New York’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Stone Backsplash for Your Kitchen

As an indispensable part of a home, the kitchen is one of the most frequently used living spaces in our daily lives. Therefore, the hygiene, appearance, and functionality of the kitchen are elements that impact our quality of life, even if we are not consciously aware of it. The more appealing, stylish, and practical the kitchen design is, the more the usability of your home increases. However, in many kitchen designs, attention is often given to countertop appliances or kitchen appliances, while details such as backsplashes can be overlooked. 

Remember, small details can have significant effects on your daily life. In this article, we will explore the usage areas of kitchen backsplashes and examine together how to create a stone backsplash kitchen in New York. If we are ready for a change, let's get to work to recreate our kitchen from scratch! 

What is a Backsplash? Where do we use it? 

Having many applications, a backsplash is essentially a wall covering and can be used in different living spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. However, depending on the application area, the material of the backsplash varies. Especially in areas with frequent contact with water, such as kitchens and bathrooms, materials resistant to water, stains, and heat, easy to clean, such as marble, are preferred. 

The primary purpose of a backsplash is to protect the wall from materials such as oil, dirt, and water while ensuring its longevity. At the same time, it creates an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere that harmonizes with the living space. Therefore, when choosing a backsplash, it is essential to consider both practicality and appearance. Kitchen backsplashes are most commonly used behind stoves and sinks. This prevents the wall from wearing and getting dirty due to liquids such as oil and tomato paste or water splashes while cooking. 

Although you may be careful about oil and water splashes while working in the kitchen, accidents like a knife slipping from your hand, a cutting board sliding, or food scattering can still happen. In such cases, installing a backsplash is highly recommended to prevent damage to your wall. In the bathroom, materials like lime found in tap water can leave stains on your walls. To prevent this, backsplashes that are resistant to lime or easy to clean can provide practicality and give the bathroom a different atmosphere, similar to what is achieved in the kitchen.

A tile backsplash is a fantastic touch that gives your kitchen a fresh look without spending the time or money on a major renovation. Backsplashes serve as an extension that protects against liquids, especially against counters. However, the type, color, and material of the tile decor can add different atmospheres to your kitchen space. Most kitchen tile designs can be installed more quickly and efficiently than larger renovations. 

Create Your Stone Backsplash Kitchen 

If you enjoy designing and making changes to your kitchen, it's a delightful activity. From cabinets to countertops, from flooring to lighting, there are many areas where you can create your own touch in terms of materials, colors, and styles. However, as you can see from the wide range of options, kitchen backsplashes are crucial elements. 

Note that there is no such thing as a perfect kitchen backsplash, but there is a backsplash that will make every kitchen perfect. When creating a stone backsplash kitchen that will contribute to the elegance of your living space, remember that there are certain factors you need to consider. 

Material of the Backsplash 

When choosing the backsplash to use in your kitchen, the first thing you need to determine is the intended use and purpose. Because all other features will vary depending on these two factors. If you're considering installing the backsplash behind your stove, we recommend choosing a material that does not show oil and food stains, is easy to clean, and does not hold onto dust. For this purpose, stone-based backsplashes are an ideal option due to their durability and hygienic properties. While glass and porcelain are easy to clean, they are fragile, so they are not recommended for sensitive areas like behind the stove. Instead, you might consider marble, granite, and different stone-look backsplashes. 

A stone backsplash installed behind the sink is also a sensitive area because it's a space you frequently use in your daily routine. Therefore, a durable, sturdy, and stain-resistant type of stone backsplash would be ideal. 

Appropriate Backsplash Size 

Again, depending on the size of the space, the size of the backsplash you want to install will directly affect its impact on the look and atmosphere of your stone backsplash kitchen. 

The areas behind the stove and sink are considered high-impact zones because they are busy areas in the kitchen. Therefore, the backsplashes used in these areas are among the most eye-catching elements. So, how do you determine the ideal size for a backsplash? According to interior designers, the ideal size of a backsplash tile should correspond to 1-5% of the kitchen floor. 

