I would end with the counter, it's a tough one though. I'm sure it's going to look great!

End at counter too

counter. why did they leave a large overhang there next to what I assume will be an appliance? now you will have a gap all the way down.

You end at the COUNTER TOP EDGE. Yes, it extends an inch beyond the cabinet! It must, to protect the cabinet side!

A back splash is simply the stylish sister of the lowly and less stylish counter top riser. If that four inch riser ended an inch short of your counter edge, or went beyond it.......would you not consider your fabricator insane or in error?

Yes.... you would. And that is why you end tile at the EDGE of that top. Please.

After further research I see this is a common dilemma and people for both sides are quite passionate. My cabinets (upper and lower) are infact aligned, the quartzite top lip just extends a bit. My designer says to stop at upper cabinet. Looks like I just need to pick my poison as I think there is no right answer to this.

A random example of the backsplash ended at countertop

Stopping short of the counter edge, looks like you RAN OUT of tlle. The time to consider this, for those who want it perfectly lined up with the upper......is to PLAN the uppers to end at that extra one inch... in other words, to account for that counter overhang at the start of the project.

It does NOT look good to stop short of that edge. This is where your eye goes first. It looks like an error.....or short a few tiles . Sorry. If a fabricator ended the four inch riser there, you would scream bloody murder. It is the same concept, they are BOTH a "back splash".

I think it's going to end up with your personal preference. Personally if it was my home I think either option would bother me just because I like things to line up perfectly. It I had to chose I would go with end when the counter ends. Will a appliance be going next to it? If so I think it'll look great.

The cabinet has an open door near it

End with the upper cabinet gets my vote without hesitation. That corner sticking out at the upper would look ridiculous. Actually I would refuse to do it that way. The base cabinets line up with the upper cabinets and the counter top always has a standard overhang. Therefore this situation exists on all open ended splashes unless there is a profile trim on the bottom edge of the uppers.

There seem to be good reasons for ending the tile in either spot. If nothing is going to go to the left of your cabinets, however, you might want to think of the upper and lower cabinet like a hutch. As one unit, the top and back of the hutch meet at the "counter" which sits on the base and sticks out on either side. Therefore, I don't think the backsplash must go all the way to the edge of the counter. Just a thought...

Exactly what Jan said. stopping one inch short is going to look ridiculous. The most visible part is the tile/countertop. The whole point of having a backsplash is to protect the wall above the countertop. So why would you leave a small portion unprotected? Dumb.

The example picture from redfieldroad above, is ok because it stops right at a doorway w/the door casing. Doesn't look as bad. (although I still don't like that it stopped short). The 2nd pic is more of how it would look for OP and it looks fine.

In OP's case, there isn't anything next to it. It will look like you ran out of tile. Besides, plenty of backsplashes extend out past cabinets all the time.

I'm still questioning why the large overhand on this end.

The exposed counter matches the same profile as all other edges. If the c.top had a full bullnose, 1/2 bullnose, pencil, bevel or ogee edge etc. and you extend the tile out to the edge it would require cutting the bottom of ALL the tiles at the counter just to get lower to reach the end of the profile. That's as dumb as it gets or perhaps some prefer the look of the bottom row of tiles being smaller than the others and having the factory edge removed. No I'm not a designer but there are other variables to consider. I can explain the consistent overhang at the c.top but not that floating in the middle of nowhere corner.

I wanted to give a final update for any future homeowners with the same dilemma. I chose to end at the cabinet not the countertop. I was very happy with the outcome. Pics attached below

Second pic

Third pic (different wall)

Up close

Looks great- congratulations!

I will do it the way you did! End at the upper cabinet. It looks great!

Even if it is technically right to end at the counter, the graphic designer in me (looking for a grid) wants the backsplash to align with the top cabinet.

Technically correct would be aligned with the uppers.

I am having the same dilemma right now. I agree with your decision, but my tile guy says I have it wrong. Your pics turned out great, by the way. Did you install Taj Mahal? If so, could you share your subway tile color/brand? Your kitchen looks fantastic!

I would end at the edge of the countertop.

Yes it's Taj Mahal-a natural Quartzite. It will break the bank but it's beautiful. The kitchen backsplash is from Floor and Decor so that was a steal.
The Butler Pantry backsplash was more expensive but really beautiful too.

Btw...I don't think there is a WRONG answer. But I have an opinion. I think it would look very strange to have the tile jut out at the cabinet. My designer was very adamant that it stop at cabinet too. She said tile guys say otherwise but they are dates in their design thinking.

My backsplash ends at the counter top which is 9" away from the upper cabinet and I hate it.