Can you believe this subway tile back splash is peel and stick wallpaper!? We love how easy it was to update our kitchen without spending a lot of money. What an easy kitchen upgrade using subway tile wallpaper!
We’ve been in our home now for over a year and I have been itching to swap out the bead board backing that warps when wet and needed a paint job as it has yellowed since the previous homeowner installed it. I’ve been wanting the classic subway tile in my kitchen to brighten up the dark counter tops but didn’t know if I would love the pattern long-term or change my mind… I kind of have Decor A.D.D., I think that’s a thing, just not officially- ha! 😉
While perusing the home improvement section in Target, I came across the Devine Color Wallpaper with a subway tile pattern and squealed right there in the aisle!
For less than $35/roll, and not having to make an additional trip to the home improvement store for tile, tile backer, grout, and other supplies to install ceramic tile and then install it, I was sold. I guesstimated 2 rolls would be enough, (although you can calculate how much you need here,) and got started right away… within a few hours I was done and my kitchen was immediately transformed. Viola!
How to Apply Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Check out Devine Color’s Wallpaper tutorial here. The official process steps:
- Measure the height + width of your walls.
- Pre-cut your panels.
- Align the design of your panels.
- Peel away 1/4 of your backing and work top to bottom, removing wallpaper backing as you go.
- Use a squeegee or credit card to smooth out air bubbles.
- Trim with a razor around molding, electrical outlets and/or vent covers.
- Note: Don’t forget to prep the walls by scraping any previous wallpaper residue off OR wiping them clean.
Each roll of the wallpaper covers 27.5 square feet but note that certain patterns (like this subway tile) will have more waste in aligning the drop match patterns, so they may end up needing more rolls than the calculator states. 😉
I went back to Target to spruce up this space since I transformed it for less than $80 and accessorized with the cutest pieces like my fruit bowl, glass containers (perfect for storing flour and sugar) and this pink Dutch oven pan that I’m dying over! You guys… Devine Color + Target = home décor heaven as they coordinate seamlessly.
Speaking of seams, here’s a peek at my subway tile wallpaper seam that is pretty subtle.
This particular pattern is pretty forgiving as it is textured and the shadows on the design allow for a little wiggle room error. 😉 This wallpaper is great for any budget, renter friendly, or if you’re just indecisive like me. 😉 Simply pair it with a few Target accessories and your space will be spruced up in no time at all!
I love this vase snagged from Target a few years ago and it houses fresh wild flowers snagged on my latest Target run. So pretty against the white wallpaper!
Visit more of our peel & stick wallpapered spaces:
- Pantry Makeover with Contact Paper
- Craft Room Polka Dot Wallpaper
- Floral Wallpaper Bathroom Makeover
- Buffalo Check Wallpaper Dining Room
Please PIN so your friend’s can check out this easy kitchen hack too!
This post contains affiliate links. It’s NO extra cost to you and a few pennies to us with your purchase which will help keep our blog running with FREE ideas! xo
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Shawnna says
05/28/2017 at 8:13 amHey girl- love the new look! so cool!
Lolly Jane says
05/29/2017 at 10:11 pmThank you, Shawnna!! It’s such a big fix for not a lot of dough 😀
Maria Feliciano says
05/25/2018 at 4:42 pmCan wallpaper be used on cabinets with Formica?
Lolly Jane says
05/29/2018 at 10:51 pmHi Maria, if the surface is smooth then yes!
Lovisa says
05/29/2017 at 11:11 amLove the wall paper back splash!! Where did you find the throw rug? Matches perfectly! Would love it for my kitchen! I’m going to be doing that wall paper! Thanks for the info!! ????
Lolly Jane says
05/29/2017 at 1:21 pmThanks Lovisa! Isn’t it darling? It’s from the Nate Burkus line at Target!(:
Judith says
05/29/2017 at 8:55 pmJust wondering if I need to remove the old caulk before putting this wallpaper on?
Lolly Jane says
05/29/2017 at 10:07 pmHi Judith! I would remove the caulk, yes 🙂
Katy says
05/31/2017 at 4:42 amIt looks great!!! 🙂
Tabby says
05/31/2017 at 6:22 amI love it! I’ve been eyeing this at Target myself. Thanks for sharing. Also, where is that cute rug from?
Lolly Jane says
06/02/2017 at 2:42 amThanks, Tabby! The rug is also from Target, we love one-stop shopping!
xo
JaneEllen says
05/31/2017 at 10:45 pmOh yeah, lead me to that awesome wallpaper. Hope our Target stocks it now, never know. Would love to have a faux subway tile back splash. Would use it above cabinets but sounds kinda pricey for my wallet. Have been wanting to put bead board for back splash and around cabinets but hubs not cooperating, no vision., rats. Anything would look better than what is there.
Glad you shared this new idea, will see if our Target even has it.
Enjoy rest of week
Sandra says
06/02/2017 at 1:45 pmThe walls behind my cooktop and sink are begging for something like this, thank you!
creativejewishmom/sara says
06/05/2017 at 8:24 amwow looks amazing and one doesn’t have to commit! love that! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday, love your contributions always!
Leanna says
06/06/2017 at 10:36 pmLove this wallpaper, the black splash looks great and it a project I have the skills to do on my own.
Jennifer Dawn says
06/07/2017 at 12:42 pmBrilliant! I may have to keep this in mind. I’ve had my eye on tile for a backsplash in our kitchen. I just don’t have the extra $1,200 required to get it right now! What a budget-friendly solution! I’m featuring this and your painted tile at this week’s link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2017/06/makeover-ideas-for-every-room-of-your.html
Lori says
06/08/2017 at 2:05 pmThis is genius!! I love it! Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!
