Are you looking to spruce up your kitchen? Or maybe you just want to add a little extra something special. Whether you’re doing a full kitchen renovation or a small makeover, the backsplash is an essential touch in any kitchen. 

With that being said, it’s understandable if the idea of choosing your new backsplash tile has become a daunting task. You may have no idea what you’re looking for; maybe you have the perfect image in your head. Whatever look you decide on, you want to make sure that it’s the right one for you and your kitchen. 

This guide is here to help. No matter where you are on your kitchen renovation journey, let this serve as your complete buying guide to help with choosing your backsplash tile. With the help of this guide, your kitchen will soon have the perfect design to suit your taste. It all starts with the backsplash tile. 

But this raises the question: is backsplash tile really necessary? Why is it important to have a kitchen backsplash? 

So, do you really need a kitchen backsplash, or is it up to your personal taste? 

No, you don’t technically need a kitchen backsplash. However, most interior designers recommend you install one as they prevent things like water and grease from damaging the wall underneath. So, while it is completely up to you whether or not you choose to install a backsplash, there are some major benefits.

Now that you know whether or not it’s necessary to install a backsplash, let’s learn a little bit more about kitchen backsplashes, and determine which is right for you.

Let’s say you find a really great floor tile that you think could work well in your kitchen as a backsplash tile. Can you put it up on the wall? 

It’s your lucky day! Yes, floor tiles can double as wall tiles. However, it doesn’t work the other way around. Floor tiles need to have a certain level of durability, and tiles made for walls or backsplashes usually aren’t strong enough to be used as floor tiles. 

Floor tiles, on the other hand, can be used for walls or kitchen backsplashes. So if you find a floor tile you love, you can feel good knowing it will work on your kitchen walls!

When choosing the backsplash for your kitchen, you want to make sure that it’s right for you in every way. Learning about the different types of tiles, their maintenance, and considering your budget – there’s a lot to factor in. So, what do you need to know when choosing a backsplash tile for kitchens?

First of all, you’ll need to know your budget. The installation and maintenance of certain tiles will cost vastly different amounts. But don’t worry – whether you have a low or high budget, there’s a tile that’s right for you. It’s just important to have an idea of how much you’re looking to spend before going shopping. 

Different types of tiles require different levels of maintenance. For example, some tiles have a higher likelihood to stain. If you’re committed to cleaning your backsplash everyday, this won’t be an issue for you.

However, if you want something low maintenance, you’ll want to choose a tile that’s easy to clean and unlikely to stain. 

You also need to consider what style you prefer and where you want your new backsplash. Everyone’s kitchen and personal style are different, so you need to consider these things.

Is your kitchen full of people coming and going and kids making messes? Do you live by yourself and you don’t use your kitchen often? 

Understanding your kitchen’s needs will also help you choose a kitchen tile. Check out our pros and cons listed below for the most popular types of tiles to see what will work best for you. 

Once you have established your wants and needs regarding the backsplash tile, you can consider the pros and cons of different kitchen wall tiles. 

Glass tile is a beautiful addition to any kitchen. Bright enough to light up the entire room by reflecting light, these gorgeous tiles are easy to clean and look great. They are perfect for any modern-looking kitchen and are environmentally friendly. 

PROS

• Easy to clean
• Environmentally friendly
• Glossy finish
• Lights up the room
• Non-porous

CONS

• Can be pricey

Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to look after. They come in a wide variety of designs and patterns perfect for adding a splash of color to your kitchen. These tiles are similar to porcelain tiles, although they are slightly less durable. 

PROS

• Durable
• Affordable
• Easy to cut (softer) 

CONS

• Less durable than porcelain
• Difficult to install

Porcelain tiles appear similar to ceramic tile, but they’re a more durable and harder version. They have a very sleek and modern look to them and they tend to brighten up the room. The pros and cons of porcelain tiles are: 

PROS 

• Very durable and long-lasting
• Versatile
• High resistance to staining

CONS

• May chip over time
• Expensive upfront investment

Metal tile is one of the most versatile types of kitchen backsplash tiles. It can be used behind your kitchen stove and is super easy to clean. They have a great look to them and complement a kitchen with all stainless steel appliances well. You can get it as a standard tile or peel and stick.

