I’ve never posted before so maybe the text didn’t come through but I mentioned in my post/question that it is definitely too small at 2 inches. The question is whether tile above it will look ok. And what kind of design? I’m trying to make due with this situation without buying a new countertop, if possible.

Yes, I think you can add tile above it and it will look good. I would personally use a plain colored tile since your corian has some dots in it. How about rectangular tile in a color of the same as your background of your corian?

I would add a tiled backsplash. I also like the beadboard too. But it may be too rustic for your kitchen. I would paint your cabinets unless you love the stained wood. My mother in law had it done professional. It cost 2k, she had an entire L shape upper and U shape lower(because of the island) done in a light almond color. I wouldn't obviously choose almond for your cabinets because the countertop is in that color scheme but here is a thread about paint colors to go in a kitchen with a similar countertop as yours! https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5472849/want-to-have-cabinets-painted-white-but-have-an-almond-stone-sink

2” is too small only because you’ve decided it is too small. It is different than customary, but it could be worked with. I would go ahead and put in a tile backsplash. The correct backsplash could look very nice and enhance what is already there.

It's not too short. I know 2 people who deliberately chose a smaller backsplash like that. One woman didn't want any other backsplash and another person wanted the coved look of Corian but didn't want it too tall.

It's not too short, you're a trend setter!

Thank you all.

KR, I think I originally misunderstood your comment. Now I see you were trying to say that it was made 2 inches so that it CAN have a tile backsplash. I gotcha now. Yes, I have considered it but found some articles online that pointed toward it being a no-no to put tile above that small of a height.

ErinSean, thank you. That is what I was thinking. Nothing too crazy. I'd really like some color in my kitchen after 18 years of a bland oatmeal look, but I may have to stick with the earth tones.

Thank you, KH. I totally want to paint my cabinets white but it's more money than I can spend at the moment. I wish I could! Thanks for the link.

I would go ahead with tile, but make it the star. Get a pattern that holds one's interest and use it under the cabinets and around the window all the way to the ceiling. No one will notice the countertop if the tile is the focus. You might find something here...

https://www.houzz.com/products/query/brown-cement-tile/nqrwns

No tile! You have a backsplash, and because it's smaller than a conventional 4" is looks more modern. Live with it for a while, and if you decide you need tile, remove the corian bs first.

I believe OP has lived with it for 18 years: "Since 2002 I’ve been looking at this"

I love the 2" coved extension of the counter below the backsplash. I have not gotten new counters yet and may just add a short coved spash as I don't really care for a grout line right against the counter top where liquids and dirt can get trapped between the two different surfaces. I think you were brilliant!

This is not so tall that it looks like you were planning the traditional 4" back splash and changed your mind. I think this will look like an intentional design decision.

I like it. If you were going to add tile above it, where would you start and stop the tile? Maybe some Autumnal colours would look nice

I like the short look. I’d tile all around the window to the ceiling with a mini-subway in taupe or cream glass for some bling. I think matching a pattern to your speckled Corian will be tough, but not impossible. Can’t wait to see what you choose.

I would paint the kitchen walls a nice new color. Change the blinds and the trim around the kitchen window. No tile. You have a nice clean kitchen, btw.

I agree with @wacokid. Your backsplash looks fine. The color of the Corian and the floor tiles look good with your cabinets. But the wall color clashes.

I did something similar once, many years ago when I had a gold bedroom carpet. I picked a warm beige with a pinkish undertone that looked so neutral in the store. When I painted my bedroom, it looked like a pink room because of the contrast with the gold floor. You're getting a contrast with the yellow tones in the Corian and the cabinets.

If you want a very neutral wall, choose a color that is similar to the Corian but much lighter. Or a soft sage green might look good.

I really think that 2" backsplash lends itself to tile above it - and most of them don't. Most being more like 4". If you'd enjoy a tile backsplash to liven up your kitchen, I'd say go right ahead. I'd like to comment on your paint color too though, I don't think it's doing your kitchen any favors and is not flattering to your cabinets or your countertop. A gallon of paint and a little tile could go a long way towards changing the look...

