I have the same situation and I am stopping where the counter tops end. I don't know if that is the "correct" answer-but it is what I think will look more finished!

I *think* (although not completely sure) that the tile ends where the countertop ends. Otherwise it might look odd with no backsplash behind the counter ?

It's kind of like ending a cabinet run in a corner, like mine. The tile will wrap inside the corner, then out past the edge of the upper cabinet to end at the counter edge.

You can do a stairstep effect. End where the cabinets are at the top and stairstep out to the counter. Depends on how big your tile are though.

I frequent the kitchen forum all the time and asked this question while ago as have others. The tile pro on that forum suggests stopping where the counter ends. If you use a nice bullnose edge, it will give a finished look (or even use a liner). I took his suggestion and it looks nice.

For my backsplash, I plan to do the opposite (I think) and end the backsplash where the upper cabinets end. Although I don't think there is anywhere where the difference between where the uppers end and where the counters end is more than an inch.

I'll actually be stopping the tile (if I ever pick one out) at the end of the upper cabinets. The extra counter is where our pennisula will start at a 90 degree angle. In my case, I didn't think it would look OK the other way. Of course, after reading this I may change my mind :)

I saw one pic somewhere with a randomized stairstep effect, very nicely done. But the they were fairly small 'subway' tiles with some same height squares mixed in, so there were plenty of 'steps' with which to work in the randomization effect.

- D

jtalb --
How much space between where your upper cabinets end and the lower cabinets? I'm like Bob cville and some of the others: I think I want my backsplash to end where the upper cabinets end, not the counter. The lower cabinets and upper cabinets end in the same place; it's the counter that extends an inch and half or so further.

Do you have pictures?

You didn't mention what kind of tile you are using but this is what we did.

{{!gwi}}

Jodi-

Here are the pics of my KD's line drawings. The end of the counter R side of the stove is where I'm stumped.

http://picasaweb.google.com/don.wigle/KitchenPlans

jodi in so cal -- that is a stunning backsplash, and it seems like a great and creative way to deal with cabinets that end at different places, an idea that might help jtalb.

A lot depends upon your backsplash. Jodi's is gorgeous! Here's a glimpse of our solution (to the far right in the photo). We ended the tile and glass tile trim at the cabinet edge, then used a pencil tile as the edge trim.

Jodi's is the pic I remember seeing. I LOVE that treatment. I also really love the tile and cabs.

- D

We have chosen 4 x 4 Noce tumbled marbled tile for the backsplash.

To the right of the stove, I don't know where the tile should end. My first instinct is for the tile to end at the same point as the upper cabinet. But will it look odd having counter top with no backsplash?

Tricia

I think that I would do something like Patti Bee. If you're going to put a picture there, it would stay true to your lines and not take away from your artwork. That is a picture on the wall, right?

Our upper counters end only about 3/4 of an inch from the end of our lower ones on one end, and about a foot on the other side. I was just looking at muscat's tile job (very difficult pattern and beautiful, and it goes to the edge of the counter. I really don't know what I'm going to do. I think it depends on whether I do glass or glass tile.

jtalb: Why not make your upper cabinet go out further and nix the picture on the wall?

Our cabinets are supposed to come in on the Apr 11th, so I don't think I want to change the cabinets... if only I had paid closer attention to these kinds of details in the design process!

I think we have come up with a solution (Saw it at MIL's house). We are going to continue the backsplash across to the door way & down to the floor.

Any thoughts on our solution?

Hmn, not a bad idea in my opinion. The paint on that wall may take some abuse overtime and look dingy later anyway.

- D

I think you could do what Patti Bee did, and line up the marble tile to match the height of the tile under the window.

This will give you more decorating options for that wall. You won't be limited to a small picture that has to hang up above the marble.

If you extend the backsplash out, it may beg the question 'why didn't you make the cabinet wider?' If you have a shorter backsplash, it will look intentional.

Raehelen, good idea. Although I do like like the idea of tiling the wall in that area, I was worried it would look 'too tiled'.

It is a very high traffic doorway...leads outside to backyard & down to the basement. With a large dog & 2 young children, things get pretty scuffed up in our house. Having an easy to clean area will be nice :)

Tricia

We did exactly what Jodi in so calif did, except the staggering is a bit more gradual as there was only a few inches difference to account for(see photo below). However, with the tile you're planning and with the distance you need to carry the tile over, I'd go patti bee's route...hers looks great and it looks very natural!

We have a 4 gang switch box that is halfway within the backsplash area and halfway out. I decided to run the tile to our door and down to the floor. The door casing is 7.5 inches from the edge of the granite. I really like how the tile looks! I am grouting it today and will try to do pics later and post them.

that's what i was going to suggest. i really like the finished look of running it out and down to the floor, but if you have a big span of wall that's not always possible.

I finally finished grouting. I have not sealed or caulked yet.
Here is a photo of the backsplash right after I grouted. I decided to go to the floor with it.
Excuse the particles on the counters. I have not cleaned up the dust from the grout yet.
{{!gwi}}

We did a stairstep thing, too, although I'm really not crazy about it. In fact, I plan (someday) to redo the splash entirely by taking off the 4" granite and taking tile all the way down to the counters.
{{!gwi}} {{!gwi}}

1sst, your backsplash looks great. I think we'll be doing ours the same way. Thanks for the pictures.

Tricia

Does anyone have any pictures of what they've done with just a small difference - really just the countertop overhang of an inch or so. The spot I am looking at has the upper and lower cabs ending in the same spot, it is just the granite that goes out further. The little things shouldn't be that hard!! :)