What can I do with ugly brown tile?

Helga Schmidt
by Helga Schmidt
I need help what to do with the ugly brown tile ( don't mind the white) any suggestions? Don't really want to tear them off.
  25 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 10, 2017

    www.hometalk.com/diy/tile/backsplash/how-to-paint-your-backsplash-tile-6098036

    • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Jan 13, 2017

      I like the idea of painting them out too, but my question would be: just how big an area do these tiles cover? If only behind the stove..or a little beyond, I'd remove them (yes, and probably the wallboard which would be damaged), cut a patch of sheetrock to fit, then retile using white subway tiles. VERY up to date and classic look, easy to install, can be bought very reasonably and depending on the colour of the grout used (white or dark grey) can change the entire look of the kitchen. I had no idea how to do tile many years àgo, but got a book from the library, figured it out and installed not only the floors in my very long kitchen, but the backsplashes on both sides AND then in my neighbour's kitchen too, when she fell in love with mine. Had those same tiles for more than 20 years before we redid the kitchen cabinets and counters, so replaced all of the tile at the same time, naturally. It's really not difficult, just takes a bit of measuring and maybe some tile cutting if necessary. Grouting is easy as pie.

  • Linda Tipton Linda Tipton on Jan 10, 2017

    Decals. I've actually cut simple things out of border wall paper applied and then put a polyurethane coating on them. I did every other tile so it created a diamond and cross hatch pattern.

  • William William on Jan 10, 2017

    Decals are great! You can also use Contact Paper. Comes in all kinds of colors and patterns. Cut out squares, peel the backing off, and stick them on. Get tired of the color/pattern, peel them off, and change them out.

  • Brenda Rodriguez Brenda Rodriguez on Jan 10, 2017

    Paint over the brown tiles white or your fav color.


    • Wendy 2144 Wendy 2144 on Jan 10, 2017

      If you sand the brown tiles first, the paint will adhere better, and splashes will clean up easier.

  • Marie Panko Marie Panko on Jan 11, 2017

    Use some etching paint or stainless steel paint.

  • Marisa Blood Marisa Blood on Jan 11, 2017

    While in my tile shopping process on line I came upon stick on tiles, some of them were very nice.

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 11, 2017

    I like the idea of tile decals too. There's so many different designs. Just type tile decals in your search engine, and be amazed.

  • Tris Smith Tris Smith on Jan 11, 2017

    Buy a stencil and stencil a white design. When dry seal with a mat clear

  • Bet Bet on Jan 12, 2017

    Redo the whole kitchen as u want then pay 4 it 4 ever But at least u have what u want. I did that figured that I had 2 look @ it the rest of my life & sure never know when u leave. I actually saved money 2 mine. Then my husband moved me 2 sooo I'm @ it again. What a hoot. Keeps me busy

  • Merle Venne Merle Venne on Jan 12, 2017

    get a dark brown paint, paint it on with a feather and give it a marble effect. Using a dry brush push out the colour, also add a few thin lines of black here and there; then sponge some white on,(only a little bit) and wow you have marble looking tiles.


  • Linda Abate Linda Abate on Jan 12, 2017

    Perhaps if you don't want to try painting each one, which might be difficult, use a stencil of a flower or mushroom in the center of the tile. I probably would not do every one, but several in an area. Or, you could use a decorative sticker from the craft store. I had a set of boring plain white canisters, and I found some stickers with clusters of fruit and I put them on my canister set.

  • Ank15906116 Ank15906116 on Jan 13, 2017

    My kitchen back splash has decals that I just dont lik so I cut contact paper the size of the tile and covered them up. The outcome is beautiful.

  • Linda Linda on Jan 13, 2017

    Stencil the brown tiles using white paint and the white tiles in a brown paint, talk with your home improvement store (paint department) to see if they have a paint that will adhere to the tile or what needs to be done to the tile to make the paint adhere...Also, if they recommend sealing the tile after painting...Good Luck!!!

  • Ltt834476 Ltt834476 on Jan 14, 2017

    I like the shabby chic look. I would either stencil the lace look over the tile. Or, use some real lace. Just tape a pretty design piece of lace over the area. Then sponge over the lace with modge pod. Let it dry enough to feel the stickiness, then sponge over with the white paint. While still wet, remove the lace and let the tile dry. Then you'll have the lace look with the beige color underneath. For more bling, add a crystal bling bling in the middle of the tile. You can find these at Hobby lobby. Good luck on your choices. :)

  • Mary Gemmell Mary Gemmell on Jan 14, 2017

    paint them! I did that with my 1940's maroon tiled fire place surround. prime with zinser primer that sticks to everything, and then paint. I used rustoleum gray and I love it. I have painted many ceramic tiles and have never had problems with the finish

    • See 1 previous
    • Mary Gemmell Mary Gemmell on Jan 14, 2017

      yes I have painted ceramic tile floors and hardwood floor and plywood subfloor. On floors esp, the prep and priming is the key. A paint job on a floor is not going to wear like iron, they need to be repainted periodically or thought of as temporary.

  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jan 15, 2017

    Check your local hardware store.They can be painted.

  • Estelle Bellow Estelle Bellow on Jan 15, 2017

    use a dremel tool to take out the brown ones and put in white ones, re grout and seal

  • Eileen Eileen on Jan 15, 2017

    You can find craft paints in Michael's that works on tile without any priming and they can be washed off as needed once they cure. Any color you like! I'vet also used contact paper on many things including counter tops and even floors. Great stuff and can be wiped offf with a damp sponge or cloth.

  • Penny Penny on Jan 16, 2017

    i would paint the brown tiles black and it would be perfect with ss appliances...

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Jan 16, 2017

    I would embrace it and add accents in brown and pick things you love and before you know it ,it won't bother you, I wouldn't paint it. Maybe paint walls or ceiling in that shade. And since you have SS bring silver in as much as you can on frames and trys. Go to thrift stores and goodwill you can sometimes find these things for a few bucks. Maybe a big silver modern clock. It depends on how high the tile goes. The thing is to focus on what you do like and play that up.

  • Tracy Kester-Evans Tracy Kester-Evans on Jan 16, 2017

    There are tons of ways to paint ceramic tile. I used a kit by Giani Granite to give me the look I wanted over hideous dark green tile. Sanding was necessary but my kitchen counters are so much better now.

  • Helga Schmidt Helga Schmidt on Jan 18, 2017

    Thanks for all the tips. I did resolve it,with Stainless steel tiles. The brown ground which was visible a little bit I painted in a stainless steel color.What a difference this little project made.

  • Ltt834476 Ltt834476 on Jan 19, 2017

    Looks really good! Great job.....:)

  • Paula Marie Hyde Paula Marie Hyde on Jan 20, 2017

    That's snazzy!

  • Marisa Blood Marisa Blood on Jan 20, 2017

    looks great, good job