Stone Upstands and Splashbacks: Completing Your Kitchen Renovation

A new worktop transforms a kitchen. A new worktop completed with matching stone upstands or a full-height splashback transforms it into something cohesive and complete. The wall space behind your kitchen worktops is an integral part of the design that protects your walls and defines the overall quality of the installation.

Upstands: The Practical First Step

An upstand is a short vertical border of stone — typically 100 to 150mm tall — installed flush against the wall at the rear edge of the worktop. Its primary function is to create a watertight seal that prevents water and cooking residue from seeping behind the cabinets and into the plasterwork beneath. Visually, it also provides a neat professional finish that masks the joint between worktop and wall, covering the silicone seal that would otherwise be visible.

Full-Height Splashbacks: Maximum Impact

For homeowners who want the full design statement, a full-height stone splashback extends the same engineered stone from the worktop up the wall to meet the overhead cabinets or extraction unit. This eliminates grout lines entirely — one of the most common maintenance frustrations in tiled kitchens, where grout progressively discolours and traps bacteria.

When using a stone with strong veining — Calacatta-look quartz with sweeping gold or grey veins — extending it vertically creates a dramatic, monolithic effect. The continuous pattern transforms what would be a functional surface into a genuine design statement that photographs exceptionally well.

Practical Considerations

• Behind gas hobs: Specific clearance distances from open flames must be maintained. Your installer will confirm requirements for your specific hob.
• Socket positions: Plan electrical socket locations before templating — cutouts in splashbacks require precise fabrication.

Matching stone upstands and splashbacks are fabricated from the same slab as your worktop, ensuring consistent colour and veining throughout. At Stoneone, they are quoted as part of the complete project with all necessary cutouts included.