Asked on Jan 26, 2016

Need ideas for a backsplash for a center island sink

Synthia
by Synthia
I have my sink in my center island/ bar of the kitchen. I am trying to figure out a way to add a backsplash to the sink so that the counter of the bar doesn't get wet when the water is on.
Backsplash
  48 answers
  • Debi53 Debi53 on Jan 27, 2016
    I have the exact faucet and sink that you are showing except mine is not in an island. Honestly I wish I did not have a backsplash right behind my faucet because it is constantly wet and dirty and is difficult to clean around because there is so little room between my faucet and the backsplash. If you install a backsplash, you will still have water around your faucet, but you won't be able to clean the area or mop up the water as easily. I know this doesn't answer your question, but just wanted to give you the other side of the issue. At least now you can easily mop up the water and clean the area.
  • Lynn Lynn on Jan 27, 2016
    I agree with debi. and i think it would ruin the look of the nice open space. which is kind of the point of this style. in this situation, less would be more.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 27, 2016
    Adding a backsplash will distort your look in the kitchen.
  • Jan Beaver Jan Beaver on Jan 27, 2016
    Keep a pretty dish towel or something similar there behind the faucet to catch to splashes. You can change it out often when it gets wet. Great opportunity to show off some of those pretty dish towels out there. You can fold it nicely and even set a small plant on it if you have to have something to 'hold' down the towel.
  • Rus1058682 Rus1058682 on Jan 27, 2016
    I agree with Janet.. But then, I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would want that type of setup.. The countertop looks great though..
  • Jilene Williams Jilene Williams on Jan 27, 2016
    Place a fresh kitchen towel folded length wise in the area you are considering the backslash to manage the water problem while your sink is in use. Easy to keep clean and keep the great look of your counter.
  • Mandy Brown Mandy Brown on Jan 27, 2016
    You could always lay an old hand towel or dish cloth back there when using the sink to absorb the water then wring it out and either let it hang dry to use again or toss in the laundry. Every time I have an old bath towel that's ready to retire I cut it into smaller pieces and keep them to use for cleaning or whatever. Same for old t-shirts.
  • Tonia Tonia on Jan 27, 2016
    I think your should think about a removable backsplash. Build a thin box that you can tile or some similar water proof product. When you are going to be doing dishes place it on the counter and when you are done just put it away. This is a nice lay out for people who like to entertain and don't want to be left out of the converstation.
  • Kristy Champion Kristy Champion on Jan 27, 2016
    I have the "normal" sink setup (not island) with tile backsplash. I confess I'm pretty aggressive with the water. I often turn it on full-blast and water goes everywhere. I'm constantly wiping up around my sink, faucet, backsplash, so I'm proof that a backsplash won't keep the water where it should be! ;-) I've learned just to keep the water pressure low and be careful with my hands when I'm rinsing dishes....not sling water everywhere. Looks like you have the pull-down faucet head, so maybe just work on technique instead of modifying the countertop.
  • Sea3328407 Sea3328407 on Jan 27, 2016
    Consider changing your faucet to eliminate the spray problem.
    • CK CK on Feb 03, 2016
      @Seaspray That was my first suggestion too!
  • STORM COSBY STORM COSBY on Jan 27, 2016
    How about glass blocks? They come different thicknesses and sizes. So you could have it the height you want.
  • LD LD on Jan 27, 2016
    If you install a backsplash to this island your going to take away the reason/use of it, which is to have a wide open space for food prep and/or serving area. You need to change your faucet, so you have a sprayer/steady water stream faucet which can be pulled down. When I updated my kitchen, I installed the Cassidy Delta Faucet non touch, and it has greatly eliminated the water spray issues.
  • Rosemary D. Rosemary D. on Jan 27, 2016
    I would put in a lower faucet..
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 27, 2016
    I do have a sprayer/steady faucet that can be pulled down. You just can't turn the water up too high without getting some backsplash on the counter behind the faucet.
  • Pat Pat on Jan 27, 2016
    I think a lower type faucet would do the trick. Looks like your faucet spout is way too high and I imagine it does splash.
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Jan 27, 2016
    I don't think it's your faucet. I think you sinks are too shallow. I like the idea that Story Cosby above mentioned with the glass blocks. You could also use square short vases and adhere them right to the countertop with liquid sealant. Then you could add different flowers or plants to them.
  • Ann Ann on Jan 27, 2016
    This might not work for you but you could adjust the cutoff valves (under the sink) so that your water pressure is lower. In doing this you will not have to be as careful about turning the water on high and splashing it everywhere. I had a back flush toilet and sink with a smaller-than-I-realized bowl installed in our laundry room (see picture). I had to turn the cutoff valves almost off because of the high water pressure and subsequent splashing on the wall. Also, if you ever remodel perhaps you could have the sink moved over (centered) and the bar made wider. But your granite looks great and I wish I didn't have a backsplash to clean. Good Luck.
  • Donna Donna on Jan 27, 2016
    Unless you have so much water splash that it's running all over the bar, why not just wipe it up when you're finished?
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 27, 2016
    If someone is sitting at the bar stool, I don't want it to splash water on them or their laptop when it is sitting there with them.
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 27, 2016
    I am just looking for a creative idea that I could put an edge around the back of the sink that would be decorative and help keep the water back. My faucet spout does pull down from the arm.
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 27, 2016
    Our only problem is people always like to sit at the barstools right behind the faucet and sometimes they have a plate, lap top or something else in front of them. I always have to ask, "can you please scoot over to another chair?"
    • Kristen Kristen on Jun 02, 2020

