You guys, I put subway tile up in my kitchen ALL BY MYSELF! Okay, so it’s not the real deal, but hey, it looks pretty legit. This is a Textured Subway Tile Backsplash Peel and Stick Wallpaper from Target! I must admit, I was a little hesitant about this, but it did not disappoint.
I’ve wanted a kitchen makeover since we moved in to our home a little over a year ago. I had big plans for my dream kitchen, but sometimes life doesn’t go as we plan. Anyone else have that problem? Regardless, I trust that God is in control and working for our good. Time and time again, He has been so faithful in my life.
My husband had back surgery a little over a month ago and his back is actually worse now than it was before surgery. We keep hoping and praying that it will improve, but that hasn’t been God’s plan just yet. He has pretty much been confined between the bed and the sofa. Needless to say our budget is tight and my diy project master is no longer able to help.
But who said that just because your circumstances are not what you expected, you can’t accomplish your goals? Maybe it’ll just take getting creative and going about it in a different direction. The subway tile backsplash is an example of that. It was budget friendly and I was able to do it by myself.
I’m not going to give you the step-by-step instructions for hanging because the instructions are on the insert, but I will share a few tips that I learned while hanging this subway tile backsplash wallpaper.
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Tips for Hanging Subway Tile Backsplash (Peel & Stick Wallpaper):
1. Make sure your walls and/or backsplash are clean. I used a warm soapy rag to clean my backsplash and then let it dry before I started. I applied the peel and stick wallpaper on top of linoleum and I didn’t have any problems with it adhering. This is what it looked like before…
2. Start with a clean slate. Remove everything off of your counters and as much stuff off of the backsplash as you can. Remove your electrical plates and if you have any moldings that can be removed and replaced, that will make hanging the paper easier.
3. If you can get someone to help you, it will make this project so much easier! And go so much faster. It took me a FULL day to do this by myself.
4. Get a wallpaper smoother! This makes all the difference and you will not want to attempt this project without it. Otherwise, you will end up with lots of air bubbles.
5. Measure twice and cut once (check and double check your measurements before you cut). I think this is where I missed my hubby’s help the most. I wasted a good bit of paper because I kept messing up my measurements. Oops. My backsplash is roughly 30 square feet so I purchased 2 rolls and have plenty left over (even after all that I wasted).
6. Make sure your are hanging the paper right side up. The grout lines have a light gray line and dark gray line. I accidentally hung one of the sheets upside down and had to pull it down and start over because the colors on the grout lines didn’t match up.
7. Make sure your grout lines match up. I would say that this is the most difficult part of hanging this wallpaper. The instructions say to hang from the top down, but that is nearly impossible if you want your grout lines to match up. I peeled back the side of the paper first and matched up my grout lines, then started smoothing out from the top down.
8. Make sure your subway tiles line up so that they are the full length. There are 2 alternating rows of the subway tile. When you are hanging your sheet, make sure that you are lining up the correct rows so that it makes a full tile.
9. Use a utility knife to make your cuts and trim around molding and outlets. This is much easier than trying to use scissors. I laid a cutting board on my island and made all of my cuts right there.
Those are my 9 handy-dandy tips to help you not make the same mistakes I did. You’re welcome. 😉
You can’t tell from the pictures, but my kitchen cabinets desperately need a new coat of paint. Of course I will go with white again. This is something that I will eventually tackle, but I know it will take some time and I’m not ready for that commitment yet. Afterwards, I want to get new hardware for the cabinets.
I have an exciting idea for a budget friendly counter top that I think I can “mostly” do by myself, but I’m saving to get my farmhouse sink first.
I absolutely love the way this turned out! But I’m not going to lie, this was a workout!! I was literally climbing on countertops and sitting in that little corner behind the sink. The entire time, I kept saying that I will never hang wallpaper again, but after seeing the results, it was totally worth my effort and a day’s time. It’s crazy how a small little project like this completely transformed the look and feel of my kitchen!
