Make a Daring Black Splash in Your Kitchen
Tired of your dull, dated kitchen? Make a bold design move with one of the hottest trends right now--the dramatic black backsplash. Dark, daring, and utterly chic, black splashbacks inject a serious dose of drama into any cooking space. Beyond just aesthetics, a black backsplash offers clever spatial illusion, works with any style, and comes in a range of materials to suit every budget.
In this post, we'll explore all the intrigue and possibilities of the deep, dark backsplash. Let's delve into clever ways to integrate this captivating twist into your own kitchen.
Choosing a Black Backsplash Material
The black backsplash offers plenty of alluring material options. From glass to ceramic and natural stone, you can create a gorgeous monochromatic splashbehind your stove or sink in various finishes and textures.
Glass Tiles
Sleek glass tiles make a refined and modern black backsplash. With their luminous finish and easy wipe-clean function, black glass mosaics bring dark drama without the maintenance of real stone. Their polished look works beautifully in contemporary spaces. However, all that shine can also show water spots and smudges.
Cost-wise, glass tiles hit the middle range. Handmade art glass splashes run on the pricier end while mass-produced varieties prove more budget-friendly. Popular styles include subway tiles, pennny rounds, and hexagonal mosaics.
Ceramic Tiles
For another classic option, glossy and matte black ceramic tiles impart durability and an elegant allure. Glazed ceramic withstands moisture and stains while its color remains fade-resistant over time. This makes it ideal for heavy-use areas prone to cooking mess. Though durable, dropped pots and pans can still crack ceramic tiles.
Black ceramic tiles price on the lower end, making them an accessible choice for most budgets. Their versatility also allows them to coordinate seamlessly with other finishes like wood, quartz, and stainless steel.
Marble Slabs
On the luxury end, solid black marble backsplashes create an ultra-elegant accent wall with gorgeous veining and swirls. No two slabs look exactly the same. As a high-end natural stone, it brings an organic, artful style to modern and traditional kitchens alike. However, marble requires careful sealing to prevent stains and etching over time.
Due to quarrying and production costs, black marble sits at the highest price point among black splash options. Though still less than onyx and granite, expect to invest for this premium material. The natural beauty and seamless coordination may prove worth it for stone-lovers.
Alternative Budget-Friendly Materials
If cash runs short, affordable black backsplash alternatives exist to mimic the luxe stone aesthetic. Self-adhesive vinyl tiles offer a temporary peel-and-stick solution costing $3-6 per square foot. The vinyl material resists moisture, stains, and damage while installing in minutes with an adhesive backing.
Another budget option includes black chalkboard paint. At around $20 per gallon kit, a fresh coat of chalkboard paint transforms a tired backsplash into a customizable message station. For renters, contact paper also brings a reusable black finish for short-term stays.
Designing with a Black Backsplash
Before installing, consider how a black backsplash can enhance your kitchen's existing design. Here, we'll review attractive color pairings, styles, and creative layouts to inspire your own black splash.
Complementary Color Schemes
While black matches virtually any palette, certain schemes make it shine. For contemporary contrast, white and black kitchens feel fresh yet classic. The duo lets both colors stand out beautifully. Or introduce black as an accent in an all-white space for definition.
Black and gray schemes project an elegant, neutral look in harmony together with rich metal finishes like matte brass or bronze. Want liveliness? Use black as a neutral backdrop to give bright pops of color bold impact. Try coral, navy blue, chartreuse, or other vivid accent shades.
Styles that Work Well
On the style front, black backsplashes help create several aesthetics beautifully. In modern spaces, a sleek obsidian glass or marble mosaic backsplash enhances the sophisticated vibe. The deep hue also brings out broody industrial interiors with exposed metals and concrete.
For traditional rooms, black provides a stylish twist on classic white subway tiles. Instead of stark contrast, black has a grounding effect in old-world style kitchens when used strategically. Choosing softer black hues like charcoal or dark gray helps it blend with wood cabinets seamlessly.
Layout and Installation Inspo
Now for the fun part--envisioning creative ways to install your daring black splash! For full drama, consider a floor-to-ceiling black glass or ceramic installation behind sinks or stoves. Geometric mosaics in triangular, diamond, or octagonal shapes also add beautiful dimension.
Don't overlook your backsplash trim too. Painting surrounding trim black amplifies the striking effect while thick shelf molding atop a black splash frames the space stunningly. Use floating shelves, plate racks, or open shelving to break up the expanse further.
Clever Uses of Black Backsplashes
Beyond beauty, the versatile black backsplash serves several strategic functions for kitchen spaces both large and small.
Visually Expanding Small Kitchens
For diminutive kitchens, black has an ingeniously expanding effect. As the darkest shade, black recedes visually, making walls appear farther away. This can make a narrow galley kitchen feel more spacious. Using glossy finishes or reflective materials helps augment the room-expanding illusion even more.
Balance dark colors strategically too--keep floors, countertops, and cabinets lighter to prevent a closed-in effect. Accent with well-placed task lighting. Under cabinet lighting casts a gorgeous glow on a black glass tile backsplash at night.
Adding Drama and Interest
No wall does drama quite like a black backsplash. Deeper than navy and brown, true black captivates as a moody yet versatile neutral. Applied behind the kitchen sink or stove, black mosaic glass, marble, or ceramic tile steals the spotlight as a focal feature wall.
It also beautifully frames those workspace areas. Black's slightly sinister color wrapped around your oven or prep zone intrigues in the best way. It brings a hip, artistic element reminiscent of chic, big-city lofts.
Finish Off A Moody Aesthetic
For maximal impact, an obsidian backsplash nicely completes other dark, intimate design elements. Already incorporating black stainless appliances, matte black cabinets, or heavy wood tones? Adding a black backsplash ties the look together handsomely.
Together, the moody mix creates a subtly provocative, straight-from-the-pages-of-Elle-Decor vignette. Designer secrets like brass inlays, open shelving, and modern sconces only amplify the worldly, well-traveled effect further.
Black backsplashes bring an element of sophisticated surprise to kitchens craving a hot makeover. With clever spatial tricks, stunning style-blending potential, and accessible options for every budget, the obsidian splash flaunts serious upgrade power.
Dare to go to the dark side with this captivating trend and discover the depth, versatility and intrigue a serious black backsplash can bring into your home.