How to Stencil a Kitchen Backsplash

You are probably thinking “stenciled backsplash!?” YES, you read that right! I’m going to show you the cheapest way to update your kitchen by only using a stencil and paint! Eventually, we would like to have new countertops installed. So, installing an actual backsplash didn’t seem like a very smart decision at the time. Our countertops do have a backsplash built onto them, but above that is just textured sheetrock. Whether you have a tile you dislike, textured sheetrock like me, or a smooth surface…you can do this too!

With my walls being textured… I was unable to get clean lines when using the stencil. I am okay with that though! It honestly gives it more of a distressed look that I love! & another perk with it being perfectly imperfect? You can’t see any mistakes ? Also, let me say…this was pretty time-consuming! I had to do it one stencil at a time. I think it took me two days to finish it completely. If you are wanting a budget-friendly backsplash though, it is 100% worth it! I love how mine turned out!

Things you will need:

• Degreasing cleaner (I used Krud Kutter)
• Paint colors of your choice (I used SW Alabaster as my base color & SW Agreeable Gray as my stencil color)
• Something to pour your paint into. Preferably something you can just throw away.
• Foam rollers (start with 2-4, but may need more depending on how big of a surface you are trying to cover). These would be perfect! I didn’t use these, but I would have if I didn’t already have some leftover from painting my cabinets!
• Stencil (I ordered this one)
• Wipes of some sort to clean the stencil as you go. I used baby wipes!
• Paper plate
• Level (Nobody’s house is perfectly level/square amiright?!)
• Painters tape to secure the stencil to the wall
• Polycrylic (whatever sheen you prefer. The shinier it is..the easier it is to clean. I used Satin on mine because that’s what I already had at home).
• Foam roller & tray for applying the polycrylic & base paint color

The first thing you will need to do is remove all light switch and outlet covers. Then you will need to clean where you will be painting your backsplash. I spritzed mine with Krud Kutter and wiped them clean with a damp rag.

I began painting by rolling my wall with the color I wanted the background of the stencil to be. I already had Sherwin Williams Alabaster in satin leftover from painting my walls, so I just used that! I applied two coats of that and let it dry!

Now, here comes the fun part, or should I say the longest part!? I started in the bottom left corner of one of my sections. Pay attention to how you place your stencil because it matters! If you have ever used a stencil before then you know what I mean! You will likely rotate it throughout the painting process. There are guides on the stencil that you paint to ensure you have it aligned with the previously painted stencils! You’ll get the hang of it. I would suggest practicing on some cardboard or something like that until you do though! Okay, back to painting!

Place your stencil in the bottom left corner of your section. I placed a small level on top to make sure my first stencil was level. The first stencil you paint will be your guide for when you paint the rest in that section. Use the blue painter’s tape to secure the stencil to the wall. Now, when using the foam rollers I didn’t use them how you would traditionally..rolling them. I used the end of the roller! I would lightly dip it into my paint (Agreeable gray for me) & blot it on a paper plate to remove any excess paint. You don’t want to overload the roller because it will bleed under the stencil. That is where having textured walls worked in my favor! Then, I would just dab it onto the stencil! I would have to reload the roller a time or two to ensure I covered the entire surface. Pull the stencil off and Viola! I would use baby wipes to wipe the paint from the front and back of the stencil. If you don’t, the paint will build up on there and just be a MESS! Let the paint dry for a few minutes and then you can be on to the next! Use the guides that are cut out on the stencil and line them up with what you just painted (that’s why you want to make sure the first one is level) & repeat the entire process until you are done! When I got to a spot where the stencil wouldn’t fit, I would just bend it (not creasing the stencil though) until I got it where I needed it. You could probably buy multiple stencils to cut, but I am too cheap for that ? I used one stencil for my entire kitchen! With my countertops having a backsplash of their own…I only had to paint two rows. If the countertop backsplash wouldn’t have been there, then I would have had to do three rows of the stencil.

This will take time, but don’t get discouraged. Take a break if you feel like you have had enough. I really love ours, and I am so glad that I stuck with it! Once you have completed the stenciling, let that dry! When that is dry you can seal it with two coats of poly! You don’t want anyone messing up all that hard work you just did! Let that dry, apply your outlet and switch covers, and drool over your new backsplash!

Honestly, the price tag is what really kept me going. I had most of the supplies already at home from previous projects. So all in all I probably spent under $30 for an entire backsplash for my kitchen! I call that a WIN!