Will I regret having no tiles in kitchen/utility?

[SelfBuild]

We've gone for dove grey units, navy island, Quartz worktops with upstands and a splashback going up to the windowsill behind the sink and to the extractor fan behind the hob in the kitchen. Utility wise dove grey units, Quartz worktops and upstands again going up to windowsill behind the sink. We have a herringbone floor.

Will I regret no tiles? I've always had tiles but with quite a busy floor I wanted to keep it simple. Help please I'm doubting myself!

[Cissyandflora]

@sunshinesupermum

Yes it is stainless steel above the glass upstand. All easier to clean than tiles (which i do like and have had in the past).

Oh I see. So the upstand is glass. It’s really lovely.
I saw a kitchen yesterday with a huge island type worktop entirely in stainless steel. It did look a bit like an autopsy table but maybe it was the angle I was looking in. It was a basement kitchen that I could see into as I walked past Peeping if you will.

[sunshinesupermum]

Yes it is stainless steel above the glass upstand. All easier to clean than tiles (which i do like and have had in the past).

[ChristmasTreeInJune]

Upstands are fine but get a good washable paint just in case. We used Crown kitchen paint and found it easy to apply and it cleans up well.

[Cissyandflora]

@sunshinesupermum thank you! It’s beautiful. I had never heard of or even noticed upstands before this thread. Yours looks like stainless steel panels above though. Not glass. Is that right?

[yumscrumfatbum]

My kitchen was previously entirely tiled, floor to ceiling on every wall. They were brown tiles with brown flowers. Extreme tiling, a sight to behold! We replaced the kitchen after we moved in and I opted for zero tiles! I have a splashback behind the sink and oven. I do have to repaint the wall next to oven splashback, it gets grease splats on it.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

DH knows his stuff and says upstands can be more durable, hygienic and easier to clean than tile if you pick the right material. He says getting one piece (worktop and splashback attached) is often better as you can often just take them off and put them on again if you need to fix problems.

I still prefer the look of tiles lol

[sunshinesupermum]

Hope this works Cissyandflora!

[Cissyandflora]

@sunshinesupermum thank you! Doesn’t matter about tidying. Mine is dreadful. Just an idea of how the glass and the upstand works. I’m doing a whole remodel sometime this year. Or next year! At some point anyway.

[sunshinesupermum]

One reason I chose glass is that there is no risk of damaging it when taking things out of a hot oven. Using a wooden chopping board lessens the likelihood of scratches and it's so easy to keep clean. My kitchen is small and I've just replaced the 20 year old green glass with white to go with the upper cabinets. Will try to take a photo tomorrow when it's tidy lol Cissyandflora.

[WhereDoesThisToiletGo]

We have high gloss navy Alusplash between base and wall units. It wraps seamlessly around the corners into the window recess. I love it but the choice of colours is very limited. Much cheaper than glass backsplash

[Cissyandflora]

@sunshinesupermum

I don't have tiles either. Coloured glass upstand and worktop = brilliant. Splashback is stainless steel.

Could I be cheeky and ask for a photo? This sounds what I’d like!

[sunshinesupermum]

I don't have tiles either. Coloured glass upstand and worktop = brilliant. Splashback is stainless steel.

[SelfBuild]

Thanks all! Yes the Quartz goes up to the windowsill behind the sink and up to the extractor behind the hob and then upstands the rest of the way. I'm feeling reassured, thank you. Modern bright and minimalist was my original idea so I'll stick with it. Also not having to clean grout is a brilliant thought

[Mosaic123]

I have upstands plus giant Matt white tiles above. They only have a vertical grout line and it's grouted with white epoxy grout which is bullet proof. They are almost invisible.

I wanted frosted glass splashback but, due to a good number of sockets needing cut outs, I was quoted a huge price. Hence the very plain Matt tiles.

[ChocolateDeficitDisorder]

I have upstands and a stainless steel backsplash behind the cooker. We chose a scrubbable kitchen paint and just wipe any splashes off the walls. I plan to change the flooring and paint the walls soon to give us a different look, easy to do if there are no tiles.

[Cissyandflora]

My worktops are wooden and water can get behind. I never finished the install properly. Now I’ll redesign but want to take my time and get it right. I love threads like this. So helpful

[Quincie]

Yes upstand is good. I have pale blue emulsion on the walls - nowadays it's so good you can just wipe off splashes, no need for tiles. And a clear perspex/glass back between cooker and extracter.

[StevieG55]

Are u me lol. It sounds very much like my kitchen. We've got quartz with upstands and I love it. I don't regret not having the tiles and I always said if I fancy a change etc we can get them done another time. Kitchen nearly 3yrs old now and I still love it. I think its more minimalist and modern. We have a glass splashback behind the cooker too.

[ToryStelling]

I personally find kitchen tiles quite outdated now. We went for upstands when we chose our new kitchen and they were definitely cheaper than tiles too!

Looks so much neater and no grout to clean. We also have a clear glass splashback behind our hob.

[I0NA]

No you won’t regret it. Use a decent washable emulsion and it will be fine.

[drpet49]

I detest tiles so YANBU.

[PresentingPercy]

Upstands take very little work to install. They are not expensive when compared to the expense of tile fitter! Who wants to clean grout? Tiles are dated and most modern kitchens do not have them. Only wood without upstands and laminate.

[PresentingPercy]

Too much with coloured glass I think if you have upstands. Just for a splashback is fine. Just not everywhere. Use a decent washable paint.

[murbblurb]

upstand = expensive replacement for tiles. If you can do your own tiling you will save a fortune by putting a row of tiles at the back of the worktop. You do need something to stop water dripping down the back.

Even if you can't do your own tiling, worth considering. Last forever.

Previous kitchen here was tile madness, and all in very dated 'country' patterns - but there is a compromise as always.

[Cissyandflora]

What about coloured glass - the large squares. Can they pair with upstands or is that too much going on?