I need some sort of wall behind my kitchen sink to deal with splashes

Question

I have no 'wall' directly behind my kitchen sink. As a result, when the water is running and I've got the sponge or some other item in my hand directly under the running water, sometimes the spray will end up all over the counter (and even on the floor behind the kitchen sink). How can I prevent this from happening? I would need some sort of wall, right? Would prefer that it's something mobile which I could remove and put back up as needed. Anyone got any AFFORDABLE ideas/suggestions?

Carrie Hawk · Answer

My husband built the nicest shelf and I keep sponges and brushes in a basket under behind the faucet and plants on top of it. To keep things from falling through to the passage way between sink and wall, he added lattice. If it weren't so messy I'd take a photo of it. Maybe I will anyway. I still have to paint the lattice.

NancyMaria · Answer

A picture would really help us help you. The only thing I can think of is adding a bump out shelf like those bump out windows or a window plant box and have some herbs growing behind the sink.

Tan1781564 · Answer

I have no window so I put a large flat silver/alum tray to serve 2 purposes

Julie Craig · Answer

I had the same problem, and changed the faucet to the one that you merely touch to turn on and off. It prevents wet hands from turning the faucet on and off. Keeps the hard water off my beautiful granite.

Rosa B · Answer

You can get one of those shelfs that go over the faucets and put a back on it. East to move when not in use.

Jennifer · Answer

What about beadboard? It is fairly inexpensive and looks nice. You could create it so that it is moveable, if that is what you need. You would need to reinforce the back with woo to make it strong enough to be moveable.

Tish · Answer

Without a picture, the best I can do is recommend an acrilic piece from a home improvement store , attach a back and two sides with hinges. You can fold and store when not in use but still have uninterrupted view when using the faucet . Nothing in the back gets wet.

Jennie Lee · Answer

I can't quite picture the current arrangement, but what about this: a stiff sheet of plexiglas that would move into place when you needed it; either swinging down on a hinge, or pulling up through a slot in the counter, or being stored elsewhere, and sliding into place. You can buy plexiglas, cut to the size you need, at Lowe's, and it's clear and waterproof.

Pat · Answer

How about laying a towel behind the faucet when you are using it.....it should catch the water spray.....and may help keep water from getting on the floor. The other suggestions you got are good but there is still the problem of getting something, folding it up and putting it away (where) between uses. I have learned that when I wash my hands in the kitchen sink, I put my hands down lower...no splash. Helps keep the back-splash cleaner. Splashing water can be a problem but I do like sinks in islands and/or penensulas.

Cheryl Gyles · Answer

It would be helpful if you could provide a picture of the area so we could get a better idea of how to help you. I am leaning toward Jennie Lee's answer above, plexiglass sheet that can be hinged behind the sink area and raised when you need it.

Pam · Answer

You did not include a picture to give a clear idea of your sink setup so it is difficult to imagine. Is there a window directly behind the sink thus no wall or is your sink on an island???

Jennifer · Answer

I wish there was a way to edit my original question. Since I don't have a pic, I'll try to elaborate. My kitchen is 'open' in design and so my kitchen sink faces the living room. There is a wall/cabinet on either side of the kitchen sink but if you were to stand at my sink, you could look directly into the living room. The counter space directly behind my sink's faucet is about 7 inches in width and it's granite so I hesitate to drill holes into it. I would need something that has legs or something to stand on. Hope this helps!

Joni Mills · Answer

I'm wondering if you could put a one or more oblong planter container with real or fake plants (depending on sunlight you might need to use fake).

Pgl · Answer

First measure the width and height you would like it to be ,then go to your nearest thrift shop used furniture flea market yard sale . Look for a wall table [flat on one side to stand against wall.....now measure and see if it is wide enough........ you will only use the top don't worry about condition, you can paint it stain it . Then find 2 large plate stands to hold it straight up......now you can use it when ever you need it..........you could also just use a large tray ........If you are willing to drill into your counter you could use L shaped brackets or what ever else the hardware store recommends Hey you could even change it out for something new like a great picture frame with glass ......Have fun with it.

