Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Kitchen Backsplash (great for renters too)

So I finally started working on our kitchen backsplash.
As usual, I had to figure out what I liked, 
what I was willing to spend for it, 
and how long would it take me to do it 
(...by myself, while watching our children...)
What really sold me on what we chose, 
is the fact that we could still use the kitchen during the "work in progress".
That's major for us, 
since I cook/prepare every meal.
Also I had to be able to work on it as
time allowed and stop when the children needed me...and that happens a lot!

First of all, 
I had to make sure the wall was even.
It looked like at some point in time, there was some kind of backsplash (probably laminate) that was glued on the wall...when removed, it left ripped small areas all over it.
So out came low dust joint compound 
(leftover from our bathroom addition
to make the drywall even.
Sanded down for a smooth surface.
Wiped it clean.
And then painted the area white.
So far so good.
If you have an even light colored wall, skip all of the above.
Here is the fun part.
Gather the supplies:
grocery store ads, masking tape, and scissors.
I made a template of the entire backsplash area.
That's not the finished backsplash.

Then I rolled out the wallpaper, layer the template over it and cut it down 
(outlets cuts too).
To attach it to the wall, 
I used wallpaper glue that I had from our bathroom and bedroom project.
This glue is great for high humidity areas 
(such as kitchen and bathroom).




The wallpaper itself is washable and easy to clean.
The roll was about $20 with taxes, 
and I used 1/4 of the roll.

So about $5 in material for us.

I am truly amazed on how realistic these kind of wallpaper really are.
This project would be perfect even if you rent: 
quick, inexpensive and looks great.


Stay Frugal,

45 comments:

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Looks fantastic Daniela!! Great job!

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Beautiful and frugal transformation. Turned out great. It really brights up your kitchen.

Kelly said...

That's a great looking back splash you made! It does look like real tile. The wallpaper will work nicely too to protect your walls from water and grease. It's a good match with your cabinets too.

Sonny G said...

looks fabulous ~! could you add the link to the wallpaper you bought? thanks

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love this. I have no backsplash and I think this would be the answer for sure. Amazing transformation and I love the paper you chose, it really looks like tile. I would love for you to link to my Inspire Me Tuesday party that is ongoing. - - -http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/04/160th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

This has totally inspired me, I need to go look at wallpaper. Great tutorial also. Hugs, Marty

One More Time Events said...

You did a great job...it looks amazing!

Barbara in TN said...

Looks wonderful! I would also like to know where you got the wallpaper -
Thanks for a great idea!
Barbara in TN

NanaDiana said...

Dani-That looks really, really great. You would think it was a very expensive redo! Can't go wrong for that price/look- xo Diana

Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage said...

What an amazing transformation! I love a frugal project that's easy and has such great results. Love it!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
You tackled that problem in a great way!
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Laurie @ Laurie's Little Bits of Creativity, etc. said...

What a great idea! I never would have thought of using wallpaper. I's looks great too!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Great way to have the look of tile, I have a roll of the beadboard wallpaper but just can't make up my mind what I really want on the backsplash:)

Unknown said...

The tile/wallpaper looks great, Daniela. So bright and fresh looking. Great idea to make the template first.

Cristina Garay said...

What a difference! I love it, but I love the price even more!

Libby said...

It's amazing how one change can transform an entire space. I would have never thought that was wall paper. It looks great and your kitchen looks bigger with this color choice.

Meredith @ The Laundry Can Wait said...

Your kitchen looks wonderful! I never would have thought to use wallpaper. Thanks for the tip, and great job. I can't believe you did this while watching the kiddos. Impressive.

XOXO,
Meredith

Sandie said...

Love it!! You did a great job!

newgloucester said...

I love the textured wallpaper. Never thought of that but I did use peel & stick floor tiles with a little extra glue to ensure a good stick. Looks like real tile but a bit more expensive depending on the size of your kitchen.

newgloucester said...

I love the textured wallpaper. Never thought of that but I did use peel & stick floor tiles with a little extra glue to ensure a good stick. Looks like real tile but a bit more expensive depending on the size of your kitchen.

