I vote for the end of the upper cabinet. Ending at the counter edge just doesn't look right to me.

Cabinet.

Add a small open shelf to the end of cabinet so it extends to edge of counter top.

A backsplash is to prevent marking the wall when cooking on the counter, not to stop splashing when you take things out of the cabinet. It should at least run to the end of the counter.

Happiemaddie: Can you tell me what you decided to do and if you are happy with your decision. I have the EXACT situation with my kitchen reno and am looking for how to end the backsplash - specifically, did you end at counter OR did you end at upper cabinet. Your reply would be greatly appreciated!

We choose to do it to the end of the Counter top, we thought it looked unfinished otherwise. We like it a lot and wouldn't change it but to each their own. Our contractor for the counter top said that's where they usually end it and our general contractor said he usually does it to the counter top end. I'll try and take a pic of it for you.

I would love a picture!

p.s. you are right about "to each their own" It appears that this is a heated topic on-line. Some feel very strongly that the backsplash should follow the counter. Others feel very strongly that it should end at the upper cabinet otherwise it looks like there is a missing cabinet. We can't add another cabinet because, like you, we have a bulkhead. We are using glass tile as well. Just wondering - How did you end the tile at the wall

It's just a little metal strip along the edge of the tiles, it looks fine. Not the greatest but couldn't find anything that went with the glass tiles.

This is beautiful happymaddie. I do like the metal stripe especially its pattern.

End of the cabinet or it looks like it is just floating nowhere out on the wall.

Well we have already finished it, so you can keep your opinion to yourself jtbino, I was answering someones specific question to what I did. For your house can choose what you wish, but now your are just being insulting to the situation.
Also I have splashed water all the way over there lol.

I vote for the end of the kitchen cabinet to end the tile. We recently had a similar situation in a kitchen. We had the tiles professionally installed and our installer, who does tile work only, stopped the tile in line with the top cabinets. Even though our tiles are black, and the cabinets are white, it does not look odd. Your eye will follow the edge of the top cabinet and follow it down to the countertop. Ours looks great.

After researching this issuing to resolve our own situation it is absolutely clear that there is no right or wrong way. There are many variables to be considered in each case and the HOMEOWNER should decide what is best for them and their family. If happymaddie chose to extend the backsplsh to the end of her counter and is happy with the result than that is the right decision for her.

I agree with Lucy - to each their own and no way is right or wrong. We use that extra counter as a breakfast bar, so for us it works!
Good Luck with your backsplash Lucy, it is a ton of fun all the difference it will make to your kitchen!

Your kitchen is going to be beautiful! What do you think it would look like if you brought the tiles all the way up the wall to meet flush with the soffit? I know it would be a little off, but probably not that noticeable. If you wanted the edge of the counter ant wall tiles going up to soffit to be all in line you could add wood trim or tile trim.

Oops, I just saw your photo of it finished- it turned out great!

Maybe use some of those oil metal letters just above the tile that spells out your favorite kitchen term...EAT, COOK, etc. it would take your eye away from that stark transition.

happymaddie, that looks great! Can I ask you what color paint you have on your walls? It's beautiful!

It's should stop at the end of the cabinets. It would look weird going out past them even if it is to the end if the counter.

Compromise and just go half way, that can look good to!

End of the cabinet. Absolutely! And finish off the exposed tile edge with metal tile edging or a finishing tile. Good luck!

Debbierz2 the paint is vintage pewter by Benjamin Moore. Thanks we like it!

You can do something like this, we did a few jobs, but it was a granite back-splash, and it looked great.

Using some logic, lol, the back splash is backing the counter - hence back the whole counter.

I know your dilemma is already resolved. But here's one more example I ran across today that reminded me of this discussion and confirms your choice:

For a more cohesive look; I'd take your back splash to the end to meet the edge of your counter top. Hope it turns out well for you!

Add a wine rack cabinet to the end cabinet. Would give you the length you need to make it look even.

Happy mad die - what's important is that u like it, so this just a pix that fully supports my response to you much earlier. In chatting abt your dilemma I realized I misunderstood you question, so I Ck'd my kitchen to see if I followed my advice to you.....yea. Here's a clear pix of my solution. Enjoy

Another option... you can angle it down, so it doesn't abruptly stop. (see below)

Where the counter ends and finish with pencil molding.

@A Direct Cabinet Distributor Corp - do you recall the type/color of stone used in that picture you posted? thanks.

No. I'm sorry, we do not have that information. We did not supply the back splash tile.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2689137/good-example-of-two-things-to-avoid-in-your-remodel

Nope, sorry. Just couldn't live with staring at that backsplash jutting out like that. Would make me insane. Someone's suggestion of a shelf is the way to go.

Glad to have found this discussion! My dilemma is very similar to happymaddy's as to how and where to end the backsplash, except that we decided not to have the upper cabinet at the end of this counter, above where the dishwasher will go. We did this at the suggestion of a designer I consulted in Jan, but she is no longer available. I see several photos where the backsplash ends and is squared off with some kind of edging. Without an upper cabinet ours would be a much bigger corner and I didn't think it would look good. Note that we have not chosen our backsplash as yet but I am favouring a light grey or a shiny white. The counters will be white Silestone Quartz with grey marbling and our island is a dark smokey grey and will have the same counter.
I would appreciate any advice from you experienced designers!
Thank you,
Kathryn from Canada

Kathryn, It would look lovely, if you had the backsplash tile, come from all the way of the edge of the counter on the right, less .5" from the edge of the countertop, and go all the way to the ceiling and around the window.

I would definitely extend the back splash to meet with the end of the counter top. Good luck and please post photos of the back splash installed after so we can all see the end result!!!

Yours Truly,

Taylor Warner Kitchens

2907 W Kennedy Blvd

Tampa, Fl, 33609

That's what I think I'm going to do. Just got asked the same question, and after reading this thread since it's near the stove, I'm going to the edge of the counter not the cabinets.

I am having a bit of a dilemma i dont know where to end the back splash? I think I should carry it right to the edge of the counter but my contractor says to end it at end of cupboard. I think it will look incomplete. some help please.

@traceyo123 -- you should start your own dilemma/thread rather than piling onto the end of a three-year-old discussion, both for reasons of general netiquette and because then you'll be alerted when you get responses.

sorry I dont know how to start a new thread...

Tracey -- click on the word "ADVICE" in the upper right hand corner of this page. Near the top, in the middle of the next page, fill out the "What are you working on" form, then submit/post.

Just a suggestion, add a small shelf(s) @ end of cabinet to create 1 "end" line. Did I make that clear enough? Paint same color as cabinets. Then you can take back splash all the way to end of counter. Now you solve your dilemma and have a display spot.

I agree with Meisha Weiss...open shelving would add balance with the cabinets and look amazing as well as solving the "where to end the back splash" dilemma. There are some great photos of open shelving right here on Houzz...check them out!

Maybe add an upper outer end corner cabinet (I forget the actual name)

For me, it depends on each project because sometimes it just does not look symmetrical. I usually like to end it where the cabinet ends but if it's a long wall with like a window than I would do that whole wall to the cabinet. But if it's just a little section like 12" or so I would end at the cabinet. It just looks odd for me.

this was our after reveal for our kitchen , glad we ended at the cupboards

Good decision! Your kitchen is beautiful! I like everything about it, panels, faucet, backsplash, rug, island ...