      I hear you girl! I am reading this looking for the same thing! My sink is 10” deep and I need my high powered sprayer to clean the gunk faster. The other day I flooded my entire bar because I was loading the dishwasher and was softening some yuck in a lid. I didn’t notice the lid tipped and water was splashing out like a garden hose alllll over. Anyways...I do like the glass planter idea, silicone them behind the faucet and keep pretty flowers or decorative rocks/candles in them?

  • Ranger Ranger on Jan 27, 2016
    I think I'd just move the seats further down the bench and keep that area behind the taps as part of the food prep/dish stack area. I have a friend with the same sink layout, 1) sitting behind the sink we have never been splashed; and 2) I would never have anything electrical near a water source. There is plenty of bench space on the other side for a laptop.
  • Rhonda Irby Bailey Rhonda Irby Bailey on Jan 27, 2016
    This only took a couple of hours to do by myself.
  • Gloria Hart Gloria Hart on Jan 27, 2016
    You could router out a channel and glue in a matching piece of counter top material 6-8" tall by the length of sink area
  • Charles Prock Charles Prock on Jan 27, 2016
    I'm thinking 3 or 4 boards 1/2" thick and 2 inches high would look like a cutting board on edge and gorilla glued down would look pleasing .
  • Deb Deb on Jan 27, 2016
    Maybe you could use a cookbook stand with a piece of Perspex on it and put it away when not needed. Something like this
  • Mary-Ann Mary-Ann on Jan 28, 2016
    How about a glass shelf installed vertically-perhaps 6" high on the area behind the sink. You can buy nice discreet brackets for this purpose.
  • Hope Hope on Jan 28, 2016
    A wooden beam, or a planter box.
  • Patti Patti on Jan 28, 2016
    Try a different faucet, that doesn't splash so much! Easier and you won't have a clumsy looking backsplash.
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 28, 2016
    Thank you Mary-Ann! Good suggestion!
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 28, 2016
    You could cut and raise the back side of the counter a few inches and use the 'rise' as the back splash.
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 28, 2016
    WOI really like that idea! Thank you!
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Jan 29, 2016
    If the water is properly aerated with a inserted metal screen, it shouldn't splash! Check inside the tap - if yours is missing the screen, or if it is plugged with mineral deposits, there's your answer! Clean plugged screens by soaking in vinegar.
    • Donna Donna on Jan 29, 2016
      @Duval.26 I think you're probably right. From looking at the photo, if a person sitting in the space on the other side of the sink is getting splashed, it seems there might be an issue with faucet itself.
  • Synthia Synthia on Jan 29, 2016
    There was a problem with the tap on the faucet. It has been corrected. Thank you all for your suggestions.
    • See 2 previous
    • Sharon Barefoot Sharon Barefoot on Jul 09, 2016
      I hope you received a helpful reply, I have the same problem but I didn't see anything that would help me. It seems that if you get a smaller facet or sink it would take away from the reason you have them which for me is to wash big pots. If you come up with something I would really like to hear it because although I wipe up the water its still a pain for the water to be everywhere.
  • Maria Armstrong Maria Armstrong on Apr 01, 2017

