When it comes to home renovations, the kitchen is one of the most popular spaces to tackle. It’s also one of the most expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable ways to give your kitchen a trendy new look with this guide on how to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget.
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Table of Contents
- How did I learn how to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget?
- 1. Select your Favorite Backsplash
- 2. Purchase the Materials for the Kitchen Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
- 3. Clean the Area Where the Backsplash Will Stick
- 4. Prepare Your Workspace Before Adding the Kitchen Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
- 5. Begin to Adhere the Backsplash to Wall
- 6. Make Any Necessary Cuts to the Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Before Affixing
- 7. Smooth Out the Area After Peel-and-Stick Backsplash is Applied to Wall
- 8. Use Extra Adhesive if Necessary
There are several great things about installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash.
One of the best benefits is the fast turnaround time.
It’s right there in the name – just peel and stick.
With many budget-friendly DIY kitchen backsplash options available you can get the job done fastest with the peel-and-stick way.
Installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash is perfect if you are hosting a holiday party, or event at your home, moving into a new home, or listing your house for sale.
Peel-and-stick is the best choice since it’s cost-effective and can be done quickly.
How did I learn how to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget?
If you’ve read the blog, you know that when my husband and I purchased our new-to-us 1960s home one of the first DIY upgrade projects was our kitchen.
After the move, money was tight, so we opted for a basic peel-and-stick subway tile backsplash from Amazon.
Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Sticker for Kitchen, White, (10 Sheets)
This easy-to-install kitchen backsplash was perfect for our budget and was such a simple project to complete.
We were able to Install this kitchen backsplash in a little under two hours.
So to install your own kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget keep reading for all the details and step-by-step guide.
1. Select your Favorite Backsplash
There are a variety of looks available for a kitchen backsplash.
Select from:
It’s best to look around your kitchen and draw inspiration from what is already there.
Questions to help you decide on a kitchen backsplash design:
- What color are the appliances?
- What color are the cabinets?
- What kind of cabinet pulls do you have installed?
- What material and color are your countertops?
If you still need added inspiration, head over to Pinterest for great ideas.
2. Purchase the Materials for the Kitchen Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
In addition to the budget-friendly cost, another great thing about installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash is that there are not a lot of added materials to purchase.
Here is a short materials list to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash:
- Kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash kit
- Scissors
- Craft knife
- Windex
- Adhesive spray
- Wallpaper Smoothing Tool Kit
After researching, we opted for Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Subway Sticker Warm White for Kitchen (10-Sheet) from Amazon.
Pro tip: As our kitchen is on the smaller side, we only needed two boxes of the backsplash. Make sure to measure your kitchen to ensure you have enough of the kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash.
3. Clean the Area Where the Backsplash Will Stick
Since installing the kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash is mostly using adhesive from the sticker itself, it’s best to clean the area first.
To make sure the area was prepped, I cleaned it thoroughly with Windex.
I had used Windex in my kitchen furniture repainting, kitchen cabinet repainting, and deck repainting projects and it worked wonders to degrease and clean.
I also love that Windex is easy-to-get and cost-effective.
4. Prepare Your Workspace Before Adding the Kitchen Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
Once you have cleaned the area you will be installing the kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash too, and lay out all of your materials.
Pro tip: If you are selecting the Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Subway Sticker Warm White for Kitchen (10-Sheet) from Amazon make sure to note that there are uneven points of the tile. The straight line will be the first point of sticking.
Lay out the tile on the countertop to ensure you don’t accidentally begin with the wrong side.
5. Begin to Adhere the Backsplash to Wall
Now is the fun part – beginning the tiling process. You will begin by pulling the self-adhesive from the peel-and-stick tile and properly line up the tile to the beginning of the wall.
Then, grab another tile and carefully line it up close to the first. You will then continue adding tiles until the kitchen is complete.
As I mentioned earlier, the entire process from start to finish only took under two hours.
However, make sure to go slow.
There were some portions of the tile that didn’t line up, and I had to go back and redo it.
Pro tip: If you are selecting the Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Subway Sticker Warm White for Kitchen (10-Sheet) from Amazon made sure you perfectly line up the uneven side to the previous tile.
It’s very easy if you are moving too quickly to not line it up, and then the rest of the project will be off-center.
The subway tile is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together – every piece must fit perfectly to the other or the entire thing is off.
6. Make Any Necessary Cuts to the Peel-and-Stick Backsplash Before Affixing
Using the craft knife and scissors, to make the kitchen peel and stick backsplash line up properly, you will make some trims and cuts to the stickers.
Where we mostly needed cuts were around the plugs and light switches.
I made some small tiles and crafted my own tile to make sure it flowed okay in this area.
Use your best judgment based on your own kitchen and how many trims you will need.
Pro tip: With the Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Subway Sticker Warm White for Kitchen (10-Sheet) from Amazon I cut separate tiles and used them overtop of the other tiles to make the area flow better.
7. Smooth Out the Area After Peel-and-Stick Backsplash is Applied to Wall
After you have applied the entire kitchen peel and stick backsplash, go back and firmly press on the tiles to make sure they have properly adhered to the wall.
I used the red and blue tools from the Amazon Wallpaper Smoothing Toolkit.
Pro tip: if you are using the Art3d 12″x12″ Peel and Stick Backsplash Tile Subway Sticker Warm White for Kitchen (10-Sheet) from Amazon, take extra care around the uneven portions to make sure they are sticking carefully to the previous tile.
