Surface selections for countertops and backsplashes run the gamut from natural stone and quartz to porcelain, ceramic, glass and much more. Given that diversity, it can be a challenge to find just the right balance between the two for a cohesive design that isn’t too much…or too little.

“If there isn’t enough going on, the space can look builder- grade or unplanned,” says Amber Carfield, design director, Kitchens By Good Guys in Scottsdale, AZ. “However, if you go over the top, it can be overwhelming, or potentially turn people off. I always suggest that clients gravitate toward two or three things that pull at their heart. Typically, one of those might be a focal point backsplash with a supportive countertop. But in certain kitchens, it’s the countertop that draws attention with a fun color or bold vein, which is then complemented with a clean backsplash.”

Marsha Calus, owner, Exquisite Kitchen Designs in South Lyon, MI, agrees. “We don’t want materials to fight one another,” she says. “You either want the countertop to steal the show as a ‘wow’ factor with a more uniform backsplash, or vice versa where the countertop is more uniform in color, pattern or design so the backsplash can have more impact.”

The latter scenario played out in the kitchen of a 100-plus-year-old home (above) where Calus let the backsplash ‘speak’ loudest via handcrafted Epro Potter’s Loft Jade Green red body ceramic tile that mirrors the custom paint color of the island cabinetry.

“My clients definitely wanted their backsplash to provide a pop of color to coordinate with the island,” she says, adding that their Fiesta dinnerware in a similar blue/green color, as well as yellow and red, inspired the bold coloration. Stacking the tiles in a brick pattern helps to preserve the home’s heritage, she notes, which also factored into their decision to complement the tile with unsealed soapstone for the perimeter and island countertops.

“They wanted to keep a lot of character in the home,” she explains. “They love soapstone and its natural qualities which, when left unsealed, will naturally develop a patina. That’s the beauty of the stone, which people either love or hate. Soapstone also doesn’t have much pattern, offering a more uniform look with its black and gray tones that provide a nice backdrop for the colorful backsplash.”

In this bachelor’s kitchen, designer Ethan Levy made a statement via the bold quartzite that sheathes the walls. He repeated the natural stone as the perimeter countertops and encased the island, making it appear like a huge chunk of stone. Photo: Nadav Havakook

Ethan Levy, owner/designer, Design Depot in Englewood, NJ, often designs backsplash and countertop combinations in one of three ways. For a clean, minimal design vibe, he’ll use the same material for both, with a full-height backsplash. A second option is to match the backsplash to an element within the countertop, such as veining that might run through a quartz or natural stone. A third variation is to be completely different… “something bold and fun,” he says. “In one kitchen we’re designing now, we have simple gray and white cabinets with a bright green backsplash and white countertop. A lot depends on the design of the cabinets. If they’re ‘busy,’ then we’ll do something simple for the backsplash and countertop, and vice versa.”

For Lisa Tharp, Lisa Tharp Interior Architecture + Design in Boston, MA, adjacent rooms also factor into the equation. “I often design kitchens that are open to other spaces in the home,” she says. “This leads me to downplay the tell-tale kitchen aspects of the room. I typically hide all appliances with furniture-like cabinetry, with the exception of the range, which I treat like the ‘hearth’ of the room. And instead of a tile backsplash, I opt for alternatives such as stone, porcelain, stainless steel, painted wood planking, quartz or even ribbed glass installed on the reverse so the pattern shows through while the flat side remains easy to clean. I’ve even been known to hang non-investment-grade art on the range backsplash. I love breaking the rules in kitchen design.”

To achieve an appropriate balance, designers often choose a countertop before the backsplash.

“The countertop is the kitchen’s work surface, with selections based on durability, color, availability of finishes and how it fits…matching it to the floor and cabinets, which are often chosen first,” says Milford Cushman, founder/president, Cushman Design Group in Stowe, VT. “Practically, the backsplash is protection for the wall and some clients will choose the material based on durability and washability. But others choose it more for its aesthetics and decorative value as well as its ability to connect the countertop with the cabinets.”

Sometimes it’s the lack of a traditional kitchen backsplash that garners the most attention, especially in rural homes such as this one where Milford Cushman used a wall of windows to serve as the backsplash behind the sink. Now his clients can enjoy the view of the mountain range. Cushman added granite countertops in a warm, dark hue that complements the color of the cabinets and the floor. Photos: Susan Teare

However, sometimes it’s the lack of a traditional backsplash that garners the most attention, he notes, adding that his firm often works on rural properties where Mother Nature may serve as the ‘backsplash’ via an expanse of windows.

“In our urban designs, we might use a more ornate backsplash, where we want to create interest and a refuge in a home where there isn’t an extraordinary connection between the inside and outside,” he says. “But in our rural projects, we want to make sure the home is completely connected to the outdoors. We don’t want to trump nature.”

Such was the case in a recent home where a wall of windows serves as the backsplash behind the sink. Locating the cooktop in the island eliminated the need for any backsplash behind the cooking appliance. “When my clients stand at the sink and look out, there aren’t any obstructions so they can fully enjoy the view toward the south and west to the Green Mountain range,” he states.

