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Tile is not the only way to finish the wall behind a range. In this Hood, CA kitchen remodel, a veined, stone-look slab backsplash runs from the counter up to the hood, with no grout lines in sight. Here is a closer look at how a slab backsplash works, and what to plan before you choose one.

One Surface, Counter to Hood

The slab covers the whole wall behind the range, so your eye sees one continuous surface instead of rows of tile. With no grout lines on the backsplash behind the stove, where splatter lands most, cleanup gets simpler. Large slabs can still have seams, so ask your installer where any seams will fall.

Veining That Carries Across

Gray and gold veining flows across the wall in long, soft lines instead of repeating in a pattern. The same stone-look pattern shows on the counters and the island, so the kitchen reads as one material from the cooking wall to the seating. The slab also turns the corner behind the sink, which keeps the look unbroken.

Cut Around the Details

A full slab backsplash needs careful cutting for anything on the wall. Here the brass pot filler sits right on the stone, and the cabinet bottoms and the hood meet its edges cleanly. Ask your installer to mark outlets, switches, and fixtures early, since cuts are hard to change once the slab is set. Plan the pot filler and any lights before the slab is ordered.

Small Spots Show the Stone

Even the faucet corner shows the slab’s character. The brass faucet stands out against the pale stone, and the soft veining behind it adds depth without looking busy.

Cleaning and Care

A smooth slab usually wipes clean with a damp cloth, but check the maker’s care guide for your material, since some stone needs sealing and some does not. A slab wall also gives grease fewer places to collect than a grid of grout lines.

Planning a Slab Backsplash

Slabs come in materials such as quartz, porcelain and natural stone, and a quartz slab backsplash and a porcelain slab backsplash can differ in care and heat tolerance. Before you commit, ask your remodeler about the material, thickness, seam locations, and how much extra stone to order for cuts. Ask for slabs from one batch so the veining matches, and confirm heat and clearance rules behind the range. Our kitchen backsplash ideas with white cabinets guide shows more options if you are still comparing tile.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Hood and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you pl

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a slab backsplash?

A: A slab backsplash is a single large piece of stone, quartz or porcelain installed on the wall behind the counters or range, instead of many small tiles. It leaves few or no grout lines, so the wall looks continuous.

Q: Is a slab backsplash better than tile?

A: It depends on your goals. A slab has fewer grout lines to clean and a seamless look, but it needs precise cutting and careful handling. Tile is easier to install in small pieces and offers more pattern choices.

Q: Can you put a slab backsplash behind a range?

A: Yes, but the wall behind a range gets hot, so check the manufacturer’s clearance guidelines, local code, and the slab material’s care and heat guidance with your installer before you choose.

Q: How do you clean a slab backsplash?

A: Wipe it with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner, then dry it. Follow the care guide for your specific material, since some stone slabs need sealing and others do not.

Q: How do you cut a slab around outlets and fixtures?

A: The installer measures and cuts openings for outlets, a pot filler, and lights before the slab is set. Decide on those locations early, because changes are hard to make after the stone is installed.

Q: How much does a slab backsplash cost?

A: The cost depends on the material, slab size, edge work and installation. Ask your remodeler for a written quote that covers cutting, any seams, and extra stone for waste.

A microwave does not have to sit on the counter or hang over the range. In this Pocket-Greenhaven kitchen remodel, a built-in microwave is set into the base of the island, with a drawer right below it. Here is a closer look at how a microwave in island cabinetry works, and what to plan before you add one.

Counter Space You Keep

Because the microwave sits inside the cabinetry, nothing takes up prep room on the countertop, and there is no cord or box in the way. The island top stays open for chopping, serving, and setting down groceries. An under-counter microwave also keeps the appliance off the range wall, so the cooking area feels less crowded. It can also help traffic, since someone can heat a snack at the island without stepping into the cook’s way at the range.

A Reachable Height

A low spot lets you slide a dish in or out without reaching overhead for hot food. Some cooks prefer a built-in microwave a little higher, so think about who will use it most before you decide on the height. Here it sits next to the dishwasher and a short step from the sink, so unloading and reheating happen in one spot.

