That was more or less the question I received recently about this kitchen.
This homeowner had some of the cool patterned tile that had been used on the floor, left over, and wanted to know if she should use some of it on the backsplash since the wall behind the cooktop was so plain.
The floor tile looks great and provides a big design statement in this kitchen.
The cabinets are sleek and rather contemporary. It's a clean, European style look, in my opinion. I like the possibilities that those open, blank walls create.
However, I didn't think she should repeat the same tile from the floor on the walls.
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Here's why.
I feel like the floor was made to be a special feature with the application of that pattern. If it was repeated on the wall, it would be too much of a good thing and would diminish the impact that the floor makes.
I suggested something like an elongated subway shape, a handmade, undulating surface would be nice, so that it would show up as a tone on tone texture on the wall. The wall pattern would then play a more supporting role in the overall design but still be an interesting feature.
I actually felt the big problem here was the hood not the lack of a backsplash tile.
It's probably sized okay for the size of the cooktop, but the existing hood doesn't scale with the wall and it's way too far above the cooktop to be effective. I suggested a 30"-36" wide unit, scaled to match the oven below to balance that look.
I also suggested that it be hardwired in by an electrician, so that you wouldn't see it plugged in. Any backsplash done there, would draw your eye to that hood and the plug, so addressing that issue first would be most desirable.
Wouldn't this hood look amazing on that wall? This is my absolute favorite vent hood in the world, from Zephyr.
Zephyr vent hood designed by Fu-Tung Cheng
Oh, and I mentioned that if she was going to tile the walls, then she should remove that slab splash for a cleaner, more impactful look.
NEED MORE HELP ON KITCHEN BACKSPLASH DESIGN?
Check out this content upgrade on backsplashes, available in my outlet shop.
I've written so many posts about them, including Designed in a Click reader Q and A example posts, that I can't keep track of what I've written.
I finally took some time to assemble them all here in this downloadable pdf for sale in my outlet. If you need a guide to help you make some decisions on your backsplash design, you should check it out.