I totally agree with Jennifer Hogan and some of the others - a 2" coved Corian backsplash is a plus, and I wouldn't touch it. When we built our house in 2007, I wanted to have a 2" coved Corian backsplash so I wouldn't have a grout line that would get grungy, but it was significantly more expensive than other options, so I decided against it.

I have a 3" granite backsplash (horrors!) with painted walls above it and a tile backsplash over just the cooktop (and above the 3" backsplash) the width of the hood, and love it. But I'm not a trendy person - I go with what is practical and what I like.

Since budget is an important concern, in your kitchen it seems like you could find a better paint color (with hints of blue-green?) to deal with the counter top and oranginess of the cabinets - the dark teal/green of your wall plaque and the similar color in your towel are calming next to the cabinet color - maybe go with a bold paint color in that range?

And if you decide to tile, spend some time looking for a simple backsplash that you would find pleasing to look at that complements the counter top and cabinets. Your cabinets look to be of a good quality - are you sure they're oak? They don't seem to have the normal graininess that oak usually has.

Anne

No help here, but hanging that towel over the stove top looks a little scary.

Cabinets look like maple.

What's your hesitation? Resale? "experts say?" You clearly do not care for it as is. It's yours; change it. As you read from above, trends change..in the end it is personal preference not a hard fast RULE against what you want to do. Your cabinets are beautiful,WHY WHY WHY do people make painting suggestions that is not what was asked!?!?!. If you find a tile you like I bet it will give you the freshened look you seek and all will be right in your world!!

IMO you can add tile to this , not my first choice but until you are ready to change counters I think a nice simple backsplash till will work. I would keep the tile very simple with matching grout and I would not go expensive either since the counter to me needs replacing , the color is odd and the clipped corners are a very dated look. If you love how the space functions I would just save for a new counter and then do a proper backsplash. You could of corse see if that could be removed without damaging the rest of the counter

I prefer 2" backsplash to 4" so it looks great to me.

Ah, OK, I missed the fact that you've been living with this for so long and you hate it. Have it removed and we can help you choose a tile. Don't tile on top of it, call your installer and have him remove it.

@arcy_gw maybe you missed that the OP asked for paint suggestions in her original post will any type of tile or paint job look decent above it?

If tile is added (with or without removing the 2" Corian), the wall color should still be addressed. Tile should be chosen first, then the paint. But IMO a new paint color is all that is needed here to make this an attractive kitchen. Forget the "design searches" - it looks just fine as it is.

Do any of the pros have a suggestion for where the OP might start looking for a good wall color?

Though I agree a simple tile could work, my preference would be to just paint about the 2" splash. A light color that works with the Corian and floor would be nice.

Your maple cabinets are very pretty and are coming back into favor. I don't mind the backsplash either. I do agree that a richer paint color could really change the appearance of the whole space, along with a few well chosen, colorful accessories. The kitchen is clean and functional and doesn't need much to bring it to life.

I also like the wood look. Reason for the painted cabinets suggestion was it sounded like the OP was looking for a new look. I'm loving how these look! I think if you have lived with something you aren't pleased with I would save to replace it.

Leather Chaps · More Info

Imo, if you feel like you want to jazz up your kitchen a bit, then check out The Tile Bar’s Inspiration Gallerie for back splashes for some fun ideas. Then you can choose a nice paint to complement.

I would pay no mind to the 2” edging and just start the tile above it. You can get 5 tile samples for five dollars from The Tile Bar. And don’t forget to check their sale pages. If you get an idea but don’t want to over spend on tile you can often find very similar or the same tiles (marketed under a different name) at the big box stores’ web sites. (Of course The Tile Bar has some exquisite designer tile that is unique to their stores And not available at HD etc.)

You could get some fun Euro tiles and change out your faucet and and pulls and you would have a chic fun kitchen. Just my 2 cents.