You’ll realize experience isn’t overrated when you see the huge implications of tiling the wall before installing cabinets. You’ll have to make multiple, well-timed decisions, which require skills and experience. If you don’t have the experience, you’ll need this information.
Kitchen renovation and refurbishment projects start with cabinet installation before tiling to save on labor and material. Another perk is a cleaner finish. However, installing tile first can be the better choice for full-wall designs or kitchens that may see cabinet changes down the road.
Here’s a guide for the sequence of installing cabinets, countertops, and tile. It covers the pros and cons of each approach, and the common mistakes to avoid.
The Short Answer: Should You Tile Before or After Installing Kitchen Cabinets?
Again, you should start with the cabinets before the backsplash to save on costs and have a clean finish. It also makes it easier to fit the backsplash around the final cabinet and countertop layout.
However, that answer may change if you plan to frequently renovate your kitchen in the future or want more design flexibility. Let’s dive
The Most Common Order
Most kitchen remodels follow this sequence:
- Flooring (if it runs under the cabinets,)
- Base cabinets,
- Countertops,
- Upper cabinets,
- Backsplash.
Following this order helps create tight seams, cleaner cuts, and a backsplash that fits the finished kitchen. If tile feels too burdensome, you may want to look into glass backsplashes?
When Tiling First Makes Sense
Remember, the rules are not set in stone but in logic. Therefore, you should tile first if you’re:
- Creating a full-wall tile feature,
- Installing open shelving instead of upper cabinets,
- Planning for future cabinet replacements,
- Prioritizing design flexibility over material savings.
Why Most Contractors Install Cabinets Before the Backsplash
There has to be a compelling reason for contractors to install cabinets before the backsplash. It’s too common to be a coincidence.
If you’re keen, we already discussed the reasons a couple of times, but let’s look at them once again.
1. It Saves Money
Let’s say you start by tiling before installing the cabinets, which take up and cover a significant area of the wall. No one will ever see the tiles behind the cabinets, meaning all those tiles covered were an unnecessary expense.
When you install cabinets first, you save money because you’ll only tile areas visible that the cabinets haven’t covered. That way, you’ll spend less material and labor.
2. It Delivers a Better Finish
Every cut you make on a tile is another opportunity for something to go wrong. Cutting tiles around the cabinets means more cuts, increasing the chance of an uneven or flawed finish.
Installing the cabinets first keeps your tilework in one continuous run, reducing the number of cuts and ensuring a cleaner look. This is how you avoid kitchen renovation stress.
3. It Makes Future Repairs Easier
You may need to access or replace the cabinets in the future, as well as backsplashes and countertops. By installing the cabinets first, you won’t have to cut your tilework to accommodate future renovations.
Pros and Cons of Tiling Before Installing Cabinets
Tiling the wall first isn’t necessarily a mistake, and it can be beneficial at times. You just need to know the pros and cons of tiling.
Pros of Tiling First
Tiling first can give you more freedom with your kitchen design. You won’t have to worry about matching new tile around cabinets if you change the layout later.
It can also make sense when you’re covering the entire wall with tile rather than creating a traditional backsplash.
Cons of Tiling First
The biggest drawback is cost. You’ll use more tile because you’re covering areas that will eventually sit behind the cabinets. Installation can also take longer because the entire wall needs to be prepared and tiled.
You also need to get your measurements right, from cabinet placement to tile thickness. You also need to get the tile height just right so it lines up perfectly with the cabinets and other kitchen elements.
So, Which Option Is Better?
For most homeowners, installing the cabinets before the backsplash is the practical choice. If you’re creating a full-wall design or want more flexibility for future cabinet changes, tiling first may be worth the extra cost.
Do You Tile Kitchen Backsplash Before Installing Upper Cabinets?
If you’re installing upper cabinets, it’s usually better to put them in before the backsplash. It gives you a fixed reference point for the tile and prevents you from covering areas that the cabinets will hide.
Install the Upper Cabinets First
With the upper cabinets in place, you can measure the exact space between the cabinets and countertop. The backsplash can then be cut and installed to fit that space.
When Should You Tile First?
There are exceptions. If you’re creating a full-wall tile design, using open shelving, or leaving the wall mostly open, installing the tile first may make more sense.
The key is knowing how much of the wall will remain visible once the cabinets are installed. If most of it will be covered, tiling first usually means spending money on tile you’ll never see.
Tile Behind Cabinets vs. Only Installing a Backsplash
Should you tile the entire wall behind your cabinets, or only the part that will remain visible? For most kitchens, there’s no need to tile behind the cabinets. However, there are situations where doing so can make sense.
Tiling Only the Backsplash Area
This approach is the most common and least expensive option. The backsplash area, located between the countertop and cabinets, is typically around 18 inches high.
The tile goes between the countertop and upper cabinets or across the exposed wall areas. Tiling this area can protect your walls from splashes and improve aesthetics as well.
