You already have a backsplash - that 4" vertical piece of counter material. You are done. If you want tile, remove the 4" splash.

As for the outlet, if you do decide on tile, you need to remove the faceplate, use spacers and tile around it.

But again, don't tile above a 4" backsplash.

The electrical box can be moved toward the range, it's a simple job (with multiple steps) for any competent handyman. Get referrals from your neighbors.

Is there a space between the counter and the wall on the right side, or is that an optical illusion? That would be a bigger problem than the outlet. You can get an almond color outlet and outlet cover to go better with the counter.

The space is between the counter and the refrigerator.

I agree though you have a backsplashso if you want tile then you need to remove that 4” piece I am trying to figure out why the counter did not go to the wall. And yes if uou want to tile the outlet will need to be moved both nearer the stove nad foward to tile behind it

We extended one course of tile behind and above the fridge. That way if we need to get a new fridge and it is shorter or narrower there won't be a break line in the tile. That would solve your plug problem. I tried to attach a picture but it wouldn't attach. Houzz needs to update there Mickey mouse IT dept.

Personally I like a 4 inch backsplash with tile above. Much easier to keep clean.

What type of tile are you doing? Why not just tile past the outlet and run a bullnose piece to finish. I would also suggest taking a picture from further back - it is easier to really see the space.

Good luck!

We don't want to remove the existing back splash. We had a similar setup at our last house and just tiled up to the 4" back splash and it looked very nice. It's gray paint at the moment and we are going to sell the house in a few months so it might not be worth the hassle. We thought about tiling past the edge a little and using a bull nose tile. We aren't even sure on tile; just looking at the moment.

Idk why everyone on here is so anti backsplash above the 4” piece. We have it that way and it looks fine. Can you just move the outlet?

“it looks fine”

To you it looks ”fine,” to me it looks like a belt and suspenders, and to most people with any design experience it looks amateurish and very much DIY because it shows a lack of planning, and/or understanding of the purpose of a backsplash.

If you happen to like it, wear pantyhose and garters, but I don’t understand why you would touch this to make it less elegant right before you put the place on the market. You will absolutely not recoup a dime you spend, and you will turn off buyers who feel like they will have to fix your gaffe.

Stop yourself, save your money, and wear boots and galoshes in your next place.

Your opinion isn’t fact, sorry.

Nor is yours dear.. Apology accepted.

Some people only live by design "rules ". They can't think outside the box, are sheep and do what everyone else is doing. Design rules aren't rules, only constantly changing guidelines. Beautiful memorable homes are the ones that don't play follow the leader.

if you're selling in a few months I wouldn't bother w/the cost and headache.

as to the arguments with or without the 4" piece, all one has to do is look at all of the kitchens on display in magazines, online, here on houzz, etc. 99.5% have no 4" piece w/the tile. it's one or the other. Of course it's not a 'rule'. anyone can do whatever they want w/their home.

It's just like wearing orange striped pants and a purple polka dot blouse. Is it forbidden? no. will you be seeing it on a magazine cover? prob not.

same rule applies w/the tile splash. It's one or the other.

Can you put tile above the 4" piece? of course you can. Is it ideal? no. and it certainly isn't ideal w/that gap you have there.

sorry, but this looks horrible. it would have look 10X better w/o the tile and the wall painted a soft white color to match the beautiful granite.

(i'm not keen on the yellow paint, but it's better than a tile)

this looks better.

this is just hideous and should be a design felony:

I'll also point out that your stove has it's backsplash.

tiling above the 4" piece, along w/the 'stove' backsplash, is a bit much.

Right now it looks as good as it's going to be with putting in some type of filler to eat that gap.

Putting tile there w/o the filler and w/o moving the outlet, is just going to call attention to the wonky placement. So leave it as is.

If you feel you must put something, why not try a peel and stick tile? it would be a lot easier and give you the look you're after.

The new owners may decide to remove the 4" piece and tile that wall, including down into the gap a bit.

That gap has got to be a cleaning nightmare. not really sure why something wasn't done about that.

Don't do anything. Let the new owners do what they like.

The gap is NEXT TO A REFRIGERATOR. Read.......: )

"I don't want to tile behind the refrigerator..........." and note the oven mitt hanging on a magnet hook. I Have no clue what finish the fridge, beige? But that is why there is no side splash on the right.

Whatever......DON'T tile , and definitely don't with the riser in place. Please.

I would not put a backsplash above the backsplash ..instead paint the wall in a white or cream color ...lightest color in your counter .

Thanks to all for your input! We are going to leave it as it is and let the new owner worry about what they want.

" as to the arguments with or without the 4" piece, all one has to do is look at all of the kitchens on display in magazines, online, here on houzz, etc. 99.5% have no 4" piece w/the tile."

Prime example of sheep.

It's not "sheep"

Some things don't LOOK good, and in fact destroy the result you're after!

Tile is the sophisticated cousin of the 4" riser. They both have their place. Just not together! It a WASTE of money, time, labor, tile. A WASTE.

Good design is editing. Pick one!

There is little effort involved in removing a riser . Do it well... or don't do it at all.

I dunno. Perhaps I have the taste of a slack-jawed yokel, but combining a 4" riser with tile doesn't bother me in the least. I wouldn't have ever thought twice about it until I started hanging around gw again after a long hiatus and learned it was a big faux-pas.

But hell, I purposely painted my downspouts a contrasting color so that they stood out, which is also a big no-no. Maybe I'll buy a shack in the hills and stop going to the dentist. Mountain Dew anyone?

Arch, lol I guess I'll join you in the back woods. I dislike any kind of stone or wood counters, prefer formica. Dislike hardwood and tile flooring. Give me w/w and laminate or LVP any day. Tile tub surround or glass doors no way. I have better things to do with my life than scrub grout or squeegee glass. What is funny is my last two houses were under contract the first day for full asking price and both agents thought the price was a little high.

It's great to have two kinds of counters and two different color of cabinets, but not backsplash? Hogwash.

Ps I love diet mountain dew.

I just love that on one hand people are told to buy what they LOVE because that's all that matters - they have to live with it. And on the other hand are told NO, that violates the rules and " ... some things don't LOOK good, and in fact destroy the result you're after! " So I guess it's ok to buy what you like if and only if you conform to the rules even if you like the way it looks. BTW, I also like the Dew but I also like opera. So, I'm not moving to the hills yet.

I miss the old gardenweb home site

Having a short 3-4" backsplash is a valid choice. Here are some gorgeous kitchens with same for your review:

Pacific Palisades Bungalow · More Info

Catalina Street, Laguna Beach · More Info

New York Transformation · More Info

Oceanfront Cottage · More Info

Pinewold · More Info

I am commenting on this thread with the thought that those who had opinions about "backsplashes" can weigh in on my 1964 copper countertop that is also extended into the backsplash with a sort of travertine-ish mosaic. I am keeping the copper countertop. The top photo is a before pic, and the bottom is how it is now. I want to remove the mosaic. Should I replace with a different tile or just paint? The cabinets are newly refinished and are here to stay.

Remove the mosaic and then paint. No new tile. Of course, the wall is likely to require some repair after the tile is removed.