Kitchen Backsplash Options

The backsplash could be considered the most important part of your kitchen's design. No matter what material you choose, it's a focal point. Tile tends to be the most popular choice — for its flexibility in style, budget and application. Whether your backsplash goes up to the bottom of the upper cabinets, reaches all the way up to the ceiling or falls somewhere in between, using one of these inspiring and intriguing tiles can add to your kitchen's unique look.

Exquisite Kitchen Design

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Laser-cut tile. These tiles are intricately cut with lasers to produce elaborate designs that are pieced together like a puzzle, as shown here.

Beware of the price tag on these tiles, as many of them are made of precious materials like quartz and marble, or handmade gold- or silver-backed glass.

Bella Spazio

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Mirror tile. Tiny mirrored tiles all assembled into one design create a mirrored backsplash with texture. Something like this is perfect for that area in your kitchen that requires an extra-special touch — like a buffet area, serving station or butlers' pantry.

Blue Sky Building Company

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Diagonal tile. Give ordinary tile a spin by placing it on the diagonal. Keep in mind that a diagonal layout means you'll need to order about 10 percent more tiles to complete your backsplash. Diagonal tile layouts also tend to be more labor intensive — more cuts are required at the top and the bottom — so the installer may up the price a bit.

Buckminster Green LLC

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Large-pattern tile. Big, bold patterns are in vogue right now — try placing one on your kitchen walls.Many companies produce overscale patterns that can be customized to repeat, much like wallpaper. 

With a large-patterned tile, it's very important to lay out your wall space thoughtfully, so that your design ends up looking even throughout the installation.

Fiorella Design

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Subway tile. One of the most beloved tile designs to date is the timeless and classic subway tile — so named because this type of tile is often used in subway stations worldwide.

Tile all the way to the ceiling to give this classic tile a fresh and more modern look.

Croma Design Inc

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Herringbone tile. Add loads of texture to your kitchen with tile in a herringbone pattern. Many tiles in the herringbone pattern can be purchased on a mesh backing (usually a 12- by 12-inch backing material on the underside of the tile that holds several pieces together), which means you won't have to lay out each and every individual piece.

Shirley Parks Design

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Specialty-shaped tile. Don't limit yourself to a square. Many manufactures take pride in offering unique shapes and colors. You should have no problem finding a manufacturer near you to get the color and shape you need.


The oval shape in this kitchen has a great retro feel.

Dayna Katlin Interiors

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Custom mosaic tile. If you have the budget for it, consider going with a design that is all your own. The design here was created with mosaic tiles, expertly trimmed piece by piece to create a stunning custom design. 

Some designs can be purchased directly from a tile manufacturer, and others can be designed and installed by an artist who specializes in custom mosaic tile design. It all depends on the look you're going for.

**Article taken from Houzz.com

Radiant floor heating

Heated bathroom flooring is not only a good investment, it’s a really nice feature to wake up to every morning. When temperatures outside drop, many of us start wishing we had such a feature. I spoke with Daniel Ortega, a heated-flooring expert at Siles Remodeling, about what homeowners need to know when discussing this option with a contractor.

There are two basic types of heated flooring:

• Electric radiant heat has an electrical current that’s applied to a heating element.
• Hydronic heating uses heated water that’s distributed through a complex tubing system.

“Both have pros and cons, depending on how many areas on your home you are planning to install the system on,” Ortega says. If you’re renovating the entire house, “a hydronic system is a good solution," he says, "but if you’re just adding this feature to a bathroom, the electrical system is the way to go, because it’s more cost effective and far less complex to install in a small space.”

We'll focus solely on electric radiant heat here.

Photo by Daniel Ortega

Installation. To install electric radiant heating, you’ll need an electrician and a tile installer. “They will work together to lay the heating cables, which are interlaced with mesh mats,” says Ortega. “The system gets sandwiched between layers of thinset and covered under ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tile. The cables are so thin that there is an indiscernible height difference between floors with the system and ones without.”


Photo by Daniel Ortega

Décoration et provence

Floor materials. Electric radiant heated systems are best covered by ceramic, porcelain or natural stone tiles, which are excellent temperature conductors. Wood doesn't respond as quickly to temperature changes, so it's not a good choice for this application, Ortega says.

