Kitchens with splashbacks, upstands or tiles. Which is best?

When you’re designing your new kitchen, something to consider is how you’ll protect your walls from food and liquid splashes. Unless you don’t mind re-painting regularly, it’s best to have some kind of barrier up to protect them.

So, other than using specialist kitchen paint, your options are to fit your kitchen with splashbacks, upstands or tiles. Or a mixture.

In this blog, we’ll run through each option and look at their benefits to help you decide.

Worktops with upstands

What is an upstand?

An upstand is a thin strip of worktop that’s fitted to the wall above your kitchen base cabinets. Generally, homeowners choose upstands that match their worktops because they blend nicely and give a coordinated look. However, contrasting upstands can be a bold design choice. You could also opt for a different material, such as glass or acrylic for a unique look. Common upstand materials include quartz, granite, laminate, or composite materials. Some materials like wood however do require maintenance to prevent water damage.

You can buy kitchen upstands to match most worktop materials. Just be sure to buy them at the same time to ensure you get an exact colour match.

What are the benefits of an upstand?

Upstands are mainly used for aesthetic purposes. They give your kitchen a tidy finish. But they’re also great if your walls are slightly uneven because they cover any gaps between the back edge of your worktop and the wall. They are also a more cost-effective alternative to a full kitchen splashback. Depending on the material, they can be relatively easy to install without professional help.

They do have some practical advantages. They provide a seal between your worktop and the wall to prevent liquids from running down behind the cabinets. And they give some protection from food splashes to the lower part of your wall.

However, as they’re generally only between 60mm and 150mm tall, they don’t protect your whole wall.

But that’s not a reason to be put off upstands. You can protect the rest of the wall in other ways instead.

You could:

• Paint the walls with scrubbable kitchen paint
• Add a splashback or tiles behind the areas most likely to get splashed, such as the hob and sink
• Fit a glass splashback above the upstand
• Lay tiles above the upstand

Kitchens with splashbacks

What is a splashback?

A splashback is a panel of material that’s fitted to the wall above your kitchen base cabinets. They are similar to upstands, but instead of only being 60-150mm high, they cover the whole area between your worktop and your wall cabinets. And they can go higher in areas where needed. Such as behind your hob.

Splashbacks can be made of the same material as your worktop, or you can opt for clear or coloured glass or acrylic instead.

What are the benefits of a splashback?

Splashbacks are very practical. They protect your walls from food splashes but also prevent damage from hot steam.

They’re easy to wipe clean too. And, because they’re one continuous piece of material, there are no annoying cracks or crevices for grease and food to get stuck in.

Choose the material carefully, though. A splashback needs to be stain-resistant. A bubbling pan of curry on your hob will splash spices such as turmeric onto the back wall. So, steer clear of porous worktop materials such as marble.

Splashbacks also tick all the boxes when it comes to aesthetics. And there are so many options in terms of design:

• Choose a matching worktop and splashback
• Choose a splashback that complements your worktop with similar tones
• Choose a splashback that contrasts with your worktop
• Choose a clear or coloured glass splashback
• Choose an acrylic splashback

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a splashback for your kitchen.

• Heat resistance is crucial, especially for splashbacks behind a hob. Some materials handle high temperatures better than others.
• Some splashbacks are easier to install than others, and some will require professional fitting.
• Splashback materials vary in price and so some will be more budget-friendly depending on your needs.
• Glass splashbacks can enhance light reflection, making them a great choice for kitchens with limited natural light.

Kitchens with splashbacks look sleek when they’re matched to the worktop. If you’re going for a matching worktop and splashback, be sure to buy them at the same time to ensure you get an exact colour match.

Kitchens with tiles

Using tiles as a splashback

Most wall tiles are made specifically for use in kitchens or bathrooms. That means you can be sure they’ll be a practical choice for a splashback.

And they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. So, you can fix them up the wall to whatever height you wish.

What are the benefits of a tile splashback?

The great thing about tiles is they come in a vast range of colours, shapes and sizes. And you don’t have to stick to a single colour either. You can mix and match to create unique designs and add a very personal touch to your kitchen.

They’re very practical too. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, in particular, are non-porous, making them stain-resistant. Tiles generally handle heat well, making them a great choice for behind a hob. But be careful if you choose a stone tile, such as slate, marble, granite or travertine, as they often need to be sealed to protect them from stains.

When choosing tiles, consider installation complexity, some are easier to fit than others . Large-format tiles or slab-style designs can reduce grout lines, making maintenance easier. And tiles vary in price based on material and design. Some premium tiles, like handmade or patterned ones, can be more expensive.

Combining upstands and tiles together allows you to protect the lower wall whilst the tiles add height and style.

The only downside of tiles is that the grout between them is porous. So, it will get dirty over time. Cleaning the tiles regularly will keep their maintenance to a minimum and should there be any stubborn stains a suitable grout cleaning solution will bring the grout back up to new standards. Over time, grout—especially white grout—will discolour, requiring raking out and regrouting for a fresh look.

All the worktops at SEH Interiors come with the option of adding matching upstands or splashbacks. If you need help choosing your perfect worktop and upstand or splashback combo, please get in touch.