Controls You Can Read

The dial and display sit across the top of the unit, and the dial is labeled for microwave, convection, and broil settings, so this is more than a basic built-in microwave oven. A long stainless handle runs across the door and gives you a firm grip. Check that the controls and handle are easy to read and reach from where you will stand.

A Drawer Below

Under the oven, a white shaker-style drawer front with a brass pull keeps the base of the island working as storage. The brass adds a warm accent against the white cabinet. It is a handy spot for microwave-safe dishes, lids and mugs, so what you need stays within arm’s reach.

Microwave Drawer vs. Built-In Microwave

A microwave drawer slides open like a drawer, while a door-style built-in microwave like this one opens with a handle. Both can go in an island, and our kitchen remodel must-haves guide covers the drawer style. Pick the one that feels easier for your household to use every day.

Planning a Microwave in an Island

Ask your remodeler to plan the cabinet opening, outlet, and ventilation early, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model. Place the microwave where its door opens without blocking a walkway or the island seats. Our kitchen island design ideas guide shows more ways to build appliances into an island.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Pocket-Greenhaven and nearby neighborhoods. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the island, appliances, and storage together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you put a microwave in a kitchen island?

A: Yes, many kitchens set a built-in microwave into the island base or a nearby cabinet. The cabinet opening, power, and ventilation must match the manufacturer’s installation instructions, so plan it with your remodeler before the cabinets are built.

Q: What is a microwave drawer?

A: A microwave drawer is a microwave that slides open like a drawer, usually installed in a cabinet or island at an easy-to-reach height. It is different from a door-style built-in microwave, which opens with a handle like an oven.

Q: Is an under-counter microwave a good idea?

A: It can be, because it frees counter space and keeps the appliance out of sight. The trade-off is that you reach down to use it, so think about who in your household will use it most before you choose the height.

Q: How high should a built-in microwave be installed?

A: There is no single rule, but a good goal is a height where you can lift a hot dish in and out without reaching overhead or bending far. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines and ask your installer what works for your layout.

Q: Does a built-in microwave need ventilation?

A: Many built-in models need specific clearances, and some need airflow around or behind the unit. Follow the installation instructions for your model, and have a licensed professional confirm the cabinet opening, outlet, and ventilation.

Q: What is the difference between a built-in microwave and a countertop microwave?

A: A built-in microwave is installed inside cabinetry, so it uses no counter space and the cord stays hidden. A countertop microwave is portable and needs no installation, but it takes up prep space.

A refrigerator is the biggest appliance in most kitchens, and it can look like a box parked in the corner. In this Vineyard kitchen remodel, tall white cabinets stand beside the refrigerator, and a cabinet above it reads as part of the cabinetry. Here is a closer look at cabinets around a refrigerator, and what to plan before you build them.

A Cabinet Above the Fridge

The space above a refrigerator is often left empty. Here, a two-door cabinet with black bar pulls fills it, so the wall runs from the top of the fridge up toward the ceiling. A cabinet above the refrigerator gives you a place for things you use only now and then, like large platters or a roasting pan. Plan its height with the fridge in mind, because the refrigerator doors still need to open fully.

A Pantry Wall Beside It

Full-height cabinets stand next to the refrigerator in two stacked sections, each door with a pair of black bar pulls. A pantry wall like this stores a lot in a small footprint and keeps dry goods and small appliances close to the fridge. Because the cabinet above the fridge and the tall cabinets share the same doors and pulls, the whole wall looks like one piece. Our kitchen cabinet hardware ideas guide covers more pull styles. Matching doors from top to bottom also help a tall wall feel calm instead of busy.

Room to Breathe

A refrigerator needs a little air around it to run well, so the opening is usually a bit wider than the appliance. In this kitchen, a slim shadow gap is visible beside the door. Check the manufacturer’s installation guide for the clearances at the sides and top before the cabinets are built.

Close to the Counter

The refrigerator sits at the end of the counter run, right beside the peninsula, so you can take out ingredients and set them down on the counter without crossing the kitchen. That keeps cold storage close to the prep area, which saves steps when you cook.

