What If I Don’t Know My Exact Measurements?
IBRAHIM GULSUNThe measurement question is one of the most common reasons people delay ordering a copper backsplash. They want one. They know roughly what size they need. But they are not confident in their measurements, they do not own a tape measure, or they are not sure exactly what to measure. This article explains what you actually need — and what you do not need — to get started.
You Do Not Need Exact Measurements to Start
The most important thing to know: you do not need precise measurements before reaching out. A photograph of your kitchen wall — taken straight-on, with nothing blocking the view — is enough to begin the conversation. Ibrahim can assess the proportions of the wall from the photograph, estimate the dimensions, and ask targeted questions to confirm the details before production begins.
Rough measurements — “about 36 inches wide, about 24 inches tall” — are also perfectly fine as a starting point. The exact dimensions are confirmed before the panel is cut. Nothing is produced until the measurements are verified.
The Photo Method
A straight-on photograph of your backsplash wall is the single most useful thing you can send. Here is what makes a good measurement photo:
- Straight-on angle: Stand directly in front of the wall, camera at roughly counter height, lens parallel to the wall. Avoid angled shots — they distort the proportions.
- Full wall visible: The entire backsplash area should be in frame — from countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinets, and from one side to the other.
- A reference object in the frame: Place a tape measure, a ruler, or any object of known size — a standard sheet of paper is 8.5 × 11 inches — against the wall in the photograph. This gives Ibrahim a scale reference to work from.
- Good lighting: Natural light or overhead kitchen light. Avoid flash, which flattens the wall and makes it harder to read the proportions.
With a good straight-on photograph and a scale reference, Ibrahim can extract the wall dimensions accurately enough to begin the design process. Exact measurements are then confirmed before production.
What to Measure — If You Do Measure
If you do have a tape measure and want to take your own measurements, here is exactly what to measure:
Width: Measure the horizontal distance of the space you want the panel to cover. For a stove backsplash, this is typically the width of the stove — 30 or 36 inches for a standard range, 48 or 60 inches for a professional range. If you want the panel to extend beyond the stove width to cover the full wall between cabinets, measure the full wall width.
Height: Measure the vertical distance from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinets. This is the standard backsplash height — typically 18 to 24 inches in most kitchens. If you have no upper cabinets, measure to wherever you want the panel to end.
Outlets and switches: Note the location of any outlets or switches within the backsplash area. Measure their distance from the left edge of the panel area and from the bottom of the panel area. The copper panel will have cutouts made for these — the outlet or switch sits within the cutout, and a standard cover plate frames it.
That is all. Width, height, and outlet locations. No other measurements are needed.
Common Measurement Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them
Measuring the stove width instead of the wall width: If you want the panel to cover the full wall between cabinets — not just the stove width — measure the wall, not the stove. The stove width and the wall width are often different.
Measuring to the top of the upper cabinets instead of the bottom: The backsplash height is from the countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinets — the underside of the cabinet, not the top. Measure to where the cabinet meets the wall, not to the ceiling.
Forgetting the countertop overhang: If the countertop overhangs the cabinet below it, measure from the top surface of the countertop — not from the cabinet face. The panel sits behind the countertop, so the measurement starts at the countertop surface level.
Not accounting for outlets: Outlets and switches within the backsplash area need cutouts in the panel. If you forget to note their location, the panel will need to be remade. Take a photograph that clearly shows any outlets or switches in the backsplash area.
The Confirmation Step
Every Natuross order includes a measurement confirmation step before production begins. After you send your measurements or photographs, Ibrahim reviews them, identifies any questions or inconsistencies, and confirms the exact panel dimensions with you before anything is cut. If your measurements are slightly off — a common occurrence — they are corrected at this stage.
The panel is not cut until the dimensions are confirmed. This means there is no risk of ordering the wrong size — the confirmation step catches any measurement errors before they become production errors.
The Simplest Way to Start
Take a straight-on photograph of your kitchen wall. Send it via live chat with a rough note of the stove size — “30-inch range” or “36-inch range” — and any outlets or switches you can see. That is enough to begin. Ibrahim will take it from there.
Questions? Start a live chat — Ibrahim responds personally.
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