Renew your kitchen's focal point with backsplashes

Kitchen remodeling projects can be an exhaustive endeavor, but something as quick as renovating a backsplash can breathe new vitality into the room and give it a much-needed, luxurious focal point.

Ceramic tile is a traditional selection for backsplashes. Comprised primarily of clay, then heated and sealed with a glaze to give it sheen, ceramic offers durability, affordability and can be easily cleaned with soap and water, making it a good choice for homes with children. While finishes and patterns can be customized to meet your aesthetic, a classic quilted backsplash can be a fine complement to most any countertop and cabinetry selection.

Ceramic tile offers plenty of benefits, but its prevalence in kitchens and bathrooms prevents it from being a unique option. Porcelain tiles carved in rectangular form are a slightly more elegant choice, and can even be modeled to replicate the look of natural stone. The use of detail insets or other decorative accents within porcelain can enhance the rest of your space and are sure to look radiant juxtaposed against attractive wood grains and textures.

Backsplashes that make use of embossed tiles can be an ideal recommendation for kitchens that sample a blend of rustic earth tones like brown and green, according to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Wood grain vinyl flooring and cabinetry in a matching species can endow a kitchen with warmth and convey a sense of security, which can be conducive for family get-togethers and potlucks. An all-natural wood or bamboo backsplash offers texture, but the sensitivity of this porous material to water damage means it may not be optimal for your design needs.

For modern or minimalist kitchens that may seem uninviting at first glance, mosaic glass backsplashes in neutral tones like cream and copper can make a room seem softer without distracting from the sleek metallic allure of this aesthetic.

To take the hassle out of selecting a backsplash altogether, some contractors may recommend installation of cohesive countertops, which integrate the same material used on surfaces for the backsplash. According to Southern Living Magazine, some may be styled with ledges or alcoves fixed within the backsplash, lending this purely decorative element a useful functionality within kitchen settings. If your kitchen offers little in the way of extra space, this may be a way to maximize storage areas without detracting from the overall appeal of your home.