We have been doing small, cost effective, kitchen updates for most of 2019. This latest one has to be one of our favorites – a true DIY backsplash makeover for less than $100!
If you’ve been following our kitchen updates of remodeling our kitchen island and painting our kitchen cabinets, you have seen how dark our whole kitchen was when we started down this path. You have also probably noticed how dark and unattractive our backsplash and countertop combination was. Luckily we found an extremely easy and CHEAP solution to brighten up our backsplash.
Our Inspiration
We got the inspiration for this pressed tin tile look DIY backsplash makeover from blesserhouse.com, who had almost the exact same tile and granite combination as we did. What trends were going on here in Charlotte back then???
Instead of using the tin-look sheets made for backsplashes that are already cut to 18″ high and 24″ long, we chose Fasade glue-up ceiling tiles in 2×4 sheets. Why? Well you cover literally twice as much backsplash (4 feet instead of 2 feet) for about the same price. Buying the 2′ x 4′ sheets just means you need to trim them down to 18″ high yourself; which is easy using scissors or a utility knife. They are super easy to cut.
DIY Backsplash Makeover Materials List
- The ceiling tiles
- Construction adhesive (we used a white adhesive so it wouldn’t show through)
- Caulk
- Utility knife or scissors
The Makeover Process
The entire process to do this $100 backsplash makeover took about 3-4 hours. We started by clearing the counters and laying out the sheets to get an idea of where the seams would land if we started from the living room end of the kitchen. Luckily, they were in decent places that didn’t leave any weird cuts.
Cut
So then it was onto trimming down the first sheet so it was 18″ high. As I said above, you can cut these with a utility knife or even a decent pair of scissors. Since the cut for 18″ is right on the line of the pattern you don’t even really need a straight edge. I just eyeballed it and cut with a utility knife, knowing any minor waviness would be hidden under the cabinets and covered by caulk later.
After trimming to 18″, we were on to arguably the hardest step in the process – measuring and cutting out for the outlets and switches. Let me say, even this is not hard. Just double check your measurements and that you’re measuring from the right side of material and you should have no problems.
Once we were satisfied with all of the cuts on the first piece, we dry fit it in place and used the outlet covers to hold it there while we positioned and cut the second piece. We made certain to overlap the edges properly, and then just followed the same process for cutting out for the window and outlets. Then we just repeated for the third and fourth sheets, except for not trimming those to 18″ their full length. We let them run up behind the range hood.
Attach
Attaching the new backsplash is as simple as running a bead of construction adhesive all around the perimeter of the back, and filling the inside with a few Xs, then pushing it firmly up against the existing backsplash. Make certain to press all of the edges and all through the middle to get it up nice and tight. We again used the outlet covers to hold it in place. The other three pieces all followed the same process.
Caulk and finish
Once all of the pieces were attached, the last step was caulking all of the edges to get a nice finished look. We also put back on the metallic outlet and switch covers, thinking they would match our appliances.
After about a week, we decided we needed white covers. Which we think look so much better because they blend in with the backsplash instead of being focal points.
Let us know what you think of our $100 DIY backsplash makeover in the comments section at the bottom of the page. We know we love it, and hope you can find some inspiration in it too!
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