This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
I kicked off our rental kitchen makeover with the installation of these Smart Tiles from The Home Depot.
I wanted to update our dated backsplash in a renter-friendly way. In my search for good quality peel and stick backsplashes, these Smart Tiles from Home Depot appeared exceptional. This product met every criteria I had, which made my decision easy. The main descriptors that sold me were: "no special tools needed" which meant a quick and simple installation for me. But when I read "easily install over tile" I was sold, considering I the tiled surface I have to work with. And even more so, I needed something that wouldn't be too difficult to to remove since we rent. (I can definitely see homeowners also benefiting from this product!)
Having never installed tile of any sort before, I was a bit apprehensive to get started. But after sharing my plans on Instagram, so many of you messaged me with nothing but good things to say about this product! I got a burst of energy sometime during homeschooling my 4 year old, and jumped on the project as soon as I got a break. Here's how it went:
As instructed on the package, I was sure to prep my surface with a degreaser. I opted for this one from my local Home Depot. Since the existing surface is not flat, I wanted to be sure it was completely free of any debris or residue that would cause the tiles to not stick properly.
Other supplies I used were:
- A straight-edge level (This helped me make straight lines when having to cut, and level tiles) - Exacto Knife/Razor (Used to score the tiles for specific cuts) - Scissors (Used to actually cut the sheets. They were a bit thick for my razor. Scissors worked better.) - Surface to score the tile panels on (I ended up just using the cardboard sheet it came with.)
Each panel has this indication on one side that tells you which way the panel should be facing. Simply overlap each panel where it says to.
I didn't overthink too much when it came to this project (which I tend to do). The instructions provided were pretty straightforward, and I wanted the process to be the same. I laid two tile panels atop each other, starting at the edge of the backsplash. (Each pack comes with 4 sheets). I was sure to save the paper backing to use as a template, when making cuts.
I ended up mostly needing cuts for the top panels (laid right underneath the upper cabinets) since a full panel did not fit there. I also made specific cuts for the edge of the backsplash, and around the outlet covers.
Here I used a colored pencil to trace a faint line around the outlet cover before cutting. But you could also just score it with a razor, or use a marker. I was able to wipe my markings right off using my degreaser and a cloth. As you can see, the tiles are very smooth and shiny, like real subway tile!
I kept pushing forward, and was sure to save all of the scraps from my cuttings. I would use these later to cut and fill in the edges of the backsplash. It's totally up to you how you want to "finish" off your edges. I've seen people use thin cuts on the border to mimic pencil tile. I ended up just continuing the same pattern.
For a temporary solution, these Smart Tiles sure do look and feel like the real thing! I am so pleased with how well they adhered to our existing wonky tile. The panels are thick which makes them VERY forgiving of our textured surface. I cannot wait to show you more progress as we continue to make our home an elevated version of itself. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the kitchen makeover reveal!
Tell me, have you tried these tiles before? What did you do differently? If you haven't tried them, would you? Lets chat!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. As always, the experiences and opinions mentioned here are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!