Yet another “where to end the backsplash” question.

6 years ago

Trying to figure out how far up to take our backsplash. The sink wall has a large window with a sill the same granite as the counters and no uppers. We are planning on a simple subway tile with matching grout (although probably a longer format - maybe 3x9 or 4x12) - we want the granite to remain the star. I see three possibilities - do the whole wall, tile up on the whole wall to just over the location of the light switch - probably about 14 inches, or just tile underneath the window. My concern on tiling the whole wall is there is so much light bouncing around - I don’t want it to end up looking like a bathroom wall - and I wonder if the other two possibilities would look silly or unfinished. We are no where near deciding on colors, but I will include a picture of some samples. The sample on the left is the 3x9 size. I have looked at photos on Houzz but have a hard time visualizing how things will work in our space. Using the granite as a splash either under the sink or along the whole wall at the level of the sill is a no go for DH so it will be some sort of tile. Would love to see pictures if anyone has done tiling that stops part way up the wall or just under the sink. Thanks for the help!

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Comments (5)

eam44
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi @abcdlatham. I think your instincts are right on. I would tile the whole wall only up to the window ledge height. For the left hand corner you’d use bullnose tile or a Schluter edge. Actually, you could have used counter material for this as well. Not all counter backsplashes are passé.

What a lovely space!
abcdlatham
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks - loving it so far! Going to be a big change from our 33 year old tiny kitchen (remember Formica counters with a wood edge?). My only concern with going just to the sill is that it would go through where the light switch is, so something would have to be done around the switch to make it lay flat. DH is a big no on moving the light switch up. He is thinking go up about 12”, which would be three full courses of the tile and would get us beyond the top of the light switch. Definitely bullnose for us - not a fan of the Schluter - so that could be an issue with the tile - need to find some that has ones that are both top and side bullnose.
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Fori
6 years ago
Why doesn't he want you to move the light switch? It's soooooo easy! Do it when he's not home and see if he even notices.

Schluter is no good when it shows up in a classic kitchen like yours (although it has its place)--definitely find a tile with proper trim pieces--and corner pieces--surely you wanna wrap that corner! And, not to side with DH, but if you DO wrap the corner, it might be better to tile higher than the sill because it might look weird on the non-window side to have a stubby backsplash. I can't see that side so I don't know.

I've used Fireclay and Pratt&Larson because they make all the trim pieces you can imagine. There are others of course. The need for trim pieces will limit you, but it's worth it.
eam44
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
“DH is a big no on moving the light switch up.“

So your husband doesn’t know how to move a light switch or watch a YouTube video? You have bigger concerns than your backsplash!

Put the tile wherever you want it, what could it possibly matter? If you want to move the switch yourself, this video explains how to do it. You only need to move it up an inch.

Best of luck with your reno.
abcdlatham
Original Author
6 years ago
He absolutely knows how to do it - he likes the height where it is and isn’t a fan of the under the sill height for the tile. This is also part of a reno to add a family room (that could also be a bedroom) along with a full bath on the first floor - been at it since November and he has a limited tolerance for changes at this point. Can’t say I blame him - I’m ready to be done too. I’m thinking the 12-14” height might be our best bet, especially if we want to bring it around the corner where we have an overhang with seating. Given the sight lines when you come into the kitchen, it will probably look like it makes more “sense” to have the tile wrap that corner.