Tammy Sea · Answer

I would say get or make a rectangular plant stand with the exact width of your sink area,  place it directly in front of your sink, and fill it with plants.   Your view won't be obstructed, there's nothing to move, when water splashes your plants get a drink, and you get the bonus of having plants in your home.

Laura Williams-May · Answer

You could get a piece of jalousie glass, if that is sold in your area , at a recycle building store and them mount it vertically to the counter with clips/ or c-clamps with thumbscrews so that it could be removed easily.

Jennifer · Answer

Hmmm....I'm lking pgl's and Tammy Sea's ideas...perhaps I can merge the two somehow...Thanks to everyone for all the helpful suggestions!!

Pam Walker · Answer

BACKSPLASH ideas at Lowe's. :)

C · Answer

Rather than get something you will still have to wipe the water off of, why not make a fabric screen that sets around your sink when doing the dishes and folds up & kept under the sink when not needed? That way the fabric catches the water and air dries on its own afterwards and you can use whatever fabric pattern you want.

Get 1x1' plain wood and create 3 box frames, put small hinges on them to connect them like a fireplace screen and wrap/tack whatever fabric you want. You can create whatever size is needed to sit on the sink or all the way to the floor, like a privacy screen. A smaller sink top size would fold up and tuck under sink when not needed. Any sturdy fabric would work but cotton types would dry faster.

9530106 · Answer

I see a lot of those inexpensive faux silver trays at the thrift stores. They look really neat chalk painted and waxed. Some are fairly large. It would be an inexpensive , mobile solution! :)

Carrie Hawk · Answer

I guess my basket of sponges and brushes catches most of the splatter. 
 Look forward to hearing what you do.

DeAnna Woeppel · Answer

How about some house plants they get water and add beauty

Elaine · Answer

I wish you had included a photo.  Are you meaning there is just empty space behind the sink - in other words, the kitchen ends and  it's another different room behind your sink?  I was going to suggest the same as DeAnna (Waterloo, NE) re having a few large (floor) plants behind the sink to catch the overspray.  If there's a bit of space such as a bit more of the counter OR even a ledge, I'd look for a large decor-type  plate/platter and easel and sit it behind the sink.  Yes, I know you will wipe off the plate now and then but it will catch a fair bit of the spray,

Cindi · Answer

I can't imagine it without a picture either, I've never seen a free standing sink before that wasn't attached to a wall.

Jeanette S · Answer

This is hard to answer without a picture. If you have some space between the sink and the back of the counter where the water spills onto the floor, you could design some sort of short barrier...say a sort of box 6-8' or so high, about 6' or so deep and the width you need...made out of heavy lumber so as not to topple over, covered with tile and then grouted where it meets the counter. You could set plants on top. It would be semi-permanent and would not impede your view of the kitchen. 
Using some of the decorative tiles available today, this could be very pretty.
You could even leave the side opposite the kitchen open if there is an eating bar and use it to hold spices, napkins etc.

Jennifer · Answer

I'll post once I've come up with and built my solution piece!  Thanks again, everyone!

Kathleen · Answer

I would take a few old towels and determine the best length and thickness of a roll. Then, use the old towels, roll them up, and use rubber bands to keep them tightly rolled. When needed, pull one out and set it in place.  You would probably want to unroll after it gets wet, then either line dry, or wash and dry depending on its condition. I'm not sure you need something 'dazzling' to stop water from dripping. Sometimes it's best to just be more utilitarian!

NancyMaria · Answer

Since it is open to the other room you could build a small 'wall' with maybe those thin glass blocks, just two or three high. And if you frame it with wood it would give you a place for plants or pots and a bit of hiding the dishes not yet done (if you know what I mean) Good Luck!

Linda Fraser · Answer

Is there a cabinet above the sink? If there is you could hang a window blind under it and lower it when you're washing dishes and raise it when your not.

D roach · Answer

why not make a small tri-fold screen. you could use 3 photo frames (without the glass) filled with fabric/tea towel (or whatever you think would work best), connect them with small hinges and stand it in place when needed. It would fold up and pop in a cupboard when not in use.

I need some sort of wall behind my kitchen sink to deal with splashes

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I need some sort of wall behind my kitchen sink to deal with splashes

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