Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_385240381

tile looks horrible under cabinets

4 years ago

Our tile job is terrible where it meets the cabinets, how can this be fixed? Can it be fixed without ripping it all out? Is there some type of trim that wouldn’t look awful?

Comments (27)

  • 4 years ago

    Take a picture from further away like you aren’t inspecting it and just are enjoying the kitchen

  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Are you planning on installing under cabinet lighting?

    Caulk the space with the matching color.

    Cabinets often have a skirt molding under the doors to hide the lights




  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Is someones head going to be jammed under the cabinets inspecting the tile line? No one is ever going to be under there, so although its not a perfect line its fine. Dont loose sleep over it and enjoy your very nice backsplash. Also, if you add under cabinet lighting, the skirting that you would add under the cabinets would hide that seam even more.

  • 4 years ago

    The only way you'll see those is if you have counter seating near the cabinets, so that you're looking up right there. Good tile installers always start from the counter, where you'll see a whole tile, so there are very frequently fragments at the top. That's what caulk is for! :)

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Well, with all do respect, while not perfect by any means, they obviously couldn't control out of level cabinetry or other surfaces. Look at your 2nd photo that shows the above cabinet doors out of alignment. Did that bother you? Seems it may be more obvious than the top row of tile under the cabinets.

  • 4 years ago

    I think you are focused on the rile because the colors and patterns in the tile are so varied.

  • 4 years ago

    You asked if there is a product to hide the gap, yes, it is called a schluter strip and it comes in several finishes.

  • 4 years ago

    Caulk or grout the gap to match the background color of the tile.

  • 4 years ago

    It is uneven, I think they could have done a better job, but just have someone come in and caulk it. No one would notice. I do notice the uneven cabinet doors, however....you might want to have someone fix those.

  • 4 years ago

    That could bug the hell out of me as well. There are some good suggestions below. I hope they are easy fixes. I wonder if the installer assumed molding would be added?

  • 4 years ago

    I have under the cabinet LED strip lighting in my kitchen with trim molding under all my kitchen cabinets. It hides the underside of the cabinetry. Dont overthink this! Just get some under the cabinet trim molding if it bothers you.

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Poor choice for a backsplash but I need to see it from further back to actully understand the issue what else did you expect IMO a schluter trim would have been a good isea.

  • 4 years ago

    A lot of splashbacks look like that under the uppers !


  • 4 years ago

    Please take a photo from further away so suggestions can be made. You already have several above.

  • 4 years ago

    This is in the pantry, it is where we keep all our small appliances, it is open to the kitchen and can be seen by everyone. The cabinets are higher than normal cabinets so taller appliances fit under the uppers so the tile is visible, I’m 5’7 and I can see it. I know the cabinet doors are not straight, they have not been adjusted yet.

  • 4 years ago

    I also know the cabinet spacer is not in yet.

  • 4 years ago

    Here is the view from the kitchen

  • 4 years ago

    Has the tile been grouted? When I blow up the pictures it doesnt appear there is grout.


    Put a bead a caulk. It really is not that bad.

  • 4 years ago

    No it has not been grouted yet

  • 4 years ago

    Anyone saying it's a bad choice is WRONG.


    Do wait until it's grouted and caulked. I really think it'll be okay.


    And if someone does see that joint, they'll also see that the base of your cabinets doesn't match. And people don't care!!

  • 4 years ago

    Caulk and or trim. Then move on. This will be lovely when it’s all finished.

  • 4 years ago

    I personally think this looks fine and with grout etc will be even better

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    You could add light rail trim which @BeverlyFLADeziner above called "skirt molding". Regardless of the name, and even if you choose not to have undercabinet lighting, the light rail/molding will help conceal that bit of unfinished backsplash you don't like. Your cabinet maker should offer it as part of the cabinetry. Light rails come in many profiles, here is a pic of a basic one.



  • 4 years ago

    Trim it out and call it a day.

  • 4 years ago

    Maybe if the underside was painted the cabinet color, it wouldn’t look so unfinished.

  • 4 years ago

    When I was doing my remodel I found that I was bothered by so many little things. It was not until things were completed that I found the little things no longer bothered me. Your backsplash is lovely, and certainly not a poor choice. Once it is grouted and caulked it will look just fine.