apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I don't know if you can do it yourself, but what about glass tiles. They have some nice colors, and you could get some that will go with whatever color countertop you have in mind.

I had a similar kitchen and had a mirror backsplash installed -- it looked fantastic; really opened up the place, and pulled the room together.

If I was going to put in a backsplash I would not do stainless in this kitchen. First off I do not think that it goes well with your cabinetry and the style of the kitchen.

Also I would wait until you decide to put in new counters before I put in a backsplash. Taking those counters out after a backsplash is put in would most likely damage your new backsplash.

If you like a metal finish there is quite a selection of metallic finished ceramic tile that comes in a variety of colors. It does take a little skill to cut the tile but if you are handy it's not too difficult to get the hang of it.

Have you considered painting the cabinets? I think that may be the solution. Then they would go nicely with stainless steel.

If you are going to make any changes to that kitchen, which I'm sure you will, I wouldn't spend much time or energy on a backsplash now.

The appliances do not match, as you mentioned the countertop is bad and the cabinets...

I'd go for a different paint color and some wall features like a functional rail or even the stainless panels from Ikea.

I'm just afraid that if you did something too nice you may get used to the kitchen the way it is and may not make the changes that you want to make in the future.

If you are looking for inexpensive, versatile, and classic: white subway tile. My husband and I had never tiled anything before in our lives but put in our subway tile backsplash in just one weekend. Home Depot carries the tile for about $15 for 10 square feet. You'll need several different tile cutters as well. But you can't beat it for the look at the price.

I would take out that microwave and install a stainless steel over-the-range vent hood. If you cook at all, a vent hood will really help keep your kitchen (and whole apartment) looking and smelling clean.

If you install a vent hood, you won't need a stainless steel backsplash. The painted wall would be fine, or you could use glass tiles or other easy-to-clean material.

To update your kitchen further, install new cabinet doors. DO NOT paint your cabinets, because painted wood gets dirty quickly and is very difficult to clean.

If you'd like to achieve a more modern look I think you could just by changing the appliances to a "stainless package" by GE for instance, change the countertop as you mentioned, as well as the sink and put some stainless door pulls on the cabinets. But in this case, I would put in a glass backsplash.

I wouldn't put in a new backsplash until the new countertop is installed - and then get one without the 4" lip on the back - you'll want to have the tile or whatever go all the way to the counter.

Also wouldn't do metal - glass mosaic tile would be much better.

Since everything is so mismatched as it is, I'd try and play up the black/white/green with mosaic tile in that combination. I also have an older kitchen and I brought stainless into it by accent pieces (rail system for gadgets, small appliances and containers, etc.) but I think a whole stainless wall won't work well here.

We have a similar issue coming up. We're putting in new counters, and I'd like to wait until it's all in to choose a backsplash. My husband seems to think we have to do it before the cabinets go in though. What do others thing?

I second the mirror backsplash comment. While it's not technically a backsplash the mirror does prevent the walls from getting wet and dirty and when clean it looks great but there it does take more of a commitment to keeping them clean. We just bought simple square mirrors that can be taped to the wall. It's inexpensive and easy to remove for your future remodel. Here's what ours look like.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83878962@N00/2295093077/in/set-72157603997320989/

I agree that stainless wouldn't go well with the style of your kitchen, but I also think that in a very short time that steel will just be incredibly played out, if it isn't already.

I think the number one easy/cheap think you could do to improve the look of your kitchen is to paint the cabinets. I nice glossy white would really brighten and modernise the room.

Honoriag, my parent's painted wood cabinets look as beautifully white and glossy as the day they were painted, 15 years ago.

If you do decide you like the stainless look, it's pretty easy to do. Instead of actual stainless, try aluminum. You can get a roll for about $20 at home depot. It's really easy to install--You can either glue it up, or try a few strategically placed nails (that's what we did). It's a huge improvement in our kitchen and looks pretty great.

Stainless steel... not now. Not with the current kitchen.

I think glass tiles would look nice (worth the 2 years until you decide to do more).

I have a piece of stainless sheet metal behind my range... works well... looks funky 'cause my range is black. Broan to the rescue. (they're one of the makers of range hoods) You can buy panels that just screw in to the wall behind the range. They're 24" high and come in varied widths: 24, 30, 36 and 42". I bought mine in black (it has biscuit" color on the reverse) but it comes in white with almond on the back and the ever popular stainless. I spent $ 25. I'm sure it'll do 'till you start the full renovation. Here's the link:

http://www.broan.com/display/router.asp?ProductID=1293

By the way... I'm recommending the black... I think the black part of your range will blend into it and disappear making your range look as if it was a "slide-in" or "drop-in" model.

Cut out a small pieces of black, white and silver paper from a magazine and put it over the range section on your kitchen photograph... it's an easy way to preview your choice.

Please post an "after" photo. I'm sure we'd all love to know. We all live vicariously you know. ;-)

Hi Cindy,

I did a post on my blog recently that discussed different backsplash materials and design options. You might find it helpful. Here's the link to that post:

http://www.suzyrenovator.com/2008/02/backsplash-material-design-options/

The thermoplastic backsplash panels from ACP are a very economical choice and are available at Lowes, Home Depot and Menards. They come in a multitude of styles, not just the tin ceiling look you may have seen before. The price is so reasonable that if you did damage them when you get around to replacing the counter top, you certainly wouldn't be out much in the way of cash.

Although the manufacturer doesn't recommend installing these panels behind stoves, I have seen it done. You may want to see how much heat your oven gives off at the back when the temperature of the oven is high and be your own judge.

Although it would be great to make all your improvements in one fell swoop, budgets don't always allow - especially when it comes to the kitchen and the fact that you've just made a major investment by purchasing your new home. This is one of those time where I would encourage you to do what you can, when you can - it will all come together eventually!

Hope this helps.

We just installed Ann Sacks Penny tiles in our kitchen, which is very similar to yours. It's only abot $7.88 a square foot. You can check my flicker site at

http://flickr.com/photos/jjburke/

Just look under the "sets" tag and look for it labeled under "The cure"

I love mirrors! HOWEVER, I have always wondered why anyone would put them in a kitchen?? I guess it would be OK if your kitchen was only for show. If you cook at all, especially in a small kitchen, you would have to wipe your entire backsplash 3 times a day!

A relatively inexpensive solution that i used in my rental apartment was rubber floor runner ( http://www.door-mats.com/WideRibVinylColors.htm - i got mine down at one of the rubber stores n Canal Street - they had a variety of widths that they sold by the foot). I was going for a modern-ish look with similar cabinets so ran it in black horizontally, screwing it in every so often with silver hex head screws. You could do the white VERTICALLY to give an interesting look or go for one of the patterns - they have a grey that resembles brushed metal and with a bit of armour-all would shine similarly... Its easily cut with an exacto knife so installation would be very simple as long as you take accurate measurements.
Another option i have seen is to use sheets of plexiglass along the back - you could put fabric behind it , agasing the wall, and then the clear plexi on top - use screws to hold it in place & seal the seams with clear caulk. in that way you could achieve a very unique back-splash at a minimal cost