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When installing Carrara marble countertops in a kitchen or bathroom, it would be a wise investment to decide if you wish to add a backsplash in the process. A backsplash and countertop combination can raise the property value of your home and create a beautiful design that will dazzle your guests when they enter the room.
Choosing the right backsplash is key as Carrara marble is known as a luxury stone. You will need something equally as elegant and lavish for it to blend. Once you finish reading our guide, you will know exactly what type of backsplash will go with your Carrara marble countertops.
Carrara Marble Facts
Carrara marble is not like any stone on the market. It is a highly coveted stone that has been incorporated through human history as interior design material, construction material, and artistic expression. The name alone evokes a sense of high-society and is seen as a symbol of status when decorated in the home.
As lovely as Carrara marble is, there are several disadvantages which some may consider a problem. Unlike other stones, marble is exceptionally delicate and soft. It can be easily scratched and chipped due to its low hardness rating. Marble is very porous, allowing food matter, soap residue, or acidic material to become trapped in the stone which leads to staining or etching.
It is very important to keep marble safe by cleaning it often and sealing it regularly to prevent staining and etching from ruining your expensive Carrara.
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Importance of a Backsplash
To clarify, a backsplash is a protective layer of chosen material to repel stains from grease, water, or damage to the wall. A backsplash is a separate layer near the countertop, which can extend a few inches to completely up the wall and to the cabinets or ceiling.
When choosing a backsplash to complement with Carrara marble, there are three key points to consider:
1. Material: what is the backsplash made from?
2. Colors: what colors match with Carrara marble?
3. Designs: what designs, patterns, or shapes do you want your backsplash to have?
Answering these three questions will provide you with the ideal option for your backsplash.
Backsplash Materials
An advantage of choosing a backsplash is the wide variety of materials that can be utilized to serve its purpose.
Ceramic: Ceramic backsplashes are some of the most common options due to their high durability, affordability, ease of installation, and near infinite range of colors, styles, and options to choose from.
Glass: Glass tiles are also extremely popular as a backsplash option because they are easily customizable, easy to clean, and affordable.
Stone: Stone backsplashes have many subcategories which all match exceptionally well with Carrara marble. Popular stone backsplash choices are marble, granite, quartz, and quartzite. Each stone has its own advantages and durability which makes them a perfect counterpart for Carrara marble.
Wood: Wood backsplashes must be sealed to prevent the wood from warping as it will be constantly bombarded with grease and water. That being said, wood is always aesthetically pleasing, adds personal and natural charm, and contributes by inserting texture to the room.
Stainless Steel: Nothing is more resilient than solid steel being used to protect your walls. Stainless steel backsplashes are easy to clean, very durable, but quite costly.
Mirror: Mirrors are both functionally and visually pleasing as they protect your walls from spills and can bounce sunlight to illuminate the room. Installing a mirror backsplash provides the illusion of more space as it reflects the room back outward.
Backsplash Designs
A backsplash can be designed with any number of playful, simple, or customized patterns.
Geometric Designs
Geometric backsplash designs incorporate geometric shapes like triangles, squares, hexagons, and more. These patterns are creative and mesmerizing, catching the viewer’s attention quickly as they enter the room. Geometric designs can work well with Carrara marble when the shapes, colors, and designs match to create a full pattern from countertop to backsplash.
Sparkling Designs
Sparkling backsplash designs are shapes that shimmer and shine to create bright colors. When paired with beige or tinted Carrara marble countertops, the room can feel warm and playful with spectacular colors dancing on the countertop surface.
Customized Designs
Customized backsplash designs are the most creative option for DIY and artistic homeowners. After choosing a specific material you want to incorporate, you can make your own designs by painting the tiles to whatever you like. Make it a group project where each member of the house creates a tile and have them placed to form a family mural in the kitchen or bathroom.
Clean Lines
The simplest and most popular option is having clean and clear lines as a backsplash design. Carrara marble is an elegant stone with clean lines and a plain stone color. Why not match that simple radiance with something equally simple and radiant?
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Backsplash Colors
As you have noticed, a backsplash is highly customizable to fit any pattern, design, and material a homeowner could ask for. This makes choosing the best color to match with Carrara marble a little tricky since each color has its own meaning and tone when installed.
White: White portrays the room with a clean, bright, and open space. The most purchased type of Carrara marble is the white stone Carrara. So, having a backsplash made of a similar or slightly different shade of white will match perfectly.
Black: Black colors provide a room a sense of closed space, clear division between sections, and the illusion of depth. A black backsplash would provide you with a clear separation between the Carrara marble countertops and choice of cabinets. Visually speaking, black and white have always been an iconic color combination which has proven appealing for all.
Warm Colors: Warm colors like beige, brown, red, gold, and certain tints of white are known to create a comforting and relaxed feeling in the room. The best example of warm colors can be seen in spas or massage parlors where they want to create a serene and peaceful environment. Using these warmer colors as a backsplash would add color to your kitchen or bathroom without taking away from the regal marble stone.
Neutral Colors: Neutral colors like grey are the combination of white and black; making it ideal to be paired with either color. A grey backsplash complements the countertop and cabinets by adding empty space for you to appreciate the brighter colors better.
Carrara Marble and Backsplash Examples
As much fun as it is to come up with backsplash and Carrara countertop combinations, it can be difficult and frustrating by putting things together and seeing what works and what does not. Which is why it is good to get inspired by researching what has worked for others to see if those ideas resonate with you.
Utilizing an online visualizer, you can change the backsplash to any material and design you want to match the Carrara marble countertops. Here are a few popular options that people most often request with Carrara marble countertops.
Black and White Mosaic Tile
Elegant, visually appealing, hypnotizing, and captivating, black and white mosaic tile always looks great with Carrara marble countertops.
Glass Tile
Installing glass tiles with Carrara marble countertops helps bounce the exquisite stone’s clean colors back into the room. Glass tiles reflect natural sunlight from nearby windows, giving your Carrara marble a better chance to grace your room with its luxurious presence.
Marble or Stone Backsplash
A marble backsplash will always go with marble countertops. Other stones like granite, quartz, and quartzite are exemplary materials with stronger durability, and can pair with Carrara marble if the coloring is similar.
Stainless Steel
You will not find anything stronger as backsplash material than stainless steel. Stainless steel has a neutral grey coloring, allowing it to accent Carrara marble countertops particularly well as it highlights the natural stone. Creative homeowners can mix the artificial durability of steel with natural stone for a pleasant combination of old and new in the home.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect backsplash to match with Carrara marble countertops will take some creativity and research. Homeowners will have to know what colors they like, what material to use, and what patterns they prefer to truly feel like they have the best combination.