the stains there for long or they will harden and might stick like super glue on the backsplash. Regular cleaning of the kitchen backsplash only requires a soft cloth or a lint-free cloth and a soap solution or a detergent with non-abrasive ingredients. Always use a circular motion when wiping. If you use a rough cloth, the wiping motion will tend to make minor scratches on the granite surface which will be highly visible if they accumulate over the years.

Regular Sealant Application – Keep in mind that granite, although hard and durable, is a porous stone. However though, these pores are almost microscopic and cannot be usually seen by the naked eye. As such, any liquid or semi-liquid will have the tendency to seep into the pores thereby rendering them very hard to get rid of. Being so, you will have to apply a sealer on the granite kitchen backsplash surface in order to cover up these pores. Sealers are usually transparent and also emit a glossy shine giving your granite slab or tile that elegant wet-look. Although most granite slabs or tiles come pre-applied with sealers upon purchase, these sealers will become thin and will wear off when cleaning of the backsplash is done on a regular basis; hence, you will have to re-apply a fresh coat of sealers for this purpose. Sealers are widely available in your local hardware or construction supplies outlets.

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Kitchen Backsplash Fun with Design

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:40:03 +0000

In designing one’s kitchen, the backsplash is ever so important. It is the area located behind the sink or the stove, ready to catch all the water or cooking residue thrown its way. For this reason, it is best to choose a kitchen backsplash that is easy to clean and maintain. There are many of the usual choices for a backsplash such as tile, metal, or glass, but there are also more fun materials to consider.

Ceramic and porcelain kitchen tiles are the most popular because they are usually glazed and have a hard, non-porous finish making for easy clean-up. Tile can be decorative because it can be applied plain or with a mosaic or mural design. While tile backsplashes are usually permanent fixtures, metal backsplashes can be removable or permanent. Metal backsplashes, as well as plastic or laminate ones, come in panels or sheets. Varieties include those such as stainless steel, copper, or tin.

Aside from the common kitchen backsplash tiles, there are a number of ways to be more creative. To make one’s backsplash more of a conversation piece, consider such ideas as the use of wallpaper, magnetic boards, blackboard paint, 3-D designs, or even the use of a child’s paintings.

There are so many wallpaper choices available to choose from. To use it as a backsplash, paper the wall and protect it by anchoring a piece of Plexiglas over top. The many different styles of hardware available can give the Plexiglas different looks.

Magnetic boards and blackboard paint are two ways in which one can actually make the backsplash an interactive area. By cutting a magnetic dry erase board to fit the area in question or painting the area with blackboard paint, it can be real family communication outlet. All that is needed are a few markers and some chalk!

A 3-Dimensional backsplash can be created by adhering items, such as spoons, forks, or shells, to a background such as wood or Plexiglas. You can even use your child’s favorite paintings by scanning and printing them onto sticker paper. Apply the stickers onto tile and adhere the tile to the wall. This will be a backsplash to enjoy for many years to come.

One thing to remember is that you are the designer so pick a style or design that suits your decorating needs and have fun with it! These have just been a few suggestions of kitchen tile ideas that you may use or will get your creative juices flowing. Design can be personal fun even in the kitchen.

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