Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to update your home. In the kitchen, a few cans of paint works wonders on walls, cabinets, kitchen island, table, chairs and even your backsplash.

You can paint your kitchen backsplash a solid color for a polished look, use a stencil for some one-of-a-kind flair or even create the look of faux tiles using a paint pen and laser level.

Below, get the scoop on our favorite ways to paint a kitchen backsplash and check out our easy-to-follow DIY tutorials.

Choosing a Backsplash Color

The first step to painting your kitchen backsplash? Determining the perfect paint color, of course! There are, quite literally, endless shades to choose from, so we advise you to consider the existing colors in the room (think: cabinet, floors, doors) before making your final selection.

Pro tip: Contrast is your best friend. If your kitchen has dark, moody cabinets, choose an airier shade for your backsplash to lift the space and keep the room from feeling too heavy. If you have white or light-colored cabinets, a saturated, vibrant or shadowy paint color will keep the kitchen design grounded and balanced. The best part? Painting your kitchen backsplash is easy and inexpensive, so you have the green light to go ahead and have some fun. Plus, if you hate the results, you can paint over it and start fresh with a new hue.

Stenciling a Kitchen Backsplash

A simple, solid color can work on a kitchen backsplash, but playing it safe may feel lackluster over time. If you want to lean into your inner drama queen (we fully support!), try stenciling a custom design on your backsplash.

An easy and affordable way to update a room, applying stencils to existing tiles can also create a striking backsplash. They're also much less permanent and pricey than replacing your existing tiles, and you can easily paint over the results when you're ready for something new.

Painting Faux Tiles

If you love the look of tile, but prefer to use paint on your backsplash, you can create faux tiles with paint. This can be a tedious process, but the results are worth it. Using the tape to create different sized "tiles," you can mimic several different materials, from glass to stone. If you'd like to incorporate various colors into your backsplash, this technique is the way to go.

Painting Existing Tiles

Revive your outdated tile backsplash with a fresh coat of paint. This budget-friendly makeover promises to revive your kitchen design in a weekend or less — without draining your bank account in the process. Our secret to creating a clean, cohesive painted tile backsplash is to paint the tile and the grout one solid hue. This technique is more forgiving and much less time-consuming than trying to tape off each grout line before painting.

Paint a Chalkboard Backsplash

You can also use chalkboard paint to create a unique backsplash in your kitchen. The classic black chalkboard color works well with white or light-colored cabinets, while a lighter shade is recommended for dark cabinets. A chalkboard backsplash will provide a canvas where you can write down grocery lists, recipes or special notes for your family. Easy to wipe clean, chalkboard paint works well in a space where there tends to be grease and spattered food.

Hand-Painted Wallpaper Backsplash

Make a (removable) statement with a hand-painted wallpaper mural backsplash. Apply peel-and-stick wallpaper to your kitchen walls, then put your artistic skills to work creating a one-of-a-kind display. Above, interior designer Andrea Schumacher wraps the otherwise classic kitchen with a hand-painted flowering vine wallpaper, rich with color and whimsical flair.