What can I do for a backsplash?

Batina Marie
by Batina Marie

I have an older kitchen but that I can’t afford to renovate right now. So I decided to paint the cabinets (Then I changed my mind) because I bought an island that seems to go well with the cabinets.. I decided that I may use the “antiquing paint” on my cabinets and change out the hardware (Open to ideas if you can think of anything else) but now I’m lost on what to do with the backsplash (Right now it’s painted blue). It’s brown, brown, brown everywhere and I don’t want it to look like the inside of a cabin. I want to brighten it up but I want it to flow... any color, brands, design ideas?? Disregard the appliances.. we are about to either get black SS or SS ones...

  6 answers
  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jun 11, 2019

    There are some great peel and stick tile options for backsplashes. Which are great if you’ve never tiled before. A white subway is a classic that goes with many styles of decor.

    • Batina Marie Batina Marie on Jun 12, 2019

      Im going to look into the peel and stick backsplash. I was thinking about subway tile before but it was too expensive for my budget at the moment. Thank you for the idea!

  • DesertRose DesertRose on Jun 11, 2019

    Batina, there are inexpensive peel and stick choices that would go well with your kitchen~ they are inexpensive but do not look cheap at all, and there are all kinds of choices now a days at the home improvement stores. Look through their catalog and see which peel and stick seems to go well with your style/color and get an idea what your kitchen would look like.....hope you find what you need.

    • See 1 previous
    • DesertRose DesertRose on Jun 12, 2019

      Just wash the wall with warm soapy water first and follow the instructions. If I can do it, anyone can! They have wonderful choices now and they look like real tiles etc too, and metallic ones too. We did the "brass" looking ones (3D too)

  • Linda Linda on Jun 11, 2019

    The best thing to do to brighten your kitchen is to paint with the color white. A fun idea would be to paint the walls between the cabinets white and then stencil I tile design

    • Batina Marie Batina Marie on Jun 12, 2019

      I’m definitely going to paint above the cabinets now. I think white would make brighten my kitchen as well as make it not look so old vs. the tan that I have now. Thanks for the idea!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 11, 2019

    After looking at the pictures, I don't think the back splash is really an issue. Change out the pulls and handles to nickel. After you change the appliances you will have a much different look.

    Paint the area above the cabinets and the wall around the doorway with a bright accent color.

    New flooring or rugs will go a long way. Sheet vinyl isn't very expensive and you could put it on top of the floor you have now. For rugs instead, a large one under the island and perhaps a mat at the doorway. It's a bit difficult to judge your spacing.


    Are you opposed to painting your trim? I think bright white around your windows will help. Then paint door trim to match. Also, any other trim that I didn't notice.


    Either remove the decorative piece of wood valance above the windows, paint it, or add some color to suit your style.

    • See 1 previous
    • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 12, 2019

      I personally don't like living with painted cabinets so if it were mine I would do the minor things first. If I was still unhappy, I would go with a dark stain like ebony or whitewash to lighten. I agree, the island goes well and I really like it.

      I painted my cabinets (white) many years ago and although it was pretty and lightened up the room, it was a constant struggle to keep clean. But they were lime green so white was better than that. Also, it was a temporary fix because we knew a complete gut and remodel was coming in a few years.

      You can also add some color to the room above the cabinets in that area. Maybe some colorful plates mounted on the wall.

      Also, is your lighting sufficiently bright? That might lessen the feeling that everything is brown. I think switching out to stainless appliances is going to brighten it up much more than you imagine and you won't notice brown everywhere once you do.

      Good luck!

  • Huntress Huntress on Jun 15, 2019

    Look at wallpaper. There r so many now that look like subway tile, barn board, stone, you can put it up with double sided tape if you don't want to stick it to the wall. The peel n stick tiles were cheapest I could find $5.98 a square foot of you get in sale. Wallpaper is easier to cut to fit, and now comes waterproof, scrubable and is so much easier and cheaper to replace. You can use excess on the back wall inside the cabinets too. I use Steve's blinds and wallpaper on line.

    Great deals, fast ship and great customer service.

  • Jennifer Swift Jennifer Swift on Jun 15, 2019

    Faux tin tiles or panels on amazon or Lowe’s.com