Don’t even worry about the backsplash. Get the entire kitchen done, with your lighting, and then make a decision. Many of us lived with a new kitchen for many months with the backsplash painted. Do not add to your stress and decision making. There are so many other decisions that are critical.

You can use counter material all the way up the backsplash area. This is installed by the counter installers at a much lower labor cost. Lighting consists of three layers, task over work zones, ambient for the entire space and decorative if you choose including pendants. Task is recommended to be 450 lumens minimum at the counter. On dimmers these can be 4" led recessed cans spaced 6" in from the edge of the counter. Offset pairs help avoid shadowing. Undercabinet led strip lighting can contribute.

Quartz is a mixture of 66% stone and 34% plastic resin. The resin can be scorched, but at a much higher temperature than 212 degrees. You won't need to worry about a composite sink. The counter is more likely to have a very hot pan set on it.

A standard recommendation is to size the exhaust hood opening 6" wider than the cooktop.

what's your design aesthetic : contemporary, transitional, do you like color, etc? would you like to use the backdplash to add color to the kitchen?