HOUSEworks Design/Build General Contractor

Controlling the temperature. The heating system is connected to an electronic control, which includes a thermostat. The specific controls vary by brand. “Some offer features such as a programmable timer, which is a beneficial option during the cold months, when you can’t imagine getting out of your warm bed to step into a freezing bathroom,” he says.

Jennifer - Rambling Renovators

Safety. Ortega is quick to note that most heated floor systems in a bathroom need a dedicated 20-amp GFCI protected circuit because of the constant exposure to water. You don’t have to worry about burning your tootsies, though. Every heating system on the market has features that prevent the floor from overheating.

Megan Meyers Interiors

Cost. There are two types of costs to consider: the price of the system and your utility bill. Fortunately for consumers, new products are more cost effective in both areas. “Years ago radiant heated flooring was considered a luxury," Ortega says. Now, given the competition between manufacturers, prices have dropped substantially, he says.

Add to that the fact that you won’t need to blast your entire house in heat just to warm the bathroom. By limiting the heat to a single bathroom, you'll save on utility costs.

Esther Hershcovich

Though system prices vary per brand, Ortega says to plan to spend $900 to $1,500 to install a heating system in a 100-square-foot area, the average bathroom size.

As far as utility costs go, if you keep your floor's thermostat programmed to go on only first thing in the morning, you may find that your overall heating bill will drop, Ortega says. Ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles retain heat for a long time, resulting in warmth well after the system is turned off.

Katie Anderson Design Consultants - CCIDC #6679

Kerrie L. Kelly

Considerations. While a heated bathroom floor sounds ideal, it has its share of cons that you need to consider before making the investment. Ortega breaks them down:

• Installing a system will mean tearing out your existing floor; this may be painful in a recently built home.
• Older houses might need extensive electrical work to meet the manufacturer's requirements.
• If you need a repair down the line, you may be forced to remove sections of the floor to fix the problem.

Do you have floors with electric radiant heat? If so, what are your recommendations for others considering adding this feature?

**ARTICLE TAKEN FROM HOUZZ.COM

Bathroom remodeling costs

If you’re planning to remodel your bathroom, you want to update the look, increase resale value, add functionality, amenities and storage or a combination of all or some of these. Simple enough.

But the scope of the project depends on a variety factors — most of all budget, but also how long you’ve been in the house and how long you plan to stay there. As with most things, there are three levels of bathroom remodeling: good, better and best. In this new series, we’ll take you through the planning and execution process for remodeling your main bathroom.

Of course, the costs below are all relative and will depend on a variety of factors, including where you live, how old your home is and what kind of renovations have already been done. Remodeling a bathroom from the 1990s is a lot different than overhauling one built in the 1920s with mud-set floors and galvanized plumbing. “Older houses likely have had a series of previous remodels that we usually have to peel back the layers and see what’s there,” says Brad Little, president of Case Remodeling in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A look at three typical cost ranges
The first step is deciding which level of remodeling is right for you. Let’s take a look at three different cost ranges for bathroom remodels and common materials and finishes for each.

1. The Basic Bathroom Remodel
Often runs from $3,000 (DIY) to $12,000

What you might get: You probably won’t be able to move any plumbing around, but you could replace fixtures and other materials with stock, off-the-shelf products like you’d find in a big-box store.

Designer Lynn Madyson says this bathroom in New York is her example of a basic remodel. “Off-the-shelf options have gotten a bit better in recent years,” she says. “You can get a little creative by doing an interesting backsplash to make things look more high-end.”

Countertops: At this level, low-end granite and cultured marble are most popular.

Tile: Don’t expect to tile an entire bathroom, but you could do a bathtub or shower area with ceramic tiles or standard white subway tiles.

Walls: Apart from a bathtub tile surround or counter backsplash, painting the walls is the most affordable choice here.

Cabinets: If your cabinets are in good condition, you might just want to refinish or paint them. Otherwise, you’re looking at off-the-shelf units.

Lighting, fixtures and finishes: All basic, off-the-shelf products. Keep in mind that because the plumbing fixtures at this level have plastic pieces on the inside, they will likely need to be replaced every five to seven years.

Tip: You can make up for the stock materials by putting more focus on the accessories. Splurge on a nice light fixture or cabinet hardware. “Accessorizing will draw the eye more so than the type of tile you have, especially if you put up a shower curtain that hides it all anyway,” says Little.

