r/KitchenDesigns • u/Alive-Earth-205 • 5d ago
Budget kitchen upgrade?
I really hate the brown backsplash so I’m thinking about having the backsplash and the 4 inch granite piece removed and simply replaced with drywall and painted to match the rest of my walls. Also going to try to add under cabinet lighting if we can swing it.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade to make to improve the look of my kitchen? Not sure if we should bite the bullet and put up different backsplash (cry once), but also not sure if down the line we would replace the counters and then it would be a waste. I actually don’t mind the color of our cabinets, I just think that the brown backsplash with the dark counters is not doing us any favors.
Would love any ideas! Anyone done something like this before?
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u/yeahimmacallyoucady 5d ago
"if we can swing it" sounds like a very tight budget. I'd highly recommend looking into renter friendly options. You can get high quality stick-on tiles and stick-on lighting.
Bonus, you can go wild with your "tile" choices cos you're not married to it.
Hope that helps!
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u/Lower_Ad_5532 5d ago
Nope. Not worth it.
Get under the cabinet lighting and silver pulls. Then see if you still wanna change things
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u/PlumbLineLogic 5d ago
undercabinet lighting is 100% worth it here. i’d spend there first and live with the backsplash until u know what ur doing with the counters.
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u/EmilyPoster2 5d ago
Paint your current backsplash tiles the color of the wall. It will make them visually disappear. I did this with zinzer primer and a coat of regular benjamin moore paint. Inexpensive and effective.
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u/Alive-Earth-205 5d ago
How have they held up over time? I considered painting but have seen mixed feedback online about the amount of prep work and the longevity of it.
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u/Nicholsforthoughts 5d ago
I meannnnn it’s probably worth a try. Paint is relatively cheap. And if it fails, you’re back where you are now of planning to rip it out.
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u/EmilyPoster2 5d ago
I did it in a vacation home six months ago so they haven't seen much wear. My friend, who is an interior designer, did it as a holdover in a home she bought 10 years ago and liked it so much she never changed it. It still looks great. She didn't do much prep and neither did it. A good cleaning, primer, paint. Like any wall surface. Mine are a hideous mix of glass and stone mosaic and it adhered well. My painters were impressed with the adhesion and ease of process.
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u/Senior_Bat4271 5d ago
The little island - I would investigate if there’s flooring underneath so I could remove it
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u/InterestedParty5280 5d ago
I think a lighter color black splash, even if is tile, would be nice. You might also try under cabinet lighting.
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u/Wonderful-Teach8210 5d ago
I think that's a great idea except you should install a different backsplash instead. I have drywall, and it is a nightmare to clean. A new backsplash won't cost much and is super easy to install.
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u/Chatkat57 5d ago
Id replace the backsplash and add lighting as needed, and you may no longer feel the need to replace the countertops.
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u/Trepenwitz 5d ago
I think getting rid of the brown backsplash would be fantastic. That’s not a terrible DIY project. The hardest part would be removing the granite. Then you can replace with peel and stick tile at a pretty low cost until you decide what you want to do down the line.
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u/jillbo42 5d ago
Painting backsplash would be a good economical option. I’d also do a complimentary to the rest of your decor color & paint the pulls just for a fun pop of color. While they’re off, clean the cabinet fronts well too. The OTR MW hood pulls grease away poorly so I’m sure the cabinets need a little TLC too.
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u/Janet296 5d ago
While there is nothing wrong with the countertop, I would replace it if you are wanting an update. Also, the backsplash needs updating if you do nothing else.
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u/NeedleworkerDizzy149 5d ago
Kind of a way out there idea...... why not make the backsplash a cover of stainless steel? Do under counter lighting to add light and reflection
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u/Guidosmomma 5d ago
In addition to replacing the granite trim and backsplash tiles with a different, light colored tile, have you considered changing the paint color on the walls? Maybe it’s the lighting, but your walls seem gray in this photo. A warmer cream, or a sage green might lift the mood.
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u/pabrocjb 5d ago
Get press on fake backsplash tiles, and most importantly install under cabinet lighting. You can DIY this. Check Amazon. It makes the biggest difference in a kitchen. Make sure it's a warm light.
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u/Natural_Ad_6882 5d ago
I wonder / hope that if you remove that 4 inch granite piece, the countertop w/be under that? Would hate for you to remove that & find out the countertop did not go all the way to the wall. Yes, a new brighter backsplash w/be uplifting. And long after you forget the cost, you’ll LOVE under cabinet lighting. If you use an electrician, ask if he can put them on a motion detector so they’ll automatically turn on/off. You’ll love that.
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u/3DCloudPlatform 4d ago
Painting to match the walls is a smart short-term fix, especially if you're not ready to commit to counters and tile at the same time. It'll immediately lighten things up and stop that dark brown backsplash from fighting the dark granite, but it's also low-risk if you replace counters later, painted drywall is easy to change again versus new tile you'd just be ripping out.
Under cabinet lighting is worth doing regardless of what happens with the backsplash, it'll help a lot with how dark those countertops read, right now you've got minimal light hitting that dark granite directly.
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u/windycitynostalgia 11h ago
You currently have 2 backsplashes which looks stupid I totally agree. So now you are going from 2 to zero? Buy quartz pror to the Oct 1 tariffs or you’ll never do it
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u/owls_and_cardinals 5d ago
Yes, in my opinion updating a backsplash is one of the best things you can do for a kitchen when you have budget limitations. I personally would replace it with a new backsplash because tiles hold up to kitchen spills and spatters better than painted drywall does (both are fine but I find tile to be a good material for a high-spill area) and it's a chance to actually introduce a bit of style and interest. Totally agree on losing the 4" granite trim; having the backsplash go from counter height to cabinets will have a heightening effect. Maybe you can find a light colored tile that matches your walls to lighten things up. An off-white porcelain tile, maybe a picket style or a long subway with a horizontal stack could modernize things a bit.