DIY Sharpie Backsplash

Tara Marie
by Tara Marie
6 Materials
$46
3 Hours
Easy
We finally replaced our last appliance! It all started with replacing our old yellowing refrigerator about 3 years ago with a sparkling new stainless steel refrigerator. Which as followed by an over-the-stove microwave, dishwasher and wine fridge. With most of the appliance replacements, there have been some adjustments that needed to be made for one reason or another. It was no different when we replaced the stove/range. Let me show you the problem (with some terrible and dark iPhone pics)...
Old stove/range:
Right after the new stove/range was installed:
That "backsplash" was not going to cut it for me for the next 6+ months until we can install a proper one.  Unfortunately, the counter top and backsplash improvements keep getting put off for other, more necessary updates to our home.  And it looks like they will continue to get put off until our deck is replaced.  So I have to live with our current countertop and lack of backsplash for a bit longer.  Our new stove/range does not have a back panel like the old one so you can see where I did not paint behind the stove and I no longer have that paint and have no clue what the color was.  My solution?  A sharpie backsplash.


My first idea was to get some peel and stick wall paper that I can wipe off when it got dirty.  That turned into a huge fail when it would not stick to the textured wall.  So back to the drawing board I went.  I had some white paint on hand so I painted the backsplash area white.  Then I remembered all the bloggers that used Sharpies to draw designs on their walls to look like wallpaper and I thought I would give that a try.  


Supplies:
-Sharpie markers (I had a few silver paint Sharpies already on hand but they are about $5 for a pack of 2)
-White paint (I just use the pure white paint and primer combo at Home depot which I already had on hand but a large can costs about $33)
-sealer (I like Minwax clear Polycrylic which I already had but a small can will cost you about 8
$8.50)
-paint brush and roller
-level


First, you will paint the backsplash white and allow that to dry. I did paint 2 coats of the white.
Next, use your level to draw horizontal lines.  Initially, I was going to draw a subway tile backsplash.  However, once I had the horizontal lines up, I kind of liked the look.  I thought it looked a little like skinny lap so I opted to leave it as is.  Plus, my Sharpies were running dry and I didn't know if I would have enough for all the vertical lines I was going to need to draw.  But really, I was feeling lazy and didn't want to draw anymore lines;).  
Finally, I painted over the top with Minwax clear Polycrylic so I can easily wipe off any food splatters.


And here is my Sharpie backsplash:
I chose to use the grey paint Sharpie over the standard black Sharpies that I had on hand because I thought the black would be too much contrast.  The ultimate goal is to install a white subway tile backsplash with grey grout so I wanted to see if I would like that look next to my cabinets.
And I do!
This will hold me over until we can get our countertop and backsplash installed later this year (I hope!).
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Tara Marie
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3 of 54 questions
  • Jennifer Jennifer on Jan 18, 2021

    What did you do where the back splash would end and the regualr wall begins-past the cabinets?

  • Sharon Holmes Sharon Holmes on Sep 11, 2021

    I love the new stove and want information about make and model please.

  • Daphne Reynolds Daphne Reynolds on Jan 17, 2022

    Fantastic job. Everything looks so neat and clean.

    Where did you get the storage containers for your attachments and cookie cutters?

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