Match Your Backsplash To Your Countertop

The perfect backsplash and countertop duo will change the entire look and feel of your kitchen. But choosing materials and colours that will stay in your house for years to come can easily become overwhelming. Do not worry: we have the expert tips to make this an enjoyable and exciting project!

What Comes First?

Do you choose the countertop to go with the backsplash you already have, or vice versa? Different designers will have different answers and different reasons to back up those answers, but ultimately, it is up to you. From a design perspective, a lot of people like to make the backsplash the focal point of their kitchen, so they pick that out first.

Our recommendation, however, is that you choose your countertop first—this is the surface that will get the most use in your kitchen. The durability of the material of your countertop is more important than your backsplash, so make the counters a priority, and you will be able to find a backsplash to match.

Countertop Materials

When choosing your countertop material, you need to consider a few important things. It should fit your style and of course your budget, but most importantly it has to fit your lifestyle. Your counter will be the workhorse of your kitchen—it will need to put up with whatever wear and tear you and your family may put on it on a daily basis. Durability should be your first priority, but consider every aspect of the decision to get the material that is best for your life.

• Laminate
  • One of the least expensive available options for countertops
  • Durable enough to withstand everyday use, but not nearly as durable as stone
  • Not heat resistant
• Quartz
  • Currently one of the most desired materials
  • Beautiful and durable
  • Low maintenance
• Marble
  • Always been a great choice for those wanting to add a sense of luxury to their kitchen
  • It can etch and stain fairly easily
• Granite
  • A popular choice for years
  • Heat resistant
  • Low maintenance
  • Not many options for colours/patterns
• Concrete
  • Great for an industrial look
  • Heat and stain resistant
  • Very heavy and difficult to install
• Tile Countertop
  • An affordable option you can DIY pretty easily
  • Can be difficult to clean if you do not use an epoxy grout
• Stainless Steel
  • Completely stain and heat resistant
  • Gives the look of a commercial kitchen
  • Scratches and dents fairly easily
• Butcher block
  • Very affordable
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Not very heat or water resistant
  • Shows marks
  • Requires regular maintenance

After you have weighed the pros and cons and chosen your countertop material, it is time to get a backsplash to match!

Backsplash Materials

Your kitchen backsplash will play a much more decorative role than your countertop, so you do not have to think about durability as much. It will, however, catch any splatters or spills you make while cooking, so go for something easy to clean!

Tile has always been a popular choice for kitchen backsplashes, simply for the variety of colors and patterns available. There are numerous materials to choose from like glass, ceramic, porcelain or stone.

If you decided on a stainless steel counter, a stainless steel backsplash would enhance the industrial look you are going for. Keep in mind, though, that this material will show fingerprints and marks easily.

A mirror backsplash, smoked or clear, will make your kitchen look much bigger than it is. This is great for adding depth and light to your space, but think first about how neat your kitchen is. If it is typically messy and cluttered, a mirrored backsplash will only double the mess!

For an industrial or historic look, consider a brick backsplash. Brick is pretty absorbent, which makes it a little difficult to clean, but it’s very easy to install and doesn’t show dirt and grime right away like smoother, lighter materials.

With virtually endless options, design decisions like these can feel difficult! For professional advice and services, contact Taupo Tiles today.