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atlgirl_r

What is the best backsplash for a busy countertop?

6 years ago

Ok, so I have a really busy granite countertop and messed it up with a really busy backsplash. I'm thinking about redoing but always come to the same conclusion, nothing would look good against it. Please any interior designers out there, what do you recommend?



Comments (28)

  • 6 years ago

    3x6 subway based off mid grade tone in counter

    AtlGirl R thanked Dev
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    It can look so much better! Good for you. You have three options that I can think of. First, choose a white tile that matches the white of your cabinets. Second, choose a light background color from your stone as the above recommend. Third, get a remnant piece of your granite and go for a 2” bs, and paint the wall above that. Any of these options will be an improvement. If you’re going to go for tile, I agree you needn’t tile the side walls, or if you do, only tile them as far out as the uppers. Good luck!

    AtlGirl R thanked eam44
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Another vote for a simple white backsplash only on the back wall.


    Your granite is similar to ours, and even tho I might choose something different if I was redoing it today (our kitchen is 13 years old), I still think it looks great with the other elements - and yours could, too.

    Here is quick pic I just took.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Yep, agree with others. A simple 3x6 only on the back, not the sides in the lightest color that is within your countertop.

    AtlGirl R thanked Filipe Custom Woodwork
  • 6 years ago

    I agree with something simple. The good news here is that although you chose a busy backsplash, the colors are right. I personally would go with the lightest beige.

    AtlGirl R thanked eld6161
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I agree with all the subway tile suggestions. Subway is timeless. Glass subway tiles are a classy bridge between traditional and modern. A white backed glass subway tile will actually produce a soft gray tone and the glass will play with the lighting all day, changing hue. Consider it Active Art. The glass also picks up reflections of color from the counter and walls. Glass subway tiles are elegant but not overstated. One other note: I usually counsel against tiling the side walls of the backsplash. It always looks awkward for the tile profile to extend beyond the cabinet line. The side splash is not really needed, either.

    AtlGirl R thanked VersaTile Interiors
  • 6 years ago

    I have a busy counter and we used backpainted glass sheets for ours. Simple, clean and beautiful, best of all, no grout! you can have it painted any color you like. It is more pricy though.

    AtlGirl R thanked Sue 430
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks Sue for your input! Can you send me a link to this. There is a local glass company in town which could do the class and I could paint it, but never heard of something like this. Thanks!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    In general all of you are saying only to do the back walls, however if I did go back to the granite store and see if they can add a 2 inch lip, would they not do the sides of the wall? I believe they would, which is why I did the tile out to the end of the granite. Opinions please? Thanks

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Yes, AtlGirl, the link you asked me to verify shows a correct sample of the glass tile I described. As for the sides, they are usually NOT standard but requested. I am not sure I understand why you would want a 2" stone "lip" but if you do, it does not automatically mean you get the sides. Is there a reason NOT to have the tile run from the countertop to the cabinet?

    AtlGirl R thanked VersaTile Interiors
  • 6 years ago

    Well I was just looking at all my options, and what would look the best. As far as the lip of extending the granite up 2 inches, just wondering if that would look better than no backsplash at all, just due to the busyness of the countertop....Although I did try white subway tile, by putting it up against it prior to choosing what i choose, it looked horrible (but I just laid it across and sat the tiles on the granite and bottom of the wall). Maybe the bigger tiles and it being glass will make difference.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    OK. If you do the granite backsplash, the standard rise off the counter is 4". I would recommend that size as opposed to 2". I can envision the results either way. It will look good either way. You have received good counsel from everyone who participated in this discussion. I think you will achieve a successful result with any of the suggestions presented. My incline toward glass is for the subtlety of light and color, and refinement of the finish. Your kitchen is beautiful. May you enjoy it for many, many years. Happy Holidays to you!

    AtlGirl R thanked VersaTile Interiors
  • 6 years ago

    Thank you VersaTile Interiors for your input, and yes i meant 4 inch lip, don't know where the 2 came from. Actually the house is going back on the market, but one thing I think hindered it from multiple offers was the tile in the kitchen, so trying to fix it as I hated it once it was finished myself. I do see your point of light and reflection and may go that route. I can't thank everyone enough for all the input as its a beautiful piece of granite, but did not consider the backsplash when picking this piece.


    Thank you all


  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Actually the house is going back on the market, but one thing I think hindered it from multiple offers was the tile in the kitchen, so trying to fix it as I hated it once it was finished myself.