Cushman included a Kodiak Brown granite countertop as an accompaniment. “Its warm, dark color is a fabulous complement to the color of the cabinets and the floor, and it isn’t so dark that it shows dirt or dust,” he says. “And, its beautiful graining isn’t busy or distracting.”

Loriann Savarese, CKD/owner, Savvy Kitchens in Manhattan Beach, CA, also usually selects countertops before the backsplash, considering the latter as ‘jewelry.’

“I typically start with countertops, then pick out certain elements within them, maybe some colors in the veins, to use in the backsplash,” she says. “But there are some instances where we find an amazing backsplash and design the kitchen around it.

“Backsplashes can be a great place to do something fun, like a pattern, that may be a bit out of a client’s comfort zone,” she continues. “It’s often such a focal point because it’s the first thing people see. It’s like a piece of jewelry that makes a statement. I compare backsplashes to incredible emerald earrings that you might wear with a simple dress.”

Loriann Savarese usually selects countertops before the backsplash, considering the latter as ‘jewelry.’ However, the backsplash, which bejewels multiple walls with brightly colored glass tile, led the design in this kitchen, adding a pop of color that lends itself to the home’s mid-century modern vibe. Because of the backsplash’s prominence, a quieter quartz was chosen for the perimeters and island countertops. Photos: John Moery Photography

Such was the case in a recent kitchen where she ‘jeweled’ multiple walls with brightly colored Island Stone Palms glass tile in Spring.

“Everybody seems to love this kitchen,” she says, noting it’s the most ‘saved’ kitchen on her Houzz site. “My clients aren’t afraid of color and they’ve used it throughout their whole hom e. This backsplash gives the kitchen a clean, simple look with a pop of color that lends itself to the home’s mid-century modern vibe.”

Because of the backsplash’s prominence, Savarese chose to tone down the countertops via PentalQuartz’s Venatino for the perimeters and island, which showcases waterfall edges for a furniture feel.

Evelyn Benatar, president, New York Interior Design in New York, NY, encourages clients to select their backsplashes later as well, sometimes even waiting until the entire kitchen is finished.

“Then you can step back and see what is needed,” she says, adding that she’s had some clients wait as long as six months before making a decision. “It could be something totally different and out of left field. The best design is done slowly and thoughtfully, without rushing. By waiting until the kitchen is finished, you leave the door open to introduce something that may be missing.”

However, with one recent design, the honed Royal Danby marble sink and cooking wall backsplashes were actually selected before the contrasting leathered Silver Fusion quartzite island top.

“My client fell in love with marble when she saw it at the yard,” she explains. “I love using natural stone, and this honed marble is so timeless…like something you would’ve seen in Italy 300 years ago.”

The designer repeated the marble as the perimeter worktop surface. “In the past couple of years, I have been going up the backsplash with the same stone as the countertop,” she says, noting a trend amongst her Manhattan clientele toward sleek and quiet designs. “It provides a clean, simple look that will look great for many years.”

Because her client has small children, durability was an important consideration for the island top, thus the decision to use quartzite. Juxtaposing its dark color against the white marble adds interest, as well as a bit of yin and yang, which she loves to incorporate into her designs.

“I’m always looking for contrast,” she states, adding that she also accomplished that goal with the leathered and honed finishes next to the sleek cabinetry. “It makes them more exciting. I think if I’d used marble all over, it would have been too much. The quartzite breaks it up.”

To complete the design, Benatar finished the island with a 6″ mitered edge. “We love the look of the chunky island,” Benatar says. “It gives the island some presence.”

There’s an ever-increasing diversity in surfacing materials, but designers indicate that a few seem to be particularly popular.

In general, Cushman notes a preference toward less glossy surfaces, such as honed and leathered finishes for natural, and even engineered, stones. “Polished surfaces, such as granite, are pretty formal for our work and they are reserved for very, very few of our projects,” he says. “Instead, our clients have really been appreciating honed and, more recently, leathered finishes. [These] catch the light very softly and offer the slightest texture that adds depth to the stone. They are a great complement to homes where a mountain style comes into play.”

‘Softer’ surfaces came into play in the design of his own home where he used hand-polished, cast-in-place concrete for the perimeter and island tops.

“We built the home in 2013, but we were ahead of the curve with the concrete, which offers a natural, more organic feel that is trending currently,” he points out, noting the beauty of its imperfections.

Cushman embedded a custom stainless steel insert next to the sink that functions as a drainboard. He carried stainless steel onto the island, where it serves as a narrow backsplash behind the range. To complement the countertops, the designer sheathed the perimeter wall with custom high-fire, Spanish red clay tile that offers hues of copper and other metals that are a perfect balance to the stainless steel ventilation hood and other appliances.

