Revealed: Perfect Height for Tiled Upstands in Each Room According to Experts

In the heart of any home, the kitchen, bathroom, and utility room are areas where practicality meets style. One essential element that often goes unnoticed is the tiled upstand, a small yet vital detail that adds a touch of elegance while providing necessary protection.

A tiled upstand, typically ranging from 50mm to 150mm in height, serves as a barrier between the countertop and the wall, safeguarding against everyday splashes and spills. However, the exact height can vary depending on function and design preference.

In Kitchens

Worktop upstands, as they are commonly known, come in heights such as 50mm, 70mm, 100mm, or even taller (up to 150mm), depending on wall unit height and aesthetic preferences. For a full-height splashback behind a hob, a kitchen upstand can be as high as 10-15cm.

In Bathrooms

In wet areas like showers and around baths, tiled upstands are often higher for water protection. For instance, a tiled upstand around the bath is commonly installed, and generous wall tiling in showers can extend to about 2 meters high. The upstand by the bath itself will be significantly shorter than 2 meters but enough to prevent water damage—typically 100mm-150mm or so is common.

In Utility Rooms

Utility rooms, which often have similar splash protection needs as kitchens, follow a similar upstand height range of 50mm-150mm, adjustable to the specific wall and unit setup. Mid-height upstands of 15 - 30cm are often ideal, offering sufficient splash protection for areas around sinks and worktops.

Design Considerations

When deciding on the height of your tiled upstand, practicality and splash protection are important considerations. For smaller areas like sinks in bathrooms, a 30cm height is a practical choice for splash protection. In less frequently used areas like a sink in a garage or workspace, larger porcelain tiles can be a practical, low-maintenance choice.

In terms of design, materials like porcelain or ceramic tiles are popular choices due to their ease of cleaning and resistance to dirt and water. Diagonal metro white tiles are perfect for minimal upstands, while Zellige tiles add vibrant color to any space. Pairing materials like stone worktops with decorative tiles above adds texture and visual contrast.

For a more aesthetically pleasing look, smaller tiles or a glazed mosaic are recommended. Vertical porcelain tiles with white and deep plum veins are suitable for both kitchens and bathrooms. Glazed ceramic trim tiles in dove white are suitable for finishing a white kitchen or bathroom upstand.

Innovative Designs

If you're looking to go beyond traditional tiled upstands, there are stylish alternatives such as extending marble or quartz worktops partway up the wall or using mirrored glass. Taller upstands in compact kitchens and small bathrooms can maximize utility without overwhelming the space. Mosaic tile sheets are flexible, easy to cut, and versatile for DIY upstands.

Rob Whitaker, the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Claybrook Studio, a London-based company specializing in innovative tile and bathroom designs, emphasizes the importance of developing unique, eco-conscious products that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. Horizontal tiles with a deep puddle glaze and high gloss finish are suitable for tiled upstands.

In bathrooms, tall or even full-wall tiling is beneficial for managing higher moisture levels. Using one large format tile behind a sink may not look aesthetically pleasing and can seem visually top-heavy. In bathrooms, using wallpaper can be enhanced by shorter upstands to showcase the design.

In summary, 50–150mm is a practical range for tiled upstands in kitchens and utility rooms, with higher tiled walls (up to 2m) in wet areas of bathrooms around showers, and bath upstands typically around 100-150mm to protect adjoining walls. The choice also depends on design, building regulations, and waterproofing needs.

In the practicality-meets-style meeting ground at home, tiled upstands, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, serve as elegant barriers against splashes and spills.
Working on a kitchen project, the standard upstand heights could be 50mm, 70mm, 100mm, or even taller, aligning with wall unit heights and aesthetic preferences.
In bathrooms, where water protection is crucial, tiled upstands can be higher, with around the bath installation being common at 100mm-150mm to prevent water damage.
Design ideas for tiled upstands might include porcelain or ceramic tiles, diagonal metro white tiles, Zellige tiles, or even extending marble or quartz worktops partway up the wall.
A unique design guide to consider is pairing stone worktops with decorative tiles, choosing smaller tiles or a glazed mosaic, or opting for horizontal tiles with a deep puddle glaze and high gloss finish.
In terms of lifestyle and sustainable living, innovative designs could involve mosaic tile sheets, mirrored glass, or tall upstands in compact spaces, as emphasized by Rob Whitaker of Claybrook Studio.
Waterproofing and building regulations also play an essential role in deciding the appropriate height for your tiled upstands, with taller walls being beneficial in wet areas like showers, and shorter upstands in bathrooms to showcase wallpaper designs.