I think the first picture looks beautiful (I want a wine fridge in my bathroom too lol) but I worry it might be too busy with everything else you will have tiled. There’s a general rule in designing, don’t pick too many materials. Personally I would just do the counter as a backsplash and keep it clean and simple.

I agree with the above. Continue the countertop. I think you’ll really like it. You can also do a full wall of mirror if you want to avoid that. But I vote countertop material for the wall too.

@KR - thanks for your response. The tile would be the same tile I'd use in the tub - likely a 4x8 tile in running bond. Are you saying that any tile at all near the vanity will look busy?

Carrie, why are you rethinking? Although I was one you suggested doing the basic 4 inch to match the counter, I don’t see why you could do the first inspiration picture.

I personally don’t like the idea of the whole wall.

We have done all walls in a few bathrooms. That would be another option, but more expensive.

The plus is that you never have to paint.

Your inspiration photo has a much smaller tile than what you're thinking of using; the result won't be the same. If you use the 4x8, you'll only have 2 tiles high and then still have to deal with edging. Using a 3x6 isn't much better. The matching stone is the easiest solution.

eld - I'm rethinking mostly because the feelings on that last post were strong and universal. Now, I know enough not to listed to *everyone* else, but, sometimes, if absolutely *everyone* says "you're making a huge mistake," well, it pays to at least understand their concerns.

A part of my hesitation about doing a whole wall is that painting it *won't* be an option. Paint is one of those things that I like to change every... I don't know 5 years or so. And the tile wall would mean only being able to paint two walls - since one will have the tub/tile surround.

Skippack - correct. The tile in that first photo looks too small and busy to me. The photo was just to illustrate the basic idea of the backsplash dimensions, not the actual tile.

Yeah, I realize that using matching stone is the easiest way to go. *sigh* I wish I liked that easy solution more.

What color is your planned tile? Show your selections.

@skippack - here are some selections. Tile selection is not 100% certain, as the company that I am buying the countertop from will not hold remnants, so I need to go there to select a stone closer to the time of installation. I'm hoping that I can wait on ordering tile until I've selected a countertop - but it's a balancing act.

Floor tile, mirror with sconce, tile & cabinet color.

(Neither the floor nor subway tile has been ordered. The cabinet color - an off-white is set.)

Floor tile (not ordered/finalized)

Mirror & sconces:

Mirror, tile (not finalized) and cabinet color (being manufactured)

Edited to add: since stone is not picked out yet, I'm totally open to suggestions. I (obviously?) tend toward warm/neutrals - so a creamy off-white quartz, perhaps? Or do I need contrast? I'm afraid that anything with too much movement will limit my choices of art in the room, so will likely try to keep counter subtle both in color and pattern.

Of your current selections, the fabric looking tile does not match the style of the rest which are more traditional. I like the floor tile and would select a coordinating color for the top.

Thank you, Skippack. I like the floor tile, too, though I agree that it's not traditional and that my other finishes are more so. I tend to prefer transitional/timeless with a hint of farmhouse. I can change my mind about the tile, but.... I'm fine with floor tile being a bit eclectic, but I don't want it to be jarring in the not going together...

And another related question... the faucet is almost 8" tall, if I do go with the counter-material backsplash, should I go with an 8" stone backsplash piece? I think it looks best when the backsplash is at least as tall as the faucet.

@cpartist - your stone is gorgeous! Do you think my floor tile is OK with my other selections?

Hi Carrie B,

I am not clear if these are both inspiration photo or if the 2nd pic is of your project. Using the 2nd photo, I would move the electrical outlets onto the side of each cabinet, and because I hate dealing with tile and grout I would put a granite or full stone only from counter up to/just under the mirror mounts so the mirrors float half-way over the stone. This will give dimension and allow you to make easy changes in the future, while eliminating the work of grout.

If looking at pic #1 then the stone would probably go up even with the cabinetry tops and float the mirrors over the stone with mirror mounts at 1/3 down or 2/3 up on the wall just above the stone. Hope this makes sense, it's basically the same as the above paragraph only higher up the wall to be in proportion with the cabinets and high ceiling.

Have fun with your project! Happy New Year!

