Since our kitchen renovation almost two years ago, the question I often receive is about our backsplash. Or lack of a backsplash to be more specific. If you followed along during the kitchen renovation, you know I was taking my time with each decision. (You can read more about that HERE.) I only made a decision when it needed to be made and let the rest of the decisions wait. I already had to make a hundred big and little decisions and definitely experienced the decision fatigue that’s common with home renovations. The backsplash would be installed after the counter and cabinets were in place, so I could wait to select the tile after the kitchen was essentially finished. And, that’s what I did.
Right now, my walls are plasterboard with Sherwin William’s premium interior latex paint, Emerals, in a matte finish. I have found the paint to be every bit as durable and scrubbable as tile, so I’ve just wiped up any splatters that happen around the sink or stove. And, of course, the inevitable splatters in random places that make you wonder what in the world happened and how they got there.
In the months following the renovations, I ordered a few tile samples and set them on the counter to see if any of them got me excited. None of them really did. Even the ones that I thought would be exciting didn’t seem to add anything to the overall look and functionality of the kitchen. So, the samples went into a box on a shelf in the garage. I’m not sure if it’s purgatory or the final step to banishment, but I feel like I ruled them out for the backsplash.
I do miss a backsplash behind the sink, just to protect the wall from rogue splashes, but I just wipe them up and it hasn’t been an issue. Again, the paint is such a high quality that it has handled the splashes and splatters well.
Since the kitchen functions so well without a backsplash (I mean, we’ve made it almost two years), the real question is whether it would add something to the kitchen’s design. Some days, I stare at the kitchen walls, imagining a cream or white subway tile or marble. I envision it going up the wall behind the counter to the point just under the pot rail. Along the sink wall, I would top it off with a little pencil molding.
Some days I like the idea and other days I like it just as it is.
I think a backsplash can be a great addition and a prime opportunity to add color, pattern, and texture. I have added backsplashes to both of the kitchens in our previous homes because it felt like they needed it. In the case of this kitchen, I’m just not sure it does. I’m sharing this for those who are curious, but also for those who are in a similar situation. It might feel like a backsplash is necessary, but it really isn’t.
Which team are you on? Backsplash or no?
If you’d like to read about the backsplashes in my previous two kitchens, you can find posts about them here…
I love the idea of a backsplash!! When you see it, you will know!! Your taste is good and it will feel right. Me I have a matte white subway tile backsplash, simple but perfect for me.
Dell
Backsplash, it just feels finished to me and elevates everything in the room.
Love it as is! Paneling or beadboard in the upper cabinet color could add a little interest if you want some texture.
I agree 100%! Beadboard painted with current paint!
I agree.
Team Backsplash ! And in your case, a tile without busyness to let the beautiful design shine through. Maybe subway, maybe not. Maybe with a little wave or texture. In the 80s we would have wallpapered the backsplash – you actually could do that in your house and add color and movement if you wanted without the permanency of tile. But if you find a beautiful tile, I’m team tile. I just think it looks unfinished without it.
I have had many backsplashes in just this one little kitchen. Tired of them all.
We put beadboard up, used Benjamin Moore simply white paint in semi-gloss, used a curved molding that looks like wood, but isn’t because it is exposed to water, and I could not love it more. It is simple and I will always have it.
Sometimes there is so much going on in a kitchen, I need the quiet absence. With white counters, everything gets be a star.
I love your kitchen, all of it. Your design sense is perfect.
I’ve had backsplashes and also no backsplashes. I actually prefer none, as it forces me to keep those areas cleaned and wiped off. We are in our final home, the kitchen is tiny, maybe I’d feel differently if it was larger.
yes, it does. You can see it immediately and I keep a glass jar with some paint in it for touch ups. My espresso machine exploded one morning, and I had to use the extra paint. Easy to keep clean.
Personally, I’m not fond about many backsplashes that I like. I really like the kitchen as it is. My feeling is that the backsplashes kind of cut up the wall and take away from the clean impression. I’m sure one day I’ll run across something I like, but not yet.. great job!
Definitely add the backsplash! You will know when you see it!
As someone who is not a grout fan, I highly recommend a tongue and groove wood backsplash. It provides an elevated look without the grout and it compliments any style.
I installed the quartz for a backsplash and LOVE it. No grout and easy to clean.
I don’t like the look of most backsplashes and have designed two kitchens without one…
I love your kitchen. I vote for no backsplash right now.
It has long seemed to me that an antique Delft tile backsplash is a no brainer for you! It would be particularly striking above your range. It brings in your signature blue into the green scheme of the kitchen; it can be painterly/artistic, again fitting your aesthetic; it draws in on European history, which you often echo; and, if you were to choose antique tiles, it would add a soft layer of patina to a brand new (well, pretty new!) space.
Have you considered Delft tiles? If you have, why have you not selected them? It seems like an obvious choice for you!
Oooh, I also love the idea of Delft tiles!
I really do love the beauty of your kitchen without a backsplash. There’s nothing to detract from the gorgeous charm you have created.
