Kitchen
Green glazed subway tile
Highland, 2026
A backsplash in a magazine kitchen only has to look good. One behind a stove you use every night has to take steam, oil and a sponge most evenings. Choose for the second kitchen.
Glazed ceramic and porcelain do not absorb oil, and a quick wipe brings them back. Gloss shows water spots but cleans fastest. Matte hides spots but holds grease a little longer.
Zellige and other uneven glazes are still practical, because the glaze seals the face. Marble needs a sealer and patience: lemon juice and tomato sauce can etch a polished face in an afternoon.
Small tiles mean more grout, and grout is the part that stains.
Small tiles mean more grout lines. Behind the cooktop, larger tiles or a slab with fewer joints are easier to keep clean.
Finally, take the tile up to the underside of the cabinets and out to a clean edge, so it looks finished from every angle.
