How to Wallpaper a Kitchen Backsplash

Using patterned wallpaper to freshen a kitchen backsplash can be a creative and inexpensive change instead of stone tiles or glass, which may also be expensive. Wallpaper can easily be cleaned with water and soap, making it simple to remove stains, grease and other dirt that can gather on kitchen backsplashes. Wallpaper is also relatively simple for most people to put up, needs only a few simple tools and a few inexpensive materials to transform your backsplash.



You will need:
Tape measure, Wallpaper, Filling Paste (Spackle), Sand paper, Wallpaper primer, Wallpaper glue, Paint tray, Paint roller, Plastic smoother, Utility knife, Wet cloth or sponge
Take the measurements of the kitchen backsplash so that you have accurate details of how much wallpaper you need to buy. Make sure the you overestimate and the measurements rather than under. A couple of extra inches here and there will ensure that you have on the measurements will give you slightly more wallpaper and will help if there are any mistakes later, and these can be trimmed to ensure a perfect fit.



To prepare the surface before applying the wallpaper, ensure that the wall of the backsplash area has been thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of grease etc. Use the filler to tidy up and fill and holes or damage to the wall. Then proceed to smooth the wall over using the sandpaper. After this cover the area with primer and allow it plenty of time to dry thoroughly.
Cut the wallpaper into strips that are a few inches longer than that required for applying to the kitchen backsplash.



After pouring the glue into the tray, apply it to the wallpaper using a roller ensuring to apply even coats, or dampen the wallpaper if you are using pre glued paper, as per the instruction. You may want to let the wallpaper sit for a few minutes, as this allows the glue to get tackier and will let the wallpaper stick to the wall more easily.

Carefully apply the first strip to the backsplash. Use the smoothing device to slide of the paper, starting from the centre of the paper and working in a outward direction, and remove any excess glue and bubbles of air than may have got trapped during application.

Carefully finish applying the remaining paper. Be sure that you line up the strips carefully so that they are adjacent to each other without any gaps, and not overlapping. Be sure to line up the patterns on the paper also if necessary.

Trim off the excess wallpaper at the edges with the knife, and ensure that you wipe up any excess glue.

If required, waterproof the paper to protect it from the normal wear and tear of a kitchen backsplash

Kitchen Backsplash Designs