Need ideas for a backsplash for a center island sink

Question

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.

Debi53 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

Adding a backsplash will distort your look in the kitchen.

Jan Beaver · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

Consider changing your faucet to eliminate the spray problem.

STORM COSBY · Answer

How about glass blocks? They come different thicknesses and sizes.  So you could have it the height you want.

LD · Answer

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. · Answer

I would put in a lower faucet..

Synthia · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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?'

Ranger · Answer

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 · Answer

This only took a couple of hours to do by myself.

Gloria Hart · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

A wooden beam, or a planter box.

Patti · Answer

Try a different faucet, that doesn't splash so much! Easier and you won't have a clumsy looking backsplash.

Synthia · Answer

Thank you Mary-Ann! Good suggestion!

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