Get the look of tile with a beautiful peel-and-stick version you install yourself for an instant kitchen or bathroom upgrade.
Backsplashes not only protect walls from splatters and damage, but they also add a design element that has an enormous impact on the look of the entire room. Installing a real tile backsplash is a pricey prospect, however, and due to the complexity and mess that’s involved, many people don’t consider it a DIY project. For those who want a decorative backsplash but aren’t ready to hire a professional tile setter, now there’s another option.
Peel-and-stick backsplashes are made from a variety of materials, including water-resistant vinyl with realistic-looking 3D images, hardened silica gel tiles that look and feel like a textured tile surface, and even real mosaic tiles made from thin natural materials, such as mother-of-pearl. They come in a variety of attractive designs and closely resemble their natural tile counterparts. Plus, they’re 100 percent DIY-friendly: Just peel off the backing and position the backsplash on the wall. The best peel-and-stick backsplash is also super-low maintenance—just wipe with a damp rag to clean.
Features to Look for in a Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
Adding a peel-and-stick backsplash to the wall behind a kitchen or bathroom counter is a quick way to update the room’s entire look and feel. It’s also relatively inexpensive; you can expect to pay $8 to $12 for a set of six vinyl peel-and-stick panels that will cover approximately 6 to 8 linear feet of wall. Three-dimensional tiles made from gel or glass run a bit more—as much as $10 per individual panel. Before selecting, you’ll want to consider the following features.
Placement
The usual spot to install a peel-and-stick backsplash is on the wall right above the countertop. Starting at one end of the counter and working your way to the other end might not provide the best results, however, because you could end up with a sliver of a panel at the far end. To get panel placement even on both ends, make a “dry layout” on the countertop in front of the backsplash. This way, you can see exactly where the lines will fall and center the panels evenly.
Cuts
Most peel-and-stick backsplash products are simple to cut with scissors or a utility knife, but for the best results, it’s a good idea to create a template before cutting a panel to fit around an outlet, cabinet, or window trim. You can do this by cutting a piece of paper to fit the spot before cutting a panel. Make sure the paper fits the spot, and then transfer the cut lines onto your panel for cutting. For cutting thicker materials, such as backsplash panels that feature tin, aviation snips may be necessary.
Design/Color
Consider the colors and designs used elsewhere in the room when selecting the backsplash. You’ll find a wide range of tile-look backsplash options featuring the look of subway tile or mosaic tile, but you can also find stone-, brick-, and wood-look backsplashes. Make sure the design you select complements other home accents in your space. Don’t choose a backsplash without considering how it will look with the rest of the room’s items and decor.
Tips for Buying and Using the Best Peel-and-Stick Backsplash
Peel-and-stick backsplashes come in various materials and quality, ranging from flat vinyl to thick, textured panels that closely mimic professionally installed tile backsplashes.
For the best results, go with backsplash panels that feature staggered interlocking edges that fit like puzzle pieces rather than flat-edge panels that create a visible seam.
Peel-and-stick backsplashes might look like tile, but they don’t offer the same waterproof protection. They’re not suitable for any place that takes direct water spray, such as on a shower wall.
If you’re renting, look for a decal-type backsplash that comes off without pulling off paint or drywall paper.
To get the best peel-and-stick backsplash effect, make sure to measure the space from the top of the countertop to the upper cabinets’ underside. This gives you a good idea of how far up the wall the new backsplash should extend.
Our Top Picks
The best peel-and-stick backsplashes should look great, be easy to apply, and easy to clean. To help you choose the best peel-and-stick tiles for your home, we’ve listed some of our favorites.
Subway tile offers a classic look for just about any kitchen or bath, and now you can achieve it without the hard work and major mess of mortar and grout. This Bridge-Home backsplash comes in easy-to-apply 12-by-12-inch flexible sections, with 10 sections per box. Simply remove the paper backing and affix the self-sticking area to the wall. The result is a raised, 3D, silica gel tile backsplash with a textured tile look and feel. In fact, the sides of the Bridge-Home sections overlap, just as real tiles do, to give the finished backsplash a seamless look well suited to bathrooms and kitchens alike. They are moisture and heat resistant and made from an environmentally friendly material.
The luxury of marble (almost)! Choose the Bridge-home backsplash to give your room a posh new look. The tiles resist heat and humidity and will protect the wall from occasional water splashes. So treat yourself to an amazing kitchen or bath upgrade the easy way—and when you’re done, how about fixing a gourmet meal or indulging in an at-home spa treatment?
Come and choose what you want in Bridge-Home!!
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