Search Results for: backsplash

Simple Kitchen Backsplash Ideas – How To Get Started

01.20.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Just starting the process of adding a kitchen backsplash is rather overwhelming.

This video below demonstrates just how fast you can be over-run by simple kitchen backsplash idea overload. So while there’s easy to install backsplash concepts like SimpleMat, chances want to still explore the alternatives. That is where this article comes in. We hope to clear that up for you.

You can help yourself narrow your kitchen backsplash search by asking yourself a few questions:

#1 How much do you want to spend?
Set your backsplash budget. Your budget will help you decide what you should be looking at cost-wise. For example, if you have a modest budget, look for ceramic and porcelain backsplash tile and stay away from metal, glass and stone. You can still use them for accents, decos and liners but you would not want to use them as the main tile in your design.

#2 Which kitchen backsplash style do I really want?
If your kitchen has a traditional or modern feel, you’ll likely stick to the same for your backsplash. But if you don’t have a definite style or you don’t know what you like start out by looking at samples. A great place to start your search is online. There are thousands of manufacturers of tile for backsplash online. You are bound to find something you’ll love just by looking around.

#3 What backsplash color(s), pattern(s) or texture(s) do you want to use?
If you have a color, pattern or texture backsplash idea in mind, go ahead start out in that general direction. If you aren’t sure however, look for tile from the same color palette as the rest of your kitchen. If you prefer, simply select backsplash shades darker or lighter than your existing countertop. And of course if you have a “busy” countertop in appearance, try going with a solid color backsplash or vice versa.

There is no wrong or right color choice for your kitchen backsplash, so just what you like. If however, you are not sure what you like, then just start by looking at tile samples for your kitchen backsplash. It’s a fantastic way to get the ball rolling with colors and textures. Best of all, you can do this online! Just remember your PC’s monitor does not always show an exact color. So ordering backsplash tile samples is advised as you will want to look at the real deal before you make the final decision. The smart money is on having tile samples mailed to you directly.

And there you have it! Now that you’ve got some of the basic’s answered nothing is stopping you from finding the perfect kitchen backsplash! Remember, many kitchen backsplash ideas can be done in under an hour.

Stone Tile Backsplash Design Ideas

02.14.2011 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Cindy writes:

Diva, I am a mess. I’ve been trying to figure out which backsplash I should go with. I have looked into your older backsplash articles and have been able to determine you’re the best person to ask this question. Should I be looking into stone tile backsplash design ideas or instead, go with something from the glass backsplash family? Glass backplashes I understand, but trying to get my head around stone tile for my backplash is really stressing me out. What colors, patterns, etc should I be going after here? Help!

Don’t panic Cindy, I will do what I can to clear away some of the fog here. When looking into selecting a stone tile backsplash, the thing you need to ask yourself is whether or not it’s appropriate to the room in question? Borrowing a page from an earlier article on selecting granite colors for the countertop, much of this translates into what you are trying to do with the backsplash.

– Backplash or countertop? It’s one or the other folks, which is it going to be? If the first focus you want people to hone in on is to be your backsplash, best to downplay the countertop a couple of notches. In your case, this means selecting something with a high visual impact for the backsplash. Lighting here, is also helpful. Think under the counter lighting.

-Stone tiles may be a little bigger. An advantage to using stone tiles is that you’re not needing to worry so much about the backsplash appearing too “busy” looking. If anything, without a center piece design in the middle of it behind the oven, you’re most likely to end up with something too boring looking.

-Keep the backsplash colors lighter or darker for best visual impact. Nothing worse than spending your hard-earned money on a stone tile backsplash only to have it washed out by the countertops. Worse, having the backsplash blending in with the dark cabinets. Best approach with light countertops and dark cabinets is to find a backsplash color that meets both in the middle. Enough contrast to stand out, but not so much it begins blending one way or the other. As for flooring, best to read up on some of my flooring articles for help with this.

-Modern or traditional. Realize which you’re looking to go with early. Because if you don’t, you’ll end up with a hodge-podge looking kitchen that is trying to mix both styles and that simply won’t work at all.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Ideas For Your Kitchen Backsplash With Tile Samples

01.19.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today an anonymous reader writes:

Really need your help with this one. Should I be looking at ideas for my backsplash with tile samples? I work a lot, so I don’t have a lot of time to look for new kitchen tile backsplash ideas, do you have any suggestions? I just want to make sure I am overlooking anything.

If you don’t have a lot of free time but you’re looking for that perfect the perfect backsplash idea, I’d spend what little free time you have on scouring the internet for the best selection of backsplash tile ideas! Just keep in mind that if you order backsplash tile without seeing it in the flesh, the tile may not look the same as it did in the picture! Here are a couple of places you start by looking online but you should be able to either have samples sent directly to you for a low-cost, or be able to find a showroom near you!

DalTileProducts.com — One of my favorite places to go for new backsplash tile samples is Daltile.com. They have a great selection, in addition to several tools that will make your search more fun. You can use the Design-A-Room tool and upload your own photo for example! This is a great visual tool. Once you find the backsplash tile sample you think you like, you can order samples online from their website easily.

