Easy DIY Backsplash Makeover — danielle deshai.

I liked the tile in our kitchen when we first moved in but it just felt a little blah. It was modern and updated but with the white kitchen cabinets and walls, the tile got lost. I wasn’t going to put in a whole new backsplash or paint any cabinets.

I needed a solution that was quickish, easy enough to do myself and would add some much needed contrast. Here is how the tile started out…

After doing a little research, I found a great solution in just staining the grout.

It checks all the boxes:

*easy diy

*quickish

*affordable

This is such a great solution for updating and changing the look of your space without doing any tile removal or mixing grout. Sign me up.

Here’s what you will need:

*a screwdriver to remove outlet covers

*an old toothbrush or small paintbrush for application (I used both off and on.)

*box cutter to scrape off any extra stain off of tile (more on this soon)

Find these online:

Grout Makeover Supplies Gallery

Step by Step:

Start by cleaning your tile and grout really well with the Krud Kutter. This will remove any grease and grime to give you a nice clean starting point.

2. Once your surface is clean and dry, tape off any areas that you want to keep clean. Walls, cabinets, etc.

3. Shake up your grout stain really well. Pour a bit of the stain out on a paper plate, lightly coat your bristles in the stain and start applying directly into the grout.

4. Paint the stain into the grout, going back and forth in both directions. Saturate the grout well and scrub it into the grout a little for optimal coverage.

5. Work in small areas. The stain dries completely in about 30-60 minutes so you want to remove any stain off of your tile as quick as you can, without wiping it off the grout. I used a wet microfiber towel to wipe down my tiles as I went. Make sure to get them completely clean, leaving no residue. I found that working in small sections allowed me enough time to clean up the tile before it dried.

Tips:

*I used the box cutter blade to to scrape any grout stain that I couldn’t off the tile in the end.

*I avoided the very bottom grout line where the grout meets the countertop. I still need to go back and run some fresh caulking there to clean things up a bit.

This project didn’t take me that long. The hardest part is wiping the tiles down and making sure they’re clean. If you take the time to be more precise in your grout painting, it will save you cleaning time in the end. I just can’t get over what an easy and cheap update this is. It has made a huge difference in this space and kept me from wanting to change our backsplash. For now. :)

Best,