Awkward -- That’s what they are.
There’s no better word for them.
When you have a backsplash on the back wall at your kitchen countertops, and you don’t NEED to put a backsplash on the short side walls -- because there will be no water or grease splattered there anyway -- then please...
Don’t do it - IT'S AWKWARD. It just kind of hangs up there in mid-air without a proper place to stop.
Awkward side backsplash details
DON’T do this. Side backsplash not needed.
DON’T do this. Side backsplash with awkward ending.
DON’T do this. This big side splash was not needed in this butler's pantry with no running water in it. #sidesplash #tilebacksplash
DON’T do this. This side backsplash was ripped out on one of my jobs. The tile installer went a little crazy wrapping the corner and didn't look at my specs. :-( #tilebacksplash #sidesplash
DON’T do this. On top of having an unfinished look to the edge, this splash just looks awkward and unnecessary. Don’t do this in your kitchen!
This side backsplash below calls attention to itself dramatically with the checkerboard look.
If you HAVE to do a side backsplash because of the water spray from a nearby sink or grease splatter from a very nearby cooking source, then make the tile backsplash selection something that will blend with the wall color and won’t be so in-your-face noticeable!
DON’T make such a bold tile choice for a backsplash that you feel MUST have a side backsplash. Make it blend with the wall color for an unobtrusive look. This one above screams, “Look at me!”
This side backsplash detail, pictured below, was in a million dollar + model home I recently visited. Totally unnecessary and the metallic Schluter edging accentuates it.
It would have looked much cleaner just dying into the inside corner at the back wall. (Often this is done by builders to hide gaps between the countertop material and the side wall.)
DON’T do this. This was in a builder model home at a dry bar. There is no sink here. Why put a side backsplash? The lack of any kind of finished edge looks so basic.
If you have a short backsplash, something 4", or my fave....the 2" slab backsplash, it’s easier to get away with a side backsplash.
The backsplash visually blends in with the countertop, making it feel married to that. And it doesn't end up being so high up on the wall, all by itself.
See how the tile is above this short slab backsplash? If absolutely needed, you can wrap the slab around to the sides but leave the tile on the back wall only. Seen at KBIS 2023
If you’re in a kitchen, and you’re doing the countertop-to-upper-cabinet-18”-high-backsplash, it’s best not to wrap that around to the side wall if you don't need to.
As I always say... Transitioning materials on an inside corner is always best.
And if you want tips on where to end your kitchen backsplash, I've got more definitive info HERE.
Good examples of no side backsplash right here!
No side backsplash needed, tile dies on inside corner | Kitchen Remodel, Designer: Carla Aston, Photographer: Tori Aston #tilebacksplash #sidesplash
This butler’s pantry needs no side backsplash. Carla Aston, Designer | Photographer: Colleen Scott
No side splash needed in butler's pantry | Kitchen Remodel, Designer: Carla Aston
No side splash in this kitchen designed by CHA:COL Architects seen in Dwell on Design's home tours
No side backsplash needed here in this kitchen remodel designed by Carla Aston, Photographer: Tori Aston
No side backsplash needed, tile dies on inside corner | Kitchen Remodel, Designer: Carla Aston, Photographer: Tori Aston #tilebacksplash #sidesplash
In this kitchen remodel below, we used no side backsplash in both the kitchen and the butler’s pantry areas.
No side splash needed in this kitchen and butler's pantry | Kitchen Remodel, Designer: Carla Aston
No side backsplash was used in this kitchen either, and the look is neat, tidy, and well-designed.
No side backsplash here in this kitchen makes for a neat and tidy appearance. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer
Even in this kitchen, with a bar sink right beside the fridge cabinet, we did not do a side backsplash. That’s how much I hate having a side backsplash. :-)
No side backsplash here even with a bar sink right next to a fridge cabinet wall. It makes for a neat and tidy appearance with a beautiful transition of finishes. Carla Aston, Designer | Colleen Scott, Photographer
In this builder model home, they did not put a side backsplash on this dry bar/butler’s pantry situation, unlike their next door neighbor builder, who did. (Photo above in the other section with the blue cabinets.)
Builder model home with no side backsplash in this dry bar/butler’s pantry.
NEED MORE HELP ON KITCHEN BACKSPLASH DESIGN?
Check out this content upgrade on backsplashes, available in my outlet shop.
I've written so many posts about them, including Designed in a Click reader Q and A example posts, that I can't keep track of what I've written.
I finally took some time to assemble them all here in this downloadable pdf for sale in my outlet. If you need a guide to help you make some decisions on your backsplash design, you should check it out.
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