DIY | Painted Kitchen Back Splash

Last spring we decided to upgrade some things in the kitchen. The old linoleum floor just wasn't cutting it anymore. The seam was in the middle of the floor and the chairs, dog and our feet kept catching on it. I also painted the cabinets literally a month before our wedding.. like I had nothing better to do! We purchased a new table and chairs and a small cabinet to use for extra storage and have since updated the sink faucet and a lot of the decor. 

The back splash tile was not horrible and I probably could have lived with it, but it just wasn't my style. With the new engineered hardwood floor, painted white cabinets and light and airy farmhouse decor.. it just didn't go. It was a yellow/ greenish color which had previously matched the ugly linoleum floor. 

I didn't want too many colors in the kitchen, so decided with this grey color to match the floor. I was nervous that once it was painted, with everything else updated, the counter top would stand out and look so old. But it actually looks great. it really pops and doesn't look old one bit! 

I used three coats of paint on the tile in order to cover up that ugly yellow/greenish tile. On some of the pictures, it looks as though some of the original tile color is showing through, however it is just the sunlight reflecting. I promise I inspected each tile thoroughly with a small brush. 

Before you begin to paint, make sure your area is well ventilated. The odor is very strong (think spray paint) and I wore a bandanna around my face and brought Joey to my parents. I opened every window and used two fans. The smell will linger for a day or two. Make sure you clean all brushes when finished immediately.  It dries fast and will be practically impossible to clean once dried. I left my rolling pan in the garage for about 20 minutes and the whole garage smelled for a week of the paint. 

Tape off edges of your cabinets, window sills and counter top. I also covered my counter top with plastic so no drip would get on it. Clean your tile thoroughly and make sure there is no dirt or grease. The paint will not stick to the tile if so. When completely dry, it is time to start painting.

I used three coats of paint on the tile in order to cover up that ugly yellow/greenish tile. On the pictures below, it looks as though some of the original tile color is showing through, however it is just the sunlight reflecting. I promise I inspected each tile thoroughly with a small brush. 

Supplies Used:

Rust-oleum Counter Top Coating (can be tinted to 16 different colors)

4 inch paint roller & pan

Smaller brush for touch ups

Caulk (if you want to re caulk the edges)

Painters tape & plastic

Bandanna or mask for fumes 

and in case you forgot what it looked like when we moved in here is the before photo!