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How to place backsplash in galley kitchen

15 years ago

Hi = we have a galley kitchen with a long thin arched window on the end. The cabinets are not quite centred on the window (JUST REALIZED THIS BUT CANT BE CHANGED) = I would say it is about 2-3 inches out. Now the time has come to place the backsplash tile. I was going to run it up to the bottom of the cabinets on the two walls that face each other (the "stove wall" and the "dishwasher wall"), but I don't know how to wrap it around on the walls that the window is on - do I just to a short row on the wall with the window on both sides (say 4 inches) ending at the countertop, or do I keep it at the 18 inch cabinet height in a big square? We are doing light grey small (1 by 2 inch) glass tiles, I think... I am worried that keeping it a big 18 inch high square to the end of the countertop will just highlight how off centre the cabs are, but my husband thinks a short row will look weird - help!

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Comments (6)

ci_lantro
15 years ago
In this situ, maybe it would be best to stop the tile in the corner & not wrap around onto the window wall.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
Got a picture? It might help me visualize what you are trying to figure out.
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Ooooh, you have me a little worried. I am planning a white on white kitchen...but back to the topic at hand. No I definitely don't think a lip of a backsplash is at all unfinished. In fact, i think most houses just have a lip? I wonder if the wall of a BS is a new thing. In fact i just took a quick look at property listings (no I am not a realtor, haha) and the 3 houses I clicked on (close to a million$) all had a lip of a backsplash. I think it is personal preference. And your right it is a dust catcher=). but better to have dust than me rub off my wall every time I wipe my counters down. (good paint may well solve that dilemma) but I do think that it looks naked with nothing. We cook alot ( and I am messy) so I have to have something behind my stove...and personally i do like the full wall of backsplash. If you have soapstone, that may break up the white enough to not make it so stark. You could possibly consider the lip of soapstone and then tile above that....? Best of luck
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Posted by budgeteer_s (My Page) on Wed, Dec 31, 08 at 18:18 Thanks for all your suggestions. I wanted so much to follow with ci_lantro's suggestion because then I'm done. I'll gladly let you snatch that paint brush out of my hand. ha ha. But at the same time if a little tiling will tie up the project, then I'm game. jodi_socal: I'm a little disappointed when you said fire and ice won't work. I just LOVE that F&I BS. But then agin, I think I know all along it's a little too much for my kitchen. Caryscott & petra: Thanks for the picture petra, it says a thousand words. Is spectralight glass tiles? Prices are pretty reasonable. What about that milk green color? will it work? maybe with some garnet pieces sparingly mixed in. I will take some pictures and post two HD Behr's paint card to aid in the discussion of color. Thanks again ALL! Correction: My tiles were Alfagres: Gema4x4: different from what caryscott posted: I loved what caryscott linked:
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remodelfla
15 years ago
Would love to see a pic of the area you're talking about.
chrissyjamed
Original Author
15 years ago
Allright - I will do my best to post a picture. Fearful I wont be able to figure it out!!! I also think the window should be the focus on that wall, not the splash... watch this space!
chrissyjamed
Original Author
15 years ago
Okay, here is a link to short video taken of the day the cabinets went in - you can see the window wall and area I am talking about - just turn the volume off as all you hear is a baby crying as commentary anyway.

My husband is worried that if I put no splash against the counter on the window wall that the drywall wont be adequately protected. But I think that might look best... help!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen video
marthavila
15 years ago
By all means, no splash on the window wall! The functional purpose of the backsplash is to protect the wall against grease and other food splatters coming from the range/cooktop or water from the sink. Even so, there are those (like me) who've had backsplashless kitchens for years and the walls get along just fine. Especially if you're not using those counters on your window wall for cooking or cleaning tasks involving water, I'm thinking your drywall will be ok there without a backsplash. In addition, your backsplash will end in a logical place, the overall design will be neat and simple and you will save you money!

Now, if only I could be so objective about solving my own backsplash problem in a galley kitchen with a bay window wall at one end. :)

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