I agree. A Delft backsplash would be the perfect touch.
No backsplash ..especially Subway tile! Everyone is using it because it’s “the thing” right now. Most backsplashes are intended to draw the eye and be the star of the show. You have designed such a charming kitchen, full of well-loved things, I believe it would be a very expensive mistake.
Your kitchen is just beautiful, and I feel like no back splash fits. I’m not team backsplash or team no backsplash, I’m team listening to the house.
The copper is so pretty, it would be tricky to find a compliment. If you found it, I would probably like it, but it’s not necessary. Unless you find yourself with shabby paint.
By the way, is that a typo with the paint? I went to look up Emerals, thinking it was a fancy French word, and I think it’s mean to read Emerald. I felt silly making up a whole story about a typo. Ha!
We don’t have a lot of money, so I was super pleased to inherit just enough 24″ x 12″ tiles that we installed without grout. I was having a similar dilemma as you and the answer fell in my lap.
You could find a lovely piece of marble, granite, or solid surface material and have it cut in a pretty curved shape with an ogee edge to fit just behind the stove. Picture a pretty curved (flat) headboard. It could be subtle or a real eye-catcher. You could use the same material behind your sink with pretty curved ends.
I agree with others that have said your kitchen is so lovely and holds its own beauty without a backsplash! I know whatever you decide will be wonderful as always with your talented artist eye!
It’s a lovely kitchen even without a backsplash. There are so many options available now, I’m sure you will find something that will eventually catch your eye. We were told to wait several months after our kitchen redo. I have to say that advice helped. I lived with a little while before putting something up, but it ended up being what I had in mind when picking out everything else. I just knew.
I built a new kitchen the year before you did yours. I also have considered tiles, beadboard for my backsplash. I finally decided the kitchen looks nice without it. It’s got a great paint (like yours) and the room is busy enough without the added look/texture of backsplash. Your kitchen looks fantastic without one, too.
While I agree that it’s lovely as is and there’s no hurry, I definitely vote backsplash — pattern and/or texture and keeping the tones common to the wall.
As much as I love subway (I have it in my kitchen), I imagined something in your kitchen with more character/antiquity — more in keeping with those wonderful sconces you found!
FWIW!
I have beadboard up in my kitchen between the upper cupboards & the counter, also behind the refrigerator. I painted it in Benjamin Moore ‘Navajo white’ to match my cupboards. It cleans up easily!
You’re such a talented artist, just pain a mural sized tile look, tired of paint over it! Love it leave or just a free hand design.
Hi Marian,
After reading the comments and thinking about your question, I’ve come down on “team backsplash”. White tiles or as someone already mentioned tiles in an antique delft, would add a soft texture. It would also make a beautiful background for your charming copper items hanging above the range.
We used the same solid surface material as our counters which provides seamless interest and background. If you were to do so, straight edges would be lovely.
Whatever you decide, it will be just right.
I would lean towards adding a tile back splash. But my taste runs traditional, so take that into consideration. I redid my kitchen the same time you were working on yours. Ours is about 1/3 the size of yours, so the whole execution was pretty simple and straightforward. The tile I picked for the back splash is a (very slightly) ivory subway tile…with a flange. The flange picks up and sparkles in the light, and helps make the whole kitchen feel more finished. But, as others have said, your taste and understanding of your own sense of style is always spot on, so whatever your decision is, it will be the right one.
Well, I might suggest looking at English kitchens to see if there is a way they do it as you have that look, and like it, but personally I would do what you want if you still think no. It’s yours to do as you want and you have worked hard to have a certain look. Its traditional to have a backsplash and allegedly easier to keep clean but do what works for you and your kitchen. And to put something in you’re not sure about is not going to work at the end of the day.
At the very least – how about putting a back spash up to the bottom of the big sink window frame? It’s large enough to protect from splashes and make a statement w/o being too much of an investment. Bert with that window being so nice and substantial it’d be pretty nice looking.
I designed the kitchen in our last house and chose to have no backsplash. Most spatters wiped right off as you said and for those that didn’t, I kept a small jar of paint under the sink with a small paint brush to do a touch up. I have not renovated the kitchen in our current home. I like it as is but did consider doing a backsplash. Like you I couldn’t decide what I wanted. Nothing really excited me. So, I will live without a back splash until I see something that makes me want one.
I love it the way it is…. No back splash.
If you happen to find something that actually feels right for the space go for it but til then it’s just beautiful the way it is.
I wonder if backsplashes are as common around the world or just a modern “thing” in the USA?
I don’t remember them in my older relatives kitchens from my childhood now that I’m thinking of it. Just calm paint colors and extra on hand to do touch ups.