What do you think about the faux subway tile backsplash? Is this something you would attempt? I’d love to hear you comments below! Thanks for stopping by and be blessed friends! xoxo
Kitchen Decor Shopping Sources:
Subway Tile Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Homemade Sign
Bread Box
Vintage Scale
Vintage Sifter
Seltzer Bottle
Round Cutting Board
Salt Dish
Crock Pitcher
Vintage Rolling Pins
Coffee, Tea & Sugar Canisters
Letterboard
Paper Towel Holder
Pedestal
White Pitcher
Mrs. Meyers Kitchen Set in Radish (best scent ever!)
Check our other Room Renovations on a Budget:
Farmhouse Foyer
Living Room
I would be so appreciative if you share on Pinterest! 🙂
Great post! I love this idea!
Thanks so much, Chyvonne! For such a simple project, it made a huge impact.
So glad you shared this….you are an answer to our dilemma. I’ve been unsure what to do with the backsplash, but now I know!!! Sorry to hear about your husband, I’ll be praying for his recovery🙏🏻
Yay! You are going to love it girl!! Even my boys complimented how good it looks. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated!!
It looks really good. I had briefly looked at the peel and stick wallpaper at Target and it looks better in your project than it does in the store! I may just have to try some of it.
I would agree with that Kallee. I was skeptical at first, but figured I’d give it a try anyway. And I’m so glad I did!
This looks so good girl!!! I can’t believe that it’s peel and stick!! And props for you for tackling this on your own🤗🤗 I think I’d be too scared! But sometimes we don’t know what we can do till we try, right??
💗 Merichelle | We’re the Joneses
http://werethejoneses.com
Thank you my friend! I thrive on a good challenge. It’s like I have to prove to myself that I can do it. lol
It looks really good! I haven’t thought of this before, but when I get my own space I’ll definitely try it. Thank you!
Awesome, Aica! The nice thing about this is that because it’s peel and stick, it’s just as easy to take down as it is to put up. So it’s perfect for renters also!
It looks great I would have never guessed it was a wall paper! Also I love you floors !
Thank you so much Katie! The floors were one of the things that I really loved when we bought the house, but I didn’t realize how hard they would be to clean. 🙁
Hi, Heather! I found you by following your link on the Friday Friends Parade. This is AWESOME! I LOVE how it looks! How easy would it be to remove?
Love how your are bringing glory to our Lord through your post, as well. He is good, all the time! Praying for you, and your hubby, sister!
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for stopping by!! I still can’t believe how good it came out! I had to peel off a piece that I accidentally hung upside down and it came right off without leaving any tackiness behind. Your prayers are greatly appreciated my friend! Yes, God is soooo good and faithful!
First of all, you have a beautiful kitchen! I love subway tile in kitchens. I really want to put some in my kitchen soon!
Awesome! This would also be a great way for renters to beautify their homes. Looks great! ❤️
It out so beautiful! It’s looks like the real deal. Love it! *Prayers for your husband*
I really like this. This would give my kitchen a little something special to it.
Wow that looks great I would not have known it was wallpaper if your didn’t tell me. Amazing job and great post.
I did the same thing in my kitchen!! And I absolutely love it! I was equally proud, as I did it all by me lonesome haha. But what a transformation. For me I covered dark granite, so this look really lightened up my room. Thank you so much for sharing for our Linky Party! We really hope you’ll continue to link up every week. On a final note, I absolutely love your faith in God…He has a plan, My Friend. Stay strong in faith, and all will be revealed. Blessings, Julie & Jodie
I’m kinda fangirling over here ladies! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read!! Isn’t this peel and stick just the best thing ever. I LOVE your Linky Party and look forward to sharing again. PS – I am already starting to see so many blessings even through the many challenges. God is so good and I fully trust in HIS plan!
