Contrary to popular belief, a backsplash isn’t just used for
kitchens; it’s also widely found in bathrooms. Whether it’s for a kitchen or
bathroom, choosing a backsplash can be a frustrating process, mainly because of
the sheer number of tile choices available on the market. If you were faced
with this problem, it would be best to start at the very beginning:
understanding the use of a backsplash.
Purpose of a Bathroom Backsplash
In the past, the most obvious use of bathroom backsplashes was to protect bathroom walls from potentially damaging elements, such as water, which causes stains. Moist bathroom walls, combined with the humidity in a bathroom, are also a haven for mold, which produces a pungent odor.
Fast forward to today, bathroom backsplashes also double as a way for homeowners to add a little more character to their bathrooms. It’s a case of fashion meeting functionality, with bathroom backsplash tiles capable of giving a bathroom more ‘pop’ and elegance.
Where to Start
Tile is by far the most popular and cheapest option for bathroom backsplashes. Tiles come in all sorts of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes; the variety is enough for people to create beautiful mosaics and murals (imagine a Tuscan landscape while relaxing in the tub). With tiles, you can also create elaborate pattern designs, with a large white wall serving as your backdrop.
Think of backsplashes as jewelry for your bathroom. As with jewelry, backsplashes allow you to add your own personal taste to your bathroom. Tile work is as much an art as it is a necessity or method of protection for your bathroom walls.
Materials
Your options for tile materials are nearly limitless. You can create incredibly beautiful backsplash designs with the use of recycled glass, mosaics with a metallic effect, even ceramic tiles cut into octagonal and hexagonal tiles. Glass in particular, is a favored material since it gives the bathroom a soft, ocean-like effect, almost as if you’re underwater.
Half Bathrooms
The right backsplash tile is even capable of changing even the simplest bathrooms, like half bathrooms or powder rooms. Here are some ideas:
Choosing a Tile Size: Your best bet for tile size is the standard 4-inch tile, which you can have cut in half and fitted with the cut side facing downwards, which is then caulked.
Use Similar Materials:If you want to be on the safe side of things when designing your half bathroom backsplash and fear wasting money on botched ‘experiment’ projects, your backsplash tiles should be similar to your existing materials in the bathroom. For instance, if your counter is granite, solid-surface or laminate, install a backsplash of similar materials. It’s safe and probably not as edgy as avant-garde styles, but it provides that right amount of elegance you need.
Think of Where to Stop: You’ll need to figure out how wide and how high you want your bathroom backsplash to be before installation. Obviously, your walls are your stopping point for tiles placed horizontally, while vertically, you’ll need a special tile or material to serve as a stopping point.