Daltile charges $7.95 per tile sample, but if you’ve got your tile narrowed down to just a few tiles, that is not a bad price as a 4″x4″ is the same price as an 18″x18″. This option is great if you are too busy to look around locally. Otherwise you can take the time and go to one of Daltiles showrooms, or a retailer who sells their tile and see samples for yourself with spending the money.

BuyTile.com — Another great website that mails out backsplash tile samples is BuyTile.com. The tile samples BuyTile at are free, but there is a shipping charge. BuyTile carries several different tile brands and styles and have good pictures of their products to help give you a feel for the way it will look on your backsplash. I like this website because they have almost any type of backsplash tile you could want and there are pictures of the tile in a space to help give you a visual of size and texture.

Solistone.com — Another great place if you are looking for more natural backsplash choices is Solistone.com. They don’t send out tile samples like some of the other manufacturers, but they do let you know where you can go to see their tile in person. Solistone specializes in natural stone in a variety of unique styles. From stone pebbles to metal mosaics, they have all the new trends. Solistone is all about texture. If you want to transform your space with something you can really feel check them out. My personal favorite is the cubist collection stone mesh tiles because you don’t have to grout them!

Still need some great backsplash tile ideas? Check out this video for even more backsplash examples!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh_vw3f2jU8

These are just three of my favorite places to look at tile, there are thousands of other options so look around the web, see what you can find. The great thing is you don’t have to leave your computer to find what you are looking for!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Unique Kitchen Backsplash

12.06.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Dear Diva, I want to put a backsplash in my kitchen but the tile I like is really expensive. I read an article on making your own backsplash out of pottery pieces and it seems like a great unique kitchen backsplash idea. But is this really doable? Will it turn out okay? Please help! Stumped in Seattle

Using pottery pieces and making the tile yourself is doable and it can make a great unique kitchen backsplash. Since it sounds like you are apprehensive about starting this type of backsplash project, I suggest practicing first before taking this into full-on backsplash mode. Go to your local hardware store and get a board or square of drywall, tile adhesive that sticks to the surface you are practicing on and tile grout. Next go get a few pieces of pottery to smash up!

Once you’re done with the fun part and your pottery has been smashed to pieces you are ready to begin. Plan out your design first and then glue the pottery pieces to the board.

As soon as it has had the appropriate time to set up, grout in between the pottery pieces. Now step back and look over your work. If you’ve used similar colors to what you want to put in your kitchen take the board and prop it against the wall so you can see the effect in the space you want to use it.

Another important thing to consider is how that sample looks with your countertop specifically, since the backsplash will be touching it. If your countertop is granite or something like granite that has a busy pattern to it, you may want to use larger pieces of pottery. Otherwise your backsplash could look too busy with pottery pieces and grout lines and that might compete with your countertop.

Don’t forget, this type of backsplash can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. You get to choose the colors and textures you want, for an inexpensive way to go, look at thrift shops and bargain stores. Or instead, combine showcase pieces with the thrift store ones. There is no wrong or right way to go about choosing the pottery to make into pieces for your backsplash.

So you see this project is do-able as long as you do your homework first. You can have a unique kitchen backsplash and you can do it yourself. Just make sure you give yourself the time to practice and really consider whether the look is right for your kitchen backsplash and your budget!

How To Tile A Backsplash

12.05.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Cindy writes:

We’ve just replaced our appliances in the kitchen and are now looking at doing something about behind the stove. Frankly, I have asked my husband about adding a new backsplash and needless to say he was less than excited at the idea. So know I am asking you, Diva. Can you teach me how to tile a backsplash? Is it really as big of a pain as I’ve heard it can be?

Well Cindy, learning how to tile a backsplash can be made into a really intensive project if you take the usual approach. However if you’re willing to mix things up a bit, try some non-mortar products that help make the job easier, you’ll find it’s not all that bad.

The key to learning how to tile a backsplash really comes down to the following points.

– What kind of tile are you going to be using?

– Something else to make your backsplash tile stay in place?

The tile, really comes down to what type of surface you’re looking for. Ceramic, glass, metal, the list goes on. Because this really comes down to personal preference, there is no really right or wrong choice here. Style, colors or perhaps even going with something that uses vinyl are all good options depending on the end result you might be seeking.

How to tile a backsplash made simple

Believe it or not, there are two great products out there that will allow you to make tile backsplash happen with less effort that most people might think initially. The first product is called Bondera and it’s a tile mat set. Then there is also SimpleMat as well. Bondera is available at Lowes while SimpleMat is a Home Depot product.

Not too long back, I demonstrated how one could use Bondera and some glass backsplash tile to make a small tray for the kitchen. It was applied in the same way as it would be when used for a backsplash. Apply the Bondera, apply the tiles, grout and enjoy. Obviously there is some prep time for the grout involved here, but when you’ve removed the need for mortar, you will see that learning how to tile a backsplash isn’t really that difficult. Take the simple approach, use Bondera. It’s works great!