It depends on many things, but also are within these guidelines. A splash back provides a surface which is to be impervious to water, therefore not allow water to absorb, and depending on your state, the regulations directly behind a water point including a tap or outlet is to be minimum 200mm high, and for heat and fire ratings, the area behind a cooktop needs to be 600mm minimum from your bench top is you have an electric cooktop, and 650mm for gas, with the splash back to extend 200mm either side of the heat source either side. So even if you want to only do this, there will need to be quite a bit of splash back, and often people use things like the bench top, window position and overhead cupboards to contain the splash back, providing you a rough idea of where to start and end one. Although not technically required, even in areas without services, a splash back that changes height and doesn't continue around walls to neatly finish off the surface will look out of place, so for consistency, the splash back is best used to effect, and provides an opportunity to incorporate a colour or interesting surface to the kitchen. By no means should a splash back be an after thought or put in simply in response to the minimum regulations. If you have a layout of your kitchen, start where your overhead cupboards are and draw a line around the entire room (even through windows and openings) to see it complete each wall that is part of the kitchen. Meaning any wall that has a bench top attached. Tis is a good place to start. Hope this helps.

I have used man-made stone such as Caesarstone on my client's bench tops for years with no negative feedback thus far. If you are looking at Caesarstone and don't want a stark white, then consider Organic White, Frosty Carina or if your budget runs to it, Calacatta Nuvo (a marble lookalike). If you like grey, before they released their concrete range I used Oyster. I agree with Focus Kitchens & Bathrooms, you would be better to visit a showroom and have a look at a large sheet of any you are considering. It gives you a much better idea of not only colour variation but the overall pattern. If you do use 'stone' on the bench top there is an emerging trend of running it up onto the splash back as well. This works well if your design style is classic or modern classic (transitional).

Hi everyone, I've finally gotten around to creating a "Before and After" post which includes my kitchen and the remainder of the house. Pop on over if you'd like a look! We are very happy with the finished project. Thanks, Louise

Hi Tanya, kitchen designers do mix Splashback materials from time to time, especially when this is what a client likes. All types of materials can be blended; you just need to consider their serviceability for their position, their colours to compelment the overall design and then plan their junctions beforehand so these all look and work best together. The distinct advantage of Glass splashbacks are that they have no course grout lines and so are not there to stain and discolour whereas Glass Splashbacks are really easy to keep clean and always looking their best. I know this is not what you asked but have you considered using all Glass where Glass with its benefits can also be printed on the back (instead of just a solid colour) so can be printed to look like tiles, but can also look like timber, stainless steel or even marble or granite; and done at a much lower cost to these later materials. Hope this helps, Regards. Malcolm