Designing YOUR Perfect Backsplash

Updated: Apr 11

© 2022 D. Miko Design

There are so many gorgeous options for a kitchen backsplash today. We spend time and energy online and in person searching for the perfect look for our well-used kitchen. We’re so excited when installation day arrives. We promise ourselves we won’t peek until the job is finished so we can experience the full reveal.

It’s reveal time and we rush in to see our transformed kitchen in all its splendor. And that’s when we notice the white elephant in the room – the electrical outlets and light switches smack dab in the middle of our beautiful new backsplash.

It’s my biggest pet peeve!

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Beautiful marble design interrupted.

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Do you agree this pretty blue backsplash would look stunning without the white blobs breaking up the pattern?

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Admittedly, the black looks better, but it’s still too dark for the backsplash.

Are you ready for some good news?

Well I have it!

With some pre-planning (that’s where an interior designer can make a marked difference for you) this travesty can be avoided.

I have found there are 2 types of kitchen dwellers:

1. The Gadget Gurus – they want their most used small appliances on the countertops for the ultimate convenience

2. The Stylers – they want uncluttered countertops so their kitchen looks clean, styled, and ready for company at any given moment (obviously not during a cooking session)

Solutions for the Gadget Guru

For those who cannot live without small appliances on their countertops I enjoy a thoughtful placement of the outlets. If you’re renovating or building a new home decide which gadgets you want to showcase on your countertops and have the electrical outlets placed in those spots…and place them low. This way they are covered by the actual gadget and aren’t in your face.

If that type of pre-planning is overwhelming to you (and you aren’t working with an interior designer) you can still have your outlets placed inconspicuously.

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Here’s a perfect example of outlets thoughtfully placed for convenience and don’t ruin the designer backsplash.

But…let’s say you didn’t think ahead to ask the electrician to move the outlets/light switches or didn’t want to incur the extra expense. You have a couple of options.

Pretty switchplates – these covers can match your hardware to help make your kitchen feel cohesive.

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Faux painting – my favorite solution for this scenario.

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Can you find them? Such a fantastic job!

Solutions for the Styler

For those, like me, who prefer all those small appliances hidden behind closed doors there are a few different options to achieve the semi-minimalist look.

Under upper cabinets - I had this style in my last home and loved this style outlet.

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Countertop pop up - I love this version because it's almost seamless, no metal surround, just pure countertop.

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Hidden inside cabinet or drawer - always a great solution depending on local building codes.

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Because we moved the upper drawer higher to accommodate tall stock pots below, our contractor notched out the corner of the drawer. Honestly, we only did this to meet code because directly across from this cabinet is our island (see below), however we actually have used this plug on occasion.

Island solutions - when there is a beautiful island I don't want to see plugs on the side marring the gorgeous mill work. I love a clever way to hide the plugs. Yes, that Starbucks coffee is mine...I needed more energy to finish this post 😉