The Cheap Way to Make a Tile Backsplash Look Really Expensive

Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold is the Executive Editor of Cubby, and one of Apartment Therapy Media’s first full-time editors from way back when. She was The Kitchn's founding Design and Lifestyle Editor as well as Managing Editor of Re-Nest, Apartment Therapy’s late '00s green living site. She now thinks a lot about design, kids, and designy kids' things. She lives with her two daughters and their father in St. Paul, MN.
published Apr 9, 2015
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(Image credit: Manuel Rodriguez via One Kings Lane)

I’ve swooned over patterned kitchen tile before, but not its price. Decorative tiles cost a pretty penny, so for me the idea has always been more aspirational than practical.

Then I came across this kitchen design by Megan Pflug for One Kings Lane. I loved the geometric tile pattern immediately, but then I discovered the backsplash is not as it seems. Oh, it’s tile, all right — but it has a secret. And it’s pretty great.

(Image credit: Manuel Rodriguez for One Kings Lane)

Those patterned tiles are actually basic square white tiles with a pattern painted on. How much do I love this? Seriously, so much.

Megan Pflug, the designer behind these other kitchen projects, says that, yes, you can totally paint a tile backsplash with the help of latex paint, Zinsser shellac-base primer, and oil-based polyurethane:

It’s all about planning your design and having the right materials. Inspired by the graphic look of Moroccan tiles, I added a geometric pattern to a standard-issue white backsplash, and the result contributed a ton of style to a formerly drab kitchen.

(Image credit: Manuel Rodriguez for One Kings Lane)
(Image credit: Manuel Rodriguez for One Kings Lane)

White tile has never looked so good, and all for so much less than what you’d get ripping it out and putting in the real thing. Check out the link below for the full step-by-step:

See the full tutorial → How To Revamp Your Tired Tile Backsplash by Megan Pflug at One Kings Lane

Have you ever painted a tile backsplash?

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