Peel-n-Stick Tile Review
One of the worst features of our 1960s kitchen was that, at some point, someone decided to make a backsplash out of white sheet laminate. If you've read any other posts about things we've done to this house, you'll know that this was was mistreated and has been a nightmare to reset. Including this backsplash.
Since we have had no budget for working on the kitchen, we've been slowly doing what we can to make it look better. A while back, I ordered peel-n-stick tile from Amazon and gave it a shot. Almost a year later, it was 100% one of these decisions we could have made for this space!
The tile I'm using is covering a very smooth and flat surface, so I got very lucky to not have to worry about indentations or anything coming through. Unfortunately, this means that I can't speak to how it would look covering existing tile or textured walls.
I chose white because we we're still settling in this house when we decided to try this and didn't exactly know the design direction we wanted to go in, other than painting the top cabinets white and the lower cabinets pale gray. Peel-n-stick tile is also very obviously fake in almost all cases that I've found, but white seemed to be the least obvious of the options. If you're looking into something a little more high-end and you're willing to pay the price, there are glass subway tile options and high-end peel-n-stick tile that can be purchased from designer companies. They're out there if you do a good search online for them. I've seen a few really cute colored options in various YouTube videos, too.
The tile is fairly easily cut with a strong enough craft knife. I don't recommend using scissors or a tiny craft knife, but I also don't know if I would recommend a box cutter.
The only thing that I wish I could find was an edger. I have one section next to the microwave that I couldn't make line up with the rest of the tile because of the previously lined laminate. The thickness would have made a significant dent in the design and I wasn't willing to take the risk. Having some kind of peel-n-stick trim along there and the very base of the tile would be fantastic. Perhaps one day I'll find a trim and update this post!
A year later and I can confidently say that I would 100% recommend this for anyone in a rental home, or for anyone who can't update a home they're in just yet and absolutely can't continue living with the backsplash they currently have. I spent $80 in total for 2 packs, and an additional $7 for the craft knife at my local craft store. I haven't had any issues with staining or difficulties cleaning, nor have I had any issues with peeling or discoloring (that I've noticed).
Would you ever use a peel-n-stick tile in your home? What color or tile style would you choose? Let me know in the comments below! I really want to find a stylized tile for my office bathroom, which has no backsplash currently behind the sink.