Unknown said...

Great idea. Your kitchen looks great with the new backsplash. If you wouldn't say it is walpaper, I would never guess.

SarahN @ livetolist said...

Amazing! Instead of grocery flyers which I never get I get old newspapers from the newsagent. She always gives me Chinese ones though ?

Unknown said...

It looks good, goes great with your countertop! Nice choice!

Lena said...

It turned out great! Love this new lighter look!

Anonymous said...

You did such a great job and this was such a great idea. It looks amazing and I love how it looks with your cabinets!

Revi said...

Another winner! I love all the changes you are making, Dani.
-Revi

Deborah@Green Willow Pond said...

Wow! I seriously thought this was real tile. It looks great, and really lightens up the kitchen.

Have a great week!
Hugs,
Deborah

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

What a fantastic solution, Daniela! I would never have guessed that was wallpaper. It looks wonderful.

Jeanette

Patty said...

Oh wow! That is so cool. Yes, it is realistic looking. Good job! Your kitchen looks so much brighter!

Stampin' VMG206 said...

What a great idea! I love how it has the look of real tile ~ so cool. I can't believe it was so cheap.. ah, inexpensive.
I'm visiting you today from twelve-o-eight. I'm co-hosting a Link Up that started Monday and would LOVE for you to link this! I hope you get a chance to stop by, Link Up and comment, too!
~ Megin of VMG206
My Mom Frame ~ Printables

Unknown said...

What a great idea! This really brightened up your kitchen! :)

Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

Tina said...

I love the look and you can't beat the price either. Great job.

Preeti said...

Wow u did a wonderful job. Your kitchen looks amazing after the backsplash you designed.

Val said...

Wow. That looks amazing!

Val @ artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

Maggie said...

Super nice. I think I would seal it just to be sure it does not absorb grease,etc. Mod Podge,matte finish perhaps.

NEEDLEWINGS said...

I love it! Great idea on the cheap! I am getting cabin fever and looking for ideas to do this spring, but this project I could even do now!

Unknown said...

Hello, I am getting ready to embark on this project. My question is, what did you do with the edges of the wallpaper where they were not butted up against cabinet or wall? Is there some sort of transitions strip or did you leave it exposed? Thanks so much. amandaj1014@hotmail.com

Leslie said...

You were so smart that you picked the type of wallpaper that wasn't a vertical pattern repeat so you could lay it out in one long piece. It will hold up a lot longer that way than having seams. I really liked the look and I have looked at 100's and not really liked much of anything and there were all too expensive. No money left after cabinets, appliances, and floor.

Cathy C said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

Cathy C, I was trying to reply to your question, but your email showed up as a no-reply blogger. So I am writing here. Even if this is pre pasted, I used the actual wallpaper glue for a stronger bond. Not sure about applying it over the formica, if you can't remove it, then I would suggest you sand it down a bit, so not to apply glue on a shiny surface. Hope this helps

monkey said...

wow i am glad i saw this on home talk it is exactly what i am looking for xx

Unknown said...

Looks great! I was looking for something just like that, thanks!!!!
Nancy @ LittleHomesteadinBoise

Unknown said...

I have tried to find this wallpaper. Can someone tell me where to find?

Sue said...

I love this idea! So pretty, looks easy enough and definitely a money saver!! Thanks!! I would however love to know though how corners, tops and side edges were handled. This is always the part that seems to be left out of "how to" backsplash blogs. thanks for any help or advice you can give in this area! :)

AKP said...

This is a little late, but after having this wallpaper on for a while, how is it holding up? We are considering the paintable textured wallpaper for a kitchen backsplash. The problem areas I consider are a) behind the stove - grease and then dust particles collecting on said grease and b) behind the sink - water. So how easy has it been to keep it washed, is it holding up well under the cleaning?

Email address mamadesies@aol.com Thank you!

Jeanieq said...

HGTV needs a show with a person like you. A show that shows regular people how to transform space they already have into beautiful rooms in very affordable ways. We all don't have thousands of dollars to spend on remodeling.