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Who would have thought choosing tiles for your kitchen splashback could be so challenging – it’s one of the smallest areas of your home after all! But, although it takes up minimal space, it has the potential to create maximum impact. Not just a functional element to protect your walls from splatters and spills, kitchen splashbacks have the potential to set the tone for your entire space.
So, rather than sweating it over colours and materials, use this handy guide to help steer you toward your perfect splashback tile!
Consider your style
A great starting point when choosing your kitchen splashback tiles should be the overall style of your kitchen. If you’re building new or trying to update the look of your home, it’s not unusual to be attracted to a few interior styles but it’s best to narrow it down.
For example, decide on a broad theme, such as Scandinavian, modern or coastal. Then use splashback tiles to help tie your kitchen design and colour scheme together. Subway tiles are a great all-rounder for many kitchen styles, while a beautiful pop of colour can really make a minimalist space come to life. We’d highly recommend our new Contemporary Matt range for this look, available in eight stunning and subtle hues.
Also, don’t forget to take a step back throughout the tile selection process. Rather than honing in on the splashback itself, consider how your tile choice will work within the wider context of the space.
Picking the right material
When it comes to kitchen splashback tiles, materials can vary from porcelain to ceramic or glass. The most important thing to note is there are certain restrictions and guidelines that must be followed if you are to include a gas cooktop in your new kitchen in order to meet Australian Standards. This is something your local Elegance Tiles team can advise you on, or your builder or tiler.
Selecting a shape & size
There is an astounding amount of choices available when it comes to tile sizes and shapes. From petite mosaics to subways and decorative fish scale-shaped tiles!
Taking into account the overall size of your splashback will allow you to narrow down your options. Generally, standard kitchen splashback heights are about 600 millimetres. However, this could vary for different reasons or if you’ve opted for a custom design.
Mosaic and subway tiles both offer a simple and elegant solution, one that will suit any size of kitchen splashback. If you have a luxuriously oversized splashback, a larger format tile offers great appeal and far fewer grout lines should you prefer that look.
Getting the colour right
Splashbacks are an area where people choose to use colour to add interest – especially when other elements are neutral. But, ask yourself: do you want the splashback to be the hero? Or would you prefer it to act as a subtle backdrop to another element of your kitchen design, like the benchtop?
If you want to make a statement, there are a huge variety of tiles to choose from in brighter pops of colour or more pastel hues depending on your style. Selecting a colour that contrasts with those in the rest of the kitchen will create a striking impact. And that’s not to say it has to be dramatic! If your cabinetry and benchtop are all white, you could opt for a tranquil grey/blue to create a stunning coastal feel. Alternatively, choose a colour that is similar to the other elements in the space for a subtler look that will elevate the main feature.
Layout, patterns & textures
If you prefer a subtle look, but still want an element of interest, incorporating texture or laying your tiles in a different way can do just the trick.
Laying subway tiles in a herringbone pattern is a great twist on the traditional look. Playing this up by using a darker, contrasting grout will further accentuate the shape and pattern of the tiles.
Finally, as the splashback really can be a decorative centrepiece, adding patterned tiles is a great way to showcase your unique style. Our Studio Peltro Carpet Matt range is a great example, perfect for a luxurious traditional aesthetic. Or check out the newly arrived Flow Prism Matt range if you’re keen on a more contemporary, minimal look.
Despite lockdown 2.0, our dedicated staff are available across Victoria to help you choose the perfect splashback tiles for your home. If you’re based in regional Victoria, our stores are open by appointment for in-person visits via the form below. And for our keen renovators and builders in metro Melbourne, you can get in touch with your local store for virtual consultations, the perfect solution during this stay-at-home period. Our knowledgeable staff will still be able to walk you through a great range of options, and also arrange for tile samples to be delivered directly to your home. Get in touch with your local store here!