    I have the same issues as you do with an island sink so If you go with the glass backsplash I would really love to see how it turn out

  • Nancee Nancee on Jun 05, 2019

    Plexi glass 12x29 and 2 shelve

  • Firouzbakht Firouzbakht on May 05, 2020

    Your post came up when I googled solutions for the same problem. Then I did a search in Amazon where there was a fairly expensive mat of sorts. I took this idea and made one from some extra under cabinet mat that I had. Not sure if it will work yet, but thought I would share. I will cut it better with a fresh piece if I think it’s worthwhile.

  • Shannon Daley Shannon Daley on Jul 01, 2020

    I actually have the same issue. We have some aggressive dish washers in the house and the water will get on the faucet side of the island and flood over and get my stools all wet. I’m looking for something permanent a couple of inches tall either in glass, stainless steel or marble that would surround the back and back sides of the sink. I call it a surround, and I know I’ve seen them before, but I can’t find them now. They’re also useful for keeping small kids hands out of the sink from the backside.

  • Penny Martin Jackson Penny Martin Jackson on Sep 05, 2020

    Just saw this and it might would work. Just something to block it from running. I’m having the same problem. Constantly getting things wet on my bar.

  • Lori Ann Hooper Lori Ann Hooper on Jan 26, 2021

    I wonder why the manufacturer of the counter tops don’t make the area around and behind the faucet slope back towards the sink. Most of our water comes from putting our hands on the faucet when they are wet.

  • Maria Maria on May 07, 2021

    @Synthia I know this is an old post, but I am looking into remodeling my kitchen and all designers have suggested moving my sink to my peninsula. Was looking for ideas to keep water from splashing or spilling over. Love the box with plants in it idea. But was wondering if you came up with a solution. I've tried looking for decorative splash guards but only plastic ones come up.

  • Sally Sally on Jun 30, 2021

    I have this exact problem. If I could, I would put in a farm sink that saves you 3" on the back side of the faucet. I would then add a rectangle planter like the one posted in one of the comments. Just can't replace sink and countertop right now.

  • Addy Addy on Jan 19, 2023

    What did you end up doing? I am having the EXACT same issue currently. Scouring the internet for advise. Thought I was outta luck til now. I liked Tonia's idea about the removable backsplash. Anywho.

  • Yeidi Yeidi on Jan 10, 2024

    Signed up to this website because I have this exact and very specific problem! My sink overlooks the living room, and not a lot of counter space behind. I'm so envious of people with sinks with a window to the yard. 🥺


    Our countertop is the first (and only) accessible table when you enter the house, so it is our drop zone for keys, trinkets, and mail. This is not ideal so eventually I will have to create a new space with table for that dropoff/launchpad purpose.


    In the meantime, I'm looking for a quickfix that will protect our belongings. I'm leaning to the idea of a narrow planter with faux plants to serve as a backsplash.


    I'm already using a towel on the right side of the faucet. And I don't know, maybe I can't fully envision it, but I feel like it'll look silly if I put 2 towels in an L-shape. 😅

  • Katherine Katherine on Mar 10, 2024

    Place small kitchen herb planter box or row of small pot plants creates a nice low profile wall that enjoys the splashes 🪴🪴🪴🪴push them close together😊

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 10, 2024

    Use a marble or stone slab? or bricks

  • Janice Janice on Mar 10, 2024

    I have the same issue with sink and open great room in my small home and truly the faucet seems to be the first thing people focus on when they come in the front door. I've tried many options and the succulent in rectangular planter suggestion is the best I've found. Thanks!