How to Make a Faux Backsplash Out of Paint

Wash the wall with clean rags. Remove all food remnants or grease spots, as these spots will affect how the paint sticks.

Mask off the countertops and the lower edges of the cabinets with painter's tape to avoid getting paint on surfaces you want to leave untouched.

Apply a layer of primer on the backsplash area. Let the primer dry until it doesn't feel wet to the touch.

Paint the backsplash area with a semigloss paint to provide protection and make cleanup easier. This is the base color for your design, so choose a color that works with the design you plan to paint. A light, neutral color is often best, as it lets the design you paint stand out. Let the base coat dry fully before painting any additional designs on the backplash.

Stencil a design onto the wall if you have a specific design in mind for the backsplash. If you feel comfortable with your skills, paint a freehand image on the backsplash.

Use a faux-painting technique, such as a granite look, as an alternative. For granite, choose two or three additional colors to create the specks in the granite. Mix one part of each color in a satin finish with three parts of a latex glaze.

Dip a crumpled piece of plastic into one of the granite colors, dabbing part of the paint off onto a paint tray. Dab the plastic onto the wall in random patterns. Dab other colors of the glaze paint so the patches slightly overlap while allowing some of the base color to show through. Dab the wall with a clean piece of plastic. Continue working down the length of the backsplash to create the desired effect.