Outlet becomes a problem when you have a kitchen backsplash with large format tiles in your house but different ideas could be a troubleshooter. It happens all the time. Designers spend hours, weeks, and even months creating a beautiful kitchens for their clients.

Then sometimes you have to fix the tailgate outlet cover. No one likes the outlet cover when it disrupts an otherwise cohesive design.

Kitchens are increasingly opening up to living spaces, and everything from cabinets to countertop appliances has kept pace with the demand for beautiful kitchen components. It’s… except for the inconspicuous electrical outlet.

Power outlets have been pretty much the same for decades, and we don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. Obviously, more and more products designed to be cordless are hitting the market every day, but oftentimes kitchen staples such as blenders, blenders, espresso machines, and toasters still require a wired power supply.

In all but the smallest kitchen, there are plenty of opportunities to hide countertop appliances by placing them in tall cabinets or an appliance garage.

However, electrical codes require that outlets cannot be installed face up on a kitchen counter and that outlets must be placed on any wall with a base cabinet 12 inches or more in length and not more than 48 inches apart. The logic behind this code is that ideally, countertop appliances should be no more than 24 inches from an outlet.

While that makes sense, since countertop appliance cords typically don’t exceed 24 inches, the code requirement creates aesthetic challenges for an otherwise consistent design.

So, imagine you’ve just chosen the finest slab of marble or some other feature to design a kitchen backsplash because you want the unbroken look of natural stone and its inherent pattern or fresco…you may need to create cutouts to accommodate specified electrical outlets. so that your building permit inspector can pass your inspection and certify the actual use of the kitchen.

Codes generally allow outlets to be installed in three possible locations (always check your local code requirements with your contractor), each with its inherent advantages and disadvantages.

1. on the tailgate
2. Under the upper cabinet (bottom)
3. under the counter

Most existing kitchen containers are in the wall, and in those cases, if you’re not planning to remodel, the key is to minimize the presence of container lids. There are many ways to reduce the visible impact of outlet covers.

Install colored glass socket covers, which can be painted or painted on the back This is usually the cheapest way to repair a tailgate lid, as owners can purchase and install these solutions with a screwdriver.

Most major hardware stores have outlet covers in white, almond, and black. However, lighting manufacturers such as Lutron and Legrand offer outlet covers in a variety of colors and glosses.

Interior designers often have access to color and sheen swatches and can help you match your backsplash tile or stone as closely as possible to minimize visual distractions. Some hardware stores offer plastic outlet covers that can be painted.

In this case, you can take a sample of the backsplash tile or stone to the hardware store and color match it to create a custom paint, which you can then apply to the painted surface. Although this method is usually the easiest and cheapest option, one of the disadvantages of this method is that the lid can become covered in cooking oil from the air, which requires careful cleaning and cleaning.

more frequent and regular painting. Therefore, we recommend performance paints that can withstand frequent washing (my favorite is Benjamin Moore Aura). Also, choose a glossy finish so that the oil on the surface rubs off faster and easier than a matte finish. Keep in mind that high gloss paint highlights will stand out more than a matte gloss on a matte background.

If you have a glass tile backsplash or a painted glass backsplash, using a glass outlet cover will create the least amount of visual distraction because you can match the color of the tile or glass and the high gloss can be very close to an exact match.

This method is similar to the paintable cover mentioned above, except you will actually paint the back of the glass cover and install it with the unpainted side facing out. This leaves a shiny glass finish and makes cleaning and maintenance easier, as you can use a variety of surface cleaners and glass cleaners to remove oil stains without damaging the finish.

These are more expensive than paintable plastic covers and can be purchased online or at professional kitchen stores. Be sure to read the paint instructions to choose a paint that adheres well to the glass without streaking.

Different large format tiles

Large format tiles become commonly used dimension in the market as these tiles are offered in different materials. Looking for a unique style for your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room?

If so, large format tiles may be perfect for your space. Available in a variety of designs, colors, and patterns, this eye-catching floor comes in a variety of sizes to bring a unique style to any home. While many tiles are no more than 12 inches wide and 12 inches high, some tiles far exceed these dimensions.

When they do, they are called large format tiles. Large format tiles come in a variety of sizes, including 18″ or 24″ squares and 24×48″ rectangles. Some are even larger than 48×48, providing an eye-catching look and ample coverage for large areas. Large format tiles are one of the many floor types to consider for your home. Here are a few reasons why it might be the best fit for your space.

Large tiles create an optical illusion in a small space. Due to their larger size, your floors will break less. As a result, tiles can open up a small area, like a bathroom or kitchen, rather than the smaller tiles that can sometimes clutter or overwhelm smaller spaces. As a bonus, the large tiles quickly fill small spaces and installation is relatively simple compared to installing smaller tiles.

clean and polished look

Sleek and sophisticated, large checks create an upscale look no matter the pattern or color. Although large format tiles can offer a refined aesthetic, they are still available in a variety of price ranges, allowing you to fit them into your renovation budget.

almost endless styles

Look for wall and floor tiles that mimic marble, onyx, stone, wood, and a variety of other materials. Homeowners can easily match their tiles to their home décor by browsing floor tile patterns, colors, and price ranges to find the best fit.

