I have glass where I’m living now (a rental) but I’ve just bought a place and am thinking of renovating. I think I’d go glass again it’s so easy to clean no grout cracks to scrub and I also use it as a bit of a whiteboard shopping list - just write on it with a whiteboard market and it comes right off when you wipe with a cloth
I had a glass backsplash in my last house, never again! It was a pig to keep clean of smears and like the pristine condition in a the showroom. Thanks for a great video 👍🏼
Used to have wooden countertop and white tiles backsplash at my old home. The grouts stains were so bad and oil residue smells always seem to linger. Upkeeping was a disaster. We just moved to our new place last year. Installed black quartz with black mirror backsplash. So far so good. A simple wipe down is enough to keep everything pristine.
We discussed mirrored backsplash in a new house because there was a nice view behind the work area. A family member pointed out that everything on the counter is reflected-including any prep and cleanup! Good thought! I’m not THAT neat so went for tile with no regrets.
I have done kitchens where I've first set the backsplash at 1/8" above the countertop height. The cabinets are installed and the countertop slides in behind the backsplash. It's also easier to install the backsplash without the cabinets in the way. It's a nice detail and saves on scribing the back edge of the countertops to the backsplash.
This video is so helpful. We have put off backsplash as long as we could and have to put something at least behind our stove. Because I'm older, I was concerned with cleaning the backsplash. I think the large piece of stainless steel behind the stove works better for me. We still may add some pretty backsplash to each side, but behind the stove is where the grease splatters most. I'm also going to study a little more on it as to which backsplash is easiest to clean. We don't really won't glass but I'll check my options. Thanks so much for this wonderful information❣😀😍
My backsplash is salvaged natural masonry stone with a 17th century cast iron fireback behind the stove. It looks great but takes a lot of time to clean and maintain.
I love your content. I’m in Australia and last week a kitchen designer reco Dekton but I saw Mark Tobins video on how it shattered. Anyway the research of pros and cons for countertop materials continues and I liked your comments on trends eg the move away from glass and stainless steel for backsplashes. Very useful. Have a great day!
Thank you so much! Yes, Dekton is an interesting one. It is very fragile in transit and when not installed properly but once in place and secure it is really tough. The main benefits are the heat and stain resistance. It all depends what you need from your countertop though. Nothing is safe from Mark and his sledgehammer! 😂 Have a great day too!
Great video, comprehensive and informative. I’m with you on the grout issue and was thrilled to get rid of my tiles. Houzz really helped me decide what to go for- you can filter kitchen pics by backsplash material and colour. The trend for matching worktop and backsplash looks elegant but feels a bit claustrophobic to me- boxed in, like there’s no horizon… I went with stainless steel in the end and love the way it reflects light. Not a budget option though if you need multiple custom pieces with socket cut-outs.
Thanks so much! Yes, Houzz is a great source for inspiration, I'm always on there. I've never done a full length stainless steel backsplash, I bet it looks great, and yes, as soon as you mention the word custom things start getting expensive! 😬
We just remodeled our kitchen. We have quartz counters that look like marble. And for the backsplash we bought Italian white ceramic tiles that are bumpy with dark gray grout that matches the gray swirls in our counter top. Over the sink and a small space where are cabinets ended we did the backsplash all the way to the ceiling. We covered up all the painted surfaces in the kitchen. Our walls our covered in cabinets so the backsplash is basically over our cooktop and the sink area. It turned out really well. That said it never occurred to me to use the quartz counter top material for backsplash.. Such a great idea.
We are using quartz for countertop but using the same material for backsplash is quite expensive. Using the new marble looked quartz costs even more. So we went with a marble pattern porcelain backsplash and simple white quartz countertop. They haven’t arrived yet so fingers crossed it still look nice
Yes, using the same quartz countertop as a backsplash can be quite expensive unfortunately. Sounds like you've figured out a great alternative though. I'm sure it will look amazing!
