If you walk into any model home or look at the pictures inside any kitchen and bath designer’s portfolio, you’ll see that the walls in both the kitchen and bath almost always feature backsplashes. This element is almost always included because the walls in the kitchens and bathrooms of most homes are prime areas for attracting stains and water damage.

But the reality is that backsplashes offer a variety of benefits that most homeowners probably don’t even think about. Here are five ways installing a backsplash on your kitchen or bath walls can make a difference in the look and feel of your home.

A Backsplash Adds a Personal Touch to the Room’s Style

The walls in the kitchen and bath are like open canvases. Sure, you can paint the walls any color you wish, but nothing adds a stylish and personal touch like installing a backsplash of unique tiles. Today, there is an endless array of interesting and colorful tiles to choose from. Let your imagination and creativity be your guide and you’ll be able to design a one of a kind kitchen or bath that’s truly representative of your style.

 A Backsplash Protects the Walls Beneath

In the kitchen, the walls behind your sink and stove can attract all manner of foods and liquids. If the walls are left bare, the foods and liquids will unfortunately stain the walls and in some cases, even start eating away at the surface of the wall itself, leaving the area prone to mold and mildew build-up. In bathrooms, bare walls are highly susceptible to water damage, which can increase the risk of mold and mildew in this room as well. And in severe cases, the water-damaged walls can even compromise the structure of the room itself. By installing a tile backsplash over these surfaces, you’ll be sealing and protecting the wall beneath the tile because the tile and grout are impervious to moisture (as long as a sealant is properly applied).

Backsplashes Help Keep Pests Out of the Kitchen

Kitchens that don’t have backsplashes tend to be more prone to pests because when you have a backsplash installed, the wall is entirely sealed. There is just no way for pests to infiltrate the kitchen through the gaps in the drywall because there are none!

Backsplashes Make Cleaning Quick and Easy

Despite the beauty a well-designed backsplash can add to a kitchen or bathroom, what homeowners really love about this element is the fact that they make cleaning so much easier. In most cases, all you have to do is wipe down the backsplash with a damp cloth or sponge and the task is done.