It's no secret that we love renter-friendly projects on Apartment Therapy. And I think Jessica from Four Generations One Roof just came up with an ingenious renter's solution that can take those tired and dated rental kitchens from eyesore to eye candy!
Kitchens and bathrooms are usually the spaces that could use the most help when renting. And while changing out the faucet, light fixtures and hardware is the usual quick fix most renters attempt, imagine what would happen if you could add a tiled backsplash with just a few screw holes!
Well, now you can do just that with Jessica's creative solution for a removable backsplash. Using Hardie Backer Board in sections screwed to the wall, she essentially fitted the backsplash area with panels that she could then tile over. A simple piece of decorative molding hides the tile cuts and screws, and the 3′ sections of board make it easy to remove the backsplash when you're ready, even allowing you to take the tile with you when you move!
This project might be for the more ambitious DIY'er, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't attempt it. Jessica, too, was a newbie to tiling before beginning this project, so it doesn't mean it isn't doable.
For step-by-step instructions and more photos, check out her post on her blog, Four Generations One Roof.
(Images: Four Generations One Roof)
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That's just GREAT. I was in a rental that could have used a backsplash (especially behind the stove and sink) but didn't want to spend the money and then leave it, or have the landlord unhappy with it.
I am curious how this affects the outlets. In the "after" picture, the outlets seem to be missing...
How would you take the backsplash off? I read the post at Four Generations and I see how the Hardie Board was screwed on but aren't the screws covered with tile?
Good point, @diedre.ribbens. This looks like a fantastic upgrade, but a kitchen without outlets isn't doing anyone with a coffee maker much good. Still, I love the ingenuity of this!
You can always cut out the hardiebacker for outlets. This really isn't much different than permanently installing floor tiles or in a bathroom.
It looks like the outlets are still there, just hiding behind strategically placed items on the counter (like the small canisters). On the original post, she goes into details about painstakingly cutting around the outlets, so they're still there. As to taking it off, the screws are still accessible to remove the hardie backer--she described covering them with a small piece of trim for easy access in the post on her blog.
I live in an apartment that had an existing ceramic tile back splash. It had random fruits and vegetables on each of the tiles! Horrid. I couldn't pull the tiles down, so I got pre-cut vinyl squares from a local sign shop. They are super thin (and look like stickers, in theory), and they attached right to the tiles.
They pull off without any damage, and they come in all sorts of fun colors! They are even able to be washed/wiped off if food splashes happen.
I keep seeing a funny face in that breadbox with the jars on top. Is that just me? :)
Warning - glass tile is delicate, removing these panels - and any bending of the backer during - could crack the tile. And I was curious about the outlets, also.
Our weekend kitchen back splash renovation: http://twitpic.com/brufgz/full
We are renters and put this up with little chrome brads so there would only be the tiniest holes in the walls. The whole thing is completely removable and runs about four squares long behind our counter top, under the cabinets. We cut around the outlets (three of them) by measuring in from the edges of the squares of tiling and cutting the size of the outlet. We then bought matching chrome outlet covers. We used these http://www.menards.com/main/kitchen/backsplash-panels/acp-miniquattro-backsplash-panel/p-1722974-c-8163.htm and I would recommend looking at all the different options. The whole process was done in about 2 hours, and aside from having to go back to the store for a proper knife to cut through the tiling, it was a pretty easy process.
Interesting. Don't quite understand why they didn't use those peel and stick glass
backsplash tiles though.
i did this in my kitchen a coiuple of years ago. to get it off, just pop off the tiles over the screws with a screwdriver or something and unscrew it from the wall. the few screw holes you do have can be spackled and sanded and painted over in a couple of hours.. hardiebacker is much lighter weight than cement board so it's not that hard to handle.
Hey guys! Thanks so much for featuring our kitchen and tutorial on our removable backsplash :) I appreciate it!
I'd love to see a pic of the decorative molding under the cabinets!
What do you do if you're renting and don't have the space (or the money) for a wet saw or table saw?
Saws can be rented. Could you borrow a friend's garage or workspace?
:) I noticed it too.
I had a powder room (no shower/bath) where I used foam core board (from the craft store) to do a similar project. I left a 1/4" edge around the tiles area so that I could squeeze it into the back of a open cabinet on the wall.It looked like I had tiled the inside back of the cabinets (no nails or screws needed, I considered tape or 3M strips to hold them up but I didn't need to!).
Since I didn't have to worry about steam or water coming into contact with the boards, I used WHITE GLUE to hold 1" square glass tiles onto the foam core boards (they were small areas, about 20" square). This way I can soak them in water to pop off the tiles for another project. They've been up for months with no problems yet!