Our kitchen is tiny. We wanted to integrate a little light and reflection into it, so we installed this backlit glass backsplash. We had a piece of laminated starfire glass cut to size. We then devised a wood and aluminum angle frame to hold it and wired linear lighting fixtures within the frame...
We can now use the top of the backsplash as a shelf for spices and the lighting is perfect for tasks at the countertop.
The glass's reflection bounces natural light around the room and makes us feel a little bit better in the tiny space. As far as storage cookware, our daily stuff is on the open shelves but the rest is in a pantry with food and kitchen linens. We've posted some of the components in the past:
10 No-Fail Decor Tricks & Tips for Small Spaces
Beth's Romantic & Retro Residence
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Shaw's Original Fir...
How to Bake a Potato: Three Easy Methods
How To Cook Tender, Chewy Wheat Berries on the Stovetop
that's super smart! how easy is it to change the bulbs?
That's great - what kind of lighting did you use? I'm thinking of undercounter lighting right now and would love some kind of cool backsplash too.
Wow, I wish I had the knowledge to do this. My kitchen is just as tiny and with no windows in the back this would bring light into that space. Good job.
nice
i love this idea!
would be great to get a sense of dimensions - where the fixture fits into the frame, - how you change the bulb, etc..
definitely interested in the particulars like what kind of bulbs and how do you change them? i've got TWO windowless kitchens (mine & the tenant's) and am contemplating putting a small guest house in my back yard where the shed used to be (thanks, katrina, for blowing that thing over!).
also, is that a picture hanging to the left of the stove? or is it a cubby? if it's a cubby, that would make a great spice rack.
re your undercounter fridge: i just bought a 4.1 cu.ft fridge friday to replace the tiny little dorm fridge i've been using for the past 2 years. i call it my big girl fridge. it's most awesome. i'm thinking that eventually i'll have a stand w/a drawer built so i can put the fridge on top (i'm not much of a stooper) and keep cooking/baking things in the drawer below.
Very smart, innovative and stylish.
On a sidenote; that is the smallest stove I have ever seen!
Hi- Love the idea, but more details, please! what kind of lighting fixture did you use? (long-tubed undercounter types or something with several little lights scattered around)? Is it hard wired or does it plug in somewhere? And how do you turn it on/off? And what is "laminated starfire glass"? Would just frosted white glass do the same thing? Thank you!!
Uh people...she posted a link to the lighting fixtures at the end of her post: Super-Sleek T5 from Brodwax
OK not to creep you out...but we basically did the same thing in our apartment..only we mounted a mirror in that area to open up the space. However when we did that, little did we know that we created a perfect dark, moist zone for cockaroachs to roam about and lay their eggs in. Within a few weeks we had a huge infestation. You have to remember roachs like three things, which is why they are mostly found in kitchen areas - surfaces they can rest in/behind, moisture, and heat. Putting something like this on the wall only makes it easier for them to congregate --they can get in ANYTHING - and would love to have a little roach farm living above your sick. I dont want to be a downder, but I am just suggesting that you repost here in a few weeks/month or two with what you find.
There's a shelf from Ikea that is internally lite. (Can't remember the name) Bet you could do an easy Ikea Hack with simular results. At least i'm gonna try it.
Randyland - we've had the backsplash in for about 18 months now, and no roach farm yet. But your story does freak us out!
like this a lot!
The IKEA Liesta light seems similar to the Brodwax fixture...