Living alone comes with its pros and cons. A con? I’m fully responsible for all the bills, including WiFi and utilities, since I can’t split them with a partner or roommate. The pro, though? I have full control over, well, everything. As such, when I moved into my first apartment in Los Angeles, I made it my mission to give the space a complete makeover, flexing my DIY skills along the way. Peel-and-stick kitchen tiles, for instance, allowed me to add a backsplash without making any permanent changes—a must as a renter.
Because my kitchen is already colorful with yellow cabinets and a blue fridge, I chose black-and-white tiles, since anything brighter would have made the space feel too busy. However, they’re available on Amazon in a variety of colors, depending on your home’s vibe.
Now, the tricky part: applying said peel-and-stick tiles. I found the easiest approach was to measure the area where each tile would go and cut it accordingly (I used scissors, but an X-Acto knife will do the trick, too). The first few took a bit of finessing, but once I got the hang of it, I was able to work much faster. All in all, the project probably took me an hour and a half. My top tip? Press hard on each tile for about 30 seconds, especially around the edges, since they tend to pop off (they are peel-and-stick, after all).
Coated with transparent polyurethane, the tiles boast a glossy finish and 3D effect, giving your kitchen a professional-looking upgrade. They’re waterproof, too, so you don’t have to worry about the occasional splash. I’ve had mine for about six months now, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the quality, especially considering the under-$30 price tag. In fact, I’m tempted to order more for other areas of my apartment. They completely transformed the look of my kitchen and made a rental feel more personal and homey.