Quartz that mimics natural stone, such as marble, has become a frequent request from many of Amber Carfield’s clients. These homeowners, who have three young sons, appreciate its aesthetic appeal as well as its maintenance-free properties. The large-format porcelain tile backsplash behind the range was chosen because of its resemblance to copper as well as for its ease of cleaning. Photos: Lister Assister

For countertops, Calus is seeing much greater interest in quartz, in large part because of its durability and maintenance-free properties.

“The average homeowner finds that very appealing,” she notes. “A lot of the quartz coming to the market also has interesting patterns and veining.”

As far as backsplashes, the designer has noticed increased interest in geometric shapes, especially triangles, and brick tile that provides an elongated silhouette that is currently favored over traditional subway tile.

“People have seen a lot of subway tile over the last decade and they are interested in seeing something more unique for their spaces,” she says.

Mixing materials is also popular, as is textured tile, especially those with a crackled finish.

Like Calus, Carfield reiterates many of the same trends for her clients. “We’re seeing a pretty big uptick in three-dimensional tile for backsplashes that actually have a tactile texture,” she says, noting wave patterns are popular. “We’re also seeing a lot of heavily patterned, high-contrast cement tile. The same look is also being offered in porcelain now, which is more cost effective and less maintenance…and they look amazing.”

Quartz, especially styles that resemble natural stone like marble, is in high demand as well, she continues, noting that it crosses all age groups from clients with young families to those who are retired.

“Quartz has been given a tagline of ‘maintenance free,’ and people are gravitating toward it for that reason alone,” she believes. “But secondary to that is that manufacturers are doing a really good job of duplicating several different veins of marble and other natural stones. It’s quite beautiful, with a look that is classic and universal. You can stretch it over a lot of different mediums and styles.”

In fact, Carfield used PentalQuartz’s Statuario as the countertop for the island and perimeters of a recent kitchen she designed for a client with three small boys.

“They had a really outdated kitchen in a beautiful home [and] they needed a new space with an island that would work better for their kids to do their homework and to eat small meals.

“We designed this kitchen – including the countertops, backsplash and shelves – around the fact that they have a busy, young family,” she continues. “They enjoy cooking and they spend a lot of time in the kitchen. With the marble-look quartz, they don’t have to worry about the countertop material being too soft, or etching or absorbing stains.”

Lisa Tharp has seen a move toward large-scale backsplashes, such as the polished onyx used in this kitchen. She complemented the focal-point backsplash with a soft white quartz countertop and waterfall peninsula. The materials deliver well in terms of light reflectivity and creating drama, while a palette of polished materials supports a quiet, sophisticated sensibility. Photos: Michael J. Lee

Carfield emphasized the kitchen’s industrial vibe via the porcelain backsplash behind the range. “The large tiles – there are only four of them – have a copper look to them,” she says. “They look like metal but are lower in cost. And, they are easy to clean so she doesn’t have to worry about spaghetti sauce! They also play off well with the custom wrought iron shelf brackets, made by a local shop, that support the reclaimed wood shelves.”

For Levy, white marble-look materials with gray veins are popular choices for countertops as well. “I’m including them in probably nine out of 10 kitchens, but they’re beautiful every time,” he says, citing their clean, exotic look.

For backsplashes, it’s all about full-height, single-slab designs that eliminate grout lines for easy cleaning. The designer also often repeats the same material for the countertop, which was the look desired by a bachelor homeowner who opted for Fusion quartzite as the backsplash/wall covering, perimeter countertops and island.

“It’s a bachelor pad and he wanted to make a statement,” he says. “He wanted to be very bold with choices that generated ‘wow’ responses from everyone who walked into the room. We went back and forth about several different materials, with the original plan calling for black and white to match the Panda White marble floor that runs throughout the house. But when I took him to the yard, this quartzite spoke to him. It’s masculine, but warm with a lot of movement…just what he wanted.”

Tharp also sees a move toward large-scale backsplashes, such as the polished onyx that covers one entire wall, as well as a portion of another, in a recent kitchen she designed.

“The clients specified the backsplash first, along with the custom brass range hood and floating shelves,” she explains, adding that she complemented the focal-point backsplash with a soft white quartz countertop and waterfall peninsula. “They have modern leanings, and with only one long wall of windows/doors opposite the kitchen, the space demanded the introduction of reflectivity to bounce that precious light around. Short of mirroring the walls, the materials deliver well in terms of light reflectivity and creating drama while a palette of polished materials supports a quiet, sophisticated sensibility for relaxing and entertaining.”

While these clients opted for natural stone as their backsplash, Tharp has seen a move toward large-scale porcelain ‘thin slabs.’

“They are tough enough to be used as exterior building cladding, but are just a few millimeters thick,” she says. “Their huge size, typically 5’x10′, offers endless possibilities for creativity. Some look deceptively like real stone, but they’re more affordable and kinder to the planet. I have used them successfully as both backsplashes and to create any thickness of countertop desired. Plus, an increasing number of installers are learning how to miter the edges to create integrated sinks, fireplace surrounds and more.”  ▪

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