We moved to a new house and had a very outdated backsplash, which our tiling contractor told us we could tile over with another tile, if it was thin enough (a quarter inch or less), which is what we did and saved a lot of money! Originally, I didn’t know this would even be an option. I’m so glad I asked him before I made the decision.
My plan is to use a blue pearl countertop with a contrasting shade of white granite with garnet crystals to pick up the red of some of my countertop appliances. It will also drive some geophysicist crazy a billion years hence, trying to figure out how that Norwegian granite and that South American stone came to be in the same location based on the supercontinent cycles.
Great video! Backsplashback is the correct term I believe! lol. This is the next thing Amy and I plan on doing. I'm leaning toward herring bone, with some sort of marble look. We'll see.
I have literally been waiting for a video like this. It's hard to know where to start in planning a new kitchen and I want to plan for everything to look cohesive.
When we were renovating or remodeling the kitchen we have always installed backsplash (tiles) first (knowing exactly how high the countertop should be). Then we had carpenter to come and take measurements for the kitchen and install it after it's ready with countertop (usually granite) on top. I think it would be super hard to install tiles after your kitchen was installed - very dirty!! :) Also... we never had issue with such approach... seems very natural.
You have been gifted with knowledge and wisdom in your field. Thank you for helping us that don't know what we are doing and giving us great ideas. One suggestion; Could you step back for the camera a bit. I feel like your in my space and I try and pull back from the screen.
I noticed that copper is quite popular too, even tiles that imitate copper, I think it may have evolved from the stained glass and stainless steel trends
Okay next can you please discuss splashbacks for an adjustable height workbench in an accessible kitchen? The splashback does go in before the bench, and it goes to the floor in case anything gets spilled and dribbles down the back of the bench - although the benchtop is deeper than usual to minimise this risk, and is built so it can be pulled away from the wall for cleaning if that sort of spill happens. The bit I'm unsure about is choosing a material for the back edge of the bench that won't scratch the splashback as one person lowers the bench to work from a wheelchair and the next person raises it to work standing up while being tall. I don't want scratches on my splashback!
We make them with Microcement, but not all microcements and sealers are good for that. Microcement can give you an option of having the floor, worktops and splash back in the same material. And no grout lines 😊
Oh wow glass and mirror to. That should look beautiful. My dilemma is that I'm renting and tiled backsplash means structural changes. Those stick on tiles with the adhesive is for an amazing option but they are EXTREMELY difficult to find and are super expensive.
We will use large formar ceramic tiles with a wavy structure. The bigger size means more of a slab look and less grout to worry about! Ours are 16x32“.
Wonder if you can use laminate as backsplash or large porcelain tiles which are more like one piece slabs? Love your videos, straight to the point and very informative.
You can do both. IKEA has some laminate panels that match their laminate countertops (mostly the marble and granite effect). Porcelain slabs can be great as they can be cut to measure and can be as big as 3.2 × 1.6 metres. They're large enough for most kitchens, no joints, completely seamless, waterproof and non porous. But on the pricier side and require a very skilled technician.
Enjoyed your video. You didn't talk about wood countertops. I have a rustic, southwest house and would have loved to hear what kind of different backsplashes to do with it, and Saltillo tile.
Thank you for these videos, Acrylic panels are used more in showers now, can you use similar in the kitchen? I wonder if this could be another option, if you can match it to the counter top (and can't afford the expensive material).
Well ... I was thinking about tiles remodeling the kitchen also. I was also going to tear out the old countertop and backsplash ... and put in a new one. I really like the glass look of the backsplash. But not all homes are built the same so I wonder about fit and the need to order for the size ... I also don't want to move or replace the cabinets, so I ruled it out. Basically the only places you need a backsplash are behind the sink and stove. But if you use tile you pretty much have to tile the whole walls under your cabinets. I remember how hard it was to keep them clean in my last house around the stove and sink. I'm getting old for this type of work ... and so I decided to do something less strenuous on my body & especially my back. And hopefully less work in care for them. I decided to try an epoxy granite look to redo the countertops and will just use 1 x 4's around the counter and epoxy them accordingly as well. Use high-quality paint for the walls, I will have an open space above the sink that I want to fill with some type of epoxy art design for a backsplash as well. And go with the stainless steel behind the stove for easy cleanup. A lot cheaper and less work.
