Modernising your kitchen can be an expensive outlay if you opt for a full renovation, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways to update your kitchen without having to fork out for a full remodel. One of the smaller things you can do that will have a big impact, is replace the backsplash in your kitchen.
The backsplash is a central feature of any kitchen that makes a real difference to the look and feel. An old fashioned design can make a kitchen seem dated, so why not give your cabinets a new lease of life with a splash of modern design. Nowadays there are plenty of different styles to choose from, which means there is something for everyone.
Glass
Glass tiles and panels are very ‘on trend’ in kitchens right now. You can get an ultra-modern and contemporary feel in your kitchen with a glass backsplash. Glass panels or tiles come in a wide range of colours, and textures, so you can be sure to make a statement with bright whites or crimson reds. To maximise the appearance of space and give a clean and minimalist feel opt for glass panels. Their larger surface areas with fewer joints will make smaller areas appear bigger. Or if you prefer a traditional tiled look, why not opt for a smaller tile laid in a brick-lay design for a funky twist. You could even add in some mosaic detail in contrasting colours and textures for a distinctive touch.
The great thing about using glass for a backsplash is that it is easy to clean and you have the flexibility in colours and textures to give your kitchen a luxury feel at an affordable price.
Metal
Metallic backsplashes and units are more often than not seen in professional kitchens for their functionality and the fact they are easy to keep clean. However, it is becoming increasingly fashionable to feature metal in the average household kitchen too, from cookers and hoods in brushed stainless steel to metal fronted cupboards. Why not give your kitchen a modern makeover with a metal backsplash. It works great with bold colours or bright whites for a wonderful contrasting feature. As with the glass panels, the continuous metal sheet look, with little or no joints will give the illusion of more space in an area.
The downside to metal backsplashes is that they can be a pain to maintain. Although they are easy to clean, visible smudges and scratches can easily occur, so it is definitely worth investing in a high-quality metal to ensure it keeps the spotless look for longer.
Tiles
Tiles are still a family favourite for kitchen backsplashes and why not when it works so well. These days there is an incredibly wide range of titles to choose from. Whether you decide on natural stone or porcelain, tiles are a fantastic way to modernise your kitchen as they are easy to clean, hard-wearing and age well.
If you want a really contemporary look to your tiling, don’t be shy of opting for a bigger tile on the wall, as this will open up space and make your worktop and kitchen area look a lot bigger. Plus not having as many grouted areas will make your tiles a lot easier to look after, as quite often cooking grease and stains can be difficult to remove from the grout.
Another way to give your tiled backsplash a modern look is to lay them in the brick-layer effect, which looks really great with bevelled tiles. As with the glass tiles, this will give a modern slant to your walls.
Paint
Painting your backsplash is a simple and cost-effective way to modernise your kitchen quickly. You can choose from any number of colours and even add in some stencil art for a unique feature. The advantages of using a painted backsplash are that you can do it yourself, so there are no additional labour costs. You can change the colour as often as you choose, and it’s easy to touch up if there are any scuffs or marks. When using paint in your kitchen, be sure to buy water-resistant paints so that it wipes it clean.
The downside to using paint is that it can easily get stained with cooking grease and food marks, which means it will tire quicker than if you went for one of the other options.
Whatever your style, there are plenty of ways you can keep your kitchen modern without breaking the bank.
