I've never heard of backsplash above the cabinets, but would love to read what the Pros say!

my guy says no... but you do you and who knows maybe you will start a trend! dont pick something boring if your going for wow! really go for it. you can always remove if you hate it after a few weeks. the first time anyone does anything its always a risk. have fun with it! post pics if u do! (ps i would be surprised if many supported this but that doesnt mean they are right!)

No. It would be too much.

I think all the way to ceiling works best when there is a full wall (like it you did not have cabinets on either side of your window) or open shelves or a freestanding vent hood. I do really like your current backsplash with those cabinets but understand it's hard to replace counters without damaging it..

The only time I would tile above the cabinets is for a range hood.

The one problem you would end up with is where to stop the tile, unless you have definitive stopping point (IE) corner or window. The focal point is the backsplash it may be to much if the tile was extended above the cabinets.

It can be, and often was done in kitchens of “yore”, but it is evocative of kitchens of that era—hard working, messy places (imagine the mess when you pluck a freshly killed chicken). I wouldn’t do it in a modern kitchen that opens to a living space, as it will only feel like you’re living in the bathroom.

From counter to cabinets only.

I don't know about above the cabinets in your kitchen; probably not. But it should definitely extend to behind the fridge. That section of painted wall looks bad. Or you could install a fridge panel from your cabinet manufacturer.

No to above the cabinets. What does your new countertop look like?

If you're doing something timeless, and not a big color, I say go for it! If a rule is "broken" and it looks great, well then you have your answer. Personally, I think in the photos someone posted above, it gives a very upscale and custom feel, as well as making the wall look tall. We're currently remodeling a new place and no budget for all new cabinets, and now that you've brought it up, I'm going to look into doing the same thing! I love the look and hadn't thought of doing that! If your guy is saying "no" I can only imagine it's because of the ladder work involved.

In a prior home with an open kitchen layout we wanted to tie in the fireplace and column stone, so we had the mason put it above the cabinets, and it was beautiful. We also put LED light strip on top of the cabinets and tied it in with the electrical for the under cab lights, so when you hit one switch they all went on. Great indirect light and we ended up using JUST those lights for much of the time. The backsplash was just glass over paint. Here's the columns and below is the kitchen.

Thomas · More Info

Thomas · More Info

@design1008 Did you end up doing this?

@design1008. Yes curious to know what you end up with. I’m also thinking of doing that. I saw this model from DR Horton and I really like it.

We are going to do it in our kitchen. We feel like it will really make a statement. It almost looks unfinished with out it done on the top.

My new house is finally built and added the backsplash after it was built. Sharing you the before and after.