A popular trend in interior design is the mirror backsplash. It's a great way to add dimension and light to a small or cramped kitchen or bathroom.
Styles of Mirror Backsplash
If you like the idea of a mirror backsplash, you will need to decide whether you want mirror tiles or a seamless, solid mirror backsplash.
Seamless
If you want a seamless mirror backsplash, you can consult with a glass and mirror company to get the mirror custom cut and have it professionally installed. Although this can get expensive, kitchens and bathrooms hold the most value in your home.
Tiles
If you decide to go with mirror tiles, you can make it a do-it-yourself project. Most mirror tiles are self adhesive, however, it is a good idea to reinforce the tiles using a commercial grade tile adhesive to ensure the tiles don't fall off and break. Mirror tile backsplashes have other options such as:
- Solid mirror tiles
- Random mirror tiles
- Smoked mirror tiles
- Beveled mirror tiles
- Mosaic mirror tiles
- Colored mirror tiles
- Mirror tile sheets
Solid Mirror Tiles
With this option, you would cover the entire backsplash with mirror tiles. This would help add light and the illusion of more space to a small kitchen or bathroom.
Random Mirror Tiles
In this design, you would add the mirror tiles at certain intervals in between the other type of tiles you are installing on the backsplash.
Smoked Mirror Tiles
These tiles have a finish added to the mirrored glass that gives it a darker, smokey appearance.
Beveled Mirror Tiles
The edges of beveled mirror tiles have different beveled patterns in varying widths that border each tile.
Mosaic Mirror Tiles
Mirror tiles come in different sizes and mosaic tiles are very small, only a few inches across. This type of mirror tile works well for random placement with other kinds of tile. You can also cut or break up larger glass tiles to create unique and irregular shapes of mosaic mirror tile.
Colored Mirror Tiles
Mirror tiles come in many different colors. This gives you the option to create designs and patterns in your backsplash as well as adding color.
Mirror Tile Sheets
Mirror tile sheets make installing small, mosaic style mirror tile much easier and faster. Instead of installing each tile individually, mirror tile sheets come in long, narrow strips that are ideal for kitchen backsplash installation.Mirror tile sheets have a variety of different sizes and shapes of mirrors on them and also come in different colors.
Things to Consider
While the advantages of a mirror kitchen backsplash include adding light and the appearance of more space, there are also disadvantages to this type of backsplash. A mirror backsplash looks great when it's clean , but is not so attractive when dirty. Every splash of water while cleaning dishes will show on a mirror, as will the smallest of food splatters. Fingerprints will also show up easily on a mirror surface. Therefore, a kitchen or bathroom mirror backsplash will need to be cleaned daily.
You will also have to be careful with a mirror backsplash when placing objects on the counter so that you don't break or chip glass.
If you would like to avoid some of the disadvantages of a solid mirror backsplash, consider adding random mirror tiles to a ceramic tile backsplash. The random mirror tiles will still catch and distribute light throughout the room.
Where to Buy Mirror Tiles
The following online retailers offer mirror tile and mirror tile sheets:
If you're not sure how much mirror tile you will need for your kitchen or bathroom backsplash, take measurements of the wall space that you want to cover and then call or visit a local home improvement store like Lowe's or Home Depot for more advice before placing your order online.
