Honestly, it's a lot easier to pick a different paint color than it is to paint tile. I think you should consider repainting and this time pick a blue with a bronzy undertone. Light Blue from Farrow and Ball for example.

I think the brown and blue look OK together. Get some light blue accessories for your counter area to tie the walls in and you will be fine. This will look much nicer than any painting of the tile will look, and you can save your money and energy for regrouping & saving to get a tile you like better in the future.

AT just did a feature on this stuff:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/upgrade-your-backsplash-in-a-flash-with-diy-kits-from-1005-design-1005-design-183858

You can put it over your existing backsplash and it's removable for when you're ready to completely re-do.

Hmm, that's a lot of tile. If a tile paint job goes badly, you might really hate it. If it were me, I'd save up for new tile.

That said, it IS possible to paint on tile. Go to a paint place with knowledgable employees and get the correct primer and paint for your tile. I'm going to be painting a few tiles on my backsplash this spring, but they're only the diamond-shaped accent tiles that the previous owner decided should be MAUVE. I could never choose a paint color based on the backsplash colors I have, so I feel your pain. Good luck!

I'd agree with altering the paint rather than the tile. The blue you've got doesn't NOT go with the tile, pale blue and brown being a very trendy color combo these days, but you might find a blue you liked with it even better. It's a cheaper, easier change, and one you can be more certain will go well.

I'm sorry, @Parnassus, but it's actually REALLY easy to paint tile. I've done it in three different apartments in the kitchens, and it makes a world of difference! PS: Tip: try and use a neutral color that won't look strange if it covers both the grout and the tile, like white or grey.

Step One: Tape off the counter and any areas you don't want damaged.
Step Two: Sand the backsplash with an 80 or 90 grit paper to eliminate the sheen and make it easier for the paint to adhere. Use a detail sander or a belt sander rather than by hand if you can. Then wipe the backsplash clean.
Step Three (optional): use a BIN primer, or another highly adherent primer to prepthe surface. Use a very light coat, and yes, it will look atrocious, but you're not finished yet so don't worry. Let it dry
Step Four: Use a highly adhesive semi-gloss paint. High-gloss doesn't adhere as well, and eggshell/matte paints are not durable enough. The best results I've had were oil-based or alkyd, but they have high VOCs so they're not the best for the environment. Do several coats, and if possible, wait 24hrs before you use the sink or do anything with high-moisture/heat - in other words, order pizza and congratulate yourself on an awesome job and a great backsplash!!!

How do you paint tile without it looking very obvious that you painted tile? You've gotten all the grout lines. What about putting frosted glass over the tile so you dull the color a little and still get the pattern?

Do a local search for porcelain/ceramic refinishers. The can apply a colored glaze over your existing tile and give it a new look. They usually have stock colors and can do custom ones. The price per foot is typically cheaper than new tile and will last years!

I do not know what the companies are called in the area you live in but as reference the one here in MetroWest Boston is called Porcelain Patch and Glaze. I used to work for a contractor and it was amazing how quickly dated tile could transform without any demo work.

Bring the back-splash into your dinning area by painting a large canvas with the colors from the back-splash. This will balance the dark colors from the kitchen with the dinning area light blue. Best Wishes!

Personally, I would leave it the way it is until you decide to just redo the tile or backsplash with some other material. Once you have everything done, once everything is back in place and you're using the kitchen normally, it might not clash that badly.

Painting tile is a bad idea in that the long term wear is going to be really awful unless you hire some who really knows what they are doing.

Using regular paint, as suggested here in the comments, rather than marine paint or specially made tile paint will yield a really unstable result as soon as steam and water vapors from the kitchen appliances and sink get near the painted tile. You will end up with peeling, bubbling and cracking after even a few months and unless you do it all exactly right. Don't get me started on painting over the grout vs taping off every single tile!

Re-tiling is actually relatively easier, permanent and you can find some cheap, plain tiles out there that could end up costing something like $200 for the entire job. Marine or tile paint is going to run you about half that price, so you're almost there.

