Kitchen Backsplash Ideas: DIY & Eco-Friendly Backsplashes

A Kitchen Backsplash Helps Protect Your Walls, Cuts Down on Cleaning

Adding a backsplash to your kitchen is a great way to add a pop of color and style to even the smallest of kitchen spaces.  But, they are more than just something pretty to look at while you cook.  A kitchen backsplash helps protect your walls from damage (especially water damage!), cuts down on your cleaning and prevents stains.  With today’s eco-friendly options and easy DIY instructions, you can have a new look by the end of this weekend.

Here are some of our favorite eco-friendly materials:

 

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Reclaimed Pallet Wood Backsplash – this is a very interesting method choice for an eco-friendly backsplash. The pallets should first be cut down into 18-inch planks, cleaned thoroughly (unless you choose to stain them), and then adhered to the wall with liquid nails. You’ll get a rustic, textured and very unique look. Best of all – this look is practically free!

 

 

 

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Bamboo – If you’re going for a tropical or natural look in your kitchen, bamboo would be a perfect backsplash!  You can find rolls of bamboo in most home centers, simply cut it to the right size and attach it to the all with thin nails or with construction adhesive.

 

 

 

 

The Lofts @ Cherokee Studios, REthink Development,

Recycled TilesRecycled tiles come in a variety of colors, sizes and styles. Whether it’s glass or ceramic, you can find all types of recycled tiles to use as part of the backsplash and you will create the backsplash just like you would any other tile job, finishing with grout. If you do use grout – be sure to pick grout that is labeled low or no-VOC.

 

 

 

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Recycled Aluminum – Flat sheets of aluminum bring a bright look to the kitchen.  Coming from all sorts of materials – cars, computers, airplanes, cans, cookware and wires, aluminum is one of the most re-used materials in the United States.  Recycling it only requires 5% of the energy used to make it new.

 

 

 

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Wine Cork Backsplash – You’ve saved all those wine corks, and you’ve never known what to do with them – now you can use them as your backsplash!  With a plywood template and contact cement, you can easily create a unique wine cork backsplash. You’ll need to cut your wine corks in half with a scroll saw and also need outlet extenders, but one blogger laid out the step-by-step instructions and it’s such a great idea!

 

Talk to us:  What kind of material are you using for your new kitchen backsplash?