I love the idea to use the countertop design as the splashback. The countertops are usually ticker, can the splashback then be thinner, but the same design?! Or how does this work?
This afternoon we installed our new kitchen and it’s not yet done. I’m not sure if how does it looks like when it’s done. Our countertop color is wood closer to orange and the backsplash is white marble design but not the real marble. I wanted to change the backsplash but I’m thinking about it. Thanks for this video I love your ideas
What about aluminium backsplash? There is an Australian company offers customised backsplash. They can look like marble, can be patterned or even a photograph.
Nice informative video. Can a quartz backsplash go behind a gas hob? Will quartz be able to handle the heat coming out from flames going outwards when a pot is on it ?
What about Acrylic panels? I was looking to see what alternatives you would have, but you did not mention Acylic? We are in the process of getting a kitchen installed, but didn't warm to the cost of glass as we would need 4 cut-outs. Acylic can be cut and holes created by our installer. We are looking to have a 'splash' of colour, but still undecided on the material. Although we've ruled out tiles and grout.
can Arborite/Formica etc, be used as a backsplash? I was thinking of using Formica on the countertops, and running it up the wall for a backsplash. would love to hear thoughts on this
Absolutely! Exactly the same look as having it in stone. Except with Formica (most laminate) the backsplash piece will be thinner, usually 6-8mm thick. You wouldn't use the same thickness piece as your countertops. Still need to consider cut outs for sockets/switches but this is much easier to do, your kitchen fitter/carpenter can do it. A really great option!
Great information. But I would like to know if there was any option to install a backsplash for a gas hop in a kitchen island to prevent splashes and most importantly to protect kids from reaching for hot surfaces .Best regards
Hello! Nice videos! I just start thinking about my kitchen design. I was looking your videos and start understanding more what is good and what's not. I like modern minimalistic style. Like when wood is involved just little bit don't know what exactly worktop and wall go's together with minimalism? Just exactly I now I want ligh gray kithen and wooden style floor. Thanks if I will get some advice will be grate! 😉
Thanks so much! I haven't done many kitchens with beadboard backsplashes in all honesty. I can only think of two off the top of my head. Both times we put it on top of an upstand and it wasn't behind the cooktop (one cooktop was on an island, the other we had a slab of worktop behind the cooktop and beadboard around the rest of the kitchen). They looked lovely though! It's just being aware it might not be the most practical or easiest to clean, especially around the splashy zones (sink/hob) although having it on top of an upstand definitely helped. If you're a tidy cook and like the look, go for it! 😊
Hello Michael, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge here, so helpful! One question (I'm sorry if I'm repeating somebody else has already asked/mentioned) - could you please tell me your opinion on Brick backsplash.. I really want to try but it does not look practical, eg cleaning. It would be great if anyone could give me any opinions/experiences. Thank you!
i used corrigated aluminum..dont recomend as its hard to clean. looks great new but after years its spotted with cooking splatter and hard water spots.
With granite (and some other stones) you would typically have a 20mm thick backsplash rather than the 'normal' 30mm thick slabs for your countertop. The same if it was just an upstand, they are also normally 20mm thick. Not the cheapest option, but they do look great! 😊
@@kitchinsider oh I see. Thank you. Do you have a recommendation for backsplash behind a 48” professional range (it has a grill too so it needs to be able to take the heat.) it will also have a 48” professional wall mounted under counter hood over it. The house is a very large traditional New England colonial. The cabinets will be partially natural wood (both islands and bar) stained walnut color, and the balance of the cabinets will be white. I’m having a heck of a time deciding.