PROS

• Looks great
• Great for a feature wall or as a backsplash
• Easy to clean

CONS

• Can stain
• Not as durable and needs a solid foundation
• Can look bad depending on your furniture

Prices can vary a lot when looking at getting a backsplash installation in your kitchen. It’s important to weigh your options and try to find something that’s right for you that also suits your budget. 

Glass backsplash can be an expensive option. It ranges from $7 to $30 per square foot depending on the company that installs it. Glass tile is definitely one of the highest-priced options. Luckily, there are some more affordable options, too. 

Ceramic tile and porcelain tile have a lot of similarities, but which matches your budget? Ceramic tile ranges from $10 to $20 per square foot while porcelain is a bit pricier – around $20 to $25. Metal or stainless steel panels tend to vary widely in price range, from around $10 to $30 per square foot.

The least expensive option when it comes down to paying for the tiles and paying to get them installed is peel-and-stick panels. An average price is $12 for six panels and you can even install them yourself. However, they may need to be replaced every few years. 

Overall, if you’re going to pay for the tiles and an installation process, you’re looking to spend anywhere from $1,000-$3,000 depending on who you install with and how many tiles you need.

Before you decide on a backsplash tile, you need to measure the square footage of the overall area you’re looking to install. Your kitchen backsplash tile’s size will depend on the size of the overall area that needs to be tiled. 

A larger overall area will be able to handle larger tiles than a smaller area. Once you determine the right size for your backsplash tiles, you can choose creative arrangements such as 3x6, 4x4, or herringbone as patterns. 

But you also need to consider how much the overall project of your tiles will cost. As stated earlier, prices can vary depending on the tiles that you choose, but peel-and-stick is the easiest to size if you want to try a DIY installation. 

You could always install the backsplash on your own, but if you’re hesitant to DIY, it may end up being on the pricier side. If you do decide to save yourself some money and install them yourself, know that you can always remove the backsplash tiles if you install them incorrectly or change your mind.

Now let’s get to the fun part and go over some different ideas for how your kitchen backsplash can look. It’s always good to get some inspiration and find new ideas before you choose what your tile will look like.

You want to keep your kitchen looking its best after investing in your new wall tiles. 

The easiest way to keep your kitchen backsplash clean is by choosing an easy to clean backsplash tile right off the bat. 

But luckily, backsplash tile maintenance and care is easy enough if you just follow your heart and pick tiles that you love. 

There are many different ideas for kitchen sink backsplash online for what your backsplash can look like. Do you want to go for a glossy bright glass look, or a classic-colored, white ceramic? Or would stone tiling, or even brightly-colored tile suit your kitchen better? The possibilities are endless, and you can easily design your backsplash to fit your dream kitchen.

Neutral colors such as white iridescent tiles are a popular choice for backsplash tile, and will continue to be for the majority of homeowners. If you want to spice up a neutral, try a black and gold stone and metal tile. 

You could also go for a bold look, like a subway tile in a glossy green, if you’re looking for unique backsplash ideas. It will all come down to the colors that are most prevalent in your kitchen, and what colors are complementary. 

If you'd prefer a neutral tile over a colorful option, you can always get creative with shapes. Choosing a patterned tile like a polished marble chevron tile can bring exciting movement to a neutral kitchen backsplash.  

If none of these ideas have made your heart soar, there are plenty of kitchen backsplash trends in 2023 that might just be exactly what your kitchen needs. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the backsplash you choose for your kitchen. Just one swap of tiles can brighten up your kitchen and completely change the room. So, it’s important you know everything you can about buying backsplash tiles before you dig your heels into the project. 

Look for inspiration, and ask yourself what you want your kitchen to look like. Factoring in important things such as cost and installation is relevant, but doesn’t limit your possibilities by much. Hopefully, after reading this guide you feel much more prepared to tackle your kitchen renovation. All it takes is a little bit of tile backsplash and you have a whole new kitchen!

If you’d like to shop backsplash tiles, look no further than Oasis Tile. We’ve been a leader in the space since 2007, and can ship anywhere in the United States.