Designer Louis Cook of PerfectView Remodeling says this bathroom falls into the basic bathroom remodel range. It includes a 24-inch vanity, a low-end granite countertop and a typical fiberglass bathtub-shower unit.

The clients splurged on large-format, 6- by 36-inch tile flooring that resembles wood. This put the project’s total cost at $12,650, Cook says. Without the material upgrade, Cook says it would have been around $10,500.

Here’s another one of Cook’s bathrooms that he puts in the basic category, between $10,000 and $11,000. The vanity has a single undermount sink and a granite countertop.

And the shower is an off-the-shelf fiberglass insert unit.

Who to hire: It’s recommended that you consult with a designer for any project, but if you’re somewhat knowledgeable, you can do it yourself or hire an experienced contractor to help. Generally, permits are not needed at this level.

A basic bathroom remodel is good for you if: Your budget is limited, obviously or if you’re looking to resell your home but don’t want to spend a ton to make it look nice, this option is for you.

2. Mid- to Upper-Range Bathroom Remodel
$10,000 to $35,000
Why the broad range? Well, location, materials, cost of labor and project scope play into it. For example, according to the Houzz Real Cost Finder, the average bathroom remodel in New York costs just over $32,000. In Mississippi it’s just under $14,000.

What you might get: Better fixtures, like a toilet with better flushing capabilities or faucets with better flow. And new features like flooring, a vanity, a sink, lighting, window treatments, hardware, a comfort-height toilet, a 36-inch countertop, a framed mirror that matches the vanity and a recessed medicine chest — all of which are slightly better quality than from a big-box store.

Plus, you can make a few more adjustments to the layout. Maybe you’ll put in a slightly smaller bathtub to make way for a slightly larger shower. Maybe you’ll slide a sink down and move the plumbing slightly to add a tall linen cabinet.

Countertops: A higher-grade remnant or custom piece of granite, marble or quartz.

Cabinets: Semicustom pieces with higher-end finishes — glazed instead of just stained — and decorative details like cabinet legs and intricate door panels.

The bathroom shown here, done by Case Remodeling for $30,000 to $35,000, is an example of a midrange bathroom remodel. It features porcelain tile, a his-and-her semicustom vanity, granite countertops and brushed-nickel plumbing fixtures.

There’s also a fully enclosed steam shower with an integrated bench.

Plumbing: You can make moderate adjustments to the plumbing, like moving the faucets or shower, but the toilet will likely stay in the relative same spot. “The toilet location is the tree trunk of the drainage lines,” says Little. “If you move that to an opposite side of the room, you’ll then have to change the showerhead, drain and faucet locations. If you can keep that where it is, do it.” You might also add separate valves for temperature and flow control and showerhead pressure.

Fixtures: You can upgrade the fixtures for ones with higher-quality copper or bronze inside, which will last considerably longer than off-the-shelf units.

Tile: At this level porcelain will be your new best friend. It’s more durable than ceramic and slip resistant, and there are more color, size and design options. “Even the low-end porcelain is nearly indestructible,” says Little. Porcelain tiles are designed to mimic natural stone, and the untrained eye can’t tell the difference. “Sometimes if you look closely, you’ll see repeating patterns of the same swirls,” he says. “That’s because it’s basically a photograph of natural stone tile printed on porcelain.”

You’ll have the option of doing more interesting borders and accent tiles, and you can tile the entire room instead of just a shower or bathtub area.

Walls: You can get a bit more creative with materials and do tile walls or real beadboard for a custom look.

Here’s another one of Little’s projects that cost around $30,000. The space is clad in porcelain tile. Frameless glass encloses the shower.

Little breaks down the possible costs of a midrange project like this: “The shower faucet, materials and labor could run $2,000; frameless glass, $2,500; tilework, $4,000 to $5,000. You’re already to 10 grand just for the shower,” he says. “A jetted bathtub is $1,500 to $5,000; a toilet, $200 to $500; granite is $1,000 to $3,000. That’s why the dollar amount per square foot in a bathroom is way higher than any other part of the house, including the kitchen.”

But it’s wise to spend the amount in there, Little adds. “You wouldn’t spend $300 per square foot in a bedroom. That’s just drywall, framing and carpeting. In the bathroom there are so many more durable finishes that will last 20, 30, 40 years. So it makes sense.”

