Dear Danica, Should I Do Floor To Ceiling Tongue & Groove Or Stop It Halfway Up The Wall In My Kitchen?
April 22, 2024
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Dear danica,
I’m stumped about how far up my wall I should go with my tongue and groove backsplash. We bought a stove with a 20 inch stainless steel backsplash. So our first option was to go all the way up the wall with T&G or go up to match the 20 inch backsplash all the way around the kitchen. What are your thoughts on a wall that is has multiple intersected points?
– Jen
Your kitchen is beautiful! I love the large window and how it lines up with your ceiling. It’s a clear focal point that pulls me in as a viewer. 10/10! So the dilemma we’re addressing is how high up the wall your tongue and groove backsplash should go.
Truth is, there’s no wrong answer here. You could do either option and both would look beautiful! There are however pros and minor cons to both options. Let’s discuss using T&G all the way to the ceiling vs a wainscoting T&G backsplash.
Option 1: Install The Tongue & Groove All The Way Up To The Ceiling
I love the idea of elongating your walls by installing the tongue and groove all the way to the ceiling. If you go this route, I’d aim to line up the T&G with the T&G on your partial ceiling. You could even continue the tongue and groove on the upper half of the wall (the section above the partial ceiling) to emphasize the drama of your tall ceilings. But that’s an optional upgrade.
PROS
- It will make your walls look taller.
- It will unify the cabinet zones on each wall.
- It will make the kitchen as a whole feel like a grand statement.
CONS
- There isn’t a natural stopping point on the wall where the glass doors are. Because of this, I would recommend continuing the tongue and groove on all the walls, not just the walls with cabinets.
- The cost will be more expensive.
Option 2: Install The Tongue & Groove Halfway Up The Wall, Similar To Wainscoting
While installing tongue and groove all the way up the ceiling may be the more expected choice, installing the tongue and groove in a wainscoting type of fashion would be unexpected. Wainscoting is usually seen in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and hallways and it’s often associated with warmth and coziness. It adds a casual feel. If you use wainscoting in a kitchen, it brings a level of warmth and casualty to a room that is often perceived as a workspace rather than a living space.
PROS
- It’s the unexpected choice.
- It can make the room feel cozy.
- It would save you a lot of money.
CONS
- There are currently several visual stopping points at eye line – the top of the lower cabinets, the bottom of the upper cabinets, the top of the upper cabinets, and where the partial ceiling comes in. Because there are already four visual “lines,” adding a fifth with wainscoting may make it look busy.
- If both the upper cabinets and tongue and groove stop short below the ceiling, your walls and ceiling may look short too.
Final Thoughts
I really do believe that you could do either option and both would look beautiful! If it provides any sort of relief, you can’t make a wrong decision.
If this were my kitchen, I would do tongue and groove all the way to the ceiling. I just can’t pass up an opportunity to make a statement that elevates the overall aesthetic. But ultimately, the decision you should make depends on the feeling you’re trying to create. I hope this provides you with a little clarity in your decision!
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