Limestone Tile Backsplash Ideas

Create a Highlight

• Install all the other parts of your kitchen before considering the backsplash. Choose the appliances, countertops, sink, cabinets and flooring first. Have everything installed, and leave the backsplash blank. Envision different shapes and colors of limestone, and take into account all of the colors and styles that surround it. Select your limestone tiles as a final highlight, which brings together everything around it.

Go European

• Natural limestone causes many people to think of a rustic European setting. They half expect to see rolling Tuscan hills, or a quaint French vineyard just outside the window. Use this mental reference to your advantage, and fashion your kitchen decor and design after the same model. In this case, the backsplash is the first element of the kitchen for you to select, and you build all else around the tone it sets. Consider hanging European prints, using an antiqued faux-finish paint, and purchasing European branded appliances, cabinets or dining wear. There are no limits to how far you can take the European motif, and it does not have to be a reference to the old, either. Modern European looks also incorporate the fine tile work of the past.

Create a Mosaic

• Consider mixing together several colors of limestone to create a mosaic effect. Limestone is available in any number of natural shades, many of which fit together well when combined. Select several of your favorites and create either a repeating pattern, or go for chance with a completely random arrangement. You may also incorporate stone or ceramic artwork into your limestone backsplash. Just place several similar or contrasting elements within your limestone tile pattern so they are evenly spaced and you will add another level to your mosaic creation.

Keep It Subtle

• Tumbled limestone tiles are more dull in color and smooth in finish than natural raw limestone. Tumbled limestone is a perfect neutral backdrop for use in kitchens with soft colors that would be overwhelmed by other materials. They provide rich style, avoiding the focus of your attention and allowing it to fall elsewhere.

Pluses and Minuses

• Natural stone tiles such as limestone have benefits including looks and durability, but they also have a few drawbacks. When installing natural stone tiles, expect uneven cuts, rough or fragmented edges, and any number of surface flaws. These are certainly part of the charm, but they may require special handling. Use mortar instead of thinset, make sure all excess grout is completely removed before it dries, and use a long lasting sealer to lock out moisture from your porous backsplash.