It is "belt and suspenders". It is generally not done. Your fiancé did not want the entire wall with backsplash, only the 4", and you said you agreed. It sounds like the horse is out of the barn on this one.

As M Miller stated, tile above the 4" backsplash is redundant. It doesn't mean that you can't do it, of course. Perhaps consider something like a wallpaper?

I'd skip the backsplash, and paint the wall the same background white as your quartz. Also, after you paint, replace your outlets with white ones - it will instantly update the appearance of the walls!

wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the other half NOT wanting tile?

he wanted the 4" piece and he got it. Now you want to put in tile anyway? if you're going to do that, just remove the 4" piece and tile all the way down.

Right now though, you need to remove all the yellow/peach/beige tones from that wall. doesn't look great next to the bright white

Better options.

similar color cabs and quartz. they did a tile all the way down, blue gray accents

are you leaving the window trim the oak? I'd remove the oak trim w/the square molding pieces (they are very dated and do not work well w/the quartz), and replace it w/a more modern white casing.

something like this (45 miter in the corners) but all the way around the window

or, like this window. see how nice it looks w/the tile and the quartz done like this?

don't know if you plan on painting the oak, but here's what it would resemble

what about the rest of the kitchen?

you went w/a more modern quartz countertop but I see older traditional oak cabs.

Thank you Beth for all this helpful information! My fiance knows im very unhappy with the 4 inch now that its complete and agreed to let me tile it and to try and blend it, if i decide to We talked to the installer who said there will be imperfections if we remove the splash now and tile would not go flush to counter without a lot of additional work and money. When you go with backsplash they dont have to grind areas of counter to fit any curves in your wall. We just bought this house so were doing updates over time. I appreciate your time and advise!

Some of the suggestions are to wallpaper or paint to match. In all seriousness, Im still not sure why tiling up to the cupboard is any different then? I like the look of tile so thats why im asking And i know i should not of agreed to 4 inch backsplash. 😬 Some of the pictures beth shared with tile above backsplash looks nice and planned unlike my situation. Thanks for all the feedback!

Attaching pictures - I say do what you like it is your home.

If you want tile, then tile. But…I would consider some of Beth’s suggestions. Like most home renovation projects, one thing leads to another. And I would think about a new fresh color for your kitchen before I would jump into adding tile. Your backsplash right now is fine. And perhaps there is another place in your home where your desire for tile can be expressed. Again, if you want tile above your new backsplash, then tile it. It is your call.

Your countertop looks fairly neutral so adding a backsplash seems doable if it is your desire. I've seen photos where the backsplash was just a finished 2" edge of countertop and then backsplash added or painted, both look nice. Perhaps share photos of the complete space for ideas on layout and placement. The kitchen is your command central, have no regrets on getting what makes you happiest!

Your new countertop and sink are beautiful. Put tile above the 4" backsplash. I'm in the camp of people who believe that partners/fiances/DHs should be able to have at least some say in how the home is decorated. If you are criticized for this doing this, tell the backsplash police you love your fiance more than their opinions. After a while in a home partners/fiances/DHs usually lose interest in decorating.

Backsplash police 😂

agree with jacks comment..provide pictures of more of the space. the counter top change looks set for the long haul...the backsplash can be completed as you desire/ anytime though . there is no rush on that. Maybe there are a couple of other things to do to get things in sync w the beautiful counter if this is an older kitchen. appliance upgrade? lighting? hardware? is the floor really complementary now? it looks like old style tile. it might be nice to get new flooring and do a splash in coordination .....I might take a pause right now and look at the budget and what else is in the space.

IMO you get both answers here but the vast majority will tell you a flat no. Of you insist on tiel remove the backsplash it is not that big a deal to do. Since this is all new why not just live with it for awhile then see if it is such a big deal. I have to say the wall color is what I would change it does not work with the new counter and that might be all you need.

Lately, I am against tiled backsplashes and prefer a full slab or even just a small slab of countertop material to the busyness of tile grout. You have a nice clean look that lets the counters be the star. Pick your wall color and continue it above your slab backsplash.

