Kitchen Splashback / Upstand Layout and Material

3 months ago

Hello, after some Houzz expertise with our new kitchen splashback and upstand design.

We have an L shaped kitchen with an island (no utilities on island), images below.

The hob and sink are both locates on the L Shape runs, we have a downdraft induction hob so we will not have an extractor hood on the wall

The kitchen style is contemporary.

The cabinets are pencil grey satin matt.

The worktop on L shape and Island is quartz in a calacatta white with a subtle grey vein.

Our walls are Dulux Diamond Eggshell Grey Whisp (light grey).

Our floors are porcelain oak wood style tile in herringbone pattern.

So my question is:

1. How should I include an upstand & splashback? I'll need a significant splashback behind hob and sink, but do i run it all the way round and have no upstand?

2. What material would work best? Carry on with quartz? Toughened Glass (is it transparent or coloured? Mirror? Tile?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Featured Answer

Isla Cherry

3 months ago

Yes I would go to the wall cabinets. I fear its going to be pricey. You could definitely use glass but the cutouts for the sockets are very expensive and it is backpainted in any RAL colour you choose but I would avoid anything too bright. If you used tiles it might work out a bit cheaper. Go for very large format so you don't have a lot of joints. If you did the shelf you could rest artwork on it or any display items really. It could really add some colour. We used 300mm square carrara marble tiles once between a shelf and worksurface and laid them virtually touching each other and it looks continuous.

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Comments (14)

Isla Cherry
3 months ago
Its quite popular now to continue the worksurface up the wall to the underside of the wall cabinets. You could have a simple thin shelf at the same height as the bottom of the cabinets and continue the worksurface up to the underside. The shelf marks the stopping point. I do not think the localised splashbacks look good. It looks better continuous but might also look odd behind the hob with nothingto stop against. Usually the extractor marks the stopping point. If you don't want to continue with the quarz then a marble type tile very large format to minimise the joins could also look good. I would stick with light grey and white. Colour could be added later. I have often not bothered with splashbacks at all. You could just do the upstand and then paint it with a hardwearing paint that is washable.
antchristie thanked Isla Cherry
antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
Thanks @Isla Cherry, I tend to agree that the localised splashbacks are not so pleasing on the eye.

I like the suggestion of the shelf or similar, had thought about being a bit creative on that open wall, so had considered open shelving either side of the hob, or could be one single shelf as you suggest, would just not run all the way into either end.

How high would you go with splashback? As far as the wall cabinets? That's around 660mm.

I'll have to check on pricing to run the quartz sone up and around versus tile.

Would you rule out glass splashback?
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antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
Have you ever used or see this, may have to get a sample.: https://alusplash.com/gb/elements-collection/white-carrara/
Isla Cherry
3 months ago
That looks amazing. I really like the look of it and if its affordable will give you a sleek modern finish. Yes do get a sample.
antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
They sell through (amongst others) Wickes, Selco, Screwfix, Homebase, going to take a trip and have a look tonight.

My challenge will be the sizes it comes in, as the max height is 610mm - my gap from worktop to beneath wall cabinets is around 660mm - so not quite enough.
madeleine_brown8
3 months ago
Mirror would look amazing and really give an illusion of space. Go lightly tinted. It is expensive though, like the continuous quartz.

The affordable and timeless option is metro tiles. Do include an upstand of the quartz (8-10cm).
antchristie thanked madeleine_brown8
Isla Cherry
3 months ago
If you include a 100mm upstand you will still have a gap if its 660mm and the alusplash is only 610mm wide. You could make it look deliberate by stopping under the units and having the gap of 50mm. I wouldn't do the upstand and then the alusplash its not sleek. If you do the alusplash start at the worktop and have the gap above. That could be the starting point for the shelf. Metro tiles are fussy to clean and unless white on white can look very busy. Zellige tiles are stunning but for that square meterage probably eye wateringly expensive. I would do a serious houzz search of what you are planning in photos, save lots to ideabooks and then see which style appeals to you the most to help you decide. If you have the upstand I wouldn't do any splashback above it. It looks great with only a good wallcolour.
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antchristie thanked Isla Cherry
antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
Thanks for your comments and thoughts.

I am going to try and find the funds to run quartz upto 660mm, the next best option is the Alusplash (took a look last night in the store, it's a nice product, but still quite costsly due to the size of the sheets I would require) - but it's that gap I want to avoid, albeit small.

If I run upto 660mm, what do you think about positioning of a shelf (or shelves on that wall) - conscious it could look unfinished with just the splashback. Have thrown a few ideas together below.
minnie101
3 months ago
I prefer the long shelf but check the cupboard opening. Just make sure any display items are easy to clean so glass fronted art or DW safe bowls etc. Perhaps consider wall lights rather than a clock?

Hopefully the quartz price is ok as I’m not sure I’d put 2 lightly veined products together
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antchristie thanked minnie101
antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
Thanks @minnie101 - The shelf will not be able to run right into the cabinets on the right, there is a 100mm filler panel on the end of the wall cabinets, but even so it would need to finish probably 150-200mm short to allow cupboard opening.
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Isla Cherry
3 months ago
If the quartz cost is eyewatering you could just have it up to the shelf behind the hob and then consider an upstand under the wall cabinets? First prize is all of it but you could combine two different finishes if they were similar. Seamless looks are the most expensive. Minnie's second image is exactly what I meant about the shelf.
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antchristie thanked Isla Cherry
antchristie
Original Author
3 months ago
I'm going all in on the quartz splashback, upto 660mm, my supplier/fitter has come good after a little negotiation :)

Shelf - if I go full width, I'll need to leave a gap on the right hand side to enable cabinet door opening. Assume it's best to mirror that gap on the left also?
Isla Cherry
3 months ago
Great idea you won't regret it. Yes mirror the gap on the left hand side or it will look as though it was a mistake being off centre. It will look stunning when complete.
antchristie thanked Isla Cherry