ᐅ Ikea tile backsplash or kitchen cabinets – which should be installed first?

Hello
I want to install an Ikea kitchen myself but I’m unsure about the correct procedure:
There will be a tiled backsplash on the walls, meaning wall tiles between the countertop and the upper cabinets.
I can’t lay tiles myself, so I want to hire a professional tiler for that.
Usually, I thought the backsplash would be installed first, and then the kitchen furniture would be assembled afterwards.
However, in my current kitchen it was done the other way around: it’s clear that the cabinets were installed first and the backsplash was added afterward. I actually find the second approach more sensible because the tiler can work more precisely and lay the tiles right up to the edges of the cabinets.
How did you do it?
Best regards
Sektionschef

Hello,
most people buy the kitchen for an already completed apartment. It’s best to ask the tiler this question. If the tiles need to be fitted and usually cut to size, the labor required will be higher, and the cost will increase. Usually, this work is done together with tiling the floor.
Many people no longer want a tiled backsplash because they find it unattractive and prefer to install wall panels instead. This is a matter of trend, and there will likely be a time again when people prefer natural tiles on the wall rather than such HPL (high-pressure laminate) materials.

Hello everyone,
Until now, I usually installed the wall cabinets first, then the tiled backsplash up to the top edge of the base cabinets, and finally the base cabinets. Recently, however, most people tend to protect the walls from dirt only in the cooking and wet areas. Some use a stainless steel sheet or a thinner decorative panel that matches the countertop. Tiles are of course also an option, although I am always bothered by the dirty grout lines.

Best regards, Her Rossi

because then the tiler can work much more precisely and lay the tiles exactly up to the edges of the furniture.

Well, I’m sure they will be happy about that...

If I were you, I would discuss with the tradesperson whether they like working around already assembled furniture. From what I have observed, when tiles are being adhered, work tends to extend slightly beyond the actual tiling area, but I cannot guarantee that—I have only watched the tradespeople at work. For me, tiling is more of a rough job that creates a lot of mess. My preferred sequence would be to tile first, then wallpaper and/or paint, and finally assemble the furniture, to avoid any damage.

Recently, most tend to protect only the kitchen and wet areas of the wall against dirt. Some use a stainless steel sheet or a thinner decorative panel that matches the countertop for this purpose.

Then everything really matches well,
Best regards

From what I've observed, when applying the adhesive, the work extends slightly beyond the actual tile area, but this is not guaranteed—I was just watching the craftsmen closely.

Thanks, that’s exactly what I see as the problem: If I have the tile backsplash installed first and the tiler applies it a bit higher, meaning the wall cabinet and backsplash would overlap, then I would have to mount the wall cabinet resting on the backsplash?????
If the backsplash is installed too low, there would be a visible gap between the wall cabinet and the backsplash.
So, wouldn’t the backsplash actually need to be installed AFTER the kitchen cabinets are mounted?
I can’t imagine that if the backsplash is installed first, the tiler could lay it with that much precision.
Best regards,
Sektionschef

Hello,
I think you misunderstood me. When the tiler works, they apply the adhesive generously to the wall, extending slightly beyond the actual tile area. The tiles themselves can be placed very precisely within a carefully measured area. However, if you have already installed cabinets above and below, it becomes difficult for them to apply the tile adhesive properly, and the edge rows won’t be fixed securely.
Since you’re not doing the work yourself, I would recommend getting advice well in advance from one or more (keyword: cost estimate) professional tradespeople.
Since Metod is mounted on rails attached to the wall, the question is whether, at least for the upper cabinets, the tiling should continue a few centimeters behind the cabinets to ensure there is a gap at the bottom similar to the one created by the rail at the top. Otherwise, the cabinets might lean slightly forward. I hope I have explained this clearly enough, as I find it quite difficult to put the pictures in my head into words.
Regarding Mr. Rossi’s argument about dirty grout lines, I would reconsider that if I were you. While white grout lines are no longer fashionable, my tiles grouted in gray about 10 years ago show a different shade of gray in the cooking area compared to the rest of the tiled backsplash, and we don’t cook very often!
Best regards