I’m so sorry to hear about your hubby. Mine just had a spinal fusion last year and back problems still are constant in his life too. When I read your story it was like reading my own life. I now take on projects by myself as well. I absolutely love the peel and stick wallpaer we are really good buddies in my home. I’ve thought about using it in my kitchen. Yours came out looking great. My only hesitation is my backsplash is the old builders grade 12×12 tile. So I was concerned about it not being a smooth surface like yours. I think I might just try some old paper I have first and see what it does. My next thought is just to paint the tile. Thank you for sharing yours. The transformation of your kitchen is stunning!
Oh Jacqueline, I’m so sorry to hear that! I know how hard it is girl!! But God will get us through this! I wondered about using it over tile and I’m really not sure. I wounded if you could fill in the grout lines with something so that you could have a smooth surface?? I’ve also seen people paint it to give a marble finish – I thought about doing that for my countertops. I can’t wait to see what you do!! Good luck to you and I’ll say some prayers for your hubby!!
At first when I saw the picture I was like why would she change that subway tile, it’s beautiful. Then I read that was the new stuff! It’s perfect. We have an old farmhouse in Navasota (Navanowhere), TX. and want to tackle the plain white laminate back splash. This would be perfect because I can do it without asking the Mister! Great tutorial! Pinned to my Easy DIY board!
Thank you so much Cindy! You should definitely give this a try!! I honestly can’t believe the difference it made in my kitchen!
I love the look of this. I’m currently looking for a backsplash and may seriously consider this option. #fridayfriendsdesigntwins
Thanks so much for stopping by, Ola! I would definitely recommend this!! It was easy and budget-friendly!
WOW, a fantastic job to be very proud of tackling yourself.
Sorry to hear about your husband’s back surgery not giving him the comfort that he needed.
You definitely are a brave soul to tackle this job. I have seen faux tile jobs done with decorative tapes and or permanent markers, but never with a wall paper. It looks absolutely gorgeous.
I am sure that your husband is very proud of your accomplishment and wishes he was there to help. However, his getting well and back on his feet is so much more important and I am sure you agree. Again, congrats on your beautiful wall.
Thank you, sweet Linda! It was actually a lot easier than I expected, just took a little time and patience (which I’m not always the best at). My husband is finally starting to feel better and able to do a few projects with me. 🙂
Beautiful job. I have hung a lot of wallpaper but never the peel and stick kind. I think I would like to try this. I was wondering though how does it hold up to water or grease and/or food that might splash on it? Are you able to scrub it? Does it need a sealer put over it? I would be applying it around a sink and stove top so I might need to wipe it down. Also I will pray for your husband. God’s faithfulness and love for us is incredible. Blessings to you both.
Susan
Thank you so much, Susan! I wouldn’t even know where to start if it weren’t peel and stick. lol. The wallpaper has held up great! I’m a pretty messy cook and have splashed several things on it. I wipe it down with a damp cloth or a Clorox wipe and it comes right off and the wall paper still looks good as new. Thank you so much for your prayers! My husband is finally feeling some relief and I know it has been the power of prayer by so many! God is so good!!
Love the way this looks!! I am definitely going to do this but I do have a question I’m hoping you can answer or maybe have an idea of what to do. What do you think I should use for the end – as in where the wallpaper ends? Did you have to use a trim or end piece to finish it? I’m lost on what to do. Hopefully you can help…thanks!!
Thank you so much, Erin! As long as your ends are straight, they should be fine with just the wallpaper. I didn’t use trim or anything to transition from the wallpaper to the paint color and it looks perfectly natural. But if you wanted to add a trim, I think that would look good also. I hope this helps!
Where did you get the “home made” wording? Is it vinyl?
Hey Christina! It’s from an Etsy shop called Little Touch of Heaven. I have the link further up in my post. It is laser cut wood and I hung it with command tape.
I hope your hubby is doing better – I had back surgery a little over a year ago and it was a rough go at first. I’ll be praying for you guys! So glad I found your blog!
Thank you so very much, Dori!!! He just had his 3rd back surgery – a spinal fusion. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be helping much either. I hate to see him in so much pain. I hope your surgery was a success and you are doing well!!!