How can I tile over cheap wall paneling?

This is a lovely kitchen. You might want to buy panels with a tiled front instead of plastering the walls and installing tiles, one by one. Spacing, cutting, grouting, caulking, and polishing are each separate skills, but here is where I recommend you watch several YouTube videos, and attend free workshops at home improvement stores before you start the work. I would love to see a post from you of your progress and project on Hometalk! Jewell

You need to make sure that the existing walls are strong enough to support the weight of tiles and grout. I would test the strength by tiling a small area of the wall that that doesn't show (behind the fridge or inside a pantry would work). If the walls won't support the weight, you could install heavier drywall over the paneling and then apply the tiles.

Try the peel and stick wall tiles. They've come a long way. Look great and hold up well.😊

I think the paneling looks cute from what I can see, but if you are just doing around the stove and cabinets here are some ideas for you:

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=tile%20kitchen

I would tear the paneling down, depending on how cheap it is, it may be made of pressed wood, which would NOT hold the tile or grout, and also likely to buckle out on you, so hard to say without seeing it, but if you are going to do it, my mottos is do it right the first time. Hope this helps.

First, is it really paneling (wood) or is it actually wall board. Find this out before you proceed.

I love the look of the painted paneling. I agree with Karen, look for the peel and stick tiles, or at least tiles that are lightweight. I've seen metallic tiles, in copper, stainless steel, etc., that are lightweight.

I would not tile over wood paneling. Walls look really good! it is like shiplap that that is soo in now. I would concentrate on painting your kitchen cabinets or maybe a wall section of it white color

Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk