This Gorgeous Tile Backsplash Hack Looks So Good (Level Up from Peel-and-Stick!)
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If your kitchen backsplash is giving you the ick, peel-and-stick tiles can feel like an incredibly tempting option, especially if you’re in a rental. The problem: A lot of them are easy to apply, but not so great at the sticking part. Plus, removal might leave you with sticky residue that can be hard to scrape off.
Luckily, DIYer Shelby Turner (@itsmeshelbyturner) demonstrated a clever wall hack that will give your kitchen that recently renovated look without permanent repercussions. In a video tutorial, Turner demonstrates how to get the elevated look of a ceramic tile upgrade complete with renter-friendly removal. (As with any projects in your rental, you probably want to ask your landlord or give them a heads-up before you go forward.)
How to Create a Temporary Tile Backsplash
This backsplash hack looks simple, but is it really? I asked Turner for her best tips and also spoke with Thomas Borcherding, owner and lead designer at Homestar Design Remodel, about the best way you can try this for yourself.
Create a strong base.
The key to this method is using a strong first layer that will protect your walls. “I’ve used a poster board barrier under peel-and-stick tiles before, and it worked great, so I knew it was a solid option,” says Turner.
In her video, Turner measures multiple pieces of poster board to fit her backsplash perfectly, then attaches the poster board to the drywall with staples. That way you can easily remove the new tile by simply taking off the poster board, leaving nothing behind except small staple holes that will be easy to spackle over and repair.
Borcherding backs up her method, explaining that poster boards are a good way to get a permanent look in a renter-friendly environment. He also suggests foam board and corrugated plastic as alternatives, and he recommends attaching these to the wall with screws and washers for added security.
Choose ceramic tiles.
Next, Turner lays out her ceramic tiles (which she painted herself) in a pattern and attaches them to the poster board using double-sided foam tape. “I chose ceramic tiles because it actually ended up being cheaper to buy plain ceramic tiles and paint them myself than to go with peel-and-stick,” says Turner. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it worked out really well.”
Plus, she adds, she can take the ceramic tiles with her when she moves and reuse them, whereas peel-and-stick tiles are done after their first application.
Do a trial run.
Some tiles will simply be too heavy to stay up with a poster board backing, and the only way to find out if your chosen tiles work is to experiment. “To make sure it could handle the weight of the ceramic tiles, I tested it on a small section of my wall first and left it up for about a week,” says Turner. “A few months in, the tiles are still holding strong as my backsplash.”
Don’t forget the grout.
Just like in a permanent tile installation, Turner applies grout to seal everything into place and give the tiles an extra grippiness on the boards. “The grout definitely helps keep everything in place,” says Turner, adding that this step is what gives this DIY a professional-level look that will last until you’re ready to take it down on your terms.
To take it to the next level, Borcherding says, “a finishing solution such as Schluter edge trim can be used to cover the edges of the backsplash, offering a more genuine tiled appearance.”
Try it on your floors, too.
Turner has also used this hack on her floors. “For flooring, my favorite trick is to tape down a layer of art easel paper before laying peel-and-stick tile over it,” says Turner. “There are so many simple and effective ways to protect the OG floors.”