Using wallpaper as backsplash in your kitchen is a great budget-friendly way to add color and pattern to your space! Today I’m sharing the details of my own wallpaper backsplash including a must-have tip for sealing it! (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
When we bought our house, the kitchen (along with most of the rest of our house) was filled with dated, stained wallpaper:

Removing the old wallpaper gave it an instant update (see my post on how to remove wallpaper for a detailed how-to) but my kitchen looked a bit too ultra-white and sterile without anything on the walls. I already had a bunch of {this patterned blue wallpaper} left over from another project so I decided to add it to our backsplash.
Wallpapering around the arched windows in the corner definitely challenged my wallpapering skills (see my wallpaper installation tips if you’re tackling your own project) but I’m super happy with how it turned out. It added a fun dose of color and really made my white cabinets and windows pop:


And I only used a single roll of wallpaper! Your backsplash is actually a great spot to use a wallpaper that you love but might be too pricey for a full room where multiple rolls are needed.
You might notice that I didn’t add wallpaper back to the soffits. Instead, I painted those (I used Benjamin Moore Simply White in flat) which kept the kitchen feeling more airy and open.
I made several other budget-friendly changes to our kitchen too including swapping out the cabinet hardware, faucet, and pendant, using marble contact paper for countertops, and more. See my post on kitchen remodel ideas on a budget for all the details!

Sources: Woven counter stools | Cabinet knobs | Island pendant | Round woven tray | Faux leafy branches | Utensil holder
How to Protect Your Wallpaper Backsplash
You can use about any wallpaper as a backsplash if you protect it with a varnish. I double coated mine with {this flat varnish} – it’s perfect for wallpapers that could be exposed to water and moisture in kitchen and bathrooms.

The thing I love best about it is that it truly is a dead flat varnish and doesn’t make a matte wallpaper like mine turn shiny. As with any coating, test it on a scrap of your wallpaper to make sure you’re happy with the finish before applying it to your entire backsplash.
Update! We had our wallpapered backsplash for four years before we did our complete kitchen remodel and it held up beautifully without a single stain!
Another option is to use a vinyl performance wallpaper. The coating on vinyl wallpaper makes it more durable and resistant to grease and moisture than regular wallpaper. The options for vinyl wallpaper used to be very utilitarian with designs limited to basic wallpaper like you see in hotel hallways. But now you can find vinyl wallpapers from higher end brands such as Schumacher and Phillip Jeffries – check them out {here}. Just be aware that vinyl wallpapers can’t be exposed to high heat so they’re not a good alternative for your backsplash if it goes behind your range or cooktop.
I’ve also seen glass or acrylic pieces placed over wallpaper to protect it when a wallpaper backsplash is used in a high-end home but the materials + installation cost for this would be pretty pricey!
Reasons to Wallpaper Your Backsplash
There are several reasons why you might choose to wallpaper your kitchen backsplash. For one, it’s a great way to add some personality to your kitchen! There are an endless number of wallpaper patterns, colors, and styles to choose from.
And you don’t have to limit your wallpaper to the backsplash – you could use it on all of the walls of your kitchen like they did here with Serena & Lily wallpaper:

Other sources: Rattan swivel stools
Another pro of a wallpaper backsplash is that it’s much less expensive than tile and far easier to replace than a tiled backsplash. So if you’re someone who loves frequent change, using wallpaper on your backsplash would allow you to change it out from time to time without breaking the bank.
It’s why it also makes sense if you’re in my shoes and plan to do a big kitchen remodel in the future but want to make some budget-friendly upgrades in the meantime.
Budget Alternatives to a Wallpaper Backsplash
Other ideas for updating your kitchen backsplash on a budget are to use peel and stick subway tile stickers like {these} or tile stickers like you can find {here}. My favorite tile stickers that I’ve come across are {these beautiful tile stickers} that mimic Moroccan tile:

You can check out my post on vinyl wall decals where I share details on applying them to our laundry room walls.
Can You Use Peel and Stick Wallpaper for a Kitchen Backsplash?
Yes! Peel and stick wallpaper is definitely an option for a kitchen backsplash. Check out my post on how to hang peel and stick wallpaper for links to some of my favorite wallpapers and installation details.
Any other questions? Let me know! Thanks for stopping by today!