    Please don’t expect offers to come pouring in because you’ve changed the backsplash. A serious buyer is not going to let something as trivial as backsplash tile stop them from making an offer on an otherwise great home. What will kill a deal before it’s begun is if the home’s dirty, messy, smelly, damp, dark, has a terrible view, awkward floor plan, etc. And then, of course, there’s overpricing a home... So before you put it back on the market (Why was it delisted, anyway? Taking a home on and off the market can really hurt your cause.), be brutally honest with yourself about what’s making your home unattractive to buyers.

  • 6 years ago

    The kitchen tile I was told was hideous. Thanks Sammy...I'm good though with the other comments above

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Agreed, a white or off-white Subway tile would look great against your countertops!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The 2” suggestion came from me. It looks more modern, tailored, and elegant than the standard 4” backsplash, and offers the same cabinet protection. I think it’s a great option for you if you can find the same stone.


    AtlGirl R thanked eam44
  • 6 years ago

    After reviewing a comment earlier I did see that is where I got the 2 inch. I appreciate you showing me a picture of it as it does look sleek/modern. You also did your side wall which I'm confused as the PRO's advise to me is to advise against doing the side walls and to only do the back walls. Alot to think about. Thank you again for the pic so I could see what it looks like.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    While the 2 inch stone is nice looking, I'm not sure it would do the trick to keep splatters off the walls, etc. I'd rather see a simple subway tile in a white/off white color that matches/coordinates with your cabinets and counters.

    AtlGirl R thanked Design Girl
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Versatile Interiors, I have another question for you (others are welcome to give their thoughts as well please). I have been going back in forth on what to do. I even went to the Mega Granite warehouse and spent hours looking at the New Venetian Gold Granite (which is what mine is that they installed 4 years ago to see if I can find a 2 inch backsplash, but since its been so long, nothing is going to match identically as everything is from a different quarry. So now I'm back to the tile and have some questions. I have to first say though just removing the sides made a huge difference almost to the point were I thought just fixing the walls will be good enough but the tile is just so hideous I've decided against it and its all coming off. So here are my questions.

    1. Versatile Interiors suggested a 3x6 tile, i'm wondering why not a bigger tile like 6x12 or 4x12? Wouldn't a bigger tile piece make the kitchen walls less busy/less eye catching, since the countertop is so busy? Please advise on why you think 3x6 would be best. I would greatly appreciate it as I am now tile shopping and questioning on if a bigger tile would be better.

    2. Do I remove the stainless steel backsplash behind the stove or leave it? The only way I think I could remove it is if I don't use grout and place the glass tile right next to each other (which I seen many pics like that on wayfair w/o grout and it looks good).....so do I do that? If I do grout and I would have to go with white grout, I would need to leave the stainless steel backsplash there and tile around it how it is currently....correct? You would not be able to clean grease off of white grout.

    3. Again my main focus to redoing this (since I am moving) is to bring all attention to the granite countertop and everything else just plain and nothing that draws your eyes to it.

    Thanks for all replies.



  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    1. I really like large format tile in smaller spaces. The tile below is 4" X 12".


    2. The stainless is fine. You need to know the thickness of the metal and the thickness of the tile. You might need a Schulter edge on either side. Did you say glass tile?

    3. You could also just do a single row of 4" tiles with a bullnosed top edge along the counter to keep it simple. It would either match your wall paint or the background color of the granite. Good luck with the move.


    AtlGirl R thanked eam44
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    EAM44 has good suggestions. I agree except for tile size. The area you are tiling is so small that a smaller dimension tile makes more sense to me. The picture you submitted of 4x12 showed a significantly larger backsplash area. The 4x12 fits comfortably. But if you choose 4x12 anyway, it will not be the end of the world. At this point, I think you are focused enough to make a decision and go with it because the fact is, you cannot lose. Either outcome will work.

  • 6 years ago

    Interesting. If that bullnose was installed, I'd want to rip it out as well....to me it just don't match and stands out.

  • 6 years ago

    "You could also just do a single row of 4" tiles with a bullnosed top edge along the counter to keep it simple."

    No no no. No 4" tile! Never 4' tile!

  • 6 years ago

    One more question for you all....what would you say about stainless steel on the back walls....all my appliances are stainless steel....I wouldn't be introducing anything new....would it not just flow? What do you think.



  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    So I finally decided to take the ladies advice up there and do a tempered glass painted backsplash. I was taking this on myself and did my research with paints. I ordered 2 pieces of the glass, my goal was bright white panels, which I ordered gloss bright white paint. Can anyone tell me why this white paint turned out blue. This is unusable. Why would this have happened? Please any help would be grateful


    .

    Please someone tell me what I'm doing wrong. I need white glass, not blue.....Oh and there was nothing applied under the paint, no adhesive or anything, just the bright gloss white paint.