To paint or not to paint? As interior painting contractors, we are often asked this question about various surfaces throughout the home. While we are all familiar with painted ