This blog post is all about the best ideas for covering kitchen tiles!
Kitchen tiles can be some of the most prominent features in the space, often setting the tone for the entire decor in the room. Whether it’s just a backsplash or an accent wall, an ugly set of kitchen tiles can feel impossible to overlook. As a long-time renter, I am VERY familiar with the sight of a hideously dated kitchen wall!
The good news is that you are not destined to simply accept your existing tiles. Whether you regret installing them or are trying to deal with someone else’s decor choices, there are quite a few ways to refresh the look of your kitchen without tearing them out.
In this post, we’ll look at 23 ideas for covering kitchen tiles and bringing new life to your space. From DIY long-term solutions to renter-friendly tips, I promise you’re about to fall in love with your kitchen all over again!
23 Genius Ideas for Covering Kitchen Tiles
1. Adhesive Tiles
We can’t discuss ideas for covering kitchen tiles without starting from the ultimate renter (and budget) friendly tip: peel-and-stick tiles! These incredibly convenient pieces come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles making them a perfect option no matter the look you are going for.
Their installation is pretty low effort, requiring some attention and adjusting only in awkward corners or weirdly-sized trims. They truly are the best way to refresh your kitchen if you need a quick and easy solution that is meant to replace your backsplash or even an entire wall on a low budget.
When it comes to these faux tiles, you can opt for a Mediterranean print or even more modern designs like an industrial white subway tile or a marble herringbone pattern, The options are endless!
2. DIY Tile Stickers
If you love the ease of peel-and-stick tiles but want more flexibility in your design, consider creating DIY tile stickers. All you need is a set of adhesive tiles in the color/pattern of your preference and a cutter.
This DIY solution is a more time-consuming project but it will allow you to create a unique pattern, for example with a mix of geometric shapes or trim pieces. I like this idea especially if you only need to cover a small portion of your tiles due to an ugly accent or some ruined material.
3. Vinyl Peel
Vinyl is a great choice to cover your tiles as it’s incredibly easy to maintain and resistant to moisture, something that is very important in a kitchen setting.
A vinyl peel, unlike adhesive tiles, will usually provide a more homogenous look, making it a perfect solution if you don’t love how textured tile walls appear. For instance, I find vinyl peels to be quite good at replicating the smooth look of marble.
Vinyl is also very affordable and available in many different colours, meaning you won’t have any problems finding a good match for your kitchen color scheme.
4. Kitchen Tile Paint
Tile paint is the perfect way to upgrade a white tile wall. You can apply a fresh coat of paint to the entire set of tiles or even focus on a single section to create a focal point in your kitchen.
A few things to keep in mind is that depending on the starting color of your tiles, you may need additional layers to fully cover them. For example, white tiles will be easier to hide than dark navy or red. The type of texture will also play an important role. The paint will change the appearance but the texture will, in large part remain.
I have had personal experience with tile paint as my parents have upgraded their bathroom tiles from blue to white. The result was stunning and the project only took a weekend. Pro tip: invest in a good primer!
5. Stencil Designs
One of the easiest ways to upgrade outdated tiles is by covering basic colors and boring patterns with enhanced designs. Stencils can help you achieve this by using a bit of tile paint and patience.
If you’re trying to achieve a Mediterranean or boho kitchen, for instance, you can easily transform simple white tiles into Moroccan or Mexican tiles by using a pre-made design.
6. Wall Mural
If your goal is creating a truly unique design to cover up your kitchen tiles, then a DIY mural is the ideal solution. Tap into your creative side and think of a design that can cover the portion of tiles you need to hide. It can be a single picture or, like the inspiration photo above, a collage of individual ideas you like.
This project will of course require some planning. So if you’re looking for something quick and easy, this is not the best option. As with a lot of creative home decor solutions, proper planning matters more than pure artistic talent in this case!
7. Contact Paper
Another amazing option to cover up large ceramic tiles is contact paper. This type of cover works especially well if you are working with a relatively flat surface as installation will be an absolute breeze.
Contact paper comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. It is made out of vinyl, but unlike a vinyl peel tends to be a bit thinner and more flexible. As a result, it is also a bit less resilient to heavy wear and tear.
The best thing about it is that it can be easily installed in a couple of hours at most, making your ugly tile disappear as if it were magic within the time of an afternoon project!
8. Mosaic Stickers
Mosai stickers are a great solution if you want to hide your kitchen tiles but want an equally realistic alternative and are not ready to sacrifice design or texture. You can create your own mosaic combining different designs with similar aesthetics or invest in a more traditional set of mosaic wall tiles. They are self-adhesive and perfect if you’re renting!
One thing to keep in mind: they may not be a good fit for a small kitchen. Especially tiny, dark-colored mosaic patterns tend to close up a room. You don’t want your kitchen to feel smaller than it actually is! Consider different sizes or skip this idea entirely if this is a concern for you.
9. Wallpaper
If you have been reading the blog for some time, you know that I am a BIG fan of wallpaper. I had to include it in my list of ideas for covering kitchen tiles!
Unknown to many, wallpaper can actually be applied on top of tiles, both the peel-and-stick and traditional versions. I think it’s a fantastic way to include decorative elements filled with style and personality. A perfect accent piece that can truly transform your kitchen, especially if paired with color-matching outlet covers on the wall!
Make sure to be mindful of the area of application. Certain wallpapers are delicate and shouldn’t be used on sections of your wall where kitchen splashback or water spills happen regularly.
