A question for anyone who is remodeling their bathroom, recently moved into a new house, or just got a new vanity: should you get a backsplash for it? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a backsplash is a vertical surface of tiles that is designed to protect the wall behind a countertop. But is there really a need for it? Should every single bathroom have a backsplash for the vanity, or are there exceptions? Why do so many people question whether they should have it or not? After some research, these are the answers that I found.
Because of the protection and ease of use, a backsplash is a necessity for a bathroom. When installed properly, it protects the bathroom, makes it easier to clean, and shows off your personality. A lot of kitchens have backsplashes to keep the food and moisture from destroying the wall, and that same normality should be extended to the bathroom. While not every bathroom is made for a backsplash, they should have it as a safety measure and for aesthetics.
Vanity Backsplash is a Perfect Wall Protection
The most important thing to look for in a backsplash is how well it will protect your wall. The bathroom is a hotspot for inadvertent splashing or damage on the walls, which can lead to a drywall getting damaged and getting moldy or warped. Damage to drywall can be irreversible and can become extremely difficult to replace. And yes, it does take a lot of water to cause that amount of damage, but after months and years of constant use that a bathroom deals with, that kind of damage will keep building up. A little extra information on the great use of a backsplash can be found here.
There is also the issue of higher traffic bathrooms needing more protection from water damage because of the number of people going through. So why risk the damage and money to fix it several times, when there is an easy one time fix of a backsplash? There are other natural disasters that happen to the bathroom walls, such as toothbrushes, hairdryers, or soap bottles hitting them, which cause dents and chips in the walls. But these things can be easily prevented by a backsplash around the bathroom vanity, even if it is a small 4 inch one. The beauty is in the ease of it all.
Vanity Backsplash Helps with the Ease of Cleaning
A backsplash makes it a lot easier to clean the wall because it’s easy to just take a rag or a sponge and wipe down the wall. It also prevents water from going behind the vanity so it won’t end up damaging the walls anywhere around the vanity. Waterproof materials are easy to just wipe off when it is dirty or wet, which is different from drywall because they don’t have to be dried afterwards to prevent damage. For example, tile or glass backsplash can be easily wiped down in a couple of seconds without worrying about drying it afterwards.
Another cleaning plus is that any scratches, bumps, or chips can be easily prevented or fixed quicker after adding a backsplash because they are usually cheaper and easier to fix with DIY methods instead of having to cut out and replace a whole portion of drywall.
Backsplash Provides a New Look
Another one of the most important things to look for is how the backsplash looks to you. The aesthetic of the bathroom is important because that’s what you see several times a day and what guests see when they are over. So picking out how the backsplash looks is one of the most important decisions, but a fun one because there are so many different materials and different heights to choose from for the backsplash. The decision depends on how you want the bathroom to look, and a good place to get started is this website.
One of the most popular types of backsplashes is a glass mosaic because of how many different colors and shapes there are to work with. It makes shopping for backsplashes fun and easy because it can match with any color that the bathroom is painted. Another popular backsplash is a tile background. The only difference is the size, but both are pretty and can just as easily match with the paint.
Range of Choices and Heights
There are infinite heights that can be used as a backsplash, ranging from just 1 inch tall or spanning the whole wall. The most common height of a backsplash for a bathroom vanity is a 4-inch ledge layout, which is just enough to protect the wall from the natural disasters that happen in the bathroom. This small of a backsplash doesn’t seem like much but it is an easy minimum height because it can be added onto an already installed vanity and a natural creative touch for the bathroom. But there are limitless options to choose from, and some good ideas can be found here.
The backsplash can easily be transformed into a full wall as well, becoming a focal point and giving the wall a dramatic effect. When it is transformed into a full wall, it often spans from the floor to the ceiling and every inch in between. This adds full coverage of the wall, but also something to draw someone’s eyes when they walk into the bathroom. That is where a creative touch can be added and where the room can be opened up. The right shade of paint paired with the right backsplash makes the room seem cleaner and more open.
Easy and Fun Ideas for Backsplash
There are several types of materials that can be used as a backsplash, as long as it is a waterproof, non-absorbent materials. This creates a wide range of materials, including things such as glass, wood planks, or brick. A lot of these materials are budget-friendly, so it makes for a great combination of creativity and a project that is easy on the wallet.
Different materials comes with a different variety of benefits, such as a different texture or a range of colors that the stores don’t quite provide. It creates more ways to add a personal touch when decorating a house while also having the many benefits that come with a backsplash. It becomes a lot easier to choose and decorate once all of the options are laid out, and with a variety of materials, it becomes a lot more interesting.
Colors, Patterns, and Shapes
There are so many different ways to set up a backsplash, depending on the colors, patterns, and shapes of the backsplash chosen, that it can seem overwhelming. But depending on what you choose for your bathroom, it can make the backsplash pop against the paint. If you pick a light green paint, having a full wall brown tile backsplash would make the whole bathroom pop with colors. That is only an example because there are so many other ways to add that personal touch, such as using different shapes like rectangles, squares, or a mix of them.
Another positive about shapes is that they can add the illusion of more space in the room, making the backsplash help the bathroom feel roomier. To get started with some ideas for different shapes, colors, and patterns, check out this website. When combining shapes and colors, it becomes a beautiful pattern that makes the bathroom stand out above the rest.
The Texture to Wrap It Together
There are a thousand ways to make it have a more personal aesthetic touch than a normal backsplash, such as a detailed edge or an engraving in the material. This adds some texture to the backsplash and makes it add more personality and layers to your bathroom. The texture is important because it makes the wall pop more and puts an extra creative touch when chosen. Another common way to add texture to the backsplash is to have all of it be the same color and material as the sink, but have just a small part of the backsplash raised from the rest, like a border.
When working on pairing the perfect bathroom vanity and backsplash, having colors, texture, and patterns makes it the most creative it can be, or having at least two of the three. It makes your bathroom stand out above the rest and become a talking point of the house’s decoration. A combination of anything creative, especially done the way you want it, makes the house and its rooms even more perfect for you.
When looking into backsplashes, it’s important to do what you like and to consider how much the bathroom will be used and decorated, and most importantly: how creative you want to be with it. There is no limit to the amount of ideas that can be done, and no limit to how many materials can be used. It is always important to take everything into consideration and have a fun time with the project!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few things you can do when your vanity doesn’t have a backsplash. One option is to install a tile backsplash yourself. This is a relatively easy DIY project that can be completed in a day or two.
Another option is to purchase a vanity with a built-in backsplash. This will eliminate the need for any additional installation work.
No, you generally don’t need a backsplash in a powder room. A backsplash is generally used to protect walls from water and other moisture, but since powder rooms are typically small and have little traffic, they’re not as prone to moisture damage. However, if you want to add a personal touch or if you feel like the room needs something extra, a backsplash can be a fun addition. There are tons of different materials and styles to choose from, so you can find one that suits your taste and your budget.
Does it look better to have a side splash on a 65inch single sink vanity when just one side is against the wall?