Outdated tiles on the wall
by
Lou
+25
I need suggestions for an inexpensive solution to bringing my kitchen up to date. Especially the tiles on the wall.
19 answers
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The wall ones can be painted with a good primer and paint. I painted mine years ago with Krylon Fusion, and it adhered really well, no primer or top coat.
B. Enne
on Oct 12, 2015
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I was going to suggest painting them too. Being it's a kitchen you'd need to clean them well first. Klean Strip brand TSP Substitute works well at cleaning, degreasing and removing the gloss. If you want the grout to be a different color, then you could base coat with a primer paint in one product then use a small foam roller to fill in the tiles.
Z
on Oct 12, 2015
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You can paint over the kitchen tiles. www.tilewithelegance.com or hgtv.com can help you with all the necessary steps.Once you decide on ttat color I would suggest chosing your cabinet color then pick a wall color.Are you also looking to update the floor?
Janet Pizaro
on Oct 12, 2015
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I sanded my shower tiles and grout very thoroughly. Washed them and painted them with the best undercoat primer I could find. I finished them with 2 coats oil enamel paint (high gloss). Five yeas ago still perfect.
Jacqui Wilson-Wilde
on Oct 13, 2015
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Beadboard is a good option. The paintable bead board wallpaper can be used too.
Abbe N
on Oct 13, 2015
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paint the tiles
Hot air
on Oct 13, 2015
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Chalk paint , lightly distress and clear coat the cabinets . The paint dries really quickly and adheres to almost everything. As for the back splash , Lowes sells these sheets of stamped tin which easily adhere to the wall for a pretty and cheap update .
Mandy-Joshua McGinnis
on Oct 13, 2015
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Hi Lourdes - I had a similar issue in one of homes - the backsplash tiles had outdated tea pots on them! I cleaned them very well, and rinsed well with water to remove any cleaning residue. I then used Fresh Start primer from Benjamin Moore, and the colour of my choice in a satin finish. It made a world of difference and only cost me my time and about $25 in supplies. :-) And the chalk paint idea for the cabinets from Many-Joshua McGinnis is a great one - makes them look new and expensive! Good luck!
Holly Jensen
on Oct 13, 2015
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I had those tile in our home 1982 we updated the kitchen, but the mushroom also had a pinecone and evergreen branch added to the mix. Around 1990 I got tired of the look and here's what I did - cleaned well and wiped down with rubbing alcohol - I applied white contact paper over the tile but did not push into the grout areas so it was a smooth surface - I then used a vinyl to vinyl wallpaper paste and put up a cute stripped wallpaper over the contact paper. Didn't have to tear anything out and it was a fix for wanting a change. When we sold the house - I peeled the contact paper off - cleaned the tile with rubbing alcohol. It is also a quick fix for renters.
AmyG
on Oct 13, 2015
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You can make a world of difference with a little paint, elbow grease, and patience. I had oak cabinets just like those in one of my kitchens and I couldn't see ripping them out and replacing them because while they were outdated, there was nothing wrong with them. I would start with a good cleaning with TSP then 2 coats of The Gripper primer. You can either use chalk paint (too much work for my taste because it chips too easily on something that will get a lot of use) OR you can use Benjamin Moore's Advance paint - it will give you a finish that looks like it is a factory finish. I did a cream color and then antiqued mine by taking a dark brown (and use one with a greenish base or it will turn PINK - made that mistake the first time) - mixing it with glaze and painting in the grooves of the doors and drawer fronts. Allow to dry for about 10 minutes and wipe away. If you don't like that idea, Rustoleum has a product called Cabinet Transformations that is good, too. They also have a product called Counter Transformations. When I did my countertops, I used a can of their countertop paint (not the kit - 1 qt. = $20) in black. I gave them 2 coats of that and then used metallic craft paints and a sea sponge to create the look of granite. I added 6 coats of water-based poly and they've held up beautifully for 5 years. If I get the occasional tiny chip, I take black metallic craft paint (I keep a bottle in the kitchen cabinet) and a Q-tip and just make a quick touch-up and nobody can tell. Pretty hardware on the cabinets and they will look new (we also knocked the middle out of a couple of the doors on the top and added glass - turned out great. I would do the backsplash in either the tin tiles or paint the existing ones. Add a pretty window treatment and you would have a whole new kitchen for around $200.
