Kitchen backsplash guide: materials, height & cost
The backsplash is a small area that sets the tone of the whole kitchen. A few decisions make it easy: material, height, and grout.
Tile or slab?
- Ceramic / porcelain tile — the default. Endless options, DIY-friendly to repair, cheapest material. Subway is timeless; a handmade-look zellige adds texture; large-format means fewer grout lines.
- Natural stone tile (marble, travertine) — beautiful, needs sealing, can etch behind the range from acidic splatter.
- Slab backsplash — the counter material run up the wall, often full height behind the range or the whole wall. Seamless, wipes clean, no grout — but pricier and less forgiving to change later.
- Glass, metal, or a printed panel — niche looks; make sure you still like it in five years.
How high should it go?
- Standard: counter to the bottom of the upper cabinets (~18").
- Full height behind the range or the sink — tile or slab all the way to the hood or the window. A strong focal-point move.
- Full wall where there are no uppers — open shelving or a window wall. Plan outlets and switches to land on grout lines or centered in a tile.
- Ledge / no backsplash — a modern look, but skip it only if the wall paint is truly scrubbable and you're diligent.
Grout is a design decision
Match the grout to the tile and the pattern reads as one calm surface. Contrast it (white tile, charcoal grout) and you're emphasising the geometry — great for a classic subway, busy behind a mosaic. Use a stain-resistant grout everywhere near the cooktop, and seal natural stone before and after grouting.
What it costs installed
A standard tile backsplash (counter to uppers, ~25–35 sq ft) runs about $1,200–$2,800 installed depending on the tile and the layout — herringbone and mosaics cost more to set. A full-height slab behind the range adds $600–$1,500+. Intricate patterns, niche tile, and lots of outlet cuts push it up.
Pick it with the counter
Bring the counter sample and a cabinet door together — the backsplash has to sit between them. See backsplash installation and the tile style finder, then a consult.
Related: backsplashes, tile, tile style finder, choosing a countertop.
Book a consult
Tell us the room, a rough budget range and when you'd like to start. We'll come back with next steps and a realistic timeline — no pressure, no mystery pricing.