Beverly says
06/09/2017 at 9:15 amThanks for sharing your wonderful posts at Over The Moon Party.
See you next week.
Hugs,
Bev
La-Z-Boy Arizona says
06/09/2017 at 2:09 pmHow clever, and it’s removable? It looks fab!
Lolly Jane says
06/09/2017 at 4:04 pmIt’s the best! Thanks guys! 🙂
Joy says
06/11/2017 at 11:08 amI love this! I am too exhausted from the work we have already done to get into tiling a backsplash, so this seems like a wonderful solution that makes a big impact.
Lolly Jane says
06/12/2017 at 7:03 pmAmen, sister!
Cindy says
06/11/2017 at 12:25 pmLooks GREAT!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says
06/11/2017 at 9:14 pmLooks amazing!!! I’m contemplating putting subway tile in our kitchen but thinking this would be so much easier!! THanks for sharing at The Creative Corner!!
clairejustine says
06/13/2017 at 1:18 amThis looks great. I thought you had tiled it. I could do with some of this 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays
Nicole says
06/13/2017 at 7:43 pmI love this subway tile wallpaper! It looks awesome in your beautiful kitchen. Thank you for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
[email protected] Willow House says
06/14/2017 at 1:06 pmLooks great and you styled the counters perfectly with your Target finds.
Lolly Jane says
06/14/2017 at 8:32 pmThank you! Dang Target, gets us every time 😉
LydiaF says
06/14/2017 at 2:40 pmLooks great! Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg 🙂
Erin says
06/15/2017 at 5:23 amHello, from a fellow blogger. Your post was a few past mine. This looks amazing. I am surprised by how nice it turned out. Looks like it was fun.
Pat M. says
06/18/2017 at 7:09 amI love your faux subway tile. I also looked at this company’s wallpapers at Target (and online) and they have a faux brick wallpaper that is amazingly realistic. I believe that’s going to be my solution to a small budget and a no muss, no fuss installation.
Lolly Jane says
06/18/2017 at 10:33 pmThe faux brick (whitewashed) was my original plan for the dining room wall but the kitchen was priority so I went with that first. I love their selection! 🙂
Mandy says
07/25/2017 at 11:57 amI love the look of this wall paper! Does it clean easy?
Lolly Jane says
07/25/2017 at 12:19 pmIt does! It wipes off really nicely!
Ashleigh says
08/14/2017 at 9:05 pmDo you have this above your sink? I’m wondering how it might hold up in areas that are constantly exposed to moisture?
Lolly Jane says
08/15/2017 at 7:57 amHi Ashleigh, my sink is in my island so it’s not close. It wipes down well but we haven’t heard any reports back about moisture affecting it, thus far. Not very helpful, lol, sorry!! 🙂
Erin says
09/29/2017 at 1:24 pmI saw this online but it says not to use it behind a heat source like a stove. So I didn’t use it. That scares the bejesus out of me.
Lolly Jane says
09/29/2017 at 2:12 pmLOL…I use it daily and it’s been fine 😉
Alyssa | Yellow Birch says
10/12/2017 at 8:35 pmI’m getting ready to move into an apartment that has a kitchen I’m not super thrilled with – I think this will be a great option for us to spruce up the space!
Lolly Jane says
10/15/2017 at 10:18 pmIt completely transformed my kitchen for less than $100, love it and it’s held up SO well! You can’t even tell it’s fake until you get close 😉
Mandi says
11/14/2017 at 10:57 amHi! This looks beautiful! Did you use anything for the edges of the “tile”, where it begins and ends on the wall? Not sure I’m explaining it properly. 🙂
Lolly Jane says
11/28/2017 at 7:24 pmHi Mandi, we just ended it. Luckily, both sides butt up against something so it wasn’t exposed. You could put a piece of trim on the end to “cap” it.
Sheline says
07/18/2018 at 8:24 pmCan you apply this to textured walls?
Lolly Jane says
07/19/2018 at 1:29 pmYes! My walls are textured and other than when it’s in direct lighting, you can hardly tell. 🙂
J. J. Sims says
10/11/2018 at 8:02 amMy walls are painted with a semi-gloss paint. Will this product stick to the shiny paint without peeling at the corners down the road? This application is over the sink, as well.
Thanks.
Lolly Jane says
10/16/2018 at 1:51 pmHi J.J.,
I recently wallpapered over semi-gloss paint and it has held well. I would highly advise using upholstery glue to seal the edges to be sure the corners/seams do not split or peel down the road. My wallpaper isn’t near my sink BUT splatters have easily wiped up and beaded up (not soaked in) so I feel it should be fine. You can always do a test run with a sample size to try it before you invest in an entire roll. Good luck!!
judy geiger says
01/14/2019 at 8:40 amI want to use it behind stove, can this product be wash if there are stains ??
Lolly Jane says
01/15/2019 at 11:03 amAbsolutely! It’s held up well, it wipes right down.
Anna Opel says
02/10/2019 at 11:04 amI saw another review for this product that said the wallpaper even had a little bit of texture to the “grout” areas so it’s looked pretty real. Did you notice this same texture?
Lolly Jane says
02/11/2019 at 10:32 pmHi Anna! It does have texture on the grout lines.
Lisa says
08/11/2019 at 10:57 amI love the subway tile wallpaper idea! However, I would like to do black but have several white electrical outlets. While I can paint the switch plates black to match, the actual outlet to plug into is still light. Do you have any suggestions for this?
Lolly Jane says
08/13/2019 at 10:18 pmYou can purchase different outlets colors, check out this one from Home Depot, for example 🙂 https://rstyle.me/+aGE4euItIHUzdy3c2DU-bg