In terms of how high your kitchen backsplash should be, that's up to you. Many homeowners stop their backsplash level with the bottom of their upper cabinets. However, some choose to take the tile all the way up the ceiling. This can make the kitchen feel taller, drawing the eye up the wall.
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.
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.
The bottom of the upper cabinets, the bottom of a window, or the range hood are common lines to use as a guide for where to end your backsplash. Too many lines can make the room feel disjointed; continuing existing lines keeps the look unified and clean.
In general, the backsplash is installed to the height of four inches from the surface of the countertop. These backsplashes can be of any material or color, but we suggest that it compliments the cabinets and the countertops.
Standard Backsplash. A standard backsplash continues from the kitchen countertops to approximately three to six inches up the wall, with four inches typically being the most common height.
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.
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.
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 I strongly suggest designing it like this, otherwise, it will look outdated like on the bottom image.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.
Space For Your Kitchen Backsplash
Measurements for a typical backsplash are--16 to 18 inches--between the countertop and kitchen cabinets.
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.
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.
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.
The only time tile trim may not be needed is when the tile meets flush against other surfaces like wall corners or floor edges. Continuous tile designs can also be used instead of installing tile trim (but the tile edges should be glazed to remove rough, sharp edges).
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.
If you like having a short backsplash, consider using a 1 inch, 2 inch, or 3 inch backsplash instead of the standard 4 inch. The shorter backsplash will make the backsplash nearly disappear yet still protect the wall at the back side of the countertop.
When tiling a kitchen backsplash behind a stove, the best practice is to continue the tiles down the wall a minimum of one full course below the countertop height. This is done in order to prevent any visual discontinuity so you cannot see any untiled wall surface.
To give the edge a clean, water-tight finish, place a piece of masking tape one grout joint away from the edge of the last tile. Fill this gap between the tile and the masking tape with a smooth bead of caulk. This will finish the edge without extra tiles.
Bullnose tiles have a wide variety of applications. Here are a few examples: Walls: If you're tiling a backsplash or accent wall, unfinished edges that don't match up with the wall will be visible. Placing a row of bullnose tiles around the perimeter of your design yields a more finished look.
Getting Started
It's always advisable to start tiling your grid in the centre of the wall, as it's easier to make sure your pattern is symmetrical. It also means any half-tiles you may need can go at the end of each row and will be of matching size.
Most of the tiles will need to be cut to fit the perimeter of the room; starting in a corner allows you to begin the pattern with full tiles on a straight line and move evenly into the room. In this case, beginning in the center may make it more difficult to get the pattern moving evenly.
A countertop needs to be installed before the backsplash is put on the walls above the countertop.