Idea 4: Choose a Glossy Subway Tile Backsplash
Gloss is your friend in a small kitchen. A classic white subway tile with a glossy (not matte) finish reflects light across the room like a mirror, doubling the sense of brightness. Run it all the way to the ceiling behind the range or sink for maximum effect — the unbroken vertical line draws the eye up and makes ceilings feel taller. Handmade-look tiles with slight variation (like Bedrosians’ Cloe) add character for about $8–10 per square foot. Keep grout lines thin and light-colored so the tile field reads as one surface.
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