Planning Cabinets Around a Refrigerator

Before you order cabinets, measure the refrigerator’s width, height, and depth, including the door swing and the space for ventilation. Ask whether a counter-depth model suits your layout, since a standard-depth fridge can stick out past the cabinets. Plan the water line and outlet behind it, and leave a way to slide the unit out for service. Our ” How Deep Are Kitchen Cabinets? ” guide helps with sizing. Ask your cabinet maker to check every measurement against the exact model you plan to buy.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Vineyard and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the refrigerator wall along with the cabinets, tile, and counters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much space should be above a refrigerator for cabinets?

A: Leave the clearance the manufacturer recommends and enough room for the doors to open fully. The right gap depends on the model, so check the installation guide and have your cabinet maker measure before the cabinets are built.

Q: How do you build cabinets around a refrigerator?

A: Measure the fridge, add the clearance the manufacturer requires, and have the cabinet maker build an opening with a cabinet above it and tall cabinets or panels at the sides. Plan the water line, outlet, and door swing before the cabinets are built.

Q: What is a counter-depth refrigerator?

A: A counter-depth refrigerator is shallower than a standard model, so its doors sit close to the front edge of the counters. It gives a more built-in look, though it often holds less than a standard-depth unit.

Q: Can you put a cabinet above a refrigerator?

A: Yes. A cabinet above the fridge adds storage and a built-in look. Make sure it sits high enough to leave the clearance the manufacturer asks for, and that the refrigerator doors still swing open fully.

Q: What should you store in a cabinet above the refrigerator?

A: Items you use only now and then work best, such as large platters, seasonal dishes or party supplies, because the cabinet is high and hard to reach every day.

Q: Should a refrigerator sit flush with the cabinets?

A: It depends on the model. A counter-depth refrigerator can sit nearly flush, while a standard-depth model usually sticks out a few inches past the cabinets. Check the measurements before you order cabinets.

The range does the hardest work in a kitchen, so its details matter more than its looks. In this Rancho Cordova kitchen remodel, a gas range sits between two stacks of white drawers, with black grates across the burners, knobs along the front, and a drawer below the oven. Here is a closer look at how a kitchen gas range fits into a remodel, and what to plan before you choose one.

Grates That Line Up

From the top, the black grates run edge to edge across the burners. That lets you slide a heavy pot from one burner to the next without lifting it, and it gives large pans a wide, steady surface. When you shop for a gas range, look closely at how the grates fit together, because they are the part you touch most while you cook. A flat, connected surface also makes it easier to wipe up after a spill.

Knobs Within Reach

The knobs sit along the front of the control panel, so you turn them without reaching over a hot pot. A gas range with front controls also keeps the space behind the burners clear, so the backsplash tile can run right down to the counter. Below them, the oven handle is a long bar that doubles as a towel rail, which is handy when your hands are wet, and a towel is needed mid-recipe.

Built Into the Cabinet Run

The range fills a gap between two runs of shaker drawers with black bar pulls, and the counter stays level on both sides. Drawers beside the range keep pots, pans, and utensils within a step of the burners. Our kitchen cabinet hardware ideas guide covers the pulls in more detail. Above the range, a vent hood gives steam and smoke somewhere to go, and the glossy herringbone tile behind it wipes clean after a splatter.

Planning for a Gas Range

A gas range needs a gas line, so ask your contractor to confirm where the line and shutoff will sit before the cabinets are set. Measure the gap in your cabinet run against the width of the range. A 30-inch gas range is the most common size, and you can ask whether a slide-in gas range or a freestanding model suits your cabinets better. Check that the counters on both sides are level with the cooktop. Plan the vent for the range’s heat output and leave the clearance that the manufacturer and local code require. If you would rather not use gas, our energy-efficient kitchen appliances guide helps you compare the alternatives.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Rancho Cordova and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the range wall along with the cabinets, tile, and counters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a gas range?

A: A gas range is a single appliance with a gas cooktop on top and an oven below. The burners are lit by gas, so the flame responds the moment you turn a knob, and you can see how high the heat is while you cook.

Q: What are continuous grates on a gas range?

A: Continuous grates run edge to edge across several burners, so a pot can slide from one burner to the next without being lifted. They also give a wider, steadier surface for large pans and pots.

