This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
When looking for ideas on how to transform my small laundry room, I couldn’t help but be amused by the range of sizes that can be perceived as “small”. In comparison we’ll call my laundry room “mini”. It’s just wide enough to fit the washer and dryer.
So yeah, it’s a mini.
Minis are cute when they’re trinkets or books or babies but not so cute when it’s a laundry room. Because I just looked at my laundry room as strictly a utilitarian space, it’s one of the only rooms in the house that has gotten absolutely zero love (as demonstrated in exhibit 1 below).
I wanted to update my mini space to make it modern with some trend elements and to feel like I’m getting a welcome home hug when I walk in the door. I’m pretty amazed how easy it was to create such a dramatic transformation in my laundry room by adding a peel and stick tile backsplash using Smart Tiles.
Yep, you heard (read) me right. This is peel and stick tile.
I was equally amazed by how easy it was to install. I never would have thought of an entire wall backsplash being a project I could knock out in a couple of hours but that’s what it took.
I chose the Smart Tiles in Metro Grigio because hi, have we ever met? I’m all things grey obsessed if you didn’t already know. The peel and stick tile looks like grey subway tile with a light grey grout.
Smart Tiles have all of the dimension, reflection and gloss of real glass tiles. Everyone who I have shown the laundry room to has been incredulous that the backsplash is peel and stick tile. And that’s been a lot of people. Possibly to the point of obnoxious but hey, I never thought I would be excited to show off my laundry room so there’s no shame.
Do you have an area that you would like to add a backsplash? Because Smart Tiles are resistant to heat and humidity, they would be perfect for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes too. Seriously, don’t be scared. I’ve never attempted anything like this before and it couldn’t have been easier. Here’s how to do it.
How to Install Peel & Stick Backsplash
Before you begin, ensure that the area that you will be tiling is completely smooth and free of dust and dirt. Wipe down the wall with TSP or similar to ensure it is free of any grease, food, etc. Allow to dry.
Step 1:
Using a cutting mat and a metal ruler (preferably that has grip on the back), remove the protruding tiles on the left with a utility knife to make a create a straight edge on the tile. Use a cutting mat with measurements to ensure that your cuts are all 90º.
Step 2:
Start in a left corner. Line the tile up to the corner where you will begin to get the best measurement. Draw a line with a pencil along the top of the tile, continuing to move the tile along the entire wall/surface and marking as you go. Use a level to make sure markings are level all the way across.
Step 3:
Peel the lining of the tile back about an inch on the straight edge side and stick it on to the wall at the corner. Peel the remaining lining back with one hand and smooth it on to the wall with the other hand.
Step 4:
You can see on the right side of the tile where to overlap the next one. Peel back the lining and repeat step 3. Use your finger to press and seal the overlapping seams. Repeat this process along the entire wall and start again with step 1 for each remaining row of tile.
When you need to tile around something like a power outlet or switch, hold the tile over the area you need to cut around, mark it and cut with a utility knife.
And that’s a wrap. So easy, right?!
Not only is my mini laundry room beautiful now, it is highly functional and has cleared up some space in the laundry room closet which had eventually become the “junk closet” (the junk drawer got promoted).
I’d love for you to hit up The Home Depot Blog for more details.
Sources (all from The Home Depot):
Smart Tiles • Cabinets • Square cabinet pulls
I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Smart Tiles Program (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
SaveSave
Julia says
I’m curious to know how many packs you had to use since it only has 4 sleeves per pack. My space is about the same size as yours in the photo. Wondering how much it would cost me to fill up a wall that size?
Lydia says
Hi Julia, when I got them they were sold in boxes with I think about 15ish in a box if I recall.
Hayli says
How did you hang the shelf since it is just a piece of pine you cut to size?
Lydia says
Hi Hayli! I used metal L-shaped brackets and painted them the color of the backsplash.
Renee says
Hi,
I’m curious how the peel n stick tile has held up in terms of sticking to the wall or peeling and curling. Seems lots of reviewers love it at first , but after a few months it lifts off. Also, did you use any extra adhesive to prevent this?
Thanks! It looks great and I’d like to add it to my laundry room also!
Lydia says
Hi Renee! It has held up amazingly (without any additional adhesive). I even had a water leak behind my washer and it didn’t bother it.
Kim says
HI there- where did you get the cabinets from? Did you make the hanging station as well? Love this look!
Lydia says
Hi Kim! Thanks so much! They’re from Home Depot (the link is in the post if you want to check them out). Yes I did! 🙂
Emily says
What color did u paint the box frame surrounding the hookups? It matches the titles exactly
Lydia says
Hi Emily, I had to do a little mixing to get the color exact. 90% of it is DecoArt Americana Multi-Surface Paint in Dolphin and I added a few drops of their High Gloss Glaze to get the shine of the tile.
alex says
Did you have to smooth down the wall with sandpaper?
