Skip to content
Home » Should Backsplash Go On Side Walls? (Pros & Cons)

Should Backsplash Go On Side Walls? (Pros & Cons)

  • Zak 
backsplash, should you use backsplash on kitchen walls

Backsplash is a beautiful, strong, and popular panel for walls used by most homeowners. Generally, they’re used in a kitchen and on specific walls. But, should backsplash go on side walls?

A backsplash should not go on side walls because they are primarily used or installed on the wall directly behind the stove, sink, or countertop. The purpose of a backsplash is to provide an attractive but protective barrier against splashes, spills, and stains that occur during cooking or meal preparation.

It is common for spills and splashes from oils, sauces, and liquids to stain and discolor paintwork. Furthermore, moisture from heat during the cooking process has the ability to damage or crack certain types of paint.

Countering this with a backsplash that is typically comprised of tiles like mosaic offers moisture resistance and stain resistance. They’re also easy to clean and maintain, as they don’t require special products or treatments.

Aesthetically speaking, an argument could be made for this, but to what end? A backsplash installed on side walls may be overwhelming and quite costly.

You could stylize sidewalls with paint, bricks, metal, stone, wall paper, additional cabinets, or shelves instead of a backsplash.

The main reason against installing backsplash on sidewalls is that there’s no need for it. The sidewalls are usually out of harm’s way during the cooking process.

They’re not prone to direct contact with liquids or food, resulting in less damage, discoloration, or fading.

If you were to install a backsplash on the side walls, it would only be for aesthetic reasons. To do this, you should first consider the size of the kitchen, the cost of the backsplash, and the overall style you are trying to create.

Types Of Backsplash

what are the different types of backsplash, kitchen backsplash

There are 10 types of backsplash, and they are as follows:

  1. Glass tiles
  2. Ceramic tiles
  3. Porcelain tiles
  4. Marble
  5. Stone
  6. Wood
  7. Stainless steel
  8. Peel-and-stick laminate
  9. Granite
  10. Slate

The cost of sourcing and installing each type of backsplash will vary, with some being more expensive than others.

What Is The Best Type Of Backsplash?

types of kitchen backsplash, best backsplash for kitchen

Judging by the purpose of a backsplash, we can deduce that the best type of backsplash offers superior resistance to damage from moisture and splashes of hot liquid while also offering longevity in appearance and easy maintenance.

When choosing any type of material for your home, you should always consider whether it is porous or not.

Porous-based materials are natural, like stone or wood.

This type of material is strong and usually treated with a protective coating for moisture resistance, but it is not water-proof. This means that they have the ability to absorb liquid.

This could result in damage or discoloration over time. So, if maintenance and longevity are your primary concerns, opt for a nonporous backsplash.

Ironically, some of the best-looking backsplashes are made from porous materials.

Be that as it may, they are strong and resistant to damage as long as you address exposure to liquids within a reasonable time.

If aesthetic appeal is your primary concern, consider some of these natural-based tiles, panels, or slabs, like stone or wood.

I just want to emphasize that just because something has a porous cell structure doesn’t automatically mean it’s weak or incapable of withstanding exposure to liquid.

Liquid resistance is measured on a scale, and different types of natural-based materials have varying degrees of resistance or tolerance to exposure.

What I’m trying to say is that despite not being water proof, there are certain types of tiles or materials that can perfectly handle exposure to moisture within a kitchen without suffering from damage or discoloration.

Should Backsplash Be Lighter or Darker Than Countertops?

dark kitchen backsplash, kitchen backsplash

Whenever you’re debating about whether a backsplash should be lighter or darker than countertops, think about whether it will enhance the appearance of it’s surroundings. That’s my main factor to consider before choosing a specific color or tone.

The darker color is usually going to stand out more than the lighter color. If they’re the same color, the darker tone may stand out more than the lighter tone due to the saturation, brightness, and contrast levels.

So, it naturally follows that the darker tone will be more noticeable in that area or in the room at large.

Let the backsplash be bolder and darker if you want it to draw attention to itself and be accentuated by the countertops.

If not, then the backsplash should be lighter than the countertops to enhance their appearance.

Final Thoughts

If I’m being honest with you, I don’t believe that a backsplash should go on side walls. In this time of minimalistic and clean design, you should just reserve the backsplash for certain areas of the kitchen and leave the side walls alone.

If you were to decorate the side walls, opt for some other type of decorative option, like wall paper or paint. It’s more affordable and mitigates the risk of designing a cluttered and busy kitchen.

More importantly, you’ll have more freedom to redecorate the sidewalls in the future since they won’t have backsplash installed on them.

In the event that you are sold on the idea of installing backsplash on side walls, just be sure to have a distinct style in mind and avoid using colors or styles that conflict with the rest of the decor.

With that being said, I hope you found this article on whether backsplash should go on side walls to be helpful. Be sure to check out some of our other interior decorating articles linked below.

Related Posts:

Should a kitchen sink be centered under a window?

Where should a kitchen be located in a house?

Should kitchen cabinets match interior doors?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *