(Photography: Alan Jensen | styling: Kate Walsh | Project: Tiff Bancroft)
Our DIY editor Tiff Bancroft decided it was time to renovate her kitchen, wanting to give it a fresh, open and modern aesthetic while adding a pop of colour. Armed with a tight budget and endless creativity, she stumbled across a genius way to completely transform the look of her kitchen without breaking the bank. Introducing paintable wallpaper – the secret sauce that added dimension and texture to her kitchen in a flash.
Paintable wallpaper is a pressed-tin dupe without the hefty price tag, and can be used on almost anything! To keep the flow of her home, Tiff used paintable wallpaper as the splashback in her kitchen and to decorate the backing of a cabinet.
Similar to traditional wallpaper, paintable wallpaper is easy to work with and is available in various designs. It’s an excellent choice for a plain surface that needs a little something extra, or to add a splash of colour with little effort. Add a painted gloss finish to seal the deal and make the pattern pop!
In Tiff’s kitchen makeover, she chose a white gloss splashback paired with white budget basic cabinets from kaboodle kitchen and a stunning, rich timber benchtop to create a fresh, upbeat feel. For a pop of colour, she painted the walls and rangehood with warm pinks and coral tones.
But using paint in a kitchen can be risky – what if it gets splattered while cooking? Well, Tiff thought of that. She chose epoxy paint because it’s wipeable and resistant to both heat and moisture, so all she needs to do is wipe away splashes straight after cooking to keep her textured splashback at its shiny best.
If you intend to give this genius wallpaper idea a try, she’s shared the easy step-by-step process, plus how to build your own kitchen shelf for added storage and aesthetic.
How to create a wallpaper splashback in your space
Cover up rough and uneven walls with an on-trend tile alternative that won’t bust a modest reno budget.
Materials
- 2700 x 1200 x 16mm fireboard sheet
- 600 x 1800 x 12mm MDF
- Construction adhesive
- Anaglypta ‘Cottage Garden’ vinyl wallpaper
- Wallpaper paste
- Primer
- Dulux Metalshield gloss epoxy paint
- Tape measure, ruler, pencil
- Circular saw, jigsaw
- Wallpaper scissors
- Pasting brush
- Level
- Drill, 3mm and 5mm drill bits
- Bowl
- Stirrer, pasting brush, cloth
- Filler
- Nap roller
- 50mm countersink screws
- Painter’s tape
- Silicone sealant
When operating power tools, wear safety glasses, a mask and earmuffs, and tie your hair back. When appropriate, wear gloves and protective clothing.
Safety notes:
Step 1
For the splashback, measure the length of your benchtop. On the fireboard sheet, mark a cut line 350mm in from the edge (to your required length) using a tape measure, ruler and pencil. For the panel behind the cooktop, measure the width and up to the bottom of the rangehood. Mark required area on fireboard sheet. For the shelf, on the MDF panel, mark a cut line 120mm in from edge (to required length). Cut pieces with a circular saw.
Step 2
Use a paint tin to trace a curve on the ‘open’ ends of the shelves. Cut curves with jigsaw and sand rough edges with 180-grit sandpaper. With a nap roller, paint all fireboard and MDF surfaces with primer.
Step 3
On fireboard wall panel, measure and mark hole for power point in exact position. Drill a 5mm hole through the marked rectangle, then use a jigsaw to cut out the shape. Check the panel is flush to the wall and is plumb and level, then apply construction adhesive to the panel’s back and press firmly to the wall. Allow to set.
Step 4
Measure and mark wallpaper to required length, using pencil and ruler. Follow the wallpaper’s pattern to keep your cut lines straight and parallel, then carefully cut with wallpaper scissors.
Step 5
Draw a rectangle on the back of the wallpaper to show the power point position. Make diagonal cut lines from corner to corner within the rectangle.
Step 6
Lay a plastic sheet on the workbench and mix wallpaper adhesive in a bowl according to instructions. Switch off the power at the mains, then use a screwdriver to loosen the front of the power point. Dry fit the wallpaper around the socket, then trim paper so it tucks in behind the socket.
Step 7
With a wallpaper brush or soft paintbrush, apply an even layer of paste to the wallpaper’s back, covering the entire surface. Wait for 5 minutes, then attach wallpaper to the wall panel so the pattern is straight and square. Smooth out wallpaper with tool to remove any bubbles. With a damp cloth, wipe edges to clean up any paste.
Step 8
Trim excess wallpaper to fit into corner. Patch any gaps, then use a nap roller to apply three coats of epoxy gloss paint. Allow to dry after each coat.
Step 9
To attach shelf, predrill countersink holes with 3mm bit, 200mm apart and 9mm from back edge of shelf. Use a combination square to keep shelf square DIY to MDF panel, then using a 3mm drill bit, predrill through holes and into top of MDF board. Apply a bead of adhesive along the top edge of the panel, then attach shelf, insert and tighten screws.
Step 10
Use painter’s tape to mask edges of benchtop, then apply and smooth silicone sealant to seal between the wallpaper and benchtop. Remove tape immediately.
