Inside: A fast and affordable DIY kitchen update; how to install a bead board back splash in just one afternoon and for less than $60.
Is it an overstatement to say that finally completing our kitchen makeover = Immensely Satisfying? I’m pretty proud of what we achieved. While we’ve already gone over the gist of it, we’ve had a few questions and interest in how we installed our bead board back splash, so I thought it was worth it to talk about how and why we went with bead board!
If you’re just landing here, you might want to have a look at our latest update in the kitchen which was installing peel and stick Smart Tile back splash mosaic tiles. We’ve also go a great project with a DIY pull-out pantry and a space saving cabinet hack with a DIY floating cabinet credenza.
Supplies for a Bead Board Back Splash
*affiliate links used
- Two sheets Bead board paneling (We were doing 18 linear feet)
- Circular Saw
- Jig saw or Dremel
- Brad Nailer
- Silicone Sealant
- Quarter-round trim
While there’s a lot to be said for a nice subway tile, there’s also a lot to be said for not-spending-money-when-you-don’t-have-it-to-spend!
How to Install Bead board as a Back Splash
Enter bead board. Or to be more accurate, beaded paneling.
Outlets were really the only obstacle, but again, the panelling was easy to cut. I used a Dremel for the small cuts.
No grout, no tiles, no mess… the sheets were simply affixed with finishing nails to the wall!
Once it was up, we cleaned up the finishing with trim, and applied clear silicone to seal the gaps between the trim and counter.
A couple coats of our white cabinet paint followed, for protection and continuity.
The final effect, is subtle, but adds a nice bit of character. All told, I think we spent $60 for the back splash, including the paneling and trim. Not bad!
I think eventually the paneling will come down, and we’ll put in some nice tile, but for now, this works for the kitchen, and it works for us. You might even say that for under$65, this paneling is UNBEADABLE. Amiright?! (womp womp. sad trombone.)
Let me know what you think!
Here are other projects using Bead Board
- Marty’s Musings installs beadboard on the wall in a small bathroom (which is how it was originally intended, I guess!)
- The Kim Six Fix uses bead board on a ceiling!
- Creekline House updates a small bookshelf with bead board paneling
- Pretty Handy Girl uses bead board to add interest to plain interior doors
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