So yeah, I say wait til you're able to stomach doing it all over yourself rather than spend the time and effort for a result that might end up looking icky and irreversible after all the work you've put into it.

I would suggest back painted plexiglass, especially if its a semi-permanent solution. You could then Velcro it to the tile and remove it when you want to upgrade to higher-end material. I would suggest ordering the plexiglass in bulk from an art store like Blick or Utrecht.

I agree with kathlene - painting tile is a great idea. I've done it several times with wonderful success - and contrary to what other posters are saying - No... it does not look like 'painted' tile. Keep it neutral - keep it clean!

You will need a proper primer - they sell primer just for painting on tiles (at least in Montreal they do).

It is a fast job too - same as painting walls. My current main bathroom is floor to ceiling painted tiles and it looks wonderful. Don't be afraid - it is easy, inexpensive, and makes a world of difference. If you are unsure - paint just one tile in a area that is not visible (behind a stove or fridge if possible). Then you'll see...

It really is simple and the payback is wonderful!

Construction adhesive and stainless steel sheets cut to fit...

Home Depot usually sells fake tin tiles for relatively cheap. You could use those to cover the tile until you're ready to redo them. (I just looked and apparently they sell tin looking backsplash panels http://www.homedepot.ca/product/lotus-brushed-nickel-backsplash/920938).

They also seem to sell something they call a "smart tile" which is a self adhesive (removable) mosaic look a like tile product http://www.homedepot.ca/product/6-piece-985-inch-x-985-inch-peel-and-stick-maya-mosaik/807079

Ikea also sells backsplash panels that could be used temporarily.

The great thing about stainless steel is you can put it directly over your existing tiles without adding too much material thickness. This is good because you wont have to change the depth of your existing outlets and switches.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/closeup-stainle-33728

http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/install-stainless-backsplash-video/4850.html

glue bead board directly to it?

Magnetic marine plywood tiles! Www.moonishco.com

I painted my tile backsplash 8 years ago. I used KILZ primer and then the same paint I used on the walls. It had held up fine and blends into the background, which is what I think a backsplash should do.

I think Sammystyle had a great idea here -- and there's a coupon! The brushed copper might be fun with your brown tones.

Enter code: INSPIR4U to get $20 off when you purchase your backsplash kit on Amazon!

I think the tile is really pretty. I'd repaint

Actually, @surfjack, it isn't unstable if you prep the surface properly and use a high-adhesive semi-gloss, as I suggested in my comment. It isn't unstable and holds up just fine. In fact, in all three apartments that I used this method, there wasn't even one chip, scratch, or bubble to be seen in the years that I lived with the painted tile. Also, the paint color does need to be neutral if you are to paint, because you will paint over the grout. If you use a neutral color, the grout will not look strange.

@Kathlene - While I'm actually quite glad your tile painting project has worked well and held up, I'm afraid I still can't agree that this is a recommendable DIY project.

My husband is a contractor and we've had no less than 5 calls in the last six months for help fixing DIY tile paintings in kitchens (one was in the bathroom, so make that four kitchen tile issues) doing nearly the exact same prep work that you mentioned in your comment. That's just the last six months. As tile painting becomes more popular, I'm anticipating more "help, fix our mistake!" calls.

While the results might be on the longer-lasting and worthwhile side for a minority of people, our experience has been that it's not DIY project that often pays off unless it is 1) done to the letter of perfection and 2) is in a home where the ideal conditions exist for the project.

Myriad issues can crop up and if luck isn't on your side, I strongly feel that you can end up with a bad outcome which is irreversible (properly prepped tiles involve scuffing, so even if you can take every trace of paint off, you'll still have to repaint or retile.)

I would say, if you have a very small section of tile to paint over such as a few decorative tiles that you can paint over individually without worrying about grout, fair enough. But I'm sorry I can't recommend this as a DIY project. Based on my experience of people doing this type of project, it is rare that it works out well or cost-effective for most people.