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Kitchen Backsplash: Tile, Natural Stone, and Granite

The kitchen backsplash can be an important focal point in a room. There are so many different types and styles of backsplash that it makes it a great tool when customizing your kitchen.
At BarefootFloor.com we offer both kitchen backsplash tile as well as natural stone materials and decorative inserts for your backsplash.

Capable of functioning as an eye-catching element, the main purpose of a backsplash is that of a protective barrier, shielding the wall's surface against the splatter of day-to-day cooking. Because the splash comprises somewhat of a limited area, it becomes feasible to add that extra punch to your kitchen design for a reasonably small investment.

Whatever your ultimate fantasy, choosing your countertop material prior to the splash is always prudent given the fact that it represents a much greater investment and is visually more substantional. Choosing materials that complement each other and blend well is imperative for a successful outcome. With a little forethought and ingenuity, the one-dimensional and customarily standard backsplash can be transformed into an attractive addition to your overall kitchen design.

Tips For the Backsplash Design

• Install the countertop first to ensure a watertight seal and clean seam where the counter and splash meet.
• Bullnose all exposed edges on the wall tiles, niches, and ledges.
• Install low voltage lighting with dimmer switches to accent your designs and highlight focal points.
• Seal all stone surfaces with a penetrating sealer to ensure ease of maintenance.
• Allow ample room inyour niches and on your ledges to be able to put them to use.

Backsplash Tiles and Stone Styles

Contemporary – Keep things simple to achieve the sleek clean lines of a contemporary backsplash. Consider using the same material on the splash that is used on countertop. Keep the design refined by avoiding disruptive patterns, choppy grout joints, and the use of busy stone.

Old world – Jagged cobblestone, aged and tumbled marble, chipped and worn hand-painted tiles; these are just a few of the images representative of old-world style. Whether the countertop is tile, granite, marble, or travertine the successful capturing of this looks is easy. Color choices are best left to the muted earth tones of creamy beige, subtle gold, or coffee brown. Tiles that appear authentically aged and worn will more aptly convey feelings of warmth. It is here that we find mosaics and murals at home in the quiet ambience of a European-style kitchen.

Mediterranean – Few materials are as tolerant and accepting as natural stone when it comes to introduction of the bold colorful handmade tiles of the Mediterranean. Creamy limestone partners perfectly with cobalt blue hard-painted trims and jewel tone accents. When embellishing your stone with these deeply pigmented tiles, you almost feel as if you have been transported to the sun drenched kitchens of France, Italy and Spain.

These are just some themes for you to consider remember that you can always create whatever design you want by choosing the right materials, colors and patterns that best suit your kitchen space and your personality.