Is Travertine Backsplash Outdated? (Find Out Now!)

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans

Whenever you have guests over for a dinner party, you want to wow them. You want to wow them not just with your food, but with your home décor as well. That’s why you need to nail every single element of your kitchen, and that includes the backsplash.

While designing your backsplash, you will eventually have to choose a material for it. Should you consider using travertine for your backsplash or would that be an outdated choice?

Travertine itself is not outdated as a decorative material, but the way it is utilized can be. More specifically, the colors you chose for your travertine tiles could be outdated or they may be clashing with your décor. Experimenting with travertine finishes can also result in the creation of a unique backsplash that looks great inside your kitchen.

Will a travertine backsplash look outdated inside your kitchen? Find out the answer to that question by going through the rest of this article.

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The Importance of the Kitchen Backsplash

The backsplash plays an important role inside the kitchen. In there, the backsplash is tasked with providing protection. It is specifically designed to protect the back wall of your kitchen from potential damage.

Kitchen backsplashes are often installed in two different areas. First, you will usually see them installed behind the kitchen sink. In that spot, the backsplash is supposed to shield your kitchen wall from any splashing water.

The other area where the backsplash is usually installed is behind the stove. They are meant to protect the back wall from any splattering grease or other liquids coming from the dishes you’re preparing.

From a functional standpoint, the backsplash definitely has an important role to play. Still, you cannot overlook the fact that it also impacts your kitchen’s décor. Kitchen backsplashes are almost always in highly visible spots. It’s easy to notice them as soon as you walk into the kitchen. Because of that, you need to put serious thought into designing your kitchen backsplashes. Your material choice is also going to matter greatly.

Popular material choices for kitchen backsplashes include ceramic, porcelain, and stainless steel. Travertine is another option for you to consider.

Why Should You Use Travertine for Your Kitchen Backsplash?

Using travertine for your kitchen backsplash makes sense for two reasons. The first reason is the look of the material itself.

Travertine looks a lot like marble. Many homeowners have exhibited a fondness for marble’s appearance. They like how rustic it appears as it still presents an aura of cleanliness.

Travertine does a pretty good job of approximating marble’s look. It does so without costing nearly as much. That’s the other reason why people have become so fond of travertine.

Will a Travertine Backsplash Look Outdated inside Your Kitchen?

You can certainly choose to use travertine tiles to build your kitchen backsplash, but should you do that? Will the travertine tiles look good inside your kitchen or are they an outdated choice?

Travertine tiles are beautiful and they can add visual impact to just about any room they’re used in. If they end up looking outdated, that may have something to do with other design choices you made.

The Travertine Tiles Conflict with Your Kitchen’s Color Scheme

Take the time to consider what kind of color scheme you have in your kitchen. You may inadvertently be featuring an outdated color scheme. Regardless of how beautiful travertine tiles are, they will not shine in that setting. Look online for some ideas regarding modern color schemes. See if you can make them work with the pieces you already have on hand.

Also look to avoid color clashing inside your kitchen. If your cabinets already feature a bold color, don’t try to one up them with your backsplashes. Go with a lighter or more neutral color so there is more harmony in your kitchen décor.

There’s a lot of trial and error involved in getting your kitchen color scheme right. Still, there are more than a few options for you to consider if you’re using travertine tiles.

You Chose Unexciting Colors for Your Travertine Tiles

The colors you choose for your travertine tiles can affect whether or not they will look good inside your kitchen. A lot of people default to going with beige or walnut when choosing tiles. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those color choices, but they are used a lot.

If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, you may want to steer clear of those conventional color choices. The good news is that your color options aren’t limited if you’re using travertine tiles.

Those who want tiles with a richer and darker color can go for either chocolate or red. Travertine tiles in that color range have a very distinctive appearance. They are going to draw a lot of attention so you shouldn’t use them as accent pieces.

We also suggest looking at gray and silver if you want something different inside your kitchen. Travertine tiles in that color range are often used outdoors, but they can still work inside your home. They can highlight your stainless steel fixtures.

Gold and honey travertine tiles stand out because of their yellowish tinge. The brightness from those tiles can add something different to your kitchen décor. Use them if you’re looking for some accent pieces.

For those eager to try something really bold, some travertine tiles belong to the emerald color range. Those tiles are lighter in hue, but there’s a shade of green present in them as well. Emerald travertine tiles are going to pop if you have herb plants or other greenery inside your kitchen.

How Can You Make Your Travertine Tiles More Exciting?

Choosing the right colors will elevate the appearance of your travertine tiles. Beyond that, you can also focus on the finish of your tiles if you want them to feature a new dimension.

The tumbled finish is an intriguing choice for travertine tiles. Travertine tiles with that kind of finish look more natural and they have more texture. Going with the natural look is a good choice for those who want a more modern kitchen.

The saw cut finish is another fun option to try. This kind of finish also has a great deal of texture, but the appearance of the cut is what’s most striking.

You can also go in the opposite direction and choose something very clean for your modern kitchen. Polished travertine tiles are eye-catching and you can make good use of that quality.

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Related Questions

Can You Paint Travertine Tiles?

If you want your travertine tiles to feature a precise color, you can choose to paint them. Before painting, you will have to thoroughly clean the tiles and apply one coat of sealant. The addition of the sealant prevents too much paint from being absorbed by the travertine.Let the sealant dry and then proceed to paint your travertine tiles. Allow the paint to dry as well and then finish up by adding the final coat of sealant.


Which Kitchen Backsplashes Are the Easiest to Clean?

Stainless steel kitchen backsplashes are probably the easiest to clean. It’s easy to wipe foreign substances away from the surface of the stainless steel. That helps a lot because of how much liquid frequently ends up on the backsplash.Travertine tiles can also be fairly easy to clean assuming you sealed them. With no seal covering the travertine tiles, you’ll have to spend more time cleaning them.

Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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