I agree that tiling over the 4 inch piece is no big deal. However, these days I see a lot of designer kitchens that only have the 4 inch piece and I really like it, esp. if you already have really nice countertops.

https://www.homesandgardens.com/kitchens/kitchens-without-backsplashes

https://mariakillam.com/no-backsplash-alternative-subway-tile/

Isn't it nice how you SPECIFICALLY asked to only hear from those that have done it--and well that's not a thing here is it? I think the pics of those who have done it look very nice--but my gut says if you eliminated the lip would be optimum so get a thick tile or a lot of thin set so the 4" piece doesn't sit so proud of the tile. I think it's rather silly to think that 4" back splash saves your walls from the splashing that comes their way!!! Why it was ever an acceptable finish is what I will never understand.

Arcy thanks for feedback. My entire question was based on asking to hear of experiences of anyone who have done tile above splash not why i shouldnt. Even if i got no responses here. But, I do appreciate all responses of alternative options though!

In my old house I had a black formica counter and I tiled behind it. (I know. HORRORS) I did it because I was selling the house and the original formica from the early 60's needed to go. It actually looked good after I did it but I can't find the photo now.

Clarify:

You can't live without tile?

I will tell you a TALLER counter riser, (not the lowly four inch standard ) can look quite elegant and fresh. You can have the same counter material, cut and installed. Try eight inches or whatever that height is to under your window casing, which? Should be painted. White.

He can't live with tile?

Get off the internet, take him shopping. Most tile dedicated stores with an honest salesperson WILL tell you tile looks its best when you remove the riser. Does it mean you must? No......it means it makes both top and splash look better.

Post pictures of the ENTIRE kitchen, and my bet is I can give you something else to argue about: )

If you want to do it, then do it. It isn't typically done, but you know what? I really like the pics on this thread where it was done -- I think they all look really nice! You just wait -- sooner or later tile above the 4" rise will become the new design trend and everyone will be doing it. LOL! (but seriously -- it probably will happen...)

The reason why you are not getting responses from people who have installed a tile backsplash above a 4" backsplash is that few people here have done it. It's not commonly done, as already mentioned. Yes, you can find examples on the internet. You can find examples on the internet for everything (there was one where the kitchen hood surround was a hollowed-out upright piano - but I digress...).

As others have said, if you love it, then do it. Make sure you are 100% committed and confident, and won't regret it later, or wish you'd spent that money on something else in your kitchen, because a tile backsplash is a pain to remove.

Agree with the others who have pointed out the reason your wall doenst look great. you will want to paint the wall the same background white as your quartz and replace your outlets with white ones. what you dont want is tile and the backsplash that you already installed like some DIY gone wrong.

My fiancee is an electrician and replaced all my kitchen outlets and switches today to white! Going to paint next week to match white countertops and see how it goes and sit on the possibility of tile for now. Thanks for the feedback!

Painting is fine but have you considered a peel and stick wallpaper? Not very expensive, lots of choices so you can go as detailed or as subtle as you'd like, and it would give you a feeling of 'finished for now' so that you can move on to the next area of your new home. After living with it for awhile, you'll have a better feel for a more permanent change you'd really like for your kitchen area. There are many choices on Wayfair or the rainforest site - or perhaps even a local vendor carries this product. And after living with it for some months if your design sense changes a bit it would be easy to switch out without a big cost.

Just one other thing that might be considered, is that you have a tiled floor, which would be a lot of tile if the BS were tiled too. I would just paint the wall and find other ways to add personality to your kitchen. Your countertop is beautiful... enjoy!

I agree it is your home so no matter what that is the first thing IMO it llooks silly . The fact is you have tile floor already which IMO does not work with the counter and now you want to add another tile to the mix not a good idea . Paint the walls an interesting color and leave it .

Thank you for all the comments! Very helpful! We painted walls white for now Next steps, new appliances, flooring and under cabinet lighting! (courtesy of my electrician :-))

The white paint looks nice.

The short splash looks fantastic now that the walls are white.