Hello sweet friends! Can you believe we are in June already?! Seems as though we were just dabbling in spring! Time passes so quickly! Do you have exciting plans for summer? Any fun vacation plans? How about projects around the house? I know some of us like to take a break in summer from indoor work- time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather! You might enjoy easier projects during this season. The types of projects that can be completed in one afternoon are my jam this time of year! Today I want to share how to make a faux brick backsplash for your kitchen. It is super easy and can be completed- start to finish- in one day! Let’s get to it!
Step One to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
Friends, I need to preface this post with an apology. As much as I try to remind myself to take pictures of each step while doing these types of projects, I always seem to struggle with this! Ugh! Some posts are far better than others because I am diligent about taking pictures that show each step in progress. For this project, I give myself a 3 on a scale of 1-10 when it comes to taking helpful pictures! I am sorry! I promise to continue with this growth area!
Okay, now on to step one. For the first step, you need to… gather your supplies! This project required just a few things, and most I had on hand:
- Large tub of joint compound (I used half)
- Masking tape
- Ruler
- Spackle knife or kitchen butter knife
- Paint- your choice of colors, but choose one that resembles the color of bricks
- White paint
- Paint brushes
Once you have your supplies, we are good to go!
Step Two to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
My countertops are Corian, and the builder of our home put in a 2.5 inch strip of the countertop along the backsplash area of our kitchen. This is a matter of personal taste, so for me, step two was to remove this strip.
This picture shows the strip of countertop well!
So I can share that my husband was thrilled that I was going to add a backsplash- one that would be super cheap! Ha ha! In fact, he purchased the joint compound for me with few questions asked. However, he did object to me removing these strips of the countertop for fear it would ruin the countertop underneath it. This meant I had to remove it while he was not home. Problem solved!
Here you can see I am prying off the strip of countertop. I was so nervous to do this step, and I am thrilled the three strips came off in one whole piece and did not damage the countertops! Yay!
I knew for a long time I wanted to have a faux brick backsplash, and I considered several different ways to do it. I saw some techniques on Pinterest that use paint to create the illusion of bricks, and while they looked cool, I knew I wanted the texture of brick in my kitchen. Home Depot and Lowes sell faux brick paneling, and that was my first pick. However, given the dimensions of my kitchen and the fact I would need seven- yes, seven, electrical outlet cutouts on the already small paneling sheets, I looked to do something different. I saw a tutorial on Instagram done by @the_rusticpallet and it looked awesome and easy to do- so I went for it!
Step Three to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
Now that the strips of countertop have been removed, step three is taping off your brick design with masking tape. You also want to remove all outlet and light switch covers.
First, I taped off where I wanted the backsplash to end on both sides. Then I made my bricks. I made the bricks 7 inches by 3 inches. I used a ruler and a pencil to mark off the areas that needed the tape. CONFESSION TIME: I did not use a level to make sure the lines were straight. I never use a level! You may want to use a level for this part if that makes you feel more confident your lines will be straight. I eyeball everything, and I totally get that this is not everyone’s preferred way to do projects!
Step Four to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
Now that your brick has been measured and taped off, you are ready to make your bricks! Yay- the fun part! I got so wrapped up in the making of the bricks that I neglected to take pictures. Sorry! But I think I can describe this step well enough without the visual. You simply take the joint compound and spread it all over the taped off bricks! You can play with the texture a bit- make it as bumpy or as smooth as you prefer! Once the joint compound is evenly spread, you are ready for step five.
Step Five to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
Okay, brace yourself, this step feels messy- but I promise it goes quick and once complete, you can really see your faux brick coming together! Step five to make a faux brick backsplash is to remove all of the tape. You need to remove the tape while the joint compound is wet. The best way I found to do this is to have a small disposable bag, like a plastic Target bag, handy to place the tape in as you remove it.
Sometimes, as you remove the tape, the joint compound may land in areas you do not want it. I used the tip of my finger to scrape it away. You especially want to avoid joint compound drying in the space in between the brick. Also, watch for compound landing on your countertop. It is much easier to remove when it is wet than after it dries!
Let the joint compound dry for at least two hours.
My kitchen looked like this in January:
I love modern farmhouse style! For two years, I wanted to paint my kitchen cabinets white but lacked the courage to do it. Do you ever feel nervous starting a big DIY project? I finally worked up the courage and painted the cabinets myself and I LOVE them! It was easy to do, just took time. To see my tutorial, click here!
Step Six to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
Once the joint compound is dry, you are ready to paint your newly created bricks! This is the fun part! I applied a coat of primer to my faux brick wall first. After the primer dried, I applied white paint to the space between the bricks and to several of the bricks that I wanted to keep white.
For the bricks I did not want to keep white, I used varying shades of tan and gray to paint them. There was no formal pattern I followed, I just splashed some bricks with color while leaving others white.
This picture gives you a good idea of where I applied color and where I left the bricks white.
After the paint dried, I wanted to soften the look of the gray and brown bricks. I decided to whitewash the colored bricks. Ha ha- I know, it is all part of my white obsession, I think! I make the bricks colorful and than I add white to the color. What can I say! It did soften the look when I whitewashed them, and I LOVE it.
To whitewash the brick, I poured some of the white paint into a disposable plastic cup. I added water to it, making it about a 60% paint, 40% water mixture. I took one of the one million socks without a match we have to apply the white paint mixture. This was the perfect finishing touch to my backsplash!
Review the Steps to Make a Faux Brick Backsplash
- Gather your supplies- nothing worse than getting midway through a project and realizing you are missing something!
- Remove access countertop strips, if you have them
- Create your bricks using masking tape
- Apply joint compound to make your bricks
- Remove the tape while the joint compound is wet
- Paint your new faux brick backsplash
So there you have it! A simple, easy, and inexpensive project that can add dramatic flair to your home! What exciting projects are you conquering this season?
FUN Update: To add a splash of color, I painted my pantry door blue! It needed a fresh coat of paint, and while initially I was going to go with white, at the last minute I grabbed some blue paint and away I went! The color is Clear Vista by Behr.
Next up in my kitchen makeover… thinking shiplap on our island, followed by pendant lights above the stools! What ideas do you have?
Until next time, enjoy your summer fun!