Last summer, I started my DIY kitchen project by redoing my cabinets. Then this past spring I attacked my ugly mauve formica countertop. I have now finally finished the majority of my project with the backsplash (which was the same ugly color of my countertop). Most backsplashes nowadays have a more modern look to them, but they unfortunately come with a hefty price. One which I was not willing to or wanting to spend. I have already completed this project well under $200 and I refused to now add another couple of hundred of dollars or more if I didn’t need to.
Enter….Sticky tiles! One Saturday night I found myself strolling the aisles of Lowe’s in the kitchen and tile department. I ended up talking to the woman who was working and she guided me towards these awesome and affordable tiles. She did show me the other types of backsplashes but I knew I was going to still need grout, a saw to trim the edges as I was measuring, and another person to be helping me. So I made the decision to go with what I originally wanted and purchased this fabulous grey mist combo.
Now in order to know how much you will need to buy, make sure you measure as accurate as you possibly can in square feet. These tiles are about 10″ x 10″. Not exactly a foot in length and width. You also need to make sure you buy a little extra because you may will mess-up.
When you get home, make sure you wash down your backsplash with soap and warm water and let it dry completely. You will also need a box cutter/razor, measuring tape, straight edge and I used a piece of thick cardboard to cut on.
Once you start, make sure you follow the directions. It literally spells it out for you and you will notice that the tiles overlap with one another. It tells you where the next one should go.
It is time consuming but doesn’t take as long one would think. Once I was in a groove, I couldn’t believe how far I had gotten. Throw on some music and before you know it, you’ll be half way there.
I ended up completing it in 2 hours one Friday night (yes it took me a week to get to it!) and a little under 2 hours the next day. I am a fanatic and a perfectionist so it may have taken me longer than the average person.
I will say, when you finish, you will step back and be proud of what you have accomplished and how different and fabulous your DIY kitchen backsplash with sticky tiles looks. When I had a girls’ night at my house after I completed it, they could not believe that it wasn’t real tile and that it was sticky tile! It will fool anyone and will cost you a fraction of the price if you were to use real ceramic tiles.
There you have it!! The last installment of my DIY Kitchen Makeover with cabinets, countertop and now backsplash. All for under $500!!!
Hi there! Randomly found your blog but just wanted to let you know that you did a great job on this kitchen makeover! Honestly ❤️ I love it! Be proud!
I have the exact cabinets and countertop as you and I’ve hated them for the 5 years I’ve lived there but never had the money to update them. I just found your blog and am going to do the exact same thing over a 3 day weekend – thanks for the guide and photos!
I can feel your pain with hating it!!! Lol best feeling ever was doing this. Good luck!!! You’ll love your kitchen instantly when you done.
What an awesome job! I have those horrible cabinets, backslash and counter top. Mine is an ugly cream color! I really love all of the choices you made. I want a new kitchen but can’t afford that (maybe in the year 2025) So in the meantime I am going to show my husband your kitchen and maybe I can motivate him to do this for now. The colors match the color scheme of my house perfectly!
Thank you so much!!! I still can’t believe it took me years to finally do it. I knew I could never afford a new kitchen any time soon, so this was the best decision I ever made. I love my kitchen now! It has completely transformed my whole feeling about being in there. It also gave me the motivation to do other rooms in my house. All on a budget too, which is so important! Good luck with your kitchen. Any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me 🙂
I cannot believe this! You had my kitchen! I am closing on a 1987 condo in just 2 weeks with a super ugly kitchen!!! Exactly like your before!! I am so excited to work towards this beauty!! You calmed my mind for sure, I was so worried how I was going to improve this area! 🙂
There’s a lot of us that are haunted by these 1987 kitchens lol we’ve got to all stick together. I redid the cabinets and countertop. Make sure to check out those posts too. I was able to do it all on a budget. I was determined to take back my kitchen! I’m so happy that I eased your mind. It will literally transform your kitchen. Let me know if you have any questions 😊
I love this! We’re starting our kitchen facelift next weekend and will also be using a similar backsplash but I am wondering, did you move your fridge and run it behind it? Or did you just leave that area the red color? We have a mossy green paint as a backsplash now and I don’t want white subway tiles for most of the kitchen and then the green behind the fridge, but it also seems pointless to put these up somewhere that won’t be seen…
I didn’t have to move my fridge. It’s painted yellow like the rest of my kitchen thankfully. And I pulled out my stove a bit so I could get behind it to make it all even.
Hi, this looks awesome! I’m looking to buy a condo with those same cabinets, so I was wondering how this has held up over the past couple of years. Thanks!
Hi!!! They have held up really well. With wiping them down regularly when cleaning the paint has stayed. I haven’t had to touch them up at all.
You are a genius! I wanted to redo my whole kitchen but am on a budget as well. Found your blogs and I love everything you have done. Thanks to you, I can get rid of these horrid looking cabinets and of course I have a crap ton of cabinets so I can’t wait to give them a makeover! Thank you for sharing.
Omg! I’m living the same nightmare you were! Old condo kitchen! Love this. Thanks for posting!
Hi It’s May 2019 now and I still have these 1987 cabinets. I am glad to find your blog; you did such a wonderful job! We are going to repaint the cabinets following your instruction. But a big question about the stick-on tiles. How do they hold up? I am a bit concerned, since it is in the kitchen the heat and the humidity might ruin them. Thank you for answering!
Hi!!! Believe it or not everything has held up beautifully. My sticky tiles haven’t lifted or anything. And I applied them to my awful formica background. For the money, I would definitely try it. I have been so happy and in love with my kitchen since!! Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!
Wonderfully done! Looks classy and beautiful!