You use less tile, spend less on installation, and still get the finished look you’re after.
Tiling Behind the Cabinets
Tiling behind cabinets gives you a fully finished wall and can make future cabinet changes easier. If you replace or rearrange the cabinets later, you won’t have to worry about finding matching tile for the newly exposed areas.
The trade-off is cost. You’re paying to tile areas that may never be visible. If you take this route, you may benefit by knowing the best time to buy kitchen cabinets.
Which Option Makes More Sense?
If you’re happy with your cabinet layout and want to keep the project within budget, tile the exposed backsplash areas. If you’re planning future changes or want a full-wall design, tiling behind the cabinets may be worth considering.
Where Do Countertops Fit Into the Timeline?
Countertops sit between the cabinets and backsplash, so you’ll need to consider them before installing the backsplash.
Install Cabinets Before Countertops
The cabinets provide the support and establish the final height for the countertops. Once you’ve secured and leveled them, it’s easier to measure, fabricate, and install the countertop.
Install the Backsplash After the Countertops
After setting up the countertop, you won’t contend with gaps or unnecessary cuts during installation. This saves you so much trouble, especially around corners, sinks, and other areas with minimal margin for error.
What If You Install the Backsplash First?
You can, but it creates more opportunities for problems. The countertop may cover part of the tile or leave an uneven gap along the wall.
For a standard kitchen renovation, the safest sequence is:
- Cabinets first,
- Countertops second,
- Backsplash last.
How to Prepare Walls for Cabinets and Tile Installation
Before you install cabinets or tile, the wall needs to be ready. A little preparation here can prevent bigger problems once the work begins.
1. Repair Damaged Drywall
You want the wall to be solid and ready to support the cabinets and tile. So,
- Fill holes and cracks,
- Repair water damage,
- Replace any damaged drywall.
2. Smooth Out Uneven Walls
Cabinets need a reasonably flat and plumb surface to sit correctly, and uneven walls can create gaps and cause a loose grip. To ensure a smooth installation:
- Sand down any high spots,
- Fill in low spots with joint compound,
- Use a level to check for evenness.
3. Mark the Cabinet Layout
Know where the cabinets will go before you start tiling. Mark the layout so the tile only goes where it’s visible. That way, you’ll also have clear reference points.
4. Check Plumbing and Electrical
Outlets, plumbing lines, and other connections must be in place before you install cabinets. Moving them later would demand you uninstall some of your cabinets.
5. Prepare the Surface for Tile
The wall should be clean, dry, and suitable for the tile installation method you’re using. Failing to prep the wall surface will cause the tiles to loosen and become uneven.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a solid plan, some mistakes can affect how your kitchen looks and functions. Here are some of the most common ones to avoid.
1. Tiling Before Finalizing the Cabinet Layout
Always confirm the cabinet sizes and locations before starting. Failing to do so can cause major headaches in the future.
Changing the layout afterward can leave exposed areas or waste materials.
2. Installing the Backsplash Before the Countertops
The backsplash should come after the countertop, not the other way around. Installing it too early can leave uneven gaps or require unnecessary adjustments.
3. Ignoring Uneven Walls
Uneven walls make cabinets difficult to level, and leave noticeable gaps in the backsplash. So, you have to take care of that first.
4. Forgetting Future Access
Think about plumbing, electrical outlets, and any future repairs. Don’t cover everything without planning ahead to avoid costly maintenance and future remodeling.
5. Focusing Only on Cost
Saving money is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. The right installation order should match your kitchen design, renovation goals, and long-term plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should cabinets sit on top of tile?
It depends on the material and your renovation plans. Many homeowners install cabinets directly on the subfloor and run the tile up to the cabinet edges.
However, if you’re using tile as the finished floor throughout the kitchen, install the cabinets on top of the tile to make future flooring replacements easier.
2. Can you install a backsplash before the countertops?
You can, but why would you unless you’re planning to keep redomelling every now and then. Installing the countertop first gives the backsplash a finished edge to rest against, reducing gaps and creating a cleaner appearance.
3. Should tile go behind a range hood?
If the range hood doesn’t extend all the way to the ceiling, tiling behind it creates a seamless look. For full-height range hoods, many homeowners only tile the exposed wall around the hood.
4. Is it worth tiling behind cabinets?
For most kitchens, no. Tiling only the visible backsplash areas saves money without changing the finished appearance. Tiling behind the cabinets is logical when you’re planning future layout changes.
Plan Your Kitchen Remodel the Right Way
We recommend installing the cabinets first in most projects to reduce material costs, create a cleaner finish, and make it easier to fit the backsplash. That said, every kitchen is different, and the reverse could apply. Take advantage of our vast networks with designers and contractors, plus our minimal overhead costs.
To further refine your project plans, explore whether a backsplash is necessary in your specific kitchen layout, and brush up on how long it typically takes to install cabinets so you can set realistic timelines for your renovation.