It probably sounds preposterous on paper. How much difference can a little bit of tilework really make? Well, you’d be surprised. In fact, if done right, a kitchen backsplash will not only beautify your space, but go a long way to keeping it manageable. Want to know how? Keep reading, then, and discover all the benefits a backsplash provides.
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Personal Flair
There’s more than one way to introduce personality to a kitchen. That said, paint and wallpaper have their shortcomings. A paint job tends to mean a monochromatic coat, however vibrant. Patterns are in the cards with wallpaper, but your selection is limited to what’s already been printed. Tiles, meanwhile, can be arranged into whatever design you desire. Not to mention they’re no more hassle to put up than wallpaper, and the process is no more labor-intensive than painting. Can you find a downside? We certainly can’t.
Customizable Aesthetic
The form your backsplash takes is entirely up to you. Ergo, it’s easy to make it match the rest of your kitchen décor. Alternatively, you can opt for tasteful contrast, ensuring your guests’ eyes are drawn to it. Or, if you’re planning to renovate, you can tailor it to the new shape your kitchen will take. That’s the beauty of backsplashes; in addition to being eye-catching, they’re remarkably versatile.
Stain Prevention
Few places accumulate mess faster than the kitchen. In particular, the walls above the sink and stove—where most of the cooking and cleaning takes place—tend to collect gunk. Over time, said gunk can wind up staining surfaces, or even eating away at them. Thankfully, a backsplash can spare you from that ugly sight. As long as they’ve been properly applied, tile and grout are impervious to moisture; stains that would be otherwise impossible to remove become nothing more than minor inconveniences.
Pest Control
It’s not just stains that a backsplash can keep at bay; they’re equally effective at repelling unwanted critters. Most often, pests enter the home through damaged drywall. Even the tiniest hole or crack can accommodate vermin. Introduce some tile to the mix, though, and those points of entry are cut off. You’ll never need to worry about bugs scuttling into the kitchen again. After all, they can’t slip in through the cracks when there are no cracks to be seen.
Quick Cleaning
We all strive for gorgeous home decor. Actually having it, though, can be a major pain. Take a fancy chandelier, for instance; it might look dazzling, but dusting it off can take ages. A backsplash is an exception to the rule, offering both beauty and convenience. Unless you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn stain, all you need is a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the grime.
Easy Fixing
Tiles usually last a good long while. But let’s say, somewhere down the line, one of them cracks, or comes clean off the wall. In that case, there’s no need to tear down the whole backsplash and start from scratch. All you have to do is replace the outlying tile, and your decor will be good as new again. Address these minor repairs as they come up, and your backsplash will last you a lifetime.