Really Cool Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

The kitchen backsplash serves several purposes. It is both decorative and functional. The backsplash behind the stove serves to contain splashes or cooking messes. It should therefore be made of an easy to clean substance. This backsplash can also be decorative. Backsplashes in other areas of the kitchen can be more decorative and need not be quite as functional. Here are some ideas for unique kitchen backsplash:

Chalkboard Paint. Paint the wall above one of the counters with chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint is available in spray can form and can be easily sprayed onto the wall. It is available in black or green; however, black would be more appropriate for a kitchen backsplash. This is a fun and useful backsplash and can be used for a menu board in a French or Italian themed chef's kitchen. Favorite recipes could be written directly on the wall as well as shopping lists. Another fun idea is to write a favorite literary or motivational quote right on the wall.

Magnetic Paint. Simply apply magnetic paint to the backsplash and use the wall to post favorite recipes, coupons, photographs

Tile. Buy some plain 4 inch ceramic tiles along with a few decorative tiles and arrange them on a flat surface to determine the design. Use premixed tile adhesive/grout. First spread the adhesive onto the wall, then place the tiles. Finally spread the same adhesive/grout premix onto the wall and down into the cracks between the tiles. Rinse and wipe dry.

Stainless Steel. Call around to local metal shops and purchase a sheet of stainless steel. Some metal shops will precut the piece to your wall with cut-outs for the outlets and electrical switches, if you provide a paper template. Use craft paper that comes in a large roll at the craft store and pre-fit it to your wall. When you pick up the stainless steel, it will have a protective plastic coating on it. Leave this on until you have installed the backsplash. Use silicone caulk adhesive to adhere the stainless steel to the wall. Construction adhesive such as Liquid Nails can also be used. Use silver colored silicone caulk to carefully trim the edges. Tape edges off first as this caulk is very difficult to clean off of stainless steel.

Paint. This is the lowest cost and easiest kitchen backsplash to make. Simply paint a back ground color. Then add stencils, stamps, or a quotation. If you are artistic this can be done by hand. Otherwise purchase lettering stencils at the craft store or search on-line for wall quotation for your kitchen backsplash.