How Much Is Too Much Backsplash In Kitchens?

Backsplashes might be an often overlooked detail, but they do a lot for your kitchen. They protect stoves and sinks from damage and food splatter stains, which makes cleaning up a breeze. Plus, they can be a charming focal point and enhance the overall design of the space. However, there is such a thing as too much backsplash. When the tiles exceed the height of your kitchen cabinets and extend to wrap around the entire wall horizontally, you can assume that you probably overdid it.

Beyond the functional benefits, a backsplash is meant to add visual interest through texture and patterns. There are plenty of creative backsplash ideas for your kitchen that add to its design instead of adding visual clutter. To create a cohesive design that avoids overwhelming the kitchen, your backsplash should be aligned with the lower end of your overhead cabinets and stop at the edge of the cabinets. Otherwise, you run the risk of overpowering the space, clashing with other details, or affecting the perceived proportions of the room.

When it comes to getting the right amount of backsplash, it's best to follow the rule of limiting its height to the bottom portion of your kitchen cabinets. Horizontally, the backsplash's edges should match up to the sides of the cabinets. This creates a natural focal point that pops rather than taking over the space.

The amount of backsplash isn't the only thing to consider when you want to create a cohesive kitchen. Pay attention to the pattern and type of backsplash, since these factors can give you an idea of how much works best for your kitchen. Mosaic tiles, for instance, are gorgeous and attention-grabbing. It's best to keep their usage simple, like on the wall behind the stove, to avoid overcrowding the space. For a more streamlined and unified look, you could instead match your backsplash's material to other features in the room, such as a kitchen island if you have one.

Keep your kitchen's general design in mind. The best kitchen backsplash colors will be those that blend with and complement your countertops and cabinets, and elevate the room's overall aesthetic. For kitchens with bold cabinet colors, for example, you may want to add contrast with a neutral backsplash, or vice versa. Be warned that dark, moody colors can make a small kitchen look even more crowded, so it's generally advised to avoid them, especially if you have dark upper cabinets.