Kitchen Backsplash Ideas On A Budget

Perhaps you’re living in a house with a retro kitchen from the 70’s—complete with wood paneling and dated wallpaper. Now you’ve decided that it’s time for a much-needed overhaul, but don’t have the budget to make it all happen at once. Not a problem. It’s perfectly okay to start off small since even the tiniest updates can still give you big results. One of the easiest ways to spruce up a tired, old kitchen is to add a new backsplash. While it might seem daunting at first, this is a job that you can easily do yourself in just a few hours over the weekend for less than $500. If you are looking for some inspiration to get you started, we’ve got you covered. We’re sharing some common—and uncommon—backsplash ideas to revitalize your kitchen and give it some much-needed love.

DIY Painted and Textured Backsplashes

If you have a steady hand and a little time, then you could always paint your own backsplash. Whether you decide to stick with a more minimalist approach or something more vibrant and abstract, this is where the wall becomes your pallet.

Burlap or Torn Paper Bags – Burlap sacks and bags aren’t just for carrying the groceries. These materials can be overlayed on the wall to add dimension to its surface. All you need is a paint roller, some glue and your trusty measuring tape to get started.

Hand-painted Backsplash – You could always give the walls a fresh coat of paint, but have you thought of taking it to the next level? Painting a minimalistic pattern can give your backsplash a classy, modern look that is something that you can call your own.

Nostalgic Backsplashes

Photographs – Perhaps you need a little more inspiration while in the kitchen and want to be surrounded by those you love the most. Consider framing your favorite photos and using them to create a backsplash. Placing them on a solid colored background can make your kitchen seem like it’s more of a gallery instead of a place to prepare food.

Stenciled Backsplash – This type of backsplash combines a textured surface with your favorite text. For this project, you can always create your own stencils or purchase them from a craft store.

Unique Mosaic and Stone Backsplash Ideas

Traditionally, kitchen backsplashes used tiles and mosaics to create visual interest. This is method is still quite popular for people wanting to upgrade their kitchens. Now we have a few more unique ideas that you can try that break away from the norm.

Stones from the Garden – There are so many uses for stones that go beyond serving as part of the landscape. A bag of polished stones from a store or even your yard can be used as a textured backsplash for your kitchen. Make sure that you are using a grout that is strong enough to hold them because of the weight of the rocks.

Mason Jar Mosaic – Mason jars are one of the most diverse things that you can have in the home. From preserving jams to serving up a cool glass of sweet tea, we’ve got another use for you. Breaking up the jars into smaller pieces which can help bring depth and texture to your wall.

Mosaic from Broken Dishes – Want a pop of color in the kitchen? Old dishes can be broken up to create a colorful background. If you don’t want to use any of your own dishes, you can always pop into a thrift store or yard sale to buy some on the cheap.

New Uses for Wood

While wood paneling was great back in the day, most will agree that the wood from the 70’s and 80’s is a little old-fashioned. Here are some new ways to use wood as a backsplash that can give your kitchen some contemporary, rustic charm.

Salvaged Wood – This material has been known as the go-to for furniture upcycling. Now it can be used to give your kitchen a rugged feel with variations in color and texture.

Pegboard – Most people don’t think of using pegboards as an option for backsplashes. However, it’s perfect for those who want to also have more space to hang kitchen utensils and linens.

Recycle Old Pallets – Pallets are excellent for a number of uses for making tables, chairs and now backsplashes. You can usually get them inexpensively and you only need a few to build the backsplash.

More Uncommon Ideas

Wine Corks – For the wine enthusiasts, this is a unique method of creating a backsplash. Keep in mind that you will need a lot—and we mean a lot—of corks to fill the space on the wall.

Placemats – Using placemats as a material to build the backdrop over the sink or stove is a little contrary to their normal use, but it never hurts to think outside of the box.

Decals – You might think of these as just stickers, but try to imagine them in a new light. These can be used to create a funky wall that will show off your personality.

Conclusion

Even the most dreary room can be given new life with a bit of creativity and of course, some elbow grease. Adding in a new backsplash can give your kitchen a modern update that won’t put a hole in your wallet. The cost to put in a new backsplash will generally range from $100 to $500 depending on the size of your kitchen and the materials needed. While you could hire a professional, the cost could easily become much higher. Luckily, this type of project is simple enough to do on your own with less of a headache. Now that you’ve got some ideas under your belt, it’s time to get started on bringing your kitchen into the modern age.