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.
Some microwaves can be lifted above the tiles, provided the cabinets are moved higher as well. Installing the microwave above the kitchen range where a vent hood would normally go is becoming a frequently seen design.
Many homeowners will put accent tile behind their cooktop and hood vent to act as a feature in the kitchen. Grease, bubbling sauce, steam and other elements coming from your stove make for a messy cleaning job. Having a backsplash there will eliminate the headache. Use your cabinets to mark the end of your backsplash.
So just remember: 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.
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.
Can I use peel-and-stick backsplash panels behind the stove? Most—but not all—peel-and-stick backsplashes are heat resistant and pose no problem if installed behind a stove.
Backsplashes need to line up with the upper cabinet.
Align the tile backsplash with the upper cabinet. It doesn't have to align with both although that would be nice! Usually the end of the backsplash tile, if aligned with the uppers, will die ON TOP OF the countertop below.
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 I strongly suggest designing it like this, otherwise, it will look outdated like on the bottom image.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.
Most designers will recommend that you use a backsplash because they prevent water, grease, and other liquids from damaging the wall behind it. Designer Ashley Fong tells us that, You don't need a backsplash, but without one, your wall is exposed and will require a higher level of maintenance.
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.
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.
Peel and stick backsplashes do not discolor over time. So long as you take good care of your backsplash and give it the right cleaning maintenance, it can last you a long time. Since they're made with real materials, you don't have to worry about the space looking “cheap”.
Adding a tile backsplash behind a range provides an attractive and fireproof surface that protects the kitchen wall from your cooking activities. Tile is easy to clean and strongly resistant to heat and flames, making it an excellent kitchen backsplash choice.
If the microwave goes past the tile then your install can be slightly slanted back. When you have tile behind there it is easy to jam the microwave in knowing you have a flat surface. If you decide to take micro out and go with a hood you probably won't have enough leftovers to get all the way up.
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.
The purpose of a backsplash is primarily functional. It protects the wall behind the sink against water damage from inadvertent splashing. In the kitchen, backsplashes cover other parts of the countertop beside the sink area.
A standard backsplash is typically 4 inches high from the countertop. A full backsplash comes as high as you need, most homeowners have it all the way up to the height of the kitchen 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.
Backsplashes placed near the cooking range typically go all the way up to the bottom end of the overhead cabinets. Backsplashes near the sink can be made short. Having this on the side wall of the kitchen counter may not always cause an aesthetic problem to the overall look-and-feel of the kitchen.
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.
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.
Peel and stick flooring doesn't last as long as other flooring options. Though Abrams says you shouldn't expect it to last longer than five years, Chapman says high-quality products may last up to 25 years under ideal conditions.