Sarasota Backsplash tile

A backsplash is the easiest place to bring color, texture or a stone look into a kitchen or a bath. Compare ceramic, mosaics, stone and large-format porcelain panels side by side in the Oracle Flooring & Design showroom in Sarasota.

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What should you plan for in a backsplash?

Start with what's already there: the cabinets, the counter and the light. A backsplash sits between them at eye level, so it either ties them together or becomes the thing everyone remembers about the kitchen.

Bring a cabinet door, a counter sample or a few photos. In the showroom we lay tile against them, so you see the whole wall before anything is ordered. If the cabinets are new as well, choose them first. We've worked with custom cabinet makers for years, and we offer cabinets and vanities from budget-friendly to high-end. Our own custom cabinetry shop opens soon.

Planning your backsplash

What works where?

Does the layout matter?

As much as the tile itself. A straight stack feels modern, a running bond feels classic, and herringbone or chevron add movement. Seeing the pattern laid out against your counter shows you the difference before you choose.

What does each material bring?

  • Ceramic tile: glaze, color and handmade looks, in shapes from subway to hexagon.
  • Mosaics: glass, marble and shell in small pieces, for accents, curves and niches.
  • Large-format porcelain: one panel with almost no grout, a marble look at full scale.
  • Natural stone: real veining and texture, sealed so it keeps its looks.

What about outlets and the edges?

Outlets and switches get cut around, so where they go is settled with the layout. Where the tile stops, at the end of a counter or beside a window, the edge gets a matching piece or a slim trim. Plan both with the tile, not after it.

Questions we hear

What is the easiest backsplash to keep clean?

Glazed porcelain or ceramic with tight grout lines, or a single large porcelain panel behind the cooktop. The fewer joints, the less there is to scrub.

Should the backsplash match the counter?

It should work with it. A busy counter wants a calm backsplash, and a plain one can take color or pattern. Bring a sample or a photo of your counter and we'll lay options against it.

How high should a backsplash go?

Most run from the counter to the upper cabinets, about 18 inches. With open shelves, a window or a range hood, taking the tile to the ceiling makes the wall one finished surface.

Can natural stone go behind a cooktop?

Yes, sealed and cared for the way its maker recommends. Porcelain with a stone look gives you the same look without the sealing.

Ready to plan it?

Bring your measurements and a few photos to the showroom, or have us come out for a free estimate in your home.

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