Kitchen splashbacks were once viewed only in terms of functionality.  Their purpose was to make cleaning easy above the cook top and sink.  Today, splashbacks are the central design element in the kitchen, the main gathering area in a home.

How to select the right tile and design

Many considerations need to be taken into account when selecting your tile design; what colour, what pattern, accent tiles with plain tiles, set on the diagonal or straight...  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making these decisions:

If you have a small kitchen and splashback you may want to use a simple design in light, cool colours that expands the appearance of the room.  Using accent tiles with field tiles instead of an intricate design will help to make a small kitchen appear larger.  Additionally, laying the tiles on the diagonal will draw the eye out whereas tiles laid in the standard straight pattern, “boxes in” the splashback and decreases the perceived size of the splashback.  






Belleza accent tiles with Mexican White field tiles laid on the diagonal







However, some designers like to use strong colours to make a small area more powerful.  The theory is simple; make a small space speak through strong colour instead of trying to hide the fact that the space is tight.






Armand tiles used in full to create a powerful and vibrant splashback







If you have a large kitchen and splashback, you have much more flexibility in design.  You can select an intricate design and use borders to showcase it while filling the rest of the area with field tiles.  Another possibility is to select a design and run it the full distance of the wall and for added punch, you may want to include the tiles around windows and as kickboards instead of plain white or black paint.  Do not decrease the size of your kitchen by creating a splashback above the cook top for instance, then switching to paint for the remaining wall.  If you have a large kitchen, be proud and show it off!

Remember when selecting the colour of your splashback – match fixtures not appliances.  A red toaster is great but you most likely will tire of it and it will certainly stop working one day.  Finding another may be difficult, so don’t choose a splashback based on your red toaster!  Match your fixtures -- those kitchen items that are unlikely to change anytime soon (think cabinets and countertops).

For the past several years, the trend in home decor colours was neutrals and whites.  The trend now seems to be leaning towards colour.  Vibrant colour, cool colour, warm colour, any colour.  Just colour.  Old World Tiles are available in a variety of colours and one of the most common background colours in our tiles is Mexican White which is very similar to the many antique whites that have dominated the design scene over recent years. 

A simple, inexpensive way to bring colour into your home is to use decorative tiles on your splashback.  This is the meeting point in most homes so this one area can have a huge impact on the home’s decor. Perhaps the most apparent trend in splashback colour is the move toward “Mediterranean blues and greens”.  These colours are pleasing and tend to work beautifully with natural stones, neutral colours, stainless steel as well as French ceramics.  They are versatile and seem to find a cohesive place in any style of home.  If you have an open plan kitchen which flows into an outdoor entertaining area with pool, these colours are magical.  The Mediterranean blue and green tiles play off the water in the pool as well as the blue skies and green gardens.  






Louis tiles showcase the beautiful Mediterranean blues and greens

Spicing up a simple white tile

For many people, a white tile is just right.  But white tiles do not have to be boring.  We have all seen the “subway” tile. This rectangular shape and staggered layout definitely brought something different to the white tile splashback, but do you really want a “subway wall” effect in your kitchen?  The beauty of handmade talavera tiles is that each tile is unique.  The size, paint, edges on every tile is just perfectly imperfect.  The overall effect is a handmade, antique splashback that has oodles of personality due to the imperfections, not the colour.

How TO incorporate a vibrant Spanish tile design, Mediterranean tile design or Mexican tile design from a kitchen splashback into the rest of my home? 

There are many ways to use a beautiful tile throughout your home, essentially carrying a theme throughout.  Think about fireplace surrounds, kick boards, bar areas, outdoor living spaces, entertainment areas as well as bathrooms.  Using decorative tiles is an inexpensive way to completely change the mood of your home.  A little goes a very long way.  Pick three tiles that you adore and use them on your splashback, around your fireplace, in your guest bathroom and laundry. These areas alone will change your decor and provide a quick and inexpensive facelift without having to paint walls or recover floors.  The average splashback is approximately 100 tiles, a fireplace surround is about 30 tiles...you get the idea. 

Please feel free to call Old World Tiles for help in planning your new splashback.

07 3289 1434
0401 021 587
oldworldtiles.com.au
customerservice@oldworldtiles.com.au