Just 30 Years Later, This Kitchen Feature Is Something Hardly Anyone Wants

Brass cabinet hardware, laminate countertops, honey oak cabinets — some '90s kitchen trends have aged well, while others haven't. One trend no one misses is the tiny-to-nonexistent backsplash. In many older kitchens, most wall space was left blank aside from a strip of tile or laminate along the counters. Only the area behind the range had full backsplash coverage. But anyone who's spent time in a kitchen knows that backsplashes are easier to clean than bare drywall. Plus, a backsplash is a creative way to unify your kitchen's aesthetic. These benefits have led to a trend in backsplashes that reach all the way from the counters to the ceiling.

Fortunately, refreshing outdated cabinets with a backsplash redo can be an easy project that doesn't have to strain your DIY skills or your budget. Updating the backsplash not only improves resale value, the easy-cleaning surface will save you time in the future. Whether you're splurging on a solid stone slab or applying peel-and-stick tile, a fresh backsplash can take years off your kitchen.

Picking the perfect kitchen counter and backsplash combo can be intimidating. Should you choose tile, natural stone, or glass for your new backsplash? Rectangles, squares, or hexagons? Fortunately, working with your existing countertops helps narrow the field a bit. If you have bold or dramatic counters that you want to be the focal point of the kitchen, choose a more subdued backsplash that doesn't fight with the countertops. However, if your countertops aren't particularly exciting and you want the backsplash to make a statement, you can play with texture and geometry as well as color to create a kitchen aesthetic that perfectly suits your style. 

If you can't remove the existing backsplash strip because you're renting or don't have the resources, peel-and-stick tile panels can protect your kitchen walls for between $1 and $3 per square foot, though they also land both lower and much higher in price. These panels can be applied directly onto old laminate or tile. Hardware stores offer many design and thickness options that often look as good as professionally installed tile. You can cover the old strip entirely or pick a design that goes with the existing strip and install the peel-and-stick panels on the blank wall above it. Choose thicker tiles if you're applying the panels to drywall and thinner tiles if you're covering up an existing backsplash.