The “partial” backsplash in your inspiration image is about 10” of counter material. If that’s what you want, have you discussed this with your fabricator?

You have conventional upper cabinets. If you want to go with a backsplash of your counter material, it will look, well, conventional. The usual height is 4”. You can choose whatever height you want.

Should you choose tile, you could “turn into the light” by choosing a white tile that matches the white in your cabinets in a cool shape. You could even add touches of color.

@eam44 He had me buy two jumbo slabs to do a full backsplash so I would assume he could do the 10" partial splash, but I like your idea of having it be white. @eam44, can you tell me if there exists a program where I can visual different tiles in my particular space?

I love the partial splash idea, but not “builder basic” 4 inch.

here are some photos I had saved that might appeal

Well, you could use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, but there must be something more user friendly. You could use white solid surface for the backsplash. The one below is glossy. I would recommend a matte finish.

@eam44 Nice! Thanks! What is that made of do you think... glass?

@Katie B. The black is especially gorgeous. What height would you say those are, if you had to guess?

Add some color! You already have lots of white.

But @stumpydarby I am afraid of color LOL. Check out my aunt's kitchen (not pictured here is an orange island she has too).... Hard to think we're related.

In my bathroom I did an 8 inch just behind the sink and I love it.

8-10” I think

I wouldn't do that backsplash in your small space. http://www.home-designing.com/scandinavian-kitchens-design-ideas-photos-inspiration

Back painted glass is certainly an option. You can also use Corian. I wish I could remember who, of the old time GW people, but one of them has soapstone counters and a backsplash of solid white Corian. It was beautiful.

I think this height is nice and looks intentional versus budget- a little more than half the wall between uppers and lowers.

@Design Girl You wouldn't do which one - the quartz or the large subway tile? LOVE the kitchens in that link..... I would be happy with any one of them.

@Katie B. Now that I think about it, the position of the outlets would stand in the way... but nice concept.

@eam44 Where would one go for a full glass backsplash? Would it crack easily?

@pkirkha1 Looks perfect in your bathroom!!!

quartz countertops, white porcelain backsplash - just a photo to see -

Galveston St. House · More Info

Nice! Thanks for sharing, @everdebz!

I wouldn’t do the half backsplash. I think it looks odd and you have a small space. Subway is fine

You would work with a glass contractor and he would use the right glass - I can’t remember what it’s called, but in addition to being tempered, there’s a built-in sheet of adhesive, so that if it were to break it would not shatter. So I guess tempered, shatterproof glass. There is at least one thread on this...

The partial splash in your inspiration photo goes to up to the bottom of the long window. The window is so long that visually it functions like an upper cabinet (i.e. a logical “stopping point” for the splash). Try imagining that space without the window - it would be a completely different look. Does that still appeal? The other thing you could do is get some construction paper close to the color of your countertop and try laying some on the counter and doing varying heights of splash to get a feel for the look.

With the size of your kitchen and amount of wall space I think the 8-10 inch trim may feel choppy. Love the idea of solid glass, as it will reflect light and make kitchen feel larger. Just pick a color from your quartz https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/glass-backsplash-ideas-for-the-kitchen-239998?utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=tracking&utm_campaign=article-share

Another idea is to add a complimentary tile just in the space above sink as high as the cupboard, which would feel like a design feature. Could also use your leftover quartz.

Wow, you've all given me a lot to consider. Thank you SO MUCH.

@Maureen @eam44 I am liking the glass idea more and more. I already reached out to one supplier mentioned in one of your linked articles to see how much it would run.

@abcdlatham I see what you're saying and thank you for that suggestion! Not as appealing without the window, and the outlets limit how high my backsplash can go. :)

@Design Girl I appreciate you all taking the time to give me tips. I may go the subway route if it's most cost effective. Still looking through all the ideas you sent in that one link. Who knew there could be so many options for just a subway splash....!!!

