Change this tile backsplash?

Lena Grimes
by Lena Grimes

hi crafty friends! So we bought this home this year and the tile backslash really makes it hard to do much wity the kitchen. In short, i hate it. It appears to be done as a diy? The tile has groves. How do i remove it? How do i cover it? Is this here for eternity? Plz help!


Vision: white tile backsplash. Low cost. Doesnt have to be fancy.



  12 answers
  • Em Em on Sep 11, 2020

    I covered mine with beadboard last year. Super cheap-panels are 4' x 8' for under $20 at Home Depot. Attached is one corner of the kitchen. It had seriously ugly glass mosiac in brown. I think it looks so much cleaner and brighter. We cut it then used Loctite construction glue to attach it then added a top molding and thing composite 1/4 round to where it touches the counter top.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Sep 11, 2020

    I agree that beadboard would be your least expensive option to cover this. Do be careful if you decide to remove it yourself so you don't damage the lip of your countertop that abuts the tile. I don't necessarily think it is a diy job.

    • Lena Grimes Lena Grimes on Sep 26, 2020

      thank you! Definitely is a diy from previous owners. Im redoing a lot of their diy projects.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Sep 11, 2020

    Beadboard is a great idea - you could also consider the faux tin backsplashes that come in big plastic sheets. I purchased mine on Amazon.

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Sep 11, 2020

    Chipping out old tile can give you a starting point, and then use a flat bar (pry bar) to get under the edges of the tiles. You will get some wall damage, but joint compound can fill in holes and gouges. Then put up whatever you want as a back splash. I'm assuming you want to go counter to cabinet as current. A smaller back splash with paint above is an alternative. I do kitchens at Habitat for Humanity houses, and we normally only put it a single row of 6" square tiles. I use Titebond Power Grab in a caulking tube to put a bead on the back of each tile. It is a quick and secure application and eliminates the mess of mastic.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 11, 2020

    Wear protective clothing and eyewear because it will need to be chiseled and broken out. The best way would be to take a small chisel and hammer, go along the grout lines and knock loose. You could also use a power tool like a vibratory saw to break up the grout. Once you get underneath it, you start popping it off. There should be tile cement board behind it that will need to be removed as well. Normally it is screwed in so a drill to remove the screws should be good.

  • Janice Janice on Sep 11, 2020

    No need for the current tile to last til enternity! Here's instructions on how to remove. You can replace with beadboard as suggested and most likely least expensively, or you can retile with white tiles of your choice.

    https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21016813/how-to-replace-a-tile-backsplash


    Here's how to install new tiles....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNDISOzizbY


    OR, you could try painting the current tile backsplash, that a would be relatively inexpensive choice.


  • Nan W. Nan W. on Sep 11, 2020

    Covering with beadboard would be a cheap, clean-looking way to go!

  • William William on Sep 11, 2020

    You can use peel and stick tile right over the old tile

  • Lena Grimes Lena Grimes on Sep 11, 2020

    Thank you all! Beadboard is probably what I'll do! I appreciate yall!

  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Sep 30, 2020

    Peel and stick tile would work!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Sep 30, 2020

    it is a travertine that is why it has groves .. it actually matches kitchen perfect but it may not be something that you like .. if you are going to change a backsplash keep in mind it is a big job and in my area will cost you just for labor anywhere from 800$ to 1500$ plus a cost of tiles ... If you are not ready to spend that kind of money buy stick and peel or simply paint your backsplash . I would say not to use white in your kitchen since your cabinets are off white and white tiles may make them look dingy