DIY Whitewashed Faux Brick Backsplash
A quick and simple way to spruce up a dated kitchen with a whitewashed faux brick backsplash over existing tile for less than $75!
It’s not easy to find a beautiful solution for covering an existing backsplash without the need for demo, but I think we cracked the code!
I’ve always loved the look of a whitewashed brick backsplash, but the price and mess of a real one just wasn’t possible in our kitchen to have the real thing.
UPDATE: See our full kitchen makeover reveal here!
Where to Use Faux Brick Backsplash
This faux brick backsplash made with paneling would be perfect to use in a kitchen, basement bar, or coffee bar. It’s great for adding textural interest on an entire plain wall for a brick wall look on a low budget too.
Honest to goodness, I still can’t believe we pulled this one off because I had some doubts in the beginning.
Here is what our backsplash used to look like. Not awful, but it wasn’t my style.
Why a Faux Brick Backsplash is Perfect for Beginner DIYers
The best part was this faux brick backsplash didn’t require any heavy duty demolition or construction! If you can cut a straight line with jigsaw, you can handle this project.
We were able to knock out this entire project in an afternoon.
How to Install a Faux Whitewashed Brick Backsplash
Supplies:
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
- Degreaser (I used Krud Kutter) and clean dry rag
- 120 grit sandpaper
- Tack cloth
- Liquid Nails (We went through about 6 tubes of it.)
- 2 sheets of faux brick paneling
- Circular saw or table saw
- Jigsaw
- Chalk line
- Measuring tape and pencil
- 1 pint of white semigloss paint
- Small bucket
- Paint brush
- Clean damp cotton rag
- Plastic drop cloth
- Painter’s tape
- Latex caulk
- Fusion Mineral Paint Tough Coat
Steps
Time needed: 4 hours
- Degrease existing backsplash (if you’re covering one)
To make sure there was no cooking residue or grease build up on the old tile, we wiped it all down with Krud Kutter and let dry.
We decided to put our faux brick on top of the existing tile since the thickness made it look like real brick would have, but you could rip your tile out to place it directly on drywall if you preferred.
- Rough up surface with sandpaper
After the tile was completely dry, I rubbed the surface with 120 grit sandpaper to give the tile some grip. Wipe away any sanding dust with a tack cloth.
- Measure backsplash sections
Then, we started on installing the faux brick panels. We measured one section of the backsplash at a time and cut the paneling based on our measurements.
- Cut the brick paneling
Use a chalk line to make sure you cut the paneling perfectly straight with the circular saw. A table saw is ideal, but we only had a circular saw.
- Dry fit cut panels
5. Once the brick panel is cut, dry fit it to the backsplash to make sure it fits properly.
- Mark outlets
Measure out any outlets and mark them on the cut panel sections.
- Cut out outlets
Then, cut out the place in the paneling for the outlet using a jigsaw.
- Dry fit for the cut outlet
Dry fit the paneling one more time to make sure the outlet will fit.
- Attach brick backsplash panels
Apply Liquid Nails all over the back of the paneling and press the panel in place for a minute or two as the Liquid Nails set. That panel is ON THERE!
- Repeat for all sections
Repeat the cutting/measuring/Liquid Nailing process until the entire backsplash is covered. No more beige tile!
- Caulk seams
I went over all of the seams with caulk when it was all done.
- Cover countertops
I wanted to protect our countertops from splattering paint for the whitewashing, so I put down plastic drop cloths and taped them with painter’s tape.
- Mix white wash and apply to brick backsplash
For the white wash, I mixed about 1 part white semigloss paint to 1 part water in a bucket and brushed all of the bricks with two coats.
- Apply second coat
After the first coat dried, I brushed on a second coat.
- Distress with a damp rag
14. After the second coat was dry, I used a clean, damp rag to rub away some of the white wash for more of a rough look. I love how it added some depth and gave the kitchen a bit more of a weathered look.
- Seal brick backsplash
We ended up sealing it with two coats of Fusion Mineral Paint Tough Coat too so the finish will be protected from cooking and cleaning. I went with the Tough Coat instead of polyurethane because it doesn’t cause yellowing on white paint like poly does.
So now our backsplash looks like this. We still need to touch up the wall paint after installing the countertops and this backsplash though.
The Finished Kitchen
And here is the farmhouse style kitchen all finished! With the cabinets painted and the concrete counter top done, I’m amazed how different this place looks for how little we spent.
Update: We completed this project 5 years ago, and even though we have moved out of this house, we’ve stayed in touch with the new homeowners, and this brick backsplash has held up perfectly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Since this backsplash is faux paneling, the cleaning is very different from regular brick. I just wipe it down with a damp rag and a little Method All Purpose Cleaner (don’t scrub it).
You can still install it over drywall with finishing nails so it won’t damage the sheetrock underneath. When you remove the brick panels later, just patch the finishing nail holes with spackle.
The HDF material of the brick panels are fire resistant but not entirely fire proof. The material can burn but it does not easily ignite.
No, the brick panels are made of a material that are not rated for outdoor use.
Related Posts
- Our Scalloped Marble Backsplash in the Bathroom Reno
- DIY Pressed Tin Kitchen Backsplash
- Simplified Decorating: How to Decorate Kitchen Countertops