8. Use Extra Adhesive if Necessary
10-Sheet) from Amazon was strong, if you selected a different peel and stick tile, you may need extra adhesive. for Kitchen (-Sheet) from Amazon was strong, if you selected a different peel and stick tile, you may need extra adhesive.
Reinforcing the peel-and-stick tile may or may not be needed.
However, if you are anticipating lots of moisture in the kitchen, or you repositioned the tile a lot during the installation process, spray some adhesive like Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray to ensure the kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash stays firmly on the wall.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step guide on how to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget.
Installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash on a budget was one of the easiest DIY projects we did when we purchased our home.
It was quick and made such a huge impact on our home.
Want more everything home tips and DIY ideas? Be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for the latest posts, tips, and ideas.
Your turn!
Are you thinking of installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash at your home? What kind of kitchen backsplash is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
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Thanks for the information
Hi Twila!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for reading!
Your article provides great tips for someone like myself who is not a DIYer! I think I will try this to dress up a dreary laundry room!
Hi Stephanie!
I’m so excited you found the tips helpful. Using a peel-and-stick backsplash in the laundry room is such a great idea!
Thank you for the suggestion and reading!
I’m currently renting a newly built home with no backsplash at all! This is a great resource to help me get it to something more “homey” at a low cost 🙂
Hi Catia!
You will love the peel-and-stick backsplash. It’s so budget-friendly and “homey” for a newly built rental home.
Thank you for reading!
Thanks for sharing these tips, I will consider them should I plan some changes for my kitchen.
Hi John!
You are very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash ideas.
Thank you for reading!
We don’t have it for our kitchen but reading this. I find it interesting and would be best for it. I will share it with the family. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Fransic!
I’m excited you enjoyed the post and hope your family likes it as well.
Thank you for reading!
Have seen others do this and it looks so good! I feel like I would definitely mess this up hahaha
Hi Deanna!
Give it a try! The peel-and-stick kitchen backsplash is really very simple – you’ll do you!
Thank you for reading!
I definitely need to try this! Thank you for laying out the steps simply. Looks beautiful! Does it hold up well?
Hi Ashley!
I hope you try to add a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash thye really are beautiful. In my experience, the one I featured in the post is more than a year old and hasn’t lifted or shown any signs of wear. I highly recommend it to all my friends and family.
Thank you for reading!
This was very informative. It is very coincidental that I just asked my landlord to add a backsplash to my kitchen wall. I will definitely be sharing your recommended backsplash with her. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kevin!
I hope your landlord will allow you to add a backsplash – they really make the kitchen look great!
Thank you for reading!
Bookmarking for later, I’ve been saying I’m going to do this for years and might actually get around to it after christmas!
Hi there!
I hope you are able to install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash after Christmas. They are so easy and look fabulous.
Thank you for reading!
I have been considering doing this in our kitchen soon – ours is a 1950s house, and I have no idea when the kitchen was last renovated…if ever! I think a new backsplash would be a great next step to prettying it up!
Hi Makayla!
It’s amazing what a new kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash can do to transform a home. My house is from the 1960s and it made a world of difference.
Thank you for reading!
Great article! This looks like something I could do based on your tips. Will check out these products.
Hi Stephanie!
You could totally install a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash. It was a simple project that created a big impact in the kitchen.
Thank you for reading!
I love the idea of using peel and stick backsplashes. They’re so much easier, and they look really good!
Hi Beth!
Installing a kitchen peel-and-stick backsplash is so much easier. I agree – they really do look good. It’s an easy kitchen upgrade with a huge impact!
Thank you for reading!
This is a great alternative for a low cost pick me up for the home! Enjoyed the post!
Hi Susan!
I love bringing low-cost options to readers. The tips to install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash on a budget were all about being easy on the wallet!
Thank you for reading!
I’d love to redo our kitchen backsplash. The one we have now is tile, though, so it would have to be removed before we can do a new one.
Hi Stephanie!
It is possible (depending on the tile) to install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash over the existing tile. I actually did put the peel and stick over the tile – however, the tile was on the flat side to begin.
Thank you for reading!
I also use backsplash in our house because they’re way easier to install and affordable. Thank you for these tips!
Hi Tweenselmom!
I agree! The kitchen peel and stick backsplash is very easy to install and super affordable.
Thank you for reading!
My brother is redecorating his apartment, I will recommend this to him.
Hi Sonia!
I hope your brother enjoys the install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash on a budget instructions. They are very easy and affordable.
Thank you for reading!
We’re looking into installing a new kitchen backsplash to liven the place up this year but had no clue where to start! I had no idea you could get peel-and-stick ones!
Hi Nyxie!
I hope you were able to get tips on how to install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash on a budget. The backsplash is very easy to work with.
Thank you for reading!
I found this post at the perfect time! I’d like to do a budget-friendly kitchen remodel soon! I used the peel-and-stick backsplash in my bathroom, and it has held up great.
Hi Patricia!
I’ve thought about adding the peel and stick backsplash to my bathroom as well. Great tips! I hope you are able to install a kitchen peel and stick it to your home as well.
Thank you for reading!
I think I just might do a backsplash soon. I like the one with the little black and white boxes!
Hi Ntensibe!
There are so many great and easy choices on how to install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash. I hope you’re able to install one soon.
Thank you for reading!
This is a great alternative. I was thinking of hiring a carpenter to install a new one for us but I think this is a great idea since it doesn’t cost much. Thank you for the tips on how to install one. Bookmarking your post to serve as a guide.
Hi Clarice!
I’m so glad you found the post. It’s very easy to install a kitchen peel and stick backsplash and I hope you love your kitchen update.
Thank you for reading!