Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall. In most cases, the space behind the fridge is not visible anywhere in the kitchen. There is no need to spend money on labor and materials for a place you will not see. Do put a backsplash behind your cooktop and hood vent.
Backsplashes should go behind the stove and between the countertop and the bottom of the upper cabinets, but not behind the fridge. The backsplash should be wherever there will be food and water splatter, but not where it can't be seen.
Basic Guidelines for Kitchen Backsplash Placement
Backsplashes should be installed between upper and lower cabinet walls. You do not want to install them behind the refrigerator because there is no reason to do so. Putting a backsplash behind the refrigerator is unnecessary.
Some like to end it where the upper cabinet ends. Others like to stop at the edge the counter. And still, others want to take it to the end of the wall. Whichever looks best for the kitchen is the best place to end the backsplash.
It all starts with the alignment of your upper and lower cabinets. Hopefully they are lined up perfectly, as they are above, where the splash can run from the top edge of the countertop to the underside edge of the upper cabinet.
You need a backsplash behind the stove to protect from grease and cooking splatter that could damage the surface behind the stove. The backsplash should be made of durable, nonabsorbent, and easy to clean material that will not discolor easily.
The best rule for kitchen backsplash placement is to look for a natural stopping point. This could be a wall, a window, a cabinet edge, or anything else in between. You can use tile edging trim or bullnose tile to create a distinct edge for the backsplash.
Backsplash height should be all the way from the Countertop to the bottom of upper cabinets. I strongly suggest designing it like this, otherwise, it will look outdated like on the bottom image. Also, it protects water spillage much better if it is made all the way up to upper cabinets.
Leave the Edge Alone
Complete the edge by applying a piece of painter's tape to the wall next to the tiles. Squeeze a thin line of caulk down the outside edge of the tiles where they meet the wall. This blends the tiles into the wall, giving it a clean, finished look.
First, during tile installation, leave a small space between the tiles and the wood surface or countertop… no more than 1/8 of an inch.
If you're in a kitchen, and you're doing the countertop-to-upper-cabinet-18”-high-backsplash, it's best not to wrap that around to the side wall if you don't need to. As I always say... Transitioning materials on an inside corner is always best.
Peel and stick vinyl backsplash can be used for stove backsplash DIY, it will resist the heat of a stove (if it's a gas stove, make sure you left a safety zone to avoid any contact with an open flame). The peel and stick backsplash behind the stove will not move or yellowing.
Make a mark directly in the middle of the wall above the countertop. This is where you will center the first tile to start the backsplash project. If the countertop is tiled, locate the tile that is in the middle of the counter and use that as your starting point.
Skinny backsplashes are out of style, we are happy to report. A ceramic tile or glass backsplash that stretches from counter to cabinets is much easier to keep clean, and is more likely to catch spills and splatters.
Bullnose tiles have one curved edge that finishes a tile installation neatly without exposing the unglazed ceramic or porcelain edges. To finish a backsplash without bullnose tiles, you'll need to disguise the unglazed edge of the tiles with trim molding or caulk.
When installing a backsplash, grout between tiles, once they are set, before you caulk the corners and edges.
According to our friends at hunker.com, a standard backsplash measures four inches up from the your countertop surface. In most cases, it is an additional piece of the same material that you select for your countertops.
Step 1: Lay Out Your Backsplash Tile Design
If you are doing a straight wall—like my laundry nook, it's best to start at the center and work your way outward. However, if you are doing a corner, it's better to start in the corner and work your way out.
When installing tile, leave a 1/8 inch (3 mm) gap between tile and cabinets. Fill the gap between the tile and cabinet with color-matched caulk. Then, smooth it with this caulking tool.
Install the backsplash, grout, and install the microwave. The meeting of the microwave and the tile will look much nicer if the tile is behind the microwave rather than butting into it.
Ceramic tile is the most popular option for a kitchen backsplash. Ceramic tiles are incredibly versatile—they come in many shapes, sizes and colors and can be installed in numerous patterns.
Peel-and-stick tiles provide a cheap backsplash idea that's easier to install than traditional tile. The self-adhesive backing can be applied directly to the wall with no grout needed. The wide range of patterns lets you recreate the look of a bold tile backsplash without the high cost.
For a more modern or industrial look, stainless steel provides a durable material option for a kitchen backsplash. Sheets of flat steel are easily affixed to the wall and the material itself is heat-resistant and very easy to clean.