Ways to Decorate Kitchen Tiles

Paint

• Paint transforms a bland, totally white tile backsplash or tile floor into a colorful oasis when you apply it to the kitchen tiles. Paint a border around the existing tile color or paint all the tiles the same color. You could design a multicolored tile pattern by dividing the tiles diagonally or create rows of solid colors throughout giving a striped appearance to the tiles. Or, after painting the tile, use a stamp or a stencil to add a theme, such as a rooster, grapes or a wine glass, to several tiles.

Decal

• A waterproof peel-and-stick decal gives you the option of changing the look of your tile, but not making it permanent. This allows you to try out a design before putting out the expense of designer tile, or works well for a renter. Pick a decal that correlates to the kitchen theme or the colors of the kitchen. Place the decal on several of the tiles, leaving others bare, or create a pattern or border design with the decals.

Decoupage

• Old wallpaper, postcards and borders get a new life when applied to kitchen tiles. Cut out portions of the paper items that correlate to your theme and group them together or cut the paper items to the size of the tile. Apply glue and attach them to the tile. Remove air bubbles with a roller. Seal it with a polyurethane to keep a permanent design, or allow it to remain without sealant so you can remove it when you leave.

Mural

• Hand-paint a mural on your backsplash tiles, if you are artistically inclined. Tape a stencil to the tiles as you build your mural one tile at a time. Create a Tuscan countryside, a garden of flowers, a bowl of breads or one of wineglasses, grapes and wine bottles. Paint the edge tiles around the mural a different color to resemble a frame or border. Seal your design with polyurethane to keep it fresh.