Hi there! Welcome to the “Ask Alexa” series. I’m Alexa Drees, the Design Center Director at Drees Homes, and I’m excited to bring you weekly tips, advice, and answers to your dilemmas to help make designing your dream home an easy and enjoyable process. Each week, I’ll be rolling out a new feature. (If you missed our first video, you can watch it here.)
In our inaugural spotlight, we kicked off the series with a discussion on all things backsplash. We covered strategic considerations to help you feel confident and secure in your design decision. This week, we’re going to take a deeper dive into color selections and smart material options as well as quickly touch on the designs we’re seeing less of these days.
The #1 Color Trend that will Stand the Test of Time
Neutrals will always be a favorite. A new white, warm gray or beige backsplash will be an elegant backdrop to any lifestyle. These tones have a long lifeline, and you can mix in trending colors through the use of accessories, dish towels and window treatments.
Bold Trends for the Color Enthusiast
If willing, I encourage adventurous homeowners to go bold with a color they love. Blues and greens are definitely trending right now and you’ll find these colors in just about every material and shape. Adding color to your kitchen is a great way to express your personality through design.
A New Take on Material Selections
The trend of wood paneling and painted shiplap has been used in almost every area of the home, and now it’s spreading to backsplashes. Paired with white cabinets, it creates such a nice crisp look. If the appearances of real wood behind the countertop scares you, explore wood-like tile for a durable alternative. You can also consider other materials that coincide with this rustic vibe.
Fading Trends
In particular, there are two backsplash styles we’re seeing less of these days. The 4×4 and 6×6 ceramic backsplashes are making way for contemporary and retro subway. Additionally, the linear 1×1 mosaics of glass and stone mix of days past have graduated to more sophisticated, subtle tones.
Next week, we’ll be providing solutions for real homeowner design dilemmas. For the first look at our new segments, be sure to follow along on Facebook. We look forward to having you join us on this journey of design explorations!
All the best,
Alexa Drees