Cindy
on Oct 13, 2015
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Oh, I forgot to mention what can be done to update your cabinets. If they were mine, I'd use a bit of furniture refinisher to remove enough of the finish and then darken them using a gel stain. I know paint has been big for awhile, but stained wood is making its come back.
Z
on Oct 13, 2015
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You can tile right over the old tiles with a tile mat such as Musselbond sold in lowes. Then stick new tiles right on top. I did this in my kitchen
Sari We
on Oct 13, 2015
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I did this. I primed and painted and it worked nicely.. Very tie consuming to do it right. But in the long haul, it is not that expensive to have it replaced/redone professionally. Get some estimates and get what you really want. I bet that job could be done under $750, maybe $500.. And you will be really happy and it pays of in home resale.
Johnchip
on Oct 13, 2015
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My tiles had Roosters, Fruits, Vegetables, Fish and a block of Cheese....oh and the plain tiles had a blue crest on each corner. Yes it was just lovely. After living with this for three years and lots of research, most of which was done on this website... I decided to do two coats of primer then two coats of paint which is the same color as the kitchen walls. Grout is the same color paint as tile and walls. I will live with the same color grout for awhile and decide if I want to make it a different color. They have grout coloring stains should I decide to do it. Cost was about $150 plus about 10-12 hours total over 4 days.
Elaine753
on Oct 13, 2015
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Can't say enough good about Rust-o-leum cabinet transformation kits, easy to use and affordable at Home Depot. Tint to the color you want.
Brenda Trout Thompson
on Oct 14, 2015
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Depending on the style, assinf false "tin" tiles right over the top of tiles, is easy & dramatic. Paint cupboards in a lighter color & add bin pills to drawers & simple pulls to doors. For a more modern look, similar treatments available on brushed metal or peel & stick glass tiles. Paint cupboards black w/ brushed metal slender pulls on both drawers & doors. Good luck!
Mary Williams-Walton
on Oct 14, 2015
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I bought another house - couldn't stand the grout. ha haI wonder why they don't make white grout that doesn't get messy. It really looked beautiful for the first couple of weeks. Surely it couldn't be that difficult. Thanks for the suggestion but that house is gone.It made me decide never to renovate again but I learnt heaps, especially with the kitchen. I didn't realise there is a standard cupboard size or a whole lot of other things.Next time I'm heightening the benchtops as well..
Lyndal Bruns
on Oct 14, 2015
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Thank you I am out of the house now thank heavens with a promise never to renovate again but I did make enough money from the renovation to buy a house that didn't need any. Bought the worst house in the best street. I never liked the house but knew I would make money because of the inner city position. I had a lot of imagination and pictures in my head that were not very practical. I just kept re-grouting over the top but sealing would have worked better. I was going to change the grout colour but sold the house and made enough to buy a house I loved that didn't need renovation. I looked at so many houses. Before selling I bought a new toilet and it really made a difference to the look of the bathroom, read it on a blog. I shopped around and bought a beautiful toilet, visitors even commented on how nice it was. I didn't think soft close lids would make such a difference. it was only $100 to install. Wish I had taken before and after pictures but was a bit over it in the end.
Lyndal Bruns
on Oct 14, 2015
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Thank you I'm outa that house now, I brought the worst house in the best street and lived there while the prices increased enough to enable me to buy a home I don't need to renovate. I know it's different in the US but house prices in Australia have skyrocketed, especially inner city. I promised I would never renovate myself again. But I do love repainting furniture. My renovation imagination wasn't practical. But I did learn heaps if I ever want to do it again.
Lyndal Bruns
on Oct 14, 2015
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