Which backsplash tile materials and patterns are extremely "of the moment"? Are there any backsplashes that are starting to look dated?
Glass tiles in types of shapes, like these in the form of subway tiles, continues to be popular for kitchen backsplashes.
Lori Carroll, Interior Designer: Probably the most popular choices today are travertine, slate or granite in a variety of forms. Randomly or as a border, I also use wood and metal accent tiles to add even more dimension to a backsplash. Color, more than actual material, probably makes a kitchen look dated. Neutrals or even vivid colors are decidedly more appealing than "pretty" pastel shades of the past.
Lisa Elkins, Architect: Glass has been popular now for a little while, but it's really beautiful, so I think it's going to be popular for a long time.
Anna Marie Fanelli, Showroom Owner: The hottest backsplash material is glass! In any format: sticks, mosaics, 4-inch x 12-inch, 12-inch x 12-inch, and let's not forget custom glass patterns. In addition, stone is always popular, especially water-jet borders and patterned formats. The tumbled distressed stones seem to be less popular.
Lori Kirk-Rolley, Tile Industry Professional: Basic tumbled stone backsplashes without decorative elements have lost popularity, but adding a decorative element or other types of tile into the backsplash design, in addition to the tumbled stone, can make a beautiful yet timeless backsplash.
Verdict: Decorative elements-like borders comprised of assorted materials-add fresh appeal to the outdated look of plain tumbled stone backsplashes. Glass tile remains hot, and designers expect it to continue as a popular material choice for backsplashes.