In this blog we review kitchen splashbacks and upstands using examples from our kitchen designs since 2004.
Glass kitchen splashbacks
Glass is easy to keep clean and looks fabulous, whether coloured, neutral or patterned.
A fabricator will use a laser to survey the shape, including cut-outs for sockets and switches. You will pay a little more for complicated shapes, but it’d worth it.
We are often asked if you can fit a glass splashback behind a hob, particularly a gas hob. As you can see here – yes you can. Obviously you’d purchase from a reputable supplier; we’ve fitted many behind gas and electric hobs.
With glass, you can have any colour you choose. If budget allows, you can also colour-match the sockets and switches.
Glass Splashbacks look best when fully fitted from worktop to wall units but there will be kitchens with base units only. In these cases, it’s important to find the right height for the upstand around the worktop. Sketch the elevation to scale on graph paper and experiment with different heights to see what looks right. Remember that socket cut outs require 50mm of glass all round. Also look at images on the internet and see what looks right, and what doesn’t. We’ve seen designs that are too high or too low for the space, and look odd.
Perspex splashbacks
Perspex is a cheaper alternative to glass, but there is a limited colour range. You also need to fit an additional clear protective sheet behind a gas hob.
Stainless steel splashbacks
We’ve not yet designed a domestic kitchen with a stainless steel splashback but did so for this noodle bar in Bath. Stainless steel is very hygienic and easy to keep clean.
Kitchen upstands
A cheaper option is to fit an upstand of the same material as the worktop. An upstand should be at least 100mm high, although some suppliers will fit smaller ones (70mm or so). They are suitable for cleaning a worktop without wetting the wall, but the paint above them is more vulnerable to splatter.
In this small apartment, a quartz upstand runs round the worktop. but a full height glass splashback is positioned behind the hob where most mess is created.
Laminate splashbacks and upstands
A laminate worktop is relatively cheap and you would select an upstand or splashback in the same material. Just make sure the seal with the worktop is perfect.
Tiled kitchen splashbacks
By and large we try to dissuade our clients from choosing tiled splashbacks as the grout lines can become dirty and difficult to clean. Sometimes we lose the argument, as here with our Italian client hailing from the Amalfi coast. The tiles reminded him of home.
Splashback heights
We mentioned that splashbacks should run from worktop to underside of wall units to look right. But what about around windows, or in corners? Personal preference plays a part, but we would usually extend the full-height splashback around a corner and continue at the same height until it met an obvious break some as a windows reveal. We would continue glass into the reveal and glaze any upstand between sink and window above. Here are a few examples; for more images, Pinterest has thousands to help you form your view.
Kitchen splashbacks and Upstands
We hope you’ve found this review of kitchen splashbacks and upstands useful. We’ve been designing and installing kitchens since 2004 and you can read more of our advice in our guide to kitchen renovations.
Style Within designs and installs complete kitchens from early concepts through to delivery of the completed, furnished kitchen. This includes any extensions or other building work; we manage everything for you. If you think we may be able to help with your kitchen refurbishment in Bath or Bristol, we’d like to invite you to read more about our kitchen design service.
