The Alternative To Kitchen Backsplashes That HGTV's Christina Haack Loves

When you are designing or renovating your kitchen, you don't just have to worry about picking out the most popular cabinet materials, paint colors, and countertops. The backsplash is also an important consideration and can be a bit difficult to decide on — especially if you are looking to choose something that won't look outdated in a couple years. But it turns out that there is a design that could actually narrow your choices and look super high end. Instead of using tiles, HGTV star Christina Haack of "Flip or Flop" has been known to choose a single stone for both the counters and the backsplash area, creating an extended countertop that rises up the wall. 

Though this can be more expensive than tile, it can also increase your resale value, and if you choose a neutral option, it gives you a warm but relatively blank canvas to work around. Plus, if there is no tile, there is also significantly less grout, which means it is easier to clean and keep clean. According to Haack, this is also a great way to make your small room feel bigger and taller as it prevents a visual break up to the ceiling — and it can even reach all the way to the floor if you choose to do a waterfall edge on your island. She's also stated that it tends to be generally less busy than a tile alternative. 

Choosing a stone for your extended countertop isn't just about how it looks (though that is one of the biggest considerations). You will want to decide on something that is both practical for your space and works within a reasonable budget. While marble is the more luxurious choice, its not the only option. There are many lesser-known countertop materials that you may want to consider in a kitchen remodel. Quartz, granite, porcelain, and soapstone are some other possibilities — or if you are hoping to achieve the look in a rented space, you can get a similar look with some quality marble-patterned PVC . 

If you do decide to splurge on marble, you may want to consider purchasing your marble from a smaller supplier. This will usually give you more agency while choosing your pieces, and you may even be able to purchase two cuts from the same slab which you can then book match — aka mirror — between the counter and backsplash, which is a surefire way to give your space a luxury feel. Though Haack also uses tiles pretty frequently, the slab backsplash appears in quite a few of her designs. Even when using tile, however, she tends to stick with a color very similar to the countertop. In a recent home flipping competition between former life and TV partners Tarek El Moussa and Haack, she chose striated marble slabs that extended to the back wall and island, making a warmer wood cabinet color feel modern. 

The biggest issue with extended stone countertops is the initial expense to purchase, install, and maintain. Many stones — especially marble — are somewhat soft and porous, which means they have to be sealed in order to prevent staining from both spills and cooking fumes. Specifically with marble, you will have to get it resealed about every six months, which can not only be inconvenient, but will also cost you anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per square foot. It can also take more than one day to complete the application, rendering your kitchen useless for a solid amount of time on a routine basis.

If you want something that is an easy DIY project, this is also not the route for you. Large stone slabs will have to be installed by a professional to ensure that they are properly adhered to the walls and that the seams are successfully waterproofed. Plus, it's quite a bit heavier than tile, so you can't exactly install a slab with just man power or on your own. Even if you want to keep the slabs, you may have difficulty renovating around a marble backsplash, as it is notably delicate and can be easily damaged.