10. Wooden Deck Tiles
While this post covers mostly wall ideas, I did want to mention an interesting floor tile alternative for your outdoor kitchen floor. If you are looking to cover ruined outdoor tiles or an outdated balcony surface, consider looking into wooden deck tiles.
They are famous for their easy installation and have become one of the more popular outdoor solutions for a modern, elegant, and affordable space. I think they look particularly good when matched with sleek, teak outdoor furniture. So chic!
11. Cork Sheets
Cork sheets are an easy way to bring different materials into your kitchen, bringing texture and an element of visual interest to the space as you cover your existing tiles. The natural brown pattern can easily match a variety of interior styles and setup can be as easy as using liquid nails.
Corkboard tiles can be used to transform your kitchen backsplash but are also a creative and easy way to set a DIY pinboard or accent wall in your kitchen.
12. Metal Sheets for an Industrial look
If you’re working with an old backsplash that doesn’t match your dreams of an industrial kitchen, look into metal sheets. They are an effective way to completely cover the texture of tiles, fully hiding the original wall.
You can opt for a flat sheet for a sleek design or even choose a wavy design to add some movement to your kitchen. It’s a creative way to approach an original style like industrial where simple and utilitarian materials are elevated to design features.
13. Chalkboard Paint
Chalkboard paint is a great way of combining ideas for covering kitchen tiles with a fun, new kitchen feature. If you’re looking to cover an entire wall, consider turning it into an oversized, fully functional chalkboard. You’ll end up with a creative accent wall and a readily available, family-size planner integrated into your kitchen.
Chalkboard paint is available at most home improvement stores, but make sure to check whether you also need to invest in some primer. The requirements may change depending on what type of tiles you are trying to cover up.
14. Magnetic Paint
Magnetic paint is another fun way to transform your kitchen tiles. This paint will not only hide any outdated design you want to get rid of, but it will also turn your kitchen walls into useful magnets. For example, you’ll be able to stick small souvenirs, notes, and photos directly onto your walls. So fun!
15. Faux Brick Panels
Few kitchen walls look as good as rustic, exposed brick. If this is the look you are going for and old tiles are ruining your vision, no need to worry! All you need is a beautiful set of faux brick panels. These pieces are a great option to cover any existing tiles as they can completely transform both design and texture.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even use DIY techniques to age the brick panels and give them an even more authentic look. PGHDIY even has a course on how to create the perfect brick backsplash!
16. Glass Tile Cover
If you’re looking to cover basic tiles and add a more modern look, consider installing glass panels. They come both clear and with more intricate designs like in the photo above. These pieces are not only great because of how sleek they look. Another good thing they achieve is making your kitchen brighter; their reflective surface is great for enhancing natural light and perfect for opening up small spaces.
17. Decorative Panels
Decorative panels are a clever way to create a focal point using decorative patterns while at the same time, hiding a specific spot on your tile wall. They work especially well if you’re trying to upgrade an old tile accent in the middle of your backsplash or to refresh a small section of tiles that may have gotten damaged over time.
18. PVC panels
PVC adhesive panels are a must-have for kitchen backsplash ideas. They are incredibly resistant, even more so than vinyl, and easy to clean for a hygienic space. They are available in different patterns and colors, making them a pretty flexible solution.
However, I do recommend you go purchase them in person as they tend to look quite “plasticky” if they are low-quality. In this case, the finish and how the material looks across different lighting options is quite important!
19. Art Prints
If you’re working with a small area and are looking for an easy solution to cover up tiles, consider investing in some artwork. While prints, paintings, and frames may not completely hide your tiles, they can easily cover up large sections of them without any need for material installation or permanent changes.
I love how renter-friendly this idea is. All you need is some command strips, light frames, and a set of fun, kitchen-themed graphics!
20. Natural Stone Overlay
If you love the natural materials you see interior designers use in stone walls, look into adhesive tiles that can replicate a natural stone overlay.
These pieces are incredibly textured and can transform some basic tiles into a high-end, luxurious stone wall. They pair well with minimalist interiors or even more rustic styles depending on the stone you choose.
21. Decals or Small Stickers
If you’re not sure whether you want to fully cover your kitchen wall tiles but are set on getting a new look, the best thing for you may be a set of good quality decals or stickers. While this is a relatively simple solution, simply adding a small design on each tile can help give them more character and make the kitchen feel more curated.
For example, how love how vintage-inspired these small flowers are. The non-symmetrical pattern also makes the tiles look more interesting!
22. Upgraded Grout Lines
One of the most underrated kitchen tile ideas is upgrading your grout lines. A dirty, aged grout can really downgrade even the most beautiful of designs. The best thing: you may not even need to fully re-do your grout. Start by investing in a grout pen and watch your tiles come back to life!
23. Acrylic Sheets
Acrylic sheets are one of the most budget-friendly ideas for covering kitchen tiles. They are generally used to protect more delicate tiles or to create a surface that is easier to maintain and clean over time. Their ease of installation and neutral design also make them a perfect temporary solution if you’re not set on a bigger or more permanent change yet.
To Conclude
This post showed you 23 clever ideas for covering kitchen tiles!
Whether you’re simply trying to upgrade your backsplash area or are looking for a fresh look for the new kitchen you just moved into, there are plenty of good options to cover up your current tiles!
Before copying one of the ideas we discussed in the post, remember to spend some time thinking about functionality. Which area are you trying to cover? Do you need a waterproof or heatproof solution? Do you want to fully customize the design or match a specific aesthetic?
Once you have a clear understanding of your needs, all you have to do is get creative and watch your kitchen tiles transform!