Tiles larger than this range blend into the wall and fail to add movement to the environment. Smaller tiles, on the other hand, can strain the eyes and may be harder to clean due to their tighter spacing.

Grout and Layout Harmony 

Certainly, the color of the grout you use, as well as the joint size and layouts, are complementary elements just as important as the material and size of your backsplash tiles. To create unique touches in your kitchen, you can customize layouts, combine different sizes and colors, and prepare grout in various matching colors. 

Additionally, the grout joint size can be adjusted based on the size of your tiles, with a general ratio of ⅛ to ¼ ensuring an ideal harmony between grout and layout. Interior designers often aim to keep this ratio minimal, using the smallest and thinnest joints possible, ensuring that the grout does not overshadow the main tile material. 

Matching Colors and Shapes 

When selecting the color for your kitchen backsplash, two crucial factors to consider are the harmony between the tiles and the overall cohesion with the rest of the kitchen. Striking the right balance between these two aspects is essential for a flawless look. Themed kitchens make this task easier, as the chosen backsplash material and color often align with the general theme of the kitchen. 

For example, in a country-themed kitchen where cabinets and dining tables are made of wood-like materials, a stone backsplash kitchen composed of coffee-toned tiles can complete the theme. In kitchens that combine different themes or lack a specific theme, creating cohesion falls onto the backsplashes. In this regard, backsplashes, despite covering a relatively small area, occupy a critical position that influences the entire kitchen. Small, dynamic stone backsplashes with contrasting colors provide a vibrant kitchen appearance. 

However, in kitchens that are too small or have a cluttered countertop, such a lively look may make the space appear even busier and tire the eyes. Therefore, in such kitchens, we recommend using medium-sized tiles in colors close to the cabinets. The positioning of tiles is as crucial as color selection. Horizontally placed rectangular tiles create a calm and moderate atmosphere, suitable for areas where you want to introduce a tile-like appearance. However, if you have chosen a mosaic-style backsplash with different colors, we suggest using square tiles instead of rectangles. 

Vertically placed rectangular stone tiles are less preferred and challenging to harmonize with the overall design. With modern designs, lines are emphasized in backsplash coverings. Yet, based on experience, it can be said that striped patterns used to create minimalist designs may lead to a visually tiring look in the kitchen. Therefore, to achieve a minimalist and modern appearance, we recommend using plain, simple, matte-colored designs or simply shaded stone backsplashes instead of designs consisting of lines.

Useful Tips for Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash 

The points we have covered so far constitute the main elements in selecting a stone backsplash, but there are also small details that many of us may overlook: 

• If your design includes tiles of different sizes, the main tile should be thicker than the smaller decorative tiles. Otherwise, during installation, smaller tiles will consume more adhesive material, making it less economical. 

• Whatever type of stone you prefer for your backsplash, make sure that this material is available in stock. This is important for being able to procure new tiles when the ones in your kitchen get damaged in the future. While stone materials are generally the most durable among backsplash tiles, there are differences in quality and durability even among them. Therefore, do not rely solely on the fact that your material is stone; opt for long-lasting stones like granite, marble, or quartz among the choices. 

• It's also crucial to learn about the maintenance features of the chosen stone. Since the primary purpose of a backsplash is to create a barrier between the countertop and the wall to prevent damage and stains, backsplashes also require maintenance. Therefore, make sure to regularly clean your backsplash and check the integrity of the grout joints. 

• Avoid acidic materials that could permanently damage the stones during cleaning. After applying cleaning products, always rinse your backsplash with a damp cloth or water.

Conclusion

As the World Class Granite family, we have explored how you can choose the perfect backsplash to enhance the elegant appearance of your stone backsplash kitchen. It is evident that each element, from tile size to color harmony and material type, should be tailored specifically to your own kitchen. The maintenance of your backsplash, which will add a unique theme and atmosphere to your kitchen, is also another crucial factor to consider for prolonged use. Before making your choice, you can browse our product catalog at worldclassgranite.com to recreate your kitchen with the popular designs of New York, taking into account our recommendations and advice.