KITCHEN DESIGN
Splashbacks are not just practical – they can add impact and character to your kitchen design in many ways
TILED FEATURE
‘Kitchen splashbacks in tiles are a great way to create an interesting and easy-to-clean surface,’ says Louisa Morgan, director of Mandarin Stone. Available in a huge range of plain and patterned designs, colours and formats, you can choose a tile with as much impact as you wish – from a bold look to draw the eye and create a focal point of the hob area, or a gentle neutral to blend with your scheme. ‘Porcelain tiles have low porosity, making them resistant to staining,’ adds Louisa.
‘Choose a tile with a smooth surface for easy maintenance.’ Makes sure your tiles are suitable for walls, as some are too thick and heavy for hanging. And check whether the type, such as encaustic, needs sealing.
STONE
‘With its striking veining patterns, stone creates a stunning focal point in your kitchen,’ says Elizabeth Sherwin, creative director of Naked Kitchens. ‘Neutral stone is a timeless and versatile option, allowing you to change the surrounding design elements without clashing with the splashback.’ Seamless slabs of stone also mean no grout to keep clean.
Natural stones, such as marble, are available in beautiful patterns and colours with no two slabs identical, but tend to be porous and require more regular care than engineered stones, such as quartz and porcelain. ‘Consider how the stone will complement or contrast with cabinetry, countertops and flooring in the space,’ advises Elizabeth.
UPSTAND & BRICK
Exposed brick lends character to a kitchen and teamed with a quartz surface with an upstand, as shown here, can be a practical solution. Jenny Thomas, sales designer at Tom Howley, advises, ‘We would recommend a sealant for any exposed brick walls because bricks are difficult to clean,’ she says, noting that the hob in this design is on the island, so the brick is not subject to cooking splashes. And the upstand protects the wall from water from the sink.
‘The height of your upstand and splashback should be dictated by your appliances and architectural interest in the room. For example, if your upstand runs to a window, it looks better to have it at the same height as the sill.’
PAINTED WOOD
While a splashback is designed to protect the wall from water, grease and messy splashes, it also adds a decorative feature to your room design. James Arkoulis, creative director at Howark Design, chose painted wood for a recent project. ‘The panelling is a contemp
