Tile backsplash - symmetry vs function

10 years ago

Hi,
I am remodeling a master bedroom and would like to have a tiled backsplash for quartz countertop on my 48 inches vanity. I chose a very pretty marble mosaic and trim pieces with field tile underneath, but struggling how far to take backsplash length-wise. You can see from the picture attached that I will have some space on sides of vanity giving impression of a furniture piece. I feel my current 60 inches built in vanity makes space feel cramped, so I am willing to sacrifice some counter space. Now to my problem. Wall on the left side of the vanity is longer than one on the right (38 and 29 inches respectively). I was going to put a mosaic border and trim only on 60 inches wall, so I do not have to worry about finishing edges of a border and tiles. No way water will splash that far on the sides! But I got a very negative feedback from my friends, they think it will look unfinished somehow. Their suggestion is to take tile and border all way to the door frame on right and a corner on left. I would consider coming to 29 inches on both sides, so it looks symmetrical but it would leave a small part of wall untiled (9 inches) next to the corner.
I would appreciate if you shared your opinion about these 3 options:
1. Border and tile only on a long central wall.
2. Border and tile 29 inches on each side
3. Border and tile all way to the door on right and corner on left

Options 2 and 3 will open another can of worms - how to finish the edges of border and tile.
I guess there is always the last resort - a quartz backsplash... Which would be just on the long wall obviously, probably 49 inches long. Thanks!

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Comments (12)

catbuilder
10 years ago
Are you tiling just the backsplash (just the area above the counter), or the whole wall (down to the floor)? If you're doing just a strip above the counter, you should not extend it beyond the cabinet ends. If you're doing the whole wall, I would extend the tile around the corners and to the ends of the wing walls. I wouldn't stop the tile short on the left wall.
aliris19
10 years ago
I agree with catbuilder. As you mentioned the 60" feeling cramped formerly, I'm wondering whether tiling all around on the sides might not make it feel a little claustrophobic all over again? I vote for just the long central wall, either as a backsplash above the vanity only, or as "wainscotting" tile. I'm guessing the "wainscotting" could be really eyecatching, like a frame for the vanity, setting it off in a good light.
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I guess it depends on how much of a perfectionist you are and what your expectations are for making it "seamless". I just know that even with a professional, it is VERY difficult to match texture on walls. A while back, I hired a pro to fill in a big TV nook/alcove in my family room, so there was a big area where he had to blend in new drywall and texture with the rest of the existing wall. It was ok, but not as seamless as I expected. But... I'm a perfectionist. Thankfully it is the wall my TV and entertainment center covers a lot of, so I let it go. Honestly, you saved money texturing yourself and probably got a similar result to a pro for such a small area. I don't really have any tips for texturing walls -- I've only done small patch jobs around my house and I thought they looked really good. I did it by hand and not with a can of spray texture because the areas were so small. As for the toilet, I just can't imagine paying a bunch for something that we all use for... that purpose. That toilet has had a few problems over the years, so I have been thinking of replacing it at some point. Though I don't think I'd go for a high-end one, haha
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raehelen
10 years ago
I just went on Houzz and started looking at powder rooms. There are ~ 12,600 photos. I would go through, and see which ones you like best. From what I saw, all your options are represented, so there's no one right or wrong way to do it. Just what you like, (and can afford...LOL)

Here's one example of the tiling done on all three walls:

[Traditional Powder Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-powder-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_713~s_2107) by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Handman Associates
enduring
10 years ago
Raehelen, I just love your humor and BTW, I love those over the top sconses!
L.Ann
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for your responses! The plan is to tile the wall from border to the floor. Tile installer said it will be easier to do that than to make cuts to fit tile around vanity. I am using marble look alike ceramic tile, so it will not cost much to do just that.
I have spent a lot of time on Houzz and it is where I came with idea to do tile backsplash instead of quartz.
My struggle with going all way to the corner is that I will have to finish edge off somehow and it will look different than edge by the door which will be hidden by door frame and not require any trim.
Another option is to tile the central wall all way to the ceiling. Drywall will have to be removed anyway. I have a giant mirror glued to it. So I am trying to picture the entire wall of polished tile, big framed mirror and 2 crystal pendants hanging from the ceiling. Is it too much? Crystal pendants came to the picture an hour ago when I was browsing lighting fixtures store. Originally I was going to do sconces on both sides of mirror and talked myself into downsizing mirror to leave 3-4 inches on each side of the sconce. But with pendants I will not need as much room on sides.
And thank you for not criticizing me for putting 48 inch vanity into 60 inch alcove. I really love the look. Also inspired by Houzz...
enduring
10 years ago
Marble, crystal, big mirror? Sounds good to me. "Too much?" you'll have to make that decision. The elements sound lovely.
User
10 years ago
Thank you for posting the question L.Ann. I have the same decision and not sure what to do.....

Only difference, I am putting the sconces on the wing walls so I can go with a larger framed mirror.
L.Ann
Original Author
10 years ago
Welcome to the club, mdln! I am still un-decided on how much to tile. As for now I think about doing Option 3 and continue it to the tub/shower area and then on the toilet wall. Then stop and have a big wall painted. It is where I will put TP holder, towel rack and light switches. Said Good Bye to crystal pendants, decided to do sconces on each side, so mirror will be only 34 inches wide. How big are your vanity and mirror, mldn?
User
10 years ago
The vanity is 38" and is not the most practical, but I have a lot of storage space, I really liked it, and it was on sale........

Have not chosen a mirror, want to get everything else in place first. Am thinking of a 36" wide rectangle shape framed mirror. Height to be determined by what is available.
L.Ann
Original Author
10 years ago
Wow. It is a beautiful vanity. Your bathroom will be very special with great focal point. My stuff will be very traditional, that's why I am obsessing with marble listello as a backsplash. To add something special to otherwise "safely" designed bathroom.
Have you tile picked up yet? Marble?
User
10 years ago
@ L.Ann - originally (when I bought it) was going to use a carrara looking porcelain tile, then I decided to use real carrara for the kitchen counters.

So am now back at tile stores looking for something to go with this. If anyone has any suggestions, please speak up!
L.Ann
Original Author
10 years ago
Well, I went backwards then. I chose marble tiles for floor and walls and then decided to go with porcelain. But I kept originally picked listello and trim!

Tile backsplash - symmetry vs function

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