By Glenda Taylor | Updated Mar 2, 2021 9:31 AM

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Backsplashes not only protect walls from splatters and damage, but they also add a design element that has an enormous impact on the look of the entire room. Installing a real tile backsplash is a pricey prospect, however, and due to the complexity and mess that’s involved, many people don’t consider it a DIY project. For those who want a decorative backsplash but aren’t ready to hire a professional tile setter, now there’s another option.

Peel-and-stick backsplashes are made from a variety of materials, including water-resistant vinyl with realistic-looking 3D images, hardened silica gel tiles that look and feel like a textured tile surface, and even real mosaic tiles made from thin natural materials, such as mother-of-pearl. They come in a variety of attractive designs and closely resemble their natural tile counterparts. Plus, they’re 100 percent DIY-friendly: Just peel off the backing and position the backsplash on the wall. The best peel-and-stick backsplash is also super-low maintenance—just wipe with a damp rag to clean.

Adding a peel-and-stick backsplash to the wall behind a kitchen or bathroom counter is a quick way to update the room’s entire look and feel. It’s also relatively inexpensive; you can expect to pay $8 to $12 for a set of six vinyl peel-and-stick panels that will cover approximately 6 to 8 linear feet of wall. Three-dimensional tiles made from gel or glass run a bit more—as much as $10 per individual panel. Before selecting, you’ll want to consider the following features.

The usual spot to install a peel-and-stick backsplash is on the wall right above the countertop. Starting at one end of the counter and working your way to the other end might not provide the best results, however, because you could end up with a sliver of a panel at the far end. To get panel placement even on both ends, make a “dry layout” on the countertop in front of the backsplash. This way, you can see exactly where the lines will fall and center the panels evenly.

Most peel-and-stick backsplash products are simple to cut with scissors or a utility knife, but for the best results, it’s a good idea to create a template before cutting a panel to fit around an outlet, cabinet, or window trim. You can do this by cutting a piece of paper to fit the spot before cutting a panel. Make sure the paper fits the spot, and then transfer the cut lines onto your panel for cutting. For cutting thicker materials, such as backsplash panels that feature tin, aviation snips may be necessary.

Consider the colors and designs used elsewhere in the room when selecting the backsplash. You’ll find a wide range of tile-look backsplash options featuring the look of subway tile or mosaic tile, but you can also find stone-, brick-, and wood-look backsplashes. Make sure the design you select complements other home accents in your space. Don’t choose a backsplash without considering how it will look with the rest of the room’s items and decor.

Peel-and-stick backsplashes come in various materials and quality, ranging from flat vinyl to thick, textured panels that closely mimic professionally installed tile backsplashes.

The best peel-and-stick backsplashes should look great, be easy to apply, and easy to clean. To help you choose the best peel-and-stick tiles for your home, we’ve listed some of our favorites.

Subway tile offers a classic look for just about any kitchen or bath, and now you can achieve it without the hard work and major mess of mortar and grout. This Art3d backsplash comes in easy-to-apply 12-by-12-inch flexible sections, with 10 sections per box. Simply remove the paper backing and affix the self-sticking area to the wall. The result is a raised, 3D, silica gel tile backsplash with a textured tile look and feel. In fact, the sides of the Art3d sections overlap, just as real tiles do, to give the finished backsplash a seamless look well suited to bathrooms and kitchens alike. They are moisture and heat resistant and made from an environmentally friendly material.

Update your rustic decor with an attractive stone-look backsplash at an affordable price. This Yancorp wall panel, available in an 18-by-120-inch roll, is easy to install to provide a high-quality image of real stacked stones. Simply clean the wall surface well, peel off the vinyl backing, and position the backsplash carefully, using a sharp utility knife to cut around any outlets. Your country- or cottage-style kitchen or bath will be beautifully refreshed, and the wall will gain added protection against splashes.

Combat a case of the bathroom blahs with the authentic-looking 3D texture of this peel-and-stick backsplash from Tic Tac Tiles. Each tile section measures 9.81 inches by 9.25 inches, and you can choose from a box of five or 10 tile sections—so you can install behind a bathroom vanity only or create an accent wall completely covered in tile style. The sides of the tile sections interlock to minimize visible seams, and the reflective surface bounces the light, making the bathroom look brighter and more spacious. While the tiles are acceptable for a steamy bathroom, thanks to water and humidity protection, you shouldn’t install them inside a shower wall, where they will take the direct spray. This eco-friendly product features an antibacterial and anti-mold material that does not emit dioxins.

When things heat up in the kitchen, you’ll be glad you’ve got these humidity-resistant Art3d backsplash wall stickers. The rich brown, deep gold, and soft tan tones of the realistic-looking tiles lend a gourmet appeal while providing an added measure of protection against water splashes. Each box includes ten 12-by-12-inch backsplash sections. Ensure that the wall is perfectly clean, grease-free, and dry before applying.

Add the festive look of Italian ceramic tile to your kitchen or bathroom while protecting the wallboard beneath from splashes and splatters. These 10-by-10-inch peel-and-stick tile sections closely mimic individual 2.5-inch hand-painted tiles and feature a traditional Tuscan design. The backsplash boasts a high-shine finish that’s easy to wipe clean with a damp rag. Sections butt seam to seam (no overlap), and each box comes with four tile sections you can easily trim with scissors or a utility knife to fit around outlets and along cabinet edges.

Imagine genuine high-end mother-of-pearl without the major hassle of installing mosaic tiles. Art3d’s peel-and-stick wall panel boasts bona fide mother-of-pearl shell tiles cut in 1-by-1-inch pieces and mounted on 11.8-by-11.8-inch square sections (purchase by the individual sheet or in boxes of six sheets per pack). Installation is a bit more complicated than basic peel-and-stick backsplashes because trimming the tiles to fit around an outlet is slightly more challenging. To trim, mark a cut line on the back of the tile section, score along the line with a sharp utility knife, and then use your fingers to snap at the cutline for a smooth edge.

Mm-mm-mm, the luxury of marble (almost)! Choose the Yipscazo backsplash to give your room a posh new look. You’ll receive 10 tile sections per box, and each section is 10 inches by 10 inches. The tiles resist heat and humidity and will protect the wall from occasional water splashes. So treat yourself to an amazing kitchen or bath upgrade the easy way—and when you’re done, how about fixing a gourmet meal or indulging in an at-home spa treatment?

Many home remodeling projects are costly and require professional installation, but peel-and-stick backsplashes are just the opposite—they’re DIY-friendly and affordable.

If this is the first time you’ve purchased and installed this type of decorative backsplash, you likely have a few questions.

Measure the wall space you want to cover from one side to the other and then purchase one or two extra panels to make sure you have enough if you make a cutting error.

Most—but not all—peel-and-stick backsplashes are heat resistant and pose no problem if installed behind a stove. Read the literature that comes with the product first, however, to be sure. Non-heat-resistant backsplashes may peel off if exposed to heat.

While they are considered to be temporary, they can last three to five years or longer.

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