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How to Install a Fake Backsplash in Your Kitchen

by on Oct 4, 2023

Upgrading your rental kitchen can be a tricky task.  However, you can add style and character to the room without making any permanent changes. With a faux rental-friendly backsplash, you can give your kitchen an instant makeover with a realistic looking fake backsplash that you can install yourself. 

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to install a rental-friendly backsplash using vinyl wallpaper. Read on to learn more about how you can create a stylish backsplash without the commitment.

Why a Faux Rental-Friendly Backsplash is the Way to Go

When it comes to upgrading your rental kitchen, you want to make sure any changes you make are temporary and won’t cause any damage or violate your lease agreement. That’s why a faux rental-friendly backsplash is the perfect solution. With a removable backsplash, you can add style and character to your kitchen without the commitment.

An apartment friendly kitchen backsplash offers numerous benefits. 

One of the benefits of using a faux backsplash in your rental space is the ability to customize it and make it feel like home, even if you can’t make permanent changes. Installing a rental backsplash can instantly give your kitchen a fresh, modern look that reflects your personal style.

What’s more, a faux backsplash is incredibly simple to install. With vinyl wallpaper, you can achieve a realistic tile or brick effect without any of the mess or hassle of traditional backsplash installation. You don’t need any special skills or tools to create a stunning backsplash in just a few easy steps.

Perhaps the best part about using a removable backsplash is that it can be easily removed without causing any damage to the wall. When it’s time to move out or if you simply want to change up your kitchen’s look, you can effortlessly peel off the vinyl wallpaper without leaving behind any residue.

So, if you’re looking to enhance your rental kitchen and add some style without making a long-term commitment, a faux backsplash could be the perfect solution.

Materials You Will Need For Your DIY Vinyl Backsplash

Materials needed to create a faux backsplash

To create a stunning rental-friendly kitchen backsplash using vinyl wallpaper, you’ll need a few essential materials for your DIY project. 

Don’t worry. You won’t need anything too fancy or complicated. These items are easy to find and won’t break the bank.

Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

Removable wallpaper

Look for vinyl wallpaper specifically designed for a rental backsplash. This type of wallpaper is easy to install and remove without causing any damage to the wall.

Craft knife

A craft knife will come in handy for cutting the wallpaper to the correct size and shape.

Scissors

You’ll also need a pair of sharp scissors for more precise cuts, especially around corners and edges.

A plastic card or a squeegee

This tool will help you smooth out any air bubbles or wrinkles when applying the wallpaper to the wall.

Ruler

Use a ruler to measure and mark the dimensions of your backsplash area accurately.

Measuring tape

A measuring tape will be useful for determining the length and height of your backsplash.

Masking tape

Use masking tape to temporarily hold the wallpaper in place while you measure and cut it.

With these materials in hand, you’re well-prepared to tackle your DIY project and transform your rental kitchen with a beautiful, renter-friendly backsplash. 

Let’s move on to the next step and learn how to choose the right vinyl wallpaper for your backsplash.

Choosing the Right Vinyl Wallpaper for Your Backsplash

When choosing a vinyl wallpaper for your kitchen backsplash, there are a few important factors to consider. 

Firstly, consider the style and design of your kitchen. Do you want a backsplash that looks like subway tiles, or would you prefer a bold pattern or texture? With so many designs to choose from, take your time to find one that complements your kitchen’s aesthetic.

Next, think about the durability and maintenance of the wallpaper. 

Look for a water-resistant option that can withstand splashes and spills. 

Additionally, choose a wallpaper that is easy to clean to keep your backsplash looking great. A renter-friendly kitchen backsplash should be low-maintenance and hassle-free.

Another important factor is the ease of installation. Look for vinyl wallpapers with adhesive backing, which makes the installation process quick and easy. Avoid wallpapers that require additional adhesive, as they can be difficult to remove when it’s time to take down your backsplash.

Lastly, consider the cost of the vinyl wallpaper. While budget-friendly options are available, investing in high-quality vinyl wallpaper will ensure its longevity and make it easier to remove without damaging the wall.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the perfect vinyl wallpaper for your renter-friendly kitchen backsplash. With the right choice, you’ll be able to create a stylish and personalized space that you can enjoy without any long-term commitment.

How to Prepare Your Wall for the Installation Process

Before you begin, be sure to thoroughly clean your kitchen walls with warm water and a mild detergent. This will ensure that the vinyl wallpaper adhesive sticks properly to the wall. Don’t forget to remove any dirt, grease, or residue. 

After preparing the wall, mark the area where you want to install the backsplash. Use a measuring tape to determine the desired length and height and mark it with a pencil. Make sure to double-check your measurements for accuracy. 

By properly preparing your wall, you’ll create a solid foundation for your rental-friendly backsplash installation. 

You’re ready to move on to the next phase: measuring and cutting your vinyl wallpaper for a precise fit.

How to install removable wallpaper into your rental kitchen: Step 1

Measuring and Cutting Your Vinyl Wallpaper for a Perfect Fit

This step is essential to ensure that your rental-friendly backsplash looks seamless and professional.

Start by measuring the length and height of the area where you will be installing the backsplash. Use a measuring tape and make sure to double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy. 

Once you have the measurements, transfer them onto the backside of the vinyl wallpaper using a pencil or a marker.

Now it’s time to cut the vinyl wallpaper to the correct size. Grab your utility knife or sharp scissors and carefully cut along the marked lines. Make sure to follow a straight line to achieve clean and precise cuts.

As you cut the vinyl wallpaper, be mindful of any patterns or designs that need to align. Take your time and be patient to ensure that everything lines up perfectly. Remember, it’s better to measure twice and cut once!

Once you have cut the vinyl wallpaper to the correct size, it’s time to apply it to your wall. But before we move on to the installation process, let’s talk about trimming and finishing the edges for a professional look.

How to Trim and Finish the Edges for a Professional Look

Now that you have cut your vinyl wallpaper to the correct size, it’s time to give your rental-friendly backsplash a professional finish by trimming and finishing the edges. 

This step is essential to ensure that your backsplash looks seamless and polished, just like a permanent one.

To begin, carefully examine the edges of your vinyl wallpaper. If you notice any uneven or rough edges, use a utility knife/craft knife or sharp scissors to trim them off. Take your time and make precise cuts to achieve clean and straight edges.

By trimming and finishing the edges of your rental-friendly backsplash, you’ll elevate its appearance and make it look like a permanent fixture in your kitchen. It’s the finishing touch that will truly bring your DIY project to life.

Before and After: Using vinyl wallpaper to create a kitchen backsplash

Step-By-Step Instructions

First, you begin by measuring the space you need to cover with the removable wallpaper.

While it’s tempting to just start unrolling and sticking the paper to the wall, you quickly realize that if you want the fake backsplash to look any bit realistic, you need to be calculated in your actions.

You use your measuring tape to determine how much and how many pieces you need. Then you cut out the pieces and temporarily tape them up to verify you did your measurements correctly.

When taking the panels off the wall, you number them on the back to avoid later confusion!

Tip: Some temporary wallpapers do have a top and a bottom. For example, this subway tile print has a white highlight where the top of each tile is supposed to be. Draw arrows on the back of your panels if you’re having trouble remembering which side is up.

Cutting straight lines with this subway tile pattern is super simple. It’s just a matter of following the lines on the print! If you’re looking for exact cuts, cut with a craft knife and use a ruler as a straight edge.

How to properly fake the look of tile in your rental kitchen

Here’s the reason you should take it slow and plan everything out: grout lines.

Generally, when you’re applying vinyl wallpaper, you start from the top and trim off any excess on the bottom with a craft knife once it’s all stuck in place.

Since this print features tile and real-life tile doesn’t just stop without showing a grout line, we needed to cut the pieces with exact precision to pull this illusion off. That meant making sure the “grout line” started at the caulk line joining the counter to the wall.

Measure the space, cut the pieces, then tape them to the wall and cut off the excess at the top rather than the bottom (using a craft knife).

How to install removable wallpaper into your rental kitchen: Step 2

You begin with a panel in the middle. Here’s why. At some point, your alignment might get skewed, and rather than having to align to that error across the entire wall, it’d be better if it only has to carry in one direction.

Fortunately, peel ‘n stick paper can be repositioned easily, which you may end up having to do a few times.

At the top of the panel, you peel the backing off a few inches, then line up the top of the paper with the bottom of the cabinets. You then slowly smooth the paper to the wall, working from the middle outward.

How to use removable wallpaper to create a fake backsplash: Perfect for apartment-dwellers!

After the first piece goes down, each sequential piece is aligned to the first, following the subway tile pattern. You may want to leave a little bit of overlap between each piece which allows for a margin of error, but the overlap is also visible in the final product. You win some, you lose some. 

Use a squeegee to install temporary "tile" in your kitchen

After putting down each panel, smooth out any bubbles with a squeegee, starting from the middle and working towards the edges. If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn bubble in the middle of your removable wallpaper, you can prick it with a pin and let the air escape that way.

le wallpaper into your rental kitchen: Step 3

If there is an outlet that needs to be taken into account, this is for you.

Before you start, remove the faceplate with a screwdriver. Next, tape up the panel that will be overlapping with the outlet and trace the outline of the plugs.

After removing the panel from the wall, cut out the outlined area and then proceed to stick the panel to the wall. After the vinyl is up and the air bubbles are removed, you put the faceplate back on.

Tip: Don’t try to cut out the outline of the electrical outlet while the removable wallpaper is on the wall. In the same way, you don’t want to put a fork in an outlet. You definitely don’t want the blade of your craft knife slipping, either. Shocking!

How to install removable wallpaper into your rental kitchen: Step 4

How to Install a Fake Backsplash in Your Kitchen

vinyl backsplash with a fruit bowl on the counter.

Tools

  • Craft knife
  • Scissors
  • A plastic card (like a credit card) or a squeegee
  • A ruler
  • Measuring tape
  • Masking tape

Instructions

  1. Measure the space. While it is tempting to just start unrolling and sticking the paper to the wall, for the fake backsplash to look any bit realistic, you need to be calculated in your actions. Use measuring tape to determine how much and how many pieces are needed.
  2. Cut out the pieces. Temporarily tape them up to verify measurements are done correctly.
  3. Remove any outlet faceplates.
  4. Hang wallpaper. Peel the backing off a few inches, then line up the top of the paper with the bottom of the cabinets.
  5. Smooth. Slowly smooth the paper to the wall, working from the middle outward.
  6. Repeat. Continue hanging your wallpaper, aligning it according to your design.

The entire process will take you a few hours, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. The important thing to remember when installing temporary wallpaper (especially if you are a perfectionist) is its name: temporary.

It might not turn out perfect, but if you hate it, you can always take it down! However, you won’t hate it; this fake backsplash definitely bumps up the “quaint factor” in your rental kitchen.

How to transform a rental kitchen using fake subway tile
Fake out! See how we transformed this apartment kitchen by installing a "tiled" backsplash.
How to create a fake kitchen backsplash using temporary wallpaper.

Hey renters: looking for even more temporary wallpaper solutions? We’ve rounded up a whole list of them for you!

Roundup: Temporary Wallpapers

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7 Comments

  1. @Jari Becker – Right? Every time I walk into my kitchen now I have a “Woah!” reaction.

  2. This is beautiful! I noticed its been about a year now, I’m wondering if you’ve had to remove it yet? I’m very nervous about it damaging my apartment wall!

  3. @Adrianne That’s a great question! I haven’t removed it yet, and probably won’t for another year or so. However, I’ve done contact paper treatments in past rental homes, and haven’t had any issue ruining the wall. If you’re nervous about it, you could always to a small test patch!

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