It's difficult as so much of kitchen design is personal preference and what you like. Saying that, from what you've described, I'd maybe be tempted to go down the wall tile route. Something neutral but fresh to tie together the classic kitchen look. Also depends on your countertop material/colour and what overall aesthetic you'd like to achieve. Sounds great though, lovely big range! 😊
On a budget... looking at paint or laminate marble countertop. But can you use a laminate from Howdens as your backsplash? Kitchinsider, please answer this one...
Yes, you can use laminate as a splashback. I'm not sure if Howdens have specific laminate splashback options as they tend to be thinner than the standard laminate countertop (laminate splashback is usually around 8-12mm thick) but there are other suppliers online that do them.
I've never done mirrored plinths, not sure 🤔 I've done a contrasting colour, brushed steel effect, or (if handleless kitchen) matching the handleless rail colour. They look nice and help give them a bit more pop. Also done little plinth lights, which can help create some nice mood lighting in the evening.
Hello, I am so pleased with your video, it is helping me already, but still I really need your help. To start, I should tell you that my kitchen is small. I have a medium size window on one of the walls. I do not have a window where my sink is, so all the natural light that comes in, comes through that only window. Having said so, what do you think about a crazy idea that just came to my mind. I am thinking on just buying 2 nicely framed mirrors to be installed one behind the faucet , whose wall is just a boring wall, and the second mirror by my stove. The mirrors will reflect more light inside the kitchen, making it .airy and open which . Well, thanks will give the illusion of a bigger space. Thanks in advance, Fanny
Lovely and comprehensive! I love the matching countertop-backsplash look, but my (inherited) countertops are wooden. Considered antique mirror panel behind the range (also liked the idea of kiddies not sneaking up on me when I am cooking), but husband wasn’t keen. So sticking to the washable paint for now.
The *only* thing cementitious grout does well is resist extreme heat. If you're not putting hot saucepans from the stove down directly on your splashback, you don't need cementitious grout. Go for something impermeable like epoxy and you'll be laughing at people talking about how hard it is to keep grout clean.
Hiya! So helpful thank you. What's the name for the strip of backsplash that just runs along the edge of the countertop a free inches? Is it passé how does this look with tiling above it...?
Thanks! Pleased it helped! The strip of backsplash a few inches tall is called an 'upstand'. I don't think it's passé, still one of the most popular options I do. Although I am seeing a trend of having taller upstands at the moment. I talk about it a bit in this video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cZy5MaTUOLU.html
I would hesitate as being that close to water/steam/grease/splashes etc won't be any good for the wallpaper. But as another commenter mentioned, you could put clear toughened glass in front of wallpaper to protect it but have the design show through. I've never done it, but it could work.
@@kitchinsider Thanks for the tip. Perhaps the key advantage of wall paper is that it can be replaced with (I presume) relatively low cost. But I guess cost also depends partly on the quality of the wall paper. I like using a mirror as a black splash, especially if it creates an illusion of a window into another space.
Absolutely! Wallpaper, like kitchen paint, can be replaced easier and with lower cost. You can get waterproof wallpaper, normally for use in bathrooms, it's more expensive but could also be something to look into.
Going with quartz for both worktop and splashback. Really useful video. Is there any downside of using so much quartz? Apart from the cost, of course. Especially with regards to the weight and the plasterboard walls in these houses nowadays. Thank you!
I've personally never come across any issues with weight. I know of walls so wonky that they needed fixing and re-skimming so there weren't gaps created with the straight stone splashback. Pretty rare though. I think it's a great option. As you say, cost is usually the biggest downside.
Very nice! Just check if the stone needs to be sealed, most natural stone is porous, so will absorb the grease/food/splashes. Looks lovely though adding some texture.
At the risk of embarrassing myself .... are you saying the backsplash matching the worktop means having a thick item stuck to your wall, surely not .....
Yes, pretty much. Usually the backsplash will be from a thinner slab of the same material (12-20mm), but all depends what you're doing with your worktop thickness, it could all be the same.
It does sound a bit funny. I'd personally say splashback but North America call it a backsplash and the US and Canada make up over 45% of my audience so I try to include terms for everyone.