If you aren’t open to color, maybe be a tad more open to shape or pattern. Subway is fine … but you have a chance to have a little fun and do something more than “normal”. Look at elongated hexagon … have fun!

Countertops in

It looks really nice

Something like this for your backsplash?

vertical stack

Or horizontal stack

@Katie B. I am leaning towards doing this, and perhaps in a matte/silk finish glass tile measuring 3 x 12" or 4 x 12". :)

@eam44 I've had a heck of a time trying to track down someone who's able to do back-painted glass. I got one quote this week and it would cost $3900 or so.

I keep thinking about this and I really should wrap up this project. Unfortunately, the back painted glass would be too costly, although it looks gorgeous! I am seriously contemplating going back to my original plan... full quartz backsplash in the pebble grey to minimize grout lines. What are your thoughts? Here is my low-tech attempt at showing what that may look like.

I know you said you are not a fan of color .. but how about colors that are close to your cabinets and countertop, may be some texture or pattern?

I took your picture above and added something that I would consider.

I love the idea of using the countertop as your backsplash too, I personally dont think it will darken the space as you were concerned about. it will look awesome

You can use solid surface instead of glass. It will probably be less expensive than the glass or your quartz but would have many of the benefits. Call the guys that did your counters and ask them how much it would cost to do a Corian backsplash.

Oh my gosh, you could also use laminate, actually. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? It’s a great option (see below).

Or you could go with the counter material backsplash, but make it a 2” splash.

A full quartz backsplash isn’t cheap. Tile backsplash is usually cheaper. Its obviously your choice … but think I think it becomes pretty “blah” with just white and all that gray.

What about stainless steel behind the cooktop and back painted acrylic everywhere else? Much less expensive than glass.

@Jennifer Svensson Thank you for your recommendations - I am now following those IG pages. Their work is absolutely gorgeous! And my goodness, those wood tiles are really cool.

@Theresa Janssen Thank you! I will have under-cabinet lighting so I figured that would keep things light. If I go that route, do you think it'd be OK even with the outlets there on the wall (they can't be moved at this point)? I appreciate your input.

@stumpydarby I see what you're saying :) I just started thinking about the convenience of not having to deal with grout!

@eam44 My dad's good friend in Finland actually recommended the same - a laminate backsplash! But where does one go for that exactly??

@parasol1 I didn't even know there was such a thing! Looking into it now...

@kindertina, for laminate you can go to a big box store, a counter specialist, or ask your contractor. If I were looking I’d search for a retailer on the Formica web site.

yes, absolutely ok even with outlets. it will be a very sleek look and very scandinavian.

SS is rather industrial looking

continuing your quartz up the back? why spend money for that when you could just paint the wall gray? I think doing that quartz splash would look a little blah. Get the 4" piece and just paint above it if you want that look.

Laminate backsplash? With what you already have? Just. NO.

if you want back painted glass, you can actually paint it your self. just have them come out and cut the glass to fit your spot. They make glass paint, or just use regular paint and hope it looks ok. you could practice on a spare piece of glass.

You could pick a natural gray stone in a long, linear bar tile.

Or try a glass tile with a bit of color.

a bit more modern looking. simple but more modern.

see if any of these floats your boat (you have the perfect kitchen area to do a mosaic)

Mother of pearl?

Or something w/a pattern and color. all that gray/white is rather sedate

CleTile Zellige or Earthenware

Cloe tile (comes in other colors and subway tile

Elongated Picket style. Above, Crayons in the gradient.

I like your original idea of a partial splash out of the countertop material. I would take it up to the bottom of the outlets. I think the long wide stripe will make the kitchen look longer/ i.e., bigger. It's a nice clean look; I'm weary of all the tile backsplashes.

Laminate backsplash? IKEA

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/backsplashes-wall-panels-19121/

Well, take a look at the Formica web site - and then maybe at Wilsonart or other manufacturers - to see what they have. Some of their offerings are lovely.