Thanks to the apparent unending product options available in the market, purchasing the right kitchen splashbacks can be a challenging prospect for a lot of people. This can be especially true for first-time homeowners. However, you also can’t deny a splashback’s importance in keeping the vital parts of your flat pack kitchens protected from messes that come with food preparation. If you’re currently having difficulty choosing the perfect kitchen splashback, you’ll want to read the following five tips to help you choose the one that’s right for your home.
Keep Your Budget in Mind
First, you’ll want to set a budget that you can work with, and you have to make sure to follow it. This might sound like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised how far you can go overboard, thanks to the sheer amount of choices available for splashbacks. After all, the overall cost of having a splashback installed can greatly vary due to a number of factors. And this doesn’t include the cost of installation yet. Indeed, you’ll want to mind your budget while you’re looking for the right splashback to avoid the risk of overspending.
Select an Appropriate Splashback Material
This is the part of the decision-making process where you might get stuck the longest. In truth, there can be quite a dizzying variety of materials that a kitchen splashback can be made from. However, you’ll likely only be realistically choosing from a few tried and tested materials. In particular, you’ll likely be encountering the following while deciding on a kitchen splashback:
- Glass. When used for splashbacks, glass is known to be highly easy to maintain since any stain can be simply wiped off. And since there are usually no minute cracks and crevices on the surface of glass, you also don’t have to worry about any mould or fungus finding a space to set in. It also naturally reflects light better and can make your space brighter. And if you want to heighten this “opening up” effect, you can also go for mirrored glass, which can make your kitchen look bigger while giving off an even more contemporary vibe.
- Tile. If you’re working with a more modest budget, you’ll want to go with tiles for your splashback. They are more than just the affordable option, however; they also provide a more traditional vibe if you’re going for a more old-school style. They also come in a greater variety of sizes that you won’t easily find when it comes to glass. Just keep in mind that you’ll probably need to seal the grout between the tiles to keep it clean and dry, preventing the development of mould.
- Stainless Steel. The initial impact of seeing a stainless steel splashback can be similar to seeing one made from glass. Indeed, its shiny exterior can imbue the kitchen a highly contemporary vibe, and the availability of various options for reflectivity makes it an even more attractive option. When compared to glass, however it’s main differentiating quality is its improved durability. However, it can be more prone to smudges, stains, and fingerprints. As such, you might need to wipe it down more often than most other options.
- Acrylic. If you’re looking for an alternative cost-effective option, you can also go for an acrylic splashback. Basically a toughened sheet of plastic, this material can be as easy as glass to maintain. It also tends to be available in quite a few designs, which can give you more options if you’re going for a particular style. However, take note that not every sheet of acrylic can be exposed to fire and heat without getting damaged. If you’re going for an acrylic splashback, make sure that the panel you select is fire-rated, especially if you’ll be installing it near your cooker.
These are just the most popular choices you’ll see while looking up kitchen splashbacks. You might also encounter other options that can give your kitchen a more unique vibe. But regardless of your final choice, what’s important is to always remember the advantages and disadvantages we’ve mentioned, you’ll want to choose the right material that matches your specific needs.
Go for a Style That Complements Your Benchtop
Building on our previous point on the right material, your kitchen splashback should also ideally complement your benchtop. Generally, it’s much easier to end up with a unified vibe if the material used in your splashback and your benchtop is the same. However, you can also get around this by choosing a splashback that’s darker than your benchtop. This should still allow you to end up with a visually pleasing result, regardless of the material or the colour of the splashback you’ve chosen.
Avoid Bright and Bold Colours
In addition to complementing your benchtop, your splashback should, of course, also match your kitchen. There are many considerations that you can keep in mind to ensure this. But most importantly, you will want to avoid choosing bold and bright colours if you’re not willing to deal with the implications on the upkeep. This is because they tend to show more signs of wear and tear over time, and they can even negatively affect your home’s resale value. In general, more neutral colours will work with most kitchens and are more timeless to begin with.
Take Your Time
Choosing the perfect splashback is a long-term investment. Kitchens tend to be the most expensive part of any home to renovate. As such, don’t hesitate to take your time if you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed. After all, you don’t want to have to renovate your kitchen another time, so soon after just having it done. At the same time, you wouldn’t want to get stuck for 20-plus years with a splashback setup that will end up being hard to maintain or incompatible with your kitchen’s styling.
Still, you’ll want to get a splashback sooner rather than later. Beyond being an additional decorative element, it also helps keep the space where you prepare food as clean as possible. Make sure to get one installed once you’ve finally decided on the right one for you.