Here is a money saving DIY trick for changing your tile backsplash! All you need is some paint and time! Read on to find out what I used for my painted tile backsplash. You’ll totally be surprised at the transformation!
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Welcome to the July Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop, hosted by My Pinterventures. The purpose of this Pinterest Challenge is to motivate all the participants of this hop (and you too) to not just pin, but to make it happen!
Painted Tile Backsplash
I finally did it! For less than $100, I changed my tile backsplash! I have been thinking about changing our kitchen backsplash for years, but with one and then two kids being born, it was last on the “To Do” list. I would dream about changing it here and there, picking out tile in my mind. Eventually I wanted to make it a reality. I stopped looking at tile because of the high cost, and started looking at less expensive alternatives. Stay tuned for my list of cheap backsplash update alternatives coming soon!
After doing a ton of research on Pinterest, because that’s where all of the experts go, I finally decided to go for it! Pinterest was chock full of great advice, in fact, it had so much advice on painting tile that I got a totally overwhelmed! Which direction do I go…do I sand or not sand, do I use latex or oil-based paint? Do I try spray painting it?
Where I got great advice
Since I knew that I wanted my painted tile backsplash to happen soon, I decided to play it old school and ask for advice at my local Benjamin Moore store. Imagine that! I actually talked to a real person for DIY advice instead of surfing the web! I’ve been going to this store for years, and they are so kind and helpful! If you live in the Mt. Laurel, NJ area, head to the Burlington Design Center for all things paint related! Tell them I sent you!
The owner, Mike, is full of great advice. He even talked me off the ledge when I started to panic halfway through my painted tile backsplash! I was in full flight or fight mode after one coat, because the paint didn’t look shiny at all, like AT ALL. When Mike got on the phone, he listened to what I had to say (without laughing at me), and began to explain that high-gloss paint has the least amount of surface coverage. This means that you’ll need several coats before covering what is beneath it. I was most likely seeing the old tile and primer coming through, and it wasn’t a clear representation of what was to come. He said to paint another coat, and let that dry to give the paint a fair chance. I’m so glad I listened to him! I have not been compensated for any of these products. They’re just great, so I wanted to share!
The Details to DIY Your Painted Tile Backsplash:
Materials Needed:
- TSP or Mineral spirits
- Rough sponge
- STIX primer
- High-gloss enamel latex paint
- Small paint roller for ultra smooth surfaces
- Paint brush
- Painter’s cloth or plastic for covering your counters
- Painter’s tape (optional)
You might want to test out a small area with the primer and paint. Or if you are like me, you can just go all in!
Step 1:
Remove all of the items on your counter. Wipe down the tile surface using a cleaning product that will remove grease, grime, and whatever else you might have on your backsplash. You can use TSP or Mineral Spirits. I used Mineral Spirits and it took everything right off. I dipped my rough sponge into the liquid and scrubbed at the tile.
Step 2:
Next, wipe down the tile with a rag and water. You want to remove the residue from the cleaning product you used. Let the surface dry.
Step 3:
Cover your countertops with a painter’s cloth or some kind of covering.
Starting at one end of the backsplash, use your small paint roller to roll on a thin coat of the STIX primer. Don’t try to paint too much at once. You will need to go back and edge in the paint using your paintbrush. Repeat this process until you reach the end of the backsplash. Let it dry and add a second coat.
Step 4:
Now you will roll on your high-gloss enamel latex paint. Yep, I said latex. I can assure you that this is a shiny and durable paint. Working in small sections use your roller to roll on the paint, and then cut in using your paintbrush. Once again, repeat until the tile is covered. Let it dry according to the directions, and then paint a second coat. You might want to do a third depending on how it looks. I decided to do a third, because I’m a belt and suspenders kind of gal.
Let it dry and do your happy dance, because that ugly tile is gone!!! Maybe it wasn’t ugly, but it just wasn’t your style. 🙂
To see what my kitchen looked like before we remodeled it, and what my experience was like on a DIY Network TV show, see my post, “My Experience on a DIY Network Reality TV Show!” In case it’s not clear, we had our kitchen renovated on a home improvement show!
Painted Tile Backsplash
Before
(I took some of these pictures before I had recaulked.)
After
The tile was dark and a bit masculine for my taste. I actually did not get to choose the tile, because our kitchen was remodeled for a TV show on the DIY Network. If you want to read more about my experience on the show, click HERE!
The painted tile might not be perfect, but it does exactly what I was hoping it would, brighten up the space! I’m planning to add other elements to lighten up the space even more. My birthday is coming up, and I’m hoping to ask for some wallpaper! If you are looking to change your backsplash for a small amount of money, I would definitely recommend using these products. This is a great quick fix on a low budget!