Durable and low maintenance

Tiles have the look of stone and wood floors and the toughness you expect from either option. They are durable and reliable, giving you confidence in your choice. Large format tiles are also relatively easy to maintain. Its smooth surface allows simple daily cleaning. You can also seal most tiles to protect them from stains and scratches.

Where should I install large format tiles?

You can lay large format tiles in almost any area of ​​your home, but some spaces are perfect. For example, tile works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, as these areas are more prone to leaks and spills than other spaces.

In the event of an accident, waterproof tiles can help protect your subfloor from water damage. Large format tiles are also a great choice for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms. A variety of tile styles can bring warmth and comfort to your space while providing long-lasting wear resistance in the rooms you use most.

How to lay large format tiles?

For best results, install large format tiles only over a flat, well-supported subfloor. A reliable backing gives the tile the foundation it needs to maintain its appearance and prevents minor changes to the subfloor from causing cracking. Homeowners with uneven subfloors may choose to install self-leveling composite or tile backing over the wood subfloor. Not only does this addition help create a flat surface for laying new tile, but it also makes installation easier.

Before laying the tiles, decide on the pattern you want to use. You can lay the tiles in straight lines or choose diagonal, staggered, or other patterns to match the finished look. For example, wood grain tiles often look best when staggered like hardboard.

To set the tile, use a properly mixed mortar and appropriate trowel, determine the width of the grout joint, and use a spacer/lip kit for aesthetic installation. Follow the grout instructions. This guide will tell you how to maintain the optimum width between each tile and how best to use grout and mortar installations to increase the life of your floor.

Kitchen large format tiles

Over the past few years,  large format tiles become a trend for the kitchen. Large format tiles are defined as tiles measuring 15 inches or more on at least one edge. This type of tile is usually square or rectangular in shape and can be stone, porcelain, or ceramic.

clean, modern aesthetic

Large format tiles are a great choice if you like modern interiors. First of all, large format tiles look clean, uncluttered, and modern. It is incredibly visually appealing due to its smooth and unbroken surface.

Additionally, large format tiles are available in a variety of designs and materials. Even if you want to stick with porcelain because of its lower price, you can find large format porcelain tiles that look like marble, stone, concrete, metal, or wood. Large tiles have a visually expanded effect on small spaces.

Using many small tiles in a small room can create a busy, overwhelming aesthetic that makes the area appear smaller. Large-format tiles are quite the opposite! A helpful tip is to choose a grout that matches the tile so that the grout lines blend in rather than disrupt the smooth visual effect. For more information on using tiles to enlarge small spaces, click here.

Another advantage of choosing large gauge tiles is that there are fewer grout lines. Larger tiles provide more coverage than regular tiles and require less grout between each tile. Instead, the tiles appear as a continuous surface and can even create a “wallpaper effect”, making them a great alternative to painted or wallpapered walls.

As mentioned, large format tiles have fewer grout lines, which means easier maintenance! Grout is prone to staining and fading, and no one likes to scrub it and try to keep its original clean look. With heavy gauge tiles, there is less grout to deal with and the tiles themselves can be wiped down quickly and easily without special attention or care.

Because large-format tiles are so thin, there’s no need to install additional supports or redesign your home’s structure before installation. Some thicker and heavier tile types require additional preparation, but with large format tiles, you don’t have to worry about extra pre-installation steps. We mentioned that large format tiles tend to be thin, and because they’re made that way, they don’t use a lot of material.

Therefore, regardless of the material used, the price tends to be very affordable. Although it is recommended that the installation be carried out by a professional, the work generally does not take much time.

With a smaller number of tiles, there isn’t as much work to do, and since multiple lines of grout aren’t needed, everything becomes faster. In addition to its many advantages, there are a few disadvantages that you should consider before choosing large format tiles for your interior design projects.

Heavy

The biggest drawback of this tile is that it is heavy and inconvenient to carry. You definitely want at least two people who can move the tile around the area where it will be installed.

challenge the traffic

Consistent with our previous point, large tiles can be difficult to transport. Once there, you might have trouble if you can’t fit the tile through a door or up and down stairs to its final location. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you measure all potential problem areas before ordering tiles.

Professional installation required

If you’re into DIY projects, you may be disappointed to learn that it’s often necessary to hire a professional tiler to complete the installation. Although the job itself won’t take long, you’ll need someone with experience working with larger tiles to complete this project.

easy to break

Large format tiles are usually very thin, which is both an advantage and a disadvantage. The potential downside is that it is more susceptible to cracking during transport. Large format tiles are versatile and can be used in a variety of areas.