The kitchen splashback does not only serve to protect the walls from any spatter from the cooking process but also helps create an aesthetic relationship among the countertops, cabinets, and the appliances in the kitchen. Proper design of a splashback may help a small kitchen look larger or add elegance to a large kitchen setup.
Selection of Kitchen Splashbacks requires consideration of appearance, strength, maintenance, and wall space. An aesthetically pleasing material in the showroom may not be appropriate for your cooking style.
Table of Contents
Choosing Materials That Suit Daily Cooking
Different materials offer distinct advantages, particularly around sinks and cooktops.
Glass provides a smooth, nonporous surface that wipes clean without grout lines. A Kitchen Glass Splashback can be especially appealing in contemporary interiors, where uninterrupted surfaces create a tidy appearance. Toughened glass is commonly used for applications requiring additional strength and heat resistance.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles offer greater flexibility in patterns, sizes, and textures. Subway tiles suit traditional kitchens, while larger formats reduce the number of grout joints requiring maintenance.
Stainless steel is another practical option, particularly behind cooking areas. It handles heat well and complements commercial-style appliances, although fingerprints and watermarks may remain visible.
Natural stone brings distinctive veining and texture. However, some stones require sealing to resist stains, making maintenance an important consideration.
Matching Colors and Finishes to Your Space
Color selection should begin with the elements already installed. Cabinet finishes, countertop patterns, flooring, and natural light all affect the final result.
Creating Balance in Smaller Kitchens
Light-colored surfaces can help compact kitchens feel more open. Soft white, warm gray, and pale neutral tones reflect available light without overwhelming the room.
Glossy finishes also reflect light, although they can make smudges more noticeable. Matte surfaces produce a softer appearance and work particularly well with wood cabinetry.
Adding Character to Larger Layouts
Larger kitchens provide more leeway for the use of bold colors and designs. Dark green or navy blue tones, or even some patterned tiles, can bring contrast to a kitchen with neutral-colored cabinets.
Where there is prominent veining on the counter top, a simpler finish on the walls may bring more harmony to the look of the room.
Getting Measurements and Installation Right
It is vital to ensure accurate measurements, particularly near any power points, cabinets, and extractors.
Before you place your order, ensure that you have measured all the wall surfaces and identified the openings that you need. Make sure that the cabinets and the counters have been installed, and they are even before taking the final measurements for your custom panel.
It is vital that you pay close attention to the area behind your cooktop. The manufacturers provide specifications regarding clearances, installations, and heat restrictions. These specifications vary depending on whether you have a gas cooker, an electric one, or an induction cooker.
In case of Kitchen Splashbacks that use glass, the outlet holes or cut outs are specified before toughening. It is impossible to cut tempered glass later.
Keeping Your Splashback Looking Good
The cleaning requirements differ from one material to another.
For glass, one is required to use a soft cloth and mild detergent. Tiles should be subjected to frequent grout cleaning, while stainless steel surfaces are cleaned along the grain.
One should avoid abrasive cleaners except where advised by the manufacturer.
Finish Which Has Long Term Effectiveness
The best finish is where you marry the current look of the kitchen with realistic maintenance expectations. It pays to factor in light exposure, heat resistance and amount of wall coverage when deciding on a surface to use.
A Kitchen Glass Splashback gives you the sleek, continuous look, while tiles, stone and metal have their respective merits. Choosing the one that suits you makes your kitchen look good over a long period of time.
