Love Your Kitchen Series-Backsplashes

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To me a backsplash to a kitchen is a bit like a belt to an outfit. It has the power to change the whole look and feel of a space.

 via The New Professional

Today in the Love Your Kitchen Series we will discuss some inexpensive ($75 or under) backsplash options for transforming your kitchen.  The first option is for those of you who already have a tile backsplash that you don’t like.

 

Painted tile backsplash before and after

via 11 Magnolias Lane

1.  Paint it!  Do you already have a backsplash up that you would love to get rid of but do not want to go through the effort of demolishing it???  Then you are in luck!  The easiest and least expensive option for you is to paint it.  Several fellow bloggers have done it and have reported success.  See Christy’s experience at 11 Magnolia’s Lane as she provides a step by step tutorial on how to paint tile and a 1 year update on how it has held up.

 

2.  Beadboard or Paneling.  Don’t want to deal with the mess of mastic and grout?  Beadboard or paneling are great, relatively easy, and inexpensive options.  Want to know what the process involves?  Check out LeAnn’s tutorial at The Modest Homestead.  Below are examples of how designers have employed this style of backsplash.

 

Painted the same color as the cabinets

 

Painted a pretty light blue

 

Paneling as backsplash and beyond

 

Go horizontal with it

 

3.  Peg board!  I absolutely LOVE the polished yet cozy ambience of the kitchen below!  And what’s the backsplash?  Well, it’s not peg board.  It is a basket weave tile but doesn’t it resemble peg board???  I think it does!  It made me think, with a 4ft x 8ft peg board only totaling $17.98 at Lowe’s it’s a great option to getting a similar look.   It can be installed the same way as beadboard is installed.

 

 

4.  Stencil it.  Melissa at Pembrooke Lane made a stylish and thrifty backsplash using a free online stencil and Martha Stewart Opalescent paint.  So pretty!

 

 

5.  Wallpaper.  Well, I thought 5 years ago that I would never say this but wallpaper is now a trend again.  Although it might not be the best surface for a backsplash, given the right situation I think it could work and be just the right detail to take a kitchen from builder blah to custom beautiful!

 

 

6.  White 3X6 Subway tiles.  The most commonly used backsplash in high-end kitchens could arguably be the white 3×6 subway tile.

 

 

It is a beautiful classic look that thankfully does not come with a high-end price tag.  In fact, it is one of the cheapest tiles out there ringing in at Home Depot at only $1.76 a square foot.  I purchased the Bright Snow White color found here for my kitchen backsplash. I borrowed a friend’s wet saw and went for it.  This was my first tiling experience and I overall enjoyed it.  With materials and everything it came out costing only $75.  Believe me when I say you can do this!  It really isn’t hard.  Check out my recent step by step tutorial on tiling a backsplash.

 

Is this look too boring for you???  Jazz the 3×6 white tile up by placing it in this fun herringbone pattern.

 

white subway tile kitchen backsplash with zig zag herringbone pattern
Julian Wass via  This Old House

 

And why not mix it up and do both beadboard and subway tiles like below

 

 

So what kind of belt backsplash is your kitchen dressed up in?  Has anyone tried any of these budget-friendly backsplashes?  I would love to hear about it!

 

11 responses to “Love Your Kitchen Series-Backsplashes”

  1. Laura Avatar

    I love these back splash ideas! I had a big plan to use this beautiful glass tile for ours until I got a quote…yikes! I especially love the idea of the horizontal paneling. Great ideas!

    1. phdesign Avatar

      Thanks, Laura! I appreciate you stopping in!!!:-)

  2. Crystelle Boutique Avatar
    Crystelle Boutique

    How right you are! the whole atmosphere is completely changed up!!!
    It was so fun to see this linked up at our party. I pinned!! Thanks much!! 🙂
    “hugs” Crystelle
    Crystelle Boutique

  3. cochran207 Avatar

    I think I’m going to copy! Thanks!!

  4. Becky Pierce Avatar
    Becky Pierce

    Is it possible to apply tile over a formica backsplash?

    1. Tamara Avatar

      Hi Becky! Yes, you can!! Here is a link that explains the steps, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/put-tile-over-formica-backsplash-71036.html. Thanks for coming by!

  5. MaryLee Avatar
    MaryLee

    I have been wanting to put in a subway tile backsplash but thought it would just be too expensive. You have convinced me otherwise. Thank you!

    1. Tamara Avatar

      Yay! Happy to hear it, MaryLee!:-)

  6. PrinterT Avatar
    PrinterT

    I’m inspired by your ideas! I’ve been looking for the perfect backsplash for my kitchen and I think I’m going to do a whitewashed pallet design! I can’t wait to get started!

    1. Tamara Avatar

      So happy to have helped!! I’m excited for you!

  7. Angela Gill Avatar
    Angela Gill

    Love the barstools….where can I get some like these?