The vanity is semicustom, and the fixtures are chrome.

Who to hire: You’ll likely have a team that includes a designer, plumber, plasterer, tiler, painter and other specialists. “It’s not going to be just a Joe of all trades,” Reynolds-Poulin says. This level requires permits.

A midrange bathroom remodel is good for you if: You’re doing a remodel for yourself and not because you plan to sell and move. You’re limited in the space or footprint, but you’ll still be able to do a lot more with finishes and fixtures and cabinetry.

3. The Deluxe Bathroom Remodel
$30,000 to $100,000-plus

This level is also known as a full gut job. Everything will go away, and you’ll put things where you want. You might also punch into an adjacent room for more space or punch out the exterior. The toilet and shower might switch locations, the bathtub might go away and a sauna might come in; all-new high-end fixtures, materials, cabinets, lighting and finishes can be added. Detailed molding, trimwork and tilework might also be included.

Cabinetry: Solid wood construction with custom finishes and decorative accent pieces.

Tile: Natural marble, limestone or granite, all of which are more labor intensive and difficult to cut. Natural stone requires more maintenance, but every single tile has its own unique character.

Plumbing: High-end finishes and parts.

Amenities: Steam showers and radiant floor heating.

The example shown here, by Case Remodeling, falls into the deluxe category. The cost was around $75,000, and it features radiant floor heating, natural stone tiles, a custom-built vanity and polished-nickel fixtures.

There’s also a freestanding tub with a freestanding faucet.

This project here is another example of a deluxe project. The cost was around $48,000. They removed a fiberglass shower; took out a washer and dryer; moved the toilet, bathtub and sink to different places; and added heated floors. Because this is the only bathroom in the house, it’s used not just by the homeowners but by guests as well, and so they were willing to put a little extra love into it.

The walls are real wood beadboard with deep molding. The windowsill is marble. The fixtures are polished chrome with porcelain handles. The toilet cost more than $1,000 alone, says the designer.

This master bathroom ($35,000) also falls into the deluxe range. The cost included all the tilework and plumbing and about $12,000 worth of custom cabinetry.

The 5- by 8-foot space features wallpaper, stained crown molding, porcelain tile floors, a granite countertop on custom cherry cabinets made by a local carpenter and cherry doors. There’s also a vibrant bronze finish on the plumbing fixtures, some glass accent tiles and a frameless glass door.

You can save money by checking out granite yards and stone yards for remnant pieces.

Who to hire: Depending on the scope, you might have an architect, engineers if you’re changing the footprint, a designer and all sorts of subcontractors, like a mason, a tile layer, a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician and a general contractor. It will require permits, plumbing inspections etc.

A deluxe bathroom remodel is good for you if: You have the funds, obviously. But at this level, you’re really getting the bathroom you want. Maybe you had been saving up for a new house, but with the economy you decided to stay put. Putting some money back into your home and making it more enjoyable for you is a good investment.

Planning for a Bathroom Remodel

Budget breakdown: Once you establish your budget and start hunting for materials, consider the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s cost breakdown as a guide:

• Design fees: 4 percent
• Installation: 20 percent
• Fixtures: 15 percent
• Cabinetry and hardware: 16 percent
• Countertops: 7 percent
• Lighting and ventilation: 5 percent
• Flooring: 9 percent
• Doors and windows: 4 percent
• Walls and ceilings: 5 percent
• Faucets and plumbing: 14 percent
• Other: 1 percent

Of course, it’s up to you where to spend and where to splurge, but this breakdown is a good starting point. Plus, remember to reserve an additional 10 to 20 percent for unforeseen costs that might come up during construction.

When to remodel: You can do a bathroom remodel pretty much any time of year. The most common time to start is during the winter or spring.

How long it will take: Expect a month or two of planning and picking out materials and finishes. Designer Leslie Molloy says many of her clients usually spend about four to six months doing their own research and figuring out their budget and project scope before contacting a designer. Expect three to eight weeks for construction, depending on the scope.

First step: Figure out which of the three levels of remodeling your project falls into, then start looking at photos of bathrooms to figure out what style, materials and amenities you want. Molloy advises not to get too carried away with planning before reaching out to a designer for help. Professionals can quickly assess your goals and budget to steer you toward what will work for you. 

**Article taken from Houzz.com