Splashbacks are an important part of any kitchen design. If you haven’t heard the term before, it’s the material that covers the walls above your kitchen countertops, protecting the walls from splashes.

Generally, splashbacks come in two designs: short extensions of your kitchen counter (usually about four inches high) or a full-wall of tiles.

Both designs offer their own pros and cons, and it can be tough to choose which one to go for in your kitchen. To make life a little easier for you, we’ve put together a quick guide that should help you decide.

Short splashback pros and cons

Pros

Creates a cosy atmosphere

Short splashbacks make walls look smaller. This helps to create a cosy effect in your kitchen, making it a comfortable space to relax and spend time.

Cost

With a lot less material required, and taking less time to install, this sort of splashback is usually a more cost-effective option than a full wall feature.

Simple, complimentary design

With a simple, straight-line design, this type of splashback can compliment a vast range of different kitchen design styles and when crafted from the same material as your kitchen worktops, can help create a sleek, uniformed look and feel to your kitchen.

Sustainability

Using less material also reduces the environmental cost of your kitchen.

Cons

Not the best for protecting your wall

Whilst a smaller splashback can help create a cosy look and feel to your kitchen, it may not be high enough to prevent splashes on your wall when someone tall is working in your kitchen.

Susceptible to wall staining

It’s important to ensure that a bead of grout is installed along the top edge of your 4-inch splashback. Otherwise soapy water, sauce or oils could seep into the wall behind.

Careful colour matching

As with any aspect of kitchen design, it’s important to consider colour matching. And that remains the same as your splashback. Poor colour matching can result in your splashback clashing with the surrounding surfaces and cabinets.

Can make spaces feel smaller

Whilst it can help create a cosy atmosphere in bigger kitchens, it can often make small kitchens feel even smaller and so this is something to be wary of if you are working with a small kitchen.

Can appear outdated

The smaller 4-inch splashback is more of a traditional choice. This can make it feel outdated compared to larger full-wall splashbacks, which are more common in contemporary kitchen designs.

Full-wall splashback pros and cons

Pros

Ties your kitchen together

A full-wall splashback is a great way to tie your worktops into your cabinets. The effect can be a clean, cohesive look to your kitchen. Great for people who want something a little more modern.

Variety

Where short splashbacks generally use the same material as the worktops, full-wall splashbacks are typically tiled. This offers an opportunity to add some creative flair to your kitchen.

Protect your walls

If you’re anything like us, cooking can cause quite a mess! Sometimes, such a mess that short splashbacks aren’t quite enough. This is where full-wall splashbacks can really shine — protecting your walls from top to bottom.

Cons

Higher cost

It depends on the material you use, but generally more material equals a higher cost. There’s also the extra cost of labour, as a full-wall will take longer to put up than a short backsplash.

More modern look

Full-wall splashbacks are quite distinctive and give your kitchen a more modern look. If that’s not what you’re after, then they probably aren’t for you.

Environmentally less friendly

As with the higher cost, more material also means more environmental cost. So if you want to cut your carbon footprint, maybe go with a shorter splashback.

Find out more

Still, have questions and want to talk to an expert about your kitchen splashbacks? Give us a call today.