Thanks, thisiskidd. The photos in my original post were simply examples of short tile backsplashes for vanities. Not mine, and not necessarily "inspiration" photos. I've decided to do a backsplash using the vanity stone. Perhaps 6-8".

I am not a tile lover. Your second inspiration picture would look amazing with shiplap from countertop to ceiling.

I'm a homeowner who loves doing what I want with design and installation. That's the fun of remodeling for me. When I run into something I'm uncomfortable deciding or installing, I hire a professional to come into my home and help me out with choices, and to teach me how to do the install or do it for me. It feels like you are unsure of numerous choices. Maybe having a professional interior designer come look at your whole home to help you choose coordinating design elements for the bathroom, and for the flow of your home, may help you now.

I was also going to suggest consulting with an interior designer- even if it’s just a one or two hour consultation regarding a few specific decisions. However, the best thing I can tell you is go with your gut and pick things that make YOU happy. If you don’t love it, don’t pick it. You want the result to be a space that brings you joy!!

Thank you. I actually had hired somebody, somebody who suggested some of the things that everybody here thought were bad ideas. I finally decided that I do better on my own, with some help from here, of course.

For example, my NkBA certified designer suggested 50% offset running bond for my planned 12X24” ceramic floor tile. When I told her that layout was not recommended for 12 x 24 ceramic tile she said “really? I’ve never heard that. I do that all the time.”

12x24 tile should be set at a 33% offset to avoid lippage. I sell tile...

@beth1265 - that’s exactly my point!

I’ve decided to go with the stone backsplash. Thank you all for helping to get me here.

I haven’t selected a counter remnant yet, but am leaning toward one of the warmer white quartzite or marbles.

In this mock-up, my mirror is 8” above the counter color sample, which tops at 36” from the floor. I’d like to do 6” or 8” backsplash.

If 6”, there will be one or two inches of wall color showing between backsplash and mirror, if 8”, mirror will be directly above. I will have sconces flanking the mirror.

Do you have thoughts on 6” vs. 8”?

Or maybe just the standard 4 inch?

there is an Italian company (https://www.tecnografica.net/en/index) that manufactures completely waterproof wallpapers. you could do a full wall for a lot less expense. they offer an array of show-stoppingly gorgeous papers (and other waterproof wall covering options)

I'm going to go against the flow and say that I don't like countertop material as a backsplash. We have it in our vanity area and are in the process of ripping it out. Our sink area seems to be smaller than yours and, in our case, there are walls surrounding the entire vanity top with 8" tall stone on all three sides. We find the countertop stone makes the whole space feel very tight. That said, your layout is quite different from ours and you may not have the same problem. One suggestion... consider how you'll feel looking at the edge thickness. If your countertop material is standard thickness and you're using an off-cut of that material for the backsplash, you'll be looking at an inch or so, which is just enough to be a dust catcher but not enough to do anything with. One way of dealing with that would be to add a 4" shelf (maybe matching your cabinetry?) that caps the and gives you some useable space for display or "stuff".

I am very surprised by this! Admittedly, I’m as far from a designer as one can get, so I don’t know any rules, but because I have seen so many prefab countertops with the requisite 4 inch backsplash, I have always seen this look as decidedly NOT custom.

Personal preference, but I do not care for slab backsplashes and honestly, if you prefer tile, do it. There is no right or wrong here. I did my master with a tile backsplash to just below the mirror. I’m very happy with it.

Thank you, folks. Here's what I'm thinking. If I find a counter remnant that I *love*, I'll be happy to accentuate it with a backsplash. I love how cpartist's lovely onyx counter/backsplash above look.

I'm still undecided on how tall - but leaning toward 6", depending on material availability, of course - partially because going with standard 4" is, well... very standard, but also because, well, if I LOVE the stone, why not go with MORE? I will not do a side-splash, the vanity is 60" single sink in an alcove, so I should not need anything on the side.

I do not want a full wall of tile, and I don't want to do wallpaper. I like the flexibility that goes with paint, and since I tend to hang a lot of art, I don't want wallpaper (or tile) that might compete with the art. I may still consider doing tile - likely 4x8 or 6x6 ceramic in a warm off-white, and only 6-8" tall with a pencil border.

I'm loving your comments and your input and your photos, keep them coming!