What is a Faux Backsplash?

A backsplash is a protective covering or barrier that most commonly extends from countertops to cabinets and is often found behind stoves and sinks. The purpose of a backsplash is to prevent the wall from becoming damaged by food or water during food prep and cleanup. A faux backsplash is a backsplash designed to look as though it were made of a different material. Some examples include the faux tin backsplash, the faux stone backsplash and the faux granite or faux brick backsplash.

A faux backsplash can be as effective as a traditional backsplash when done properly. Layering colors, adding shading and using a washable paint will provide a higher degree of protection to the kitchen walls. Consider a protective coating of polyurethane over the completed faux backsplash to preserve it and to make the surface easier to clean.

A faux tile backsplash can be created with low-tack tape, a pencil, a ruler, and some paint. Draw a tile pattern and tape off the sections, leaving evenly spaced gaps for grout lines. Paint the walls a darker shade of the existing wall color and let it dry thoroughly before removing the tape. The effect will be light-colored tiles with darker colored grout lines.

Creating a faux stone backsplash or a faux brick backsplash is similar to the tile method, but the shape of the sections and the colors used are altered to match the specific backsplash in question. Use a variety of oval and oblong shapes for a stone look and a traditional rectangle shape for a brick appearance. Select paint colors to match the specific materials and create the grout lines in the same manner as with a faux tile backsplash.

For a faux granite look, paint the wall a dark background color and use paint spatters to create the multi-colored appearance of granite. For best results, use a minimum of three colors for a more authentic appearance. Granite comes in a tremendous variety of colors, so this faux finish is easy to customize to the decor of the home.

The addition of a faux backsplash is a quick and inexpensive way to update the look of a kitchen. Less expensive than a full kitchen remodel and more effective than simply painting the kitchen a new color, the addition of a faux backsplash gives a modern and custom appearance to the kitchen walls. It’s also a simple matter to paint over the faux backsplash should color palettes change or a different look be desired.