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Lydia – Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen • Maria – Simple Nature Decor
Michelle – Our Crafty Mom • Emily – Domestic Deadline
Wow, what a difference!! I love your easy and budget-friendlier version of updating tiles. I just updated mine the other day too, but I only had one line of tiles to re-cover and used contact paper. I think I might be painting them though, that’s probably better in the long-run. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so much! I am so pleased with how it came out! What a creative idea to use contact paper on the tiles!
You are a brave soul to try this — but the results are great!
Haha! That is what I thought too! I’m so happy (and relieved) with how it came out!
Wow! That looks amazing; I can not believe that works so well. Pinned.
Thank you so much for pinning! I’m very happy with how it turned out!
What a pretty back splash, it turned out great! Will pin
Thank you so much! I’m so happy with how it turned out!
Crazy what a difference the fresh backsplash made! I liked the original but can see what you mean about it being a bit masculine…kind of argyle sockish. The white is so clean! Well done!!
Haha! That is such a great description! Yes, it just makes it feel clean and simple. Thank you!
Wow, I am always amazed at what paint can do. The backsplash looks terrific.
Isn’t that the truth! Thank you so much!
What a nice transformation, love your work!
Thank you so much! That means a lot!!!
Wow! What an awesome transformation! Love the what the power of paint can do!
Yes! I totally agree! Thank you so much!
The paint did a great job covering all the different colors from the old tile. It turned out great! I’m sure others would love to be able to do something similar in their kitchens and weren’t sure how to go about it.
Yes, it really did cover well! I’m hoping this helps anyone who was scared to do it!
I’ll have to pass this info on to my mother! She has two bathrooms covered in tile from the 60s {baby blue & golden yellow} & she wants it gone. This may be the perfect solution – pinning!
Omg! My parents have the same bathrooms!
Wow! What a difference without being too expensive! That looks really pretty!
Exactly!!! I needed something cheap, but that would make a big change! Thank you!
Who knew it could be so easy!? Glad you were able to get some advice. That goes a long way in feeling confident in a new project!
I know, right!? Yes, me too!
Wow! What a difference. I had no idea you could paint tile! I love the fresh bright feel!
Your backsplash looks amazing! I love the white. We thought about painting our backsplash, but took it down instead, it wasn’t installed nicely either. Amazing transformation!
What a great way to get a completely new look. This is such a money saving alternative to installing a new back splash. It looks fabulous.
Thank you so much! Yes, that is exactly why I tried it!
Girl, you’re one brave cookie! It’s already done and I was freaking out while reading your steps…lol. You’ll have to keep us updated on how this holds up over time and with cleaning.
Haha! It took me a while to get the courage to try it! Eventually the disgust for my old backsplash overruled any fear of painting tile! I’ll definitely keep you posted! Maybe a six month check in!
is there an update on how it’s been holding up? wanting to paint mine but not sure if paint or completely replace..
Hi! I have not done an update (I should!), but it has held up perfectly! I make sure to use a non-abrasive cloth to clean it…like a magic eraser.
This is a very excellent painting idea. I will try to my home indoor like kitchen room, bathroom and also my living room. Thanks for sharing this great informative article.
Thank you so much!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this great advice! Pinned and trying on my fireplace surround this weekend!!
I’m so sorry that I missed this Christine! Thank you so much for your support! 😘
How has it held up?
It has held up perfectly! I’m thrilled with the way that it turned out. I have wiped it down with soap and a magic eraser.
It has held up perfectly! I use a magic eraser to wipe off any food or residue. I’m really happy with it’s adhesion!
This looks great and I am wanting to try your steps on my kitchen babksplash. Was your tile all porcelain or natural stone? Mine is a mixture and has a few glass tiles in the set as well. I am just curious as to how it will work out.
Hi! Thank you so much! It worked better than I had expected and it’s still going strong almost two years later! I had some glass, metal, and ceramic tiles in my original backsplash. There was no natural stone, but I have seen people paint natural stone. Good luck!
How has this held up. The thought of latex scares us that it will just chip, peel and scratch. We are a busy house and need to be able to spray it clean etc. Can you give a update on this please 🙂
Hi! So sorry for the delay! I had to take some time away from my blog. Our backsplash has held up really well! I’d do it again in an instant. It’s hard to believe, because like you all said, painting anything except walls with latex paint is scary! However, I believe it is the Stix primer that allows the latex paint to stick so well! That being said, I only use a magic eraser, paper towel, or cloth to wipe it down, and I don’t do it that regularly. Everything wipes off very easily. I’ve never had to scrub anything off, which could be rougher on the paint. I hope that helps!