Your kitchen is so beautifully styled and accessorized I can see why you may just leave it as is! But if you want the backsplash to look more “finished”, you might consider doing what we did, as someone else mentioned above: repeat the counter material as a solid slab backsplash. You have naturally occurring end points; the pot rail backing and the bottom of the upper cabinets to the right of the sink. What we did is put a painted chair rail to top the open area on top of the backsplash (where it is open on the sides of the sink wall) then painted custom (5″ wide) beadboard above with ceiling moulding to match the cabinets. This beadboard would also go above your pot rail to the ceiling surrounding your hood, painted in the same color, continuing the cabinet ceiling moulding across the top. This gives you a neutral background which highlights all your beautiful accessories while adding “texture” and a finished look. You would need to do cutouts in the beadboard so your sconces would sit on top of it. Except for installing the slab part, it is entirely a DIY project like you love doing! We had the beadboard custom milled at a local lumberyard to match what we had in the butler pantry already, out of paint grade lumber. It looks better than the skinny beadboard you can buy at the big box store and would really elevate the custom, fitted look of your kitchen yet not look too busy and compete with all your lovely accessories!
I like the idea of beadboard under the pot rail and either continuous marble up to the window ledge, or a small format zellige there. I don’t think subway would look right.
What is your countertop material? If it is quartz, could you have that material run up the wall behind your stove to the height of the brass rail. That way you are not adding an additional material or pattern to your already gorgeous kitchen. On the sink wall, I would have the fabricator mill a very short backsplash, maybe only 1 inch, if possible, bullnose the top edge to make it appear to be a piece of cove molding that you would see on the floor. Or just paint a piece of quarter round or cove mold to match the walls. This would make the backsplash at the stove special. Having almost no backsplash at the sink would keep the overall backsplash from being overwhelming.
I normally love a coordinated backsplash, but your kitchen is so beautiful and unique that it doesn’t feel like it needs a backsplash. If/when you do decide to add one, I know it will be amazing!
Team no backsplash. Or NO splashback, as the British say. I love it simple and plain. The green takes the full lead.
Have you thought of using pressed metal .
Being vintage it would go with all your other lovely things
It gives great texture & a variety of patterns are available
Best of all it can be a DIY install it also is very cost effective & biggest bonus no grout to clean
We have it in our kitchen her in Australia & love it as so durable yet makes a great statement
You can get it in sheets that cut easily just have to handle carefully as it is sharp on edges so wear gloves
Some leave it in its natural metal state to matches their appliances like fridges etc,others have it in a powder coated colour such as white,cream or anything you choose I guess
I love how you let your home grow & develop room by room
We have been doing the same with our older style house for over 25 years & slowly the layers take shape & the character shines through, that then makes it a home not just a house
Hello, Marian! Has it really been 2 years since the kitchen reno?!!! I believe that back when you were contemplating backsplashes I commented to say that back when we built our house I could not find the perfect one so I decided to go without. Here we are 31 years later and I still love it ! It’s high quality Sherwin Williams paint in B. Moore’s White Dove. As Maria Killam says: boring equals timeless.
If your paint is handling the kitchen splashes without issue, I’d not add one. Sometimes it’s form over function. Haha.
Karen B.
I love it as is but if you tile, go all the way to the ceiling with something simple. Subway tile is somewhat overdone – I have it so I can say that lol. We built a lake cottage 6 years ago and I left the walls plain to allow for a diy project and later decision and still like it as is. If I see a tile that just gets me so excited, I will tile, but it will go all the way to the ceiling! Can’t you just see that behind the sink, sconces and all the way up!
I’ve never had a “backsplash” in any of my houses over the many decades, just good old paint! So I am all for the paint and can attest to its durability if you take care of it. Plus, if you change your mind about color over time, you can change that up easily and inexpensively! While I do love tile in someone else’s house, I’m not really interested in having to deal with the hassles of installing it in my own.
In your kitchen I could see a tile with a soft touch of pattern that matches your base cabinet color, OR a tile with a just a hint of plants like from the gardening book you recently got. For me it would be fun to have just a gentle bit of pattern.
Add me to team beadboard. We went with it in our kitchen and I love it. I think tiles date a kitchen faster than any other element. Having said that, I hadn’t really noticed that you don’t have a backsplash. My eye is drawn to the other pretty features in your kitchen.
I love the versatility of leaving it a solid color. I’m sure you would choose a lovely tile if you choose to go the backsplash route though.
Another option — consider adding a mural painting. One muralist on IG I enjoy is LizAllison.
You made me laugh about the splatters you have no idea how they were made. I love your kitchen as is. I think all of the beautiful details might get lost if you add tile or some other type of backsplash.
Look for a beautiful handmade tile. It can/should be simple, but the difference between a handmade tile and the standard fair is amazing. I’m for backsplash. Wish I could send you a few pictures.
I am late to this party. But I had to add my “two cents”. I adore your kitchen. In my humble opinion, it is perfect. I love your antique island, the wall pot rack, the lights framing the window, of course your ironstone collection, the coat rack, the colors, the floor. Well, you get the picture. Do I think you need a backsplash, not for one minute. Thats just me. And some would say, “what does she know”. All that matters, truly, is what YOU think!
Why add something, that is not necessary?