Q: Are front controls better on a gas range?

A: Many cooks prefer them. Front controls put the knobs along the front of the range, so you turn them without reaching over a hot pot or an open flame. They also keep the area behind the burners clear for the backsplash.

Q: Does a gas range need a gas line?

A: Yes. A gas range needs a gas supply line and a shutoff valve, and a licensed professional should make the connection. If your kitchen has no gas line, ask your contractor about running one, or about an electric or induction range instead.

Q: How wide is a standard gas range?

A: Most home ranges are 30 inches wide, and 36-inch models are also common. Measure the gap in your cabinet run and check the manufacturer’s installation sheet before you order, since the cutout and clearances vary by model.

Q: How much space does a gas range need above the cooktop?

A: It depends on the range and on the vent or cabinet above it, so follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and local code. Ask your contractor to confirm the clearance before the upper cabinets and vent are installed.

Most kitchens have good light overhead and weak light where the work happens. Under a wall cabinet, your own shadow falls right on the counter. In this Elk Grove kitchen remodel, a slim light under the wall cabinets beside the range fixes that, and it washes the herringbone backsplash with an even glow. Here is a closer look at under-cabinet lighting, and what to plan before the cabinets go up.

Light Where the Work Happens

The light runs along the front edge of the cabinet’s underside, so it shines onto the counter and the tile below. Putting the source close to the work surface keeps your body from blocking it. A ceiling light cannot do this, because you stand between it and the counter. That is the main job of kitchen task lighting, and it is why under-cabinet lights are one of the most useful details in a kitchen. Slim LED under cabinet lighting is a common choice because it can sit behind the front edge of the cabinet and stay out of sight. Light placed this way also helps with quick jobs, like reading a recipe or wiping the counter at night.

A Glow on the Tile

The light also grazes the backsplash, so the herringbone pattern shows clearly, with each tile edge catching the light. The glossy tile reflects it back, which makes the wall behind the counter feel brighter and the corner less boxed in. Our kitchen backsplash ideas guide covers other tile patterns that respond well to this kind of light.

Layers of Light in the Galley

This kitchen layers its light. Recessed ceiling lights give general light, the arched windows at the far end bring in daylight, and the under-cabinet lights fill the work zone along the counters on both sides. Each does a different job, and together they keep the room bright at any hour. Our recessed lighting layout guide explains how to plan the ceiling half of that pair.

Planning Under Cabinet Lighting

Decide on the lights before the cabinets and backsplash go in, since the wiring has to be hidden and the power source chosen early. Ask your electrician whether plug-in under-cabinet lighting or hardwired under-cabinet lighting suits your kitchen, and where the switch should go, so you can turn the light on without reaching under the cabinet. Match the color temperature to your ceiling lights, and consider a dimmer, so the light can be bright for chopping and soft in the evening. Place the light toward the front of the cabinet to cut glare on glossy counters and tile.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Elk Grove and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the lighting along with the cabinets, tile, and counters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is under cabinet lighting?

A: Under cabinet lighting is task lighting mounted on the underside of wall cabinets, shining down on the counter and the backsplash. It fills the shadow your body casts when you work under a ceiling light, which makes chopping, reading recipes, and cleaning easier.

Q: Where should under cabinet lights be placed?

A: Toward the front edge of the cabinet’s underside, so the light falls on the counter instead of behind your work. Placing the light near the front also helps keep your body from blocking it and reduces glare on glossy counters and tile.

Q: What color temperature is best for under cabinet lighting?

A: Warm white, roughly 2700K to 3000K, is a common choice because it matches most kitchen ceiling lights and feels comfortable. Cooler white around 3500K to 4000K feels crisper for prep work. Whichever you choose, keep the color consistent across the kitchen.

Q: Should under-cabinet lighting be hardwired or plug-in?

A: Both work. Plug-in lights are quicker to add and easy to replace, while hardwired lights hide the wiring and can be controlled from a wall switch. Which one fits depends on your outlets, your cabinets, and your budget, so ask your electrician.

Q: Can I add under cabinet lighting to existing cabinets?

