14 years ago

As you can see, my upper cabinets stop at a soffit in the ceiling and the lower cabinets and countertop continue on to nearly the wall. To make this question even more challenging, the countertop and lower cabinets are angled from the point the upper cabinet ends. I would like to put up and interlocking pencil size glass tile backsplash and I'm not sure how to the start/stop the backsplash at this point. A lot of articles say that you should stop the backsplash where the upper cabinets end, but I'm concerned that this may look unfinished and this is a major focal area in the room.

Any thoughts, comments, and/or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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PRO

Johnson Squared Architecture + Planning

14 years ago

So what did you end up doing?

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Comments (21)

Emily Hurley
14 years ago
I think you can carry the backsplash to the end of the lower cabinets, but keeping the height even with the bottom of the uppers. That might actually give you a nice spot for a small piece of art right above. You will definitely want something on that spot.
sunnyshouz
14 years ago
Hi rump, yes continue the backsplash all the way to the end. try installing a small shelf(5'deep) that runs from the end of the upper cabinet to to end of lower cabinet. mount it at the same height of the bottom of the upper cabinet. put a orchid or something eye catching on the shelf& and definitly some art above that. then install your tile up to the shelf. if your lower cabinets,backsplash, shelf& say canvas picture are alligned this will look very finished.Best to you!
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PRO
Modern Interior Design LLC
14 years ago
Love the shelf idea. If not using a built in shelf you could stop the tile short
(be sure to use "Schlueter" metal edging to finish it off so you don't see the cut edge) then add a freestanding ledge or two to the left of the uppers to keep the eye moving.
bepsf
14 years ago
I'm going to disagree with the others:

End the tile at the end of the upper cabinet - that's where the kitchen ends (note huge beam overhead) and the dining area begins.

Treat the extended area as you would a serving bar or credenza, with serving pieces or a tray of service items on top.
PRO
Spaceform Design Build Interiors
14 years ago
I guess another option could be to run the tile to the end of the counter and up to the top of the doorway. Essentially wraping around the upper cabinet. Then you would have to hang something on the surface to break it up.
Bridgette J
14 years ago
Depending on the type of tile you plan to use, you might be able to reflect the angle of the counter by bringing the tile down on an angle or curve from the end of the upper cabinet to the end of the lower cabinet, incorporating the outlet also.
I could not find the example I wanted but these show a curve at least:
Bathroom Remodel · More Info

Woodinville Retreat · More Info
Stacey
14 years ago
you could go with a random tile edge
mjmcrory
14 years ago
I would definitely end the tile at the end of the upper cabinet. I agree with BEPSF, the kitchen ends at the beam.

Good luck!
beary
14 years ago
As i was reading the query, I immediately thought, tile to the end of the bottom cabinet and consider a small shelf as mentioned above, or a piece of art work. I think it would look weird, or unfinished to stop it at the uppers. You can get a shelf stained the same as the cabinets, that would look great, and give your kitchen some decorative detail with some books and a pretty bowl or something.
beary
14 years ago
Oh, an important detail, have the shelf installed directly on the top of the backsplash tile.
LB
14 years ago
Finish the tile at the top cupboard. Put up a picture or painting accenting the tile and use the space to put a tall vase of seasonal flowers, decorator items, or fill it with holiday items
cookapril
14 years ago
You could run the backsplash to the end of the countertop and add a floating glass shelf into the uper-corner cupboard area to make it flow together.
PRO
Jackie Ann
14 years ago
Stagger the glass tile from the end of the wall cabinet down to the end of the base cabinet....basically stairstepping down to the end. Looks great with vertical glass tiles.
PRO
Lupoli Construction
14 years ago
stop the tile at the upper cabinets!
PRO
Stardust + Gravity
14 years ago
I vote with the others who say to run the tile to the end of the bottom cabinets and top with a shelf, then art above the shelf. Staggering tile is not professional looking IMHO.
Beverly Cook
14 years ago
A backsplash 'belongs' to the counter top, so I'd go to the end of the counter (lower cabinet).
andiskitchen
14 years ago
I think since you are using the pencil interlocking glass tile, that it would look great if you stairstepped it down to the point where the counter ends.
myfirstvancouverhome
14 years ago
Bdcook is right: A backsplash 'belongs' to the counter top, so go to the end of the counter
.
PRO
Resolution Specialist Inc.
11 years ago
I'm very curious to see the end result. I am in the same scenario. My thoughts are to run it with the counter top and put the nickel or some type of trim on the ends, (top metal tile trim and trim on the end). Also floating glass shelving to fill up the space where a cabinet should be.
PRO
Resolution Specialist Inc.
11 years ago
BTW.. the declining tile looks awkward to me and seems to be an eye soar.