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Where to start and stop kitchen “back-splash” tile?

last year

Tile has become more decorative than just functioning as backsplash, so I’d like to go to the ceiling since it would be a statement. Some say no because the cabinets don’t go all the way up, while others say it’s a personal preference and could look great. Thoughts on these options?

Tile up to the bottom of the first shelf to the right of the window. ( not installed yet, but there will be two shelves and a light) Tile would go horizontally to the microwave cabinet on the right side and to the cabinet on the left side of the window as well. Tile will essentially go half way up the triple window.
Do the above, but also tile up and around the bay window on all three sides to the ceiling.
Do all of the above and continue above the left bank of cabinets and finish the look with a piece of a schluter trim to the ceiling on the left side.
Thanks!

Comments (4)

Kim Nerio
11 months ago
Love your backsplash! What brand is it and where did you purchase it? I am in the process of picking backsplash and would love to see finished photos of your kitchen!
sunsets306 thanked Kim Nerio
Jeanne Cardwell
11 months ago
I’m not totally following your description of what you want to do but I would only tile to bottom of upper cabinets on both sides of bay window (like what was there previously) and then MAYBE tile to ceiling in the bay only (and put a white wood trim piece between the windows so all the molding is continuous).
sunsets306 thanked Jeanne Cardwell
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theresa21
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
I would just tile where it was tiled before, but up to the wall cabinet height as needed. It's a matter of taste, some people would like it tiled up to the ceiling, but I am not one of those. I am a less is more person. Plus, I would like to carry over whatever wall color there is in other parts of the kitchen to tie it all together. Do what you like.
sunsets306 thanked theresa21
sunsets306
Original Author
11 months ago
Thanks all. I ended up tiling around the window, but stopping underneath the top shelf and at the same level on the other side so that it was symmetrical and framed the window. I felt tiling above the cabinets would have been too much and I even changed the design from herringbone to this stacked soldier pattern last minute because I thought it might have been too busy with my Taj Mahal countertops, which should be the star.

The tile is from Emil Group and is called Totallook Blanco Matte and Blanco Lux. Just google and I'm sure you can find a store near you. I chose to do 75% matte and 25% glossy for a bit of pop, but not too much. Way too many decisions every day!!!

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