Countertop Design: Tips For Creating And Designing A Tile Backsplash

Done correctly, a tile backsplash can bring unity and eye-catching beauty to any kitchen. The following countertop design tips will help you create the perfect backsplash for your home.

Take Precise Measurements and Create a Template.

Measure the diagonal, horizontal, and vertical measurements of the backsplash space. Tile countertop experts suggest creating a design template once you have the basic measurements. With a to-scale template, you can make a dozen copies and try your hand at several designs to find one that you like best. Keep reading to learn countertop design principles to help with your creative process.

Review Tile Backsplash & Countertop Design Trends.

As in all aspects of home improvement, countertop design changes with current fads. Contemporary tile countertops and backsplashes often feature these trends:

1. Reflective Tiles to Boost Light Levels

Countertop design gurus recommend metallic or glass tiles for darker spaces. These materials will reflect light and make the whole room appear brighter.

2. Three Cheers for Ceramic

Ceramic has been a popular tile material for millennia, for a few simple reasons: Ceramic is beautiful, durable, and easy to clean. White ceramic subway tiles are especially popular at the moment.

3. The Mixed Media Approach

There's no rule that says your backsplash must be composed of entirely one material. Your backsplash design may be enhanced with the inclusion of several materials, such as stone, stainless steel, marble, and ceramic tiles.

4. Rich Colors

Countertop design currently holds that the backsplash is a zone for expression - so you can get away with using a bright tone, as long as it doesn't clash with the rest of your dcor.

5. Go for the Bronze

Metallic tiles are a great way to jazz up a boring space. Think about including bronze accents in your countertop design. You shouldn't have a hard time finding bronze tile. Countertop gurus suggest installing bronze plumbing fixtures as well, to achieve design consistency.

Match the Design Style in Your House

Each house has its own style. While creating your tile countertop and backsplash area, think about matching your design to the overall theme of your home. American homes often include these styles:

1. Modern

Neutral tones, open space, and bursts of accent colors: these are the hallmarks of the modern style. Stainless steel backsplashes and tile countertops compliment a modern design. Pental's Everyone Stainless Steel tiles from are an excellent choice - of you could always install monochromatic ceramic tiles.

2. French Country

The French Country style features floral designs and country motifs in blues, reds, and yellows. If this is your style, consider United Tile's Walker Zanger "Contessa" collection, which features hand-painted ceramic tiles based on French, Moroccan, Italian and even Chinese styles.

3. Mediterranean

Leather and wood furniture, iron accessories, and mosaic tiles are endemic to Mediterranean design. Tile countertops are also common. If your home has a Mediterranean feel, check out United Tile's stone mosaics and travertine collections.

Coastal, Arts and Crafts, Mid-Century Modern, and Asian are also popular styles in modern home design. Your home might feature a different dcor mode in each room - no problem! Just match your countertop design to the style in your kitchen.

Once you have a solid design, the next step is to build it! Or, you could always call a tile countertop expert to do the construction work for you.