A: Often, yes. Slim LED lights can usually be fitted under existing wall cabinets. Hardwiring them may mean opening part of the wall, and a licensed electrician should handle any new wiring.

Q: Should under cabinet lights be dimmable?

A: In most kitchens, yes. A dimmer lets you run the lights bright for cooking and low for the evening. Choose lights and a dimmer that are rated to work together, so the lights do not flicker or buzz.

Outlets are the part of a kitchen nobody photographs, and everybody uses. In this Sacramento kitchen remodel, they sit right in a narrow vertical tile backsplash, and the way the tile meets each cover plate keeps them from looking like an afterthought. Here is a closer look at kitchen outlet placement, and what to plan before the tile goes up.

Tile Cut Around the Cover Plate

At the left end of the counter, a standard white backsplash outlet sits in a field of slim, vertical tile. The plate lies flat against the surface, and the tile is cut to fit around it, so the edges look neat instead of ragged. That detail depends on the order of work. The electrician sets the boxes at the right depth, the tile setter cuts around them, and the cover plate goes on last. A box set too deep or too shallow is what leaves a plate crooked or a gap at the edge.

Outlets Where the Work Happens

Beside the sink window, an outlet and a light switch share one plate, with a second switch plate on the other side of the black faucet. They sit just above the quartz counter, so a small appliance can plug in without a cord stretched across the work area. Power close to the sink and the prep space is the whole point of good kitchen backsplash outlets. If you are choosing fixtures too, our guide to black kitchen faucets covers that side of the sink.

White Plates, Quiet Tile

Toward the range end of the counter, a single light switch sits in the same tile. The plates are white, and the tile is a soft gray-white, so they blend in. The narrow grout lines also break up the surface, which keeps a plate from becoming the first thing you notice. Our kitchen backsplash ideas guide shows other tile styles, and each one changes how outlets look on the wall.

Planning Backsplash Outlets in Your Kitchen

Plan the outlets before you choose the tile. A few general points to cover with your electrician: counter outlets are generally required to be GFCI-protected, they are usually spaced so no stretch of counter is far from one, and kitchen outlet height is usually low in the backsplash, just above the counter. Local code sets the exact numbers. A vertical tile pattern means a plate may land on a grout line or in the middle of a tile, so settle the positions first and lay out the tile to match. Keep outlets level across the run so they look intentional.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?

At America’s Advantage Remodeling, we have been handling kitchen remodeling projects across the greater Sacramento area since 2001, including Elk Grove and nearby communities. Reach out for a free in-home consultation, and we will help you plan the outlets and lighting along with the tile and cabinets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How high should outlets be above a kitchen counter?

A: Kitchen counter outlets usually sit within the first foot above the countertop, so they land in the backsplash. The National Electrical Code, which California adopts with its own amendments, generally caps counter outlets at about 20 inches above the counter. Your electrician will confirm the exact height for your kitchen.

Q: Do kitchen backsplash outlets need to be GFCI?

A: In general, yes. Outlets that serve kitchen countertops are required to have GFCI protection, which cuts power quickly if it detects a ground fault near water. An electrician can protect them with GFCI outlets or a GFCI breaker, depending on the circuit.

Q: How many outlets do I need along a kitchen counter?

A: Code generally requires an outlet so that no point along the counter wall is more than about 24 inches from one, and any counter section 12 inches or wider needs its own. Local rules vary, so confirm the spacing with your electrician or building department.

Q: Should outlets go in before or after the backsplash tile?

A: Before. The electrician rough-sets the boxes first, so they can sit at the depth of the finished tile, and the tile setter then cuts around them. If the tile ends up thicker than planned, a licensed electrician can fix it with box extenders.

Q: Can I move or add outlets to an existing backsplash?

A: Often, yes, though it usually means cutting or removing some tile and possibly running new wiring. A licensed electrician should handle the wiring, and a tile setter can patch the surface so the repair blends in.

Q: How do I make backsplash outlets less noticeable?

A: Match the cover plate color to the tile or grout, keep outlets and switches on a level line, and place each plate where it lands cleanly on a tile or a grout line. A white plate on a light tile, as in this kitchen, blends in almost completely.