tile backsplash-can it change widths around room?

17 years ago

Hi,

I'm edging toward final decisions. We're DIYers and I think of myself as a new one-time-only kitchen designer (and as such, I'm prone to mistakes, but trying not to make any big ones).

So... Our kitchen sink is not centered under our kitchen window. 3 ft. wide window and the left half of its double bowl is under the center. Look, it's OK with us. Let's move on to the issue of backsplash.

There are two narrow upper cabinets next to the two sides of the window and the left one abutts a corner cabinet (upper). Along the next side is the stove.

Can I build a tile backsplash up to the bottom of the upper cabinets near the sink and around to stove backsplash, then on the other side of the stove, drop the height of the tile backsplash to a lower height?

Oh, when I write it, it sounds awful. I don't know what to do. I don't want the water splashing up behind the sink, but I was planning to have just a 4-6" backsplash, and leave some painted wall showing. I like seeing painted wall, and I don't (sorry, I know it's popular) love the tile that goes up to the base of the cabinets. To me, that makes the room look chopped up. I have a sign. amount of paint to show above my cabinets, around two windows, etc. and I love my paint color.

Plus I can barely afford any tile, so it's not "Show time" with tile, it's a luxury.

I could just go with laminate backsplash, but, um, I think that looks a little dull, and besides my walls are a bit bumpy because I did the mudding and taping myself.

OK, that's enough to solicit comments, I hope.

Green walls (nice sage-y green), natural cherry cabs, natural cherry flooring (lighter), and probably NOT the oiled soapstone counters, but instead a lighter colored "frosted glass" by Wilsonart.

Thanks, all. Any help. If you need pics tell me and I'll try to oblige.

Naan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Fori
17 years ago
So you want it higher in some places than others? That's not unusual at all, although less common now than it once was.
naan
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes. Could I vary tile height from about 5" on my left wall and left of my stove, to higher/14"/to meet upper cabinets/window sill on my right-hand wall?

ANy hints how to make it look good? Size of tile?
Related Professionals
Frederick Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Murfreesboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Petersburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Akron Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Baltimore Kitchen Remodelers · Spartanburg Kitchen Remodelers · Clarksville Kitchen Remodelers · Taunton Kitchen Remodelers · Rutland Kitchen Remodelers · Glenwood Springs Kitchen Remodelers · Mountain Home Custom Countertops · Bartlesville Custom Countertops · Charleston Custom Countertops · Fresno Custom Countertops · Coos Bay Custom Countertops
katybee001
17 years ago
I'd go small in scale.
I renovated a rental property and got some great decorative glass at a Tile Outlet. Roughly $8/ft2. Glass was rectangular (.75in x 1.5in), set in brick pattern, mounted on some kind of mesh fabric to make it easy for laying ... great look and not labor intensive.
nicoletouk
17 years ago
The way I'm reading it, it sounds unattractive. If you don't want a lot of tile, why not just have a 6" splash all around your counters and only change the height behind the range to a full height splash? Why would you go up to under the wall cabs in some areas but not others?

Nicole
vasue VA
17 years ago
Since you don't want any more tile than necessary, you might start above the sink & carry that same height around the L, tiling higher only above the stove. Look at the space between your counter at the sink & the bottom of the windowsill molding & decide how much wall needs splash protection there. Same with the area above the stove.

Once you have an idea of height for the backsplashes, determine how wide you want the stove splash & draw a sketch with measurements of all the backsplash areas. From that you can figure how many square inches/feet you'll need of backsplash & get an idea of cost of tile or any material you're considering.

If you go with tile you may want to use a size that fits neatly in the regular height to make it easier on yourself. One that also fits neatly across the width of the stove backsplash would be ideal. Both will look better & minimize cutting. You'll need to work up a pleasing layout of the tiles with grout spacing, usually starting with the area above the stove & working your way out to the ends of the counter from there. A good tile book or online resources will tell you what's involved & how to proceed.

Have fun with the possibilities!
naan
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, everyone.
I'm settling into the idea of an 8" tall backsplash all around the room (more over stove). Finding some options I can afford. Thank you for your patience and help!