My friend had a new kitchen recently installed and didn’t want the usually tiled kitchen backsplash (splashback) for her cooker. She wanted something that was going to be a bit of a statement piece. That’s when we came up with the idea for a DIY kitchen wallpaper backsplash.

In the UK my friends say the word backsplash the other way around, as splashback. Having been bought up in 2 cultures, I’m happy using the word either way around.

I know you can get washable vinyl wallpaper, which is sometimes used as a kitchen backsplash, but they are limited in designs. With this method, we use for making a wallpaper kitchen backsplash you can use any wallpaper. It doesn’t have to be waterproof either.

My friend had spotted some gorgeous Dragonfly wallpaper by Harlequin. Even though it wasn’t a wallpaper specially designed for kitchens, she was determined to have it. That’s when we worked out the best way to make a kitchen wallpaper splashback (backsplash).

DIY Kitchen Wallpaper Backsplash (splashback) with wallpaper

The wallpaper is protected by a piece of glass and is screwed to the wall. The really awesome thing about this DIY splashback is that it’s really easy to unscrew the glass and change the wallpaper when you feel like something different.

You could even put something other than wallpaper behind the glass, such as a photo collage, or other images printed on paper. I’m a huge fan of decorating and crafting with old maps, so I would be tempted to use an old map for my kitchen backsplash. However, I can see myself getting distracted by the map, instead of concentrating on my cooking.

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What you need

• Wallpaper – Depending on the size of your kitchen splashback (backsplash) and how your wallpaper pattern fits will determine how much wallpaper you use. Usually, you would need no more than a quarter roll. The wallpaper we used was a Harlequin Wallpaper, Palmetto Demoiselle, which comes in several different colorways, eBay is a great place to look for odd or even part rolls of wallpaper.
• Wallpaper paste/adhesive – I recommend using a wallpaper paste that has anti-fungal properties. You can buy an anti-fungal agent to add the adhesive. This will help stop the wallpaper from going moldy with any kitchen condensation.
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Plywood base – This will need to be the size of your DIY splashback. We used a 5.5mm hardwood ply.
• Glass – This again will be the size of your kitchen backsplash. We used a 4mm toughened low iron glass which we got cut to size at the store. We also had 4 screw holes drilled into each corner of the glass at the store.
• Domed mirror screws – 4, one for each corner.
• Tile trim – The size of the trim depends on the thickness of the backsplash. We used a 12mm wrap round trim in chrome. You don’t have to have a trim, it’s mainly about aesthetics. This can be purchased from your local tiling store.

How to make your DIY Splashback

1.. First, carefully measure the exact area of where you would like the kitchen backsplash to be. Ours was a square just above the cooker hob.

We were installing the wallpapered backsplash on a newly fitted kitchen with a freshly plastered and painted blank wall.

2. Take these measurements to your local DIY/Home store and get the plywood and glass cut to the size. At the same time get them to drill the screw holes into the corner of the glass.

3. Next, carefully think about how your wallpaper pattern design will fit on the backsplash before cutting it to the measurements. With the dragonfly wallpaper design, we wanted whole dragonflies in the middle of the backsplash. Therefore, we ended up with one wallpaper roll width in the middle and two-part widths on either side.

3. Next, to make sure that the wallpaper will stick firmly, key your plywood. Do this by coating the cut plywood with a layer of wallpaper paste and leaving it to dry.

4. Once the key has dried, paste the board again with wallpaper paste. Then stick the wallpaper sheets down one at a time. Make sure the pattern lines up properly. Use a wallpaper roller to squeeze out any air bubbles. Leave the wallpaper to dry thoroughly.

Attaching the backsplash to the wall

5. Next, comes the tricky bit attaching the plywood and glass to the wall. You will probably need more than one pair of hands for this stage. Attach the plywood and glass to the wall at the same time using the same mirror screws. Measure where the screw holes will need to be in the wall and then drill the holes and add the appropriate wall plug. Do the same with the wallpapered plywood.

The mirror screws go through the glass and wallpapered plywood and then into the wall at the back. Use a chrom dome cap to finish off the screws.

We used a low iron toughened glass for this splashback, because if it’s not low iron the glass can have a green hue to it.

6. Finally, the wallpapered kitchen backsplash has a raw edge, to neaten this up we fitted a chrome tile trim.

FAQs About This DIY and Kitchen

Why glass instead of plexiglass (plastic)?

Plexiglass scratches very easily and is much more difficult to clean well. It also crazes. Plexiglass will melt with the heat and collect grease. Glass is more heat-resistant and is easy enough to clean. The cost is about on par with the plexiglass.

Do you have to have special heat resistant glass?

It was safety glass and a low iron glass to avoid a green tint.

Where did you get the glass and how much did it cost for a piece that large?

It was from a local builders merchant in the UK and cost about £100 ($140), that included the pre-drilled holes.

How has it held up to the heat from the stove?

The wallpaper has been up for almost five years now and it still looks as good as the day it was installed. The stove has seen a lot of heavy cooking in that time. The glass is actually very easy to keep clean and has protected the wallpaper well.

 What do you have on the counter tops? 

They are oiled beach wood countertops.

Is that a TV/ Mirror above the cooker?

No, it is actually the cooker hood and extractor fan.

Where is your refrigerator?

The fridge is integrated into the design of the kitchen. It is behind one of the cupboard doors, at the back of the kitchen.

Where’s the apartment? Looks like a studio?

It’s actually a Victorian terrace house and the view is looking in from the back yard.

I love the gas cook top what is the brand?

It’s a Smeg cooker hob I got it in the UK.

Would you tell us what your flooring is? Love the colour and the herringbone pattern?

It’s a vinyl plank flooring from a company called Project Floors in the UK. The vinyl looks like wood, but it is more water and temperature-resistant. Which makes it better suited for kitchens and bathrooms than real wood.

Other Options

I think the wallpaper kitchen backsplash looks awesome in Wendy’s kitchen. With so many fantastic wallpaper designs available, you will easily find something that would look amazing in your kitchen. I know that when I eventually get a new kitchen, I will have a DIY wallpaper splashback. I also love the fact that it’s easy to change when you fancy something different.

After the success of this DIY wallpaper splashback, we decided to add one to the bathroom. This one was above the bathroom sink. The wallpaper chosen for this design was a Mid-century modern design by Orla Kiely.

The kitchen bin in the picture above was upcycled with an Orla Kiely wallpaper. The tutorial for that bin upcycle and more brilliant wallpaper upcycles are here. There is a tutorial for the table decoupaged with wallpaper here.

 
I have used wallpaper in many more places around the home as well as the kitchen. I’ve even wallpapered my stairs with another Mid-Century modern design, this one by Marimekko. I’ve made many wallpapered lampshades to match my decor in my home and I have also updated mirrors with wallpaper. 

Keep any wallpaper scraps leftover from this DIY, there are many things you can craft with them including making pretty paper vases.

For other practical kitchen DIYs check out my post on how to paint kitchen wooden countertops. Also, I how to make storage for the kitchen from a chair back and how to make a hanging indoor kitchen herb garden.

Finally, if you just got attracted to this DIY because of the dragonfly designs, then you might want to check out this free collection of vintage dragon drawings.