Kitchen Designs

Kitchen

Tile Backsplashes

The nice thing about using tile as a backspash is that it comes is a huge variety of sizes, colors, textures and shapes. It is even possible to have custom painted tiles to match any theme of design. Also a tile backsplash can be easy to install, as well as easy to clean. Many design experts say that you should consider keeping it simple by choosing the same tile for your kitchen backsplash as you've chosen for the floor - just in a smaller size.

Natural Stone Tiles

The most popular natural stone tiles are marble and granite. Of the natural stones marble captures more detail than granite and since it is a softer stone it is good for applications like kitchen backsplashes.

Metal Tiles

This material can work very well for use in country kitchen style backsplashes. The tiles can be installed as the entire surface from counter to the bottom of the cabinets. Brushed aluminum tiles are good for modern or 1950's retro design kitchens. Metal tiles should match the color of the faucets and lighting.

Glass Tiles

A new design trend in kitchen backspashes is glass. Textured glass tiles are usually installed between the cabinets and counters. Glass is easy to clean and scratch resistant.

Wallpapering Kitchen Backsplashes

Wallpapering kitchen backsplashes can dress up a kitchen will very little work especially with pre-pasted wallpaper which is a lot easier to apply. Also with a small area for the backsplash the job shouldn't take very much time to complete. Make sure that you choose wallpaper that is washable so that spattering from cooking and splashes can be removed.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Backsplashes

Stainless steel backsplashes are coming back in style because they can create a modern streamlined look to your kitchen. These types of kitchen backsplashes can blend in well with stainless steel kitchen appliances like the stove, refrigerator and dishwasher. Other advantages to stainless steel kitchen backsplashes include being easy to clean and durability.

If you are planning your own custom kitchen island, there are a few considerations that you need to address. Keep in mind that kitchen islands work best in larger kitchens that have an L, U, or G layout shape. Using a kitchen island in a kitchen that is too small is a sure way to make the kitchen a terrible place to be. Small to medium sized kitchens can benefit from the use of kitchen cart for extra workspace, rather than a full-sized kitchen island.

Kitchen islands with a cook top need to include a ventilation hood to reduce smoke and cooking odors. A range hood should extend at least three inches beyond the cook top on each side so it can properly remove all smoke. Besides a cook top, another popular choice for kitchen island additions is a second sink. You should choose a kitchen island sink that is deep enough to wash large pots and pans. It should also include a garbage disposal so it can be used as a prep sink for vegetables and fruits.

Countertop materials for your kitchen island should coordinate with the rest of your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to match exactly. Countertops of butcher block, granite and marble are all popular selections for kitchen islands.

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Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC। His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor, Travel Destinations and Food and Wine.