Lydia says
Hi Alex! I didn’t sand, I just used some TSP in a few spots. You can see the whole process here: https://blog.homedepot.com/peel-stick-backsplash-wall-tile/
Amanda Berrios says
Hi Lydia, I’m obsessed with this project and am convincing my husband to start on this asap. I dread laundry and this would 100% help. Curious though, I thought our room as about the same size, ours estimated to be about 49 sqft so would need 22 packs. Did I estimate that right? Wondering how you only needed 2. Thanks for sharing and for your help!
Lydia says
Hi Amanda! Sorry for the delay, I’ve been fighting COVID! It really will help, I promise! To be honest I don’t remember how many boxes I used, I don’t think I mentioned in the post but it’s been a few years and I can’t remember. 🙁 Sorry!
Jessica says
I am planning on recreating this for my laundry room. I had a few questions. Did you tile the entire wall and then install the cabinets over the tile? If you did that, were you still able to use a stud finder over the tile or did you locate the studs first?
Do you have to wait for an extended period of time to install cabinets after the tile or could you do this project all in one day?
Lydia says
Hi Jessica! I did do the entire wall and then installed the cabinets over the tile. Since I wasn’t sure how the tile would effect the stud finder, I marked the studs before tiling with a piece of painters tape on the ceiling above where the studs were. We installed the cabinets the same day… whole project done in 1 day! Can’t beat that. 🙂 I’d love to see it when you’re done!
Kristina says
Hi lydi! Thanks so much for this article. My fiancé and I completed this project this weekend and it looks beautiful :). Wish I could post a picture!
Lydia says
Kristina! You totally made my day! I’m so glad that you’re loving it, I would LOVE to see it! Feel free to email me a pic or tag me on social media (@lydioutloud). Thanks so much for letting me know! 🙂
Chris says
This looks amazing! What are the size of the cabinets and how tall are your walls? Our are 10ft so I’m try6to figure out how long we need ours and how far up they should be above the washer and dryer.
Lydia says
Thanks much Chris! The cabinets are 36″ (I used these ones: https://rstyle.me/+-UnAzmY13QD1mocPz4onFQ) and my ceilings are 9′.
Clever Mosaics says
peel and stick tile backsplash is really a good home update production and you made a good project.
Lydia says
Thanks so much!
Yvonne says
Hi, I’m new to this,. Did you buy shelf or make it?
Lydia says
Hi Yvonne! I made it out of a 2″ x 8″ piece of pine and painted it white.
ashley Huber says
Did you install the cabinets and shelf before or after the title?
How difficult were the cabinets to install?
Lydia says
Hi Ashley! I did the tile first and then the cabinets and shelves. The cabinets aren’t difficult to install but it does take 2 people (one to hold them up while the other screws them into the wall). Hope that helps! 🙂
Steve says
What did you mount the cabinets to? Drywall or did you add support mounts between studs and cover will peel and stick tiles?
Lydia says
Hi Steve. I just mounted them to studs.
S.Lynn says
My laundry room is the before pic. I’ve wanted to do your after pic but dread moving the washer/dryer out. Such a tight fit. Some day….
Lydia says
I had the same dread but it was actually much easier than I anticipated! It’s a super achievable DIY project, I hope you’ll treat yourself to it! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi and Happy New Year to you!
Kelli Gresham says
That looks amazing! Our laundry room looks like the exact same layout/size as ours. How many boxes did it take you to tile the whole wall?
Lydia says
Thanks so much Kelli! I had 2 boxes and have about 5 leftover. I’m still so in love with it. My friend just did the same thing and it looks great too! Have a great weekend and thanks for saying hi!
Lori says
Looks amazing! I really like the wall paint color. Can you share the brand and name (even though it wasnt updated it in this project)?
Lydia says
Thank you so much Lori! The color is called Granite Grey from Glidden. I got it at Home Depot and LOVE it! We have it in our whole house except for our bed and bath and a couple of accent walls. Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season!
Jamie says
This would make laundry inviting to me. Also it would motivate me to keep it neat. Lovely space. Where did you get the accessories?
Lydia says
Thank you so much, Jamie! The accessories are a hodge podge that I’ve had around for awhile. 🙂
Angela says
LOVE it!!!
Lydia says
Thanks Angela! xo
Diane Nordhoff says
Quite the beautiful transformation. Love the tiles. Love the idea
that I could do it myself! Thanks Lydi!
Lydia says
Thanks so much Diane! xo
Maria says
Amazing before and after! I can’t wait to check these out at Home Depot!
Lydia says
Thanks Maria! There are a bunch of different styles and they are all beautiful.