Let’s Update Backsplash

I told you we made it worse before it got better. Our first attempt at a new backsplash was herringbone, and it went horribly. Like, really horribly.

So before we made another decision, we went looking for something easier, and we found peel-and-stick tiles from Smart Tiles. Five boxes later, our entire kitchen had a brand-new backsplash.

Here’s exactly what we used, what it cost, how we put it up, and what we learned from the herringbone disaster, so you can skip straight to the good part.

What We Used and What It Cost

We went with Smart Tiles peel-and-stick tiles. They come in a bunch of colors, and they’re waterproof for light splashes, the kind you get around a kitchen sink. Just don’t use them somewhere that gets soaked, like inside a shower.

We ordered 5 boxes, and that was enough to do our entire kitchen.

Item	What we used	Cost
Peel-and-stick tiles	Smart Tiles, [green] (5 boxes)	[$ 120]
Tools and supplies	Box cutter

Total

[$ 130ish}

How to Install a Peel-and-Stick Backsplash, Step by Step

Step 1: Clean the wall

Kitchen walls collect grease you can’t see, and grease is the enemy of anything sticky. Wipe everything down with degreaser, then let it dry completely.

Step 2: Turn off the power and remove the covers

Flip the breaker for any outlets on the backsplash wall, then unscrew the outlet and switch covers. You’ll cut around the boxes and put the covers back on top at the end.

Step 3: Plan where you’ll start

Measure your space and pick a starting point, usually a bottom corner along the countertop. Use a level to make sure your first row is straight, because every row after it follows the first one.

Step 4: Peel, stick, and press

Peel off the backing a little at a time, line up the tile, and press it on firmly. Line up each new sheet with the pattern of the one next to it, following the instructions on the box.

Step 5: Cut around outlets and cabinets

Measure, mark, and cut with your utility knife. Fresh blades make a huge difference in getting clean edges.

Step 6: Smooth it out and finish

Go over every tile with your smoothing tool to press out air bubbles and lock it in place. Screw the covers back on and turn the power back on.

What We’d Do Differently (aka the Herringbone Disaster)

Our biggest lesson: start simple. We went for herringbone first, and it went horribly. [One or two lines on what went wrong: the angles, the cuts, how long it took?]

Herringbone looks amazing in photos, but it’s one of the hardest patterns to get right. Every row depends on the angle of the one before it, and every edge needs an angled cut. If it’s your first backsplash, a pattern that lines up row by row, like subway tile, is so much more forgiving.

From a herringbone disaster to a whole new kitchen with four boxes of peel-and-stick, for under $160. Sometimes the easy way really is the best way.

Looking for your next weekend DIY? See how we built our DIY pea gravel patio on a budget for $670. You can find everything we use for home projects in our Amazon storefront.

Tried peel-and-stick tile yourself? Tell us how it went in the comments, and pin this post for your next kitchen refresh!

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