Kitchen Backsplash Question

Parent Cafe
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<p>We’re remodeling a rental house, including replacing the kitchen and 3 bathrooms. I’m no decorator and I’ve been really struggling with choosing cabinets, tile, finishes, etc. My latest bout of indecision revolves around the kitchen backsplash. We have maple cognac cabinets, light granite countertops (<a href=“Picture - StoneContact.com”>Picture - StoneContact.com; rosa beta, aka mohave cream), and a beigey tan porcelain tile floor. The floor tiles are set on the diagonal. Walls will be light tan ([Color</a> Check Inc. - Yosemite Sand](<a href=“http://colorcheck.myshopify.com/products/bm-ac-4]Color”>http://colorcheck.myshopify.com/products/bm-ac-4) Yosemite Sand). The granite company recommends a 4" granite backsplash along the two walls of the L-shaped counter. I also would like to add a tile backsplash to go from the top of the 4" one to the bottom of the upper cabinets. I’m considering a 2" x 2" mosaic called Ivory Travertine [MS</a> International 2 In. x 2 In. Ivory Travertine Mosaic Floor & Wall Tile - THDW1-SH-IVO2x2 at The Home Depot](<a href=“http://www.homedepot.com/Beige-Cream/Flooring-Tile-Stone/MS-International/h_d1/N-5yc1vZar0yZ498Z66xgpZ1z11d1j/R-100664268/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053]MS”>http://www.homedepot.com/Beige-Cream/Flooring-Tile-Stone/MS-International/h_d1/N-5yc1vZar0yZ498Z66xgpZ1z11d1j/R-100664268/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) for that. It comes in 12" sheets with mesh backing. Colors probably don’t translate too well in the above links, but you get the basic idea.</p>

<p>First of all, should I set the tile backsplash on the diagonal? I can’t find any photos of 2 x 2 tiles set that way – most photos show 4" tiles. Maybe there’s a good reason for that, but I couldn’t find any 4" tiles I liked at Home Depot. I’ve also been told that if the floor tile is on the diagonal, the wall tile should be straight (and vice versa). Does it matter, you think?</p>

<p>Finally, I’m wondering if I should even bother with the 4" granite backsplash and just tile all the way up the wall from counter to cabinet instead? I have been looking on Gardenweb forums and see pictures both ways and I can’t decide. </p>

<p>I keep telling myself that this is a rental and it doesn’t really matter that much, but we hope to sell this place in a couple of years and we want it to look nice to a buyer. I’m trying not to make any mistakes I’ll regret, but this is hard! I’ve been asking friends and I’ve already gotten so many conflicting opinions, I figure I may as well come here to CC and get a few more ;)</p>

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<p>I would either do the 4" backsplash OR the full tiled one, not both. I’d go with the first - it’s easier to redecorate in a few years, when everything will be grey instead of beige ;)</p>

<p>Setting anything on the diagonal is more expensive - I kind of wonder why you are dithering about this. If you don’t have a great tile-setter, you may have something that looks uneven or unbalanced. It’s not woth the initial cost, and certainly not worth possibly of paying to have it redone.</p>

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<p>When I first glanced at the thread title, I read “Kitten Backsplash Question.” I was going to say “NOOOOOO!! Don’t do it!!!” My mother seriously would buy kitten backsplash.</p>

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<p>STEP AWAY from installing the backsplash on a diagonal. The look will most likely limit the number of buyers responding-as it could be construed as too personal.</p>

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<p>I have an image of . . . . Oh, never mind!</p>

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<p>using granite for a 4 or 6 inch backsplash will look a little dated. Try taking a look at the finished kitchen blog on gardenweb for ideas, or post your question there to get further advice. It’s the kitchen equivalent of CC. Kitchen Forum | Houzz</p>

<p>eta oops I see you’ve already been there, sry. Anyway, I agree with the poster above; do one or the other, but not both.</p>

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<p>We have a 2x2 travertine tile installed as backsplash. Not on a diagonal - except for above the stove, where we have a decorative tile pattern.
I would go with the 2 inch…and keep it straight. A nice, clean look.
I don’t like the granite backsplash look at all. Not even the little three/four inchers some folks have.</p>

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<p>I prefer a tile backsplash with granite countertops, too. On a rental, I’d probably go with a straight white glossy porcelain tile backsplash all the way up the wall to the cabinets.
Keep it simple. It sounds like there’s already enough going on. Don’t detract from the granite with more busy texture. Also, the granite is slick and shiny, and I don’t think a matt finish tile will look right with it.</p>

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<p>I would eliminate the granite backsplash altogether and use tile from the counter up to the bottom of the cabinets. You’ll eliminate that little “ledge” where the top of the granite meets the tile - just another “nook” that will accumulate dust and dirt.</p>

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<p>I agree w/moonchild. That feels like a lot going on.</p>

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<p>Invest into epoxy grout - it is so worth the small extra cost. It is impermeable to stains, so you will not have to regrout or do some serious grout cleaning prior to selling the house (there is a good reason why this surface is called “backsplash”). Epoxy grout does not need to be sealed and is maintenance free. I have it in my master shower, and I love it!</p>

<p>moonchild has some good points. I would not install the tile you selected with shiny granite countertops, I’d go for something glossier. Do not do 2 different surfaces in the same room with tiles on a diagonal.</p>

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<p>Subway Tile!</p>

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<p>We just had our counters redone with granite tile in a beige-grey speckled tone. We had the tile extend up to the cabinets and then around at that same level around the rest of the counter area. It looks nice, very neutral. Our tile guy said that he is mainly doing that sort of backsplash with the granite tile.</p>

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<p>I like tile from the top of the granite counter right to the bottom of the cabinet. I hate the 4" granite backsplash - I think they are just a dust collector. I’m not a big fan of diagonal tile on walls except as an insert (panel behind the stove or as part of a border.) I’m not bothered by mat wall tiles and shiny granite counter tops.</p>

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<p>We have mat wall tiles and shiny counters and it looks just fine. I don’t want shiny competing with shiny. </p>

<p>Bottom line, this is a matter of personal taste. But you can’t go wrong with the neutral tile you choose. Just install it in a straight line and call it a day (forget about the granite “ledge”)</p>

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<p>We are doing a new kitchen. We’ll have light color granite called “colonial cream”, a cream color with gray movement throughout. Our cabinets are antique white. We will not have the 4" granite backsplash. We’re using 4" light gray tiles set straight as our backsplash. Our paint color is very similiar to the one the OP linked.</p>

<p>Our tile guy said that in addition to a diagonal set being more expensive, the busy-ness of it really drew the eye away from the beautiful granite. He also mentioned that diagonal set wasn’t a great choice for a smaller kitchen because a small space made the diagonals more choppy looking.</p>

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<p>I would do tile of some kind all the way up, eliminate the granite backsplash altogether and keep any tile you do straight, especially with those diagonal floors. </p>

<p>A matte or honed finish on the countertops can absolutely be paired with a shiny backsplash and vice versa. You really don’t want too many shiny surfaces in one kitchen. In fact, the trend right now is to matte countertops and many,many people use the shiny subway tiles or shiny minitiles along with them. Similarly, it has been common for years and years now to pair a tumbled limestone or marble backsplash along with a slick granite. <em>My</em> question would not be about texture but the size of the tiles in this case - I would make sure that the 2x2s (which I generally love) will not feel too busy with that particular granite. </p>

<p>It’s a good question for the gardenweb kitchen forum!</p>

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<p>Bullet did on our last home a 2X2 diagonal, but added in every 18-24 inches a tile place horizontally to the counter a 2x2 show piece. </p>

<p>I don’t think you need to do epoxy for back splash since you will rarely need to clean it like you do with floors.</p>

<p>I also disagree about two different surfaces. Granite will give a cool sleek look, but a ceramic tile backsplash will warm it up. If you want modern keep it shiny, you want rustic, to match the cabinets go tumbled tile.</p>

<p>If I was in your position I would scrap the 2X2 tile on a diagonal and go with subway tiles, make the kitchen modern. Subway tiles 2X6 are the new upcoming trend. I would not pay for the granite back splash, caveat, small kitchen it will make it feel smaller. It is a rental and you need to place that into the equation. Granite is sold by linear foot and it can become very expensive compared to tile.</p>

<p>One other option from a realtor POV is that just do a granite trim and call it a day because tile backsplashes are permanent and can become dated very quickly. Paint above the trim a kitchen paint that is durable.</p>

<p>Key point this is a RENTAL, and renters are not as picky as buyers. You are absorbing a cost that may not be recovered. I would say unless the rental property is a 500K neighborhood go cheaper. I would also say spend the savings on other things, i.e. new toilets, appliances, items that take hard abuse. Backsplash is like wallpaper, pretty, but adds no intrinsic value.</p>

<p>A renter is not going to choose your home over another because of the backsplash. They will choose it quicker because you have a fence or newer appliances. They will choose you because you accept pets. This is a financial issue and renters do not get an emotional feeling. It is all about filling the squares of their needs.</p>

<p>DO not dump money in that you may never recoup. Take an honest look and say this is a rental, we want it to look nice, but our top priority is to make sure whatever we put in is not going to cost more in the future. Tile backsplash can quickly become dated and removing it to update is big time bucks. Granite counter with ledge is good, but the issue is that it needs to be sealed every 6 months. Corian and softstone are more durable for wear and tear. Renters are renters, some will be great and take care of the home as if they own it, some see it as 4 walls and a roof. You need to accept that fact and protect your asset while you upgrade to attract better clients.</p>

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<p>My kitchen–which I did not install–has granite counters and a tile backsplash, which looks fine. The only big problem is that the grout of the backsplash behind the cooktop is a grease and dirt magnet. I wish there was something seamless in that area. </p>

<p>Oh, and the hood over the cooktop is wood, matching the cabinets. Also very difficult to keep clean if you do a lot of heavy-duty cooking. If I had the choice, I would always opt for stainless above and behind a cooktop. And a REALLY strong exhaust fan!</p>

<p>BTW, we have never sealed our granite countertop. It gets hard use, and I’ve lived here for 15 years. Am I missing something?</p>

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<p>Yes consolation, you are suppose to seal every 6 mos because granite is porous to a point and it will collect germs. </p>

<p>Every type of counter surfaces have their own issues. Corian needs to buff out knife scratches, granite doesn’t. Granite needs to be sealed for salmonella issues, but corian doesn’t.</p>

<p>I agree about the hood. If you go wood you better hope that the renters are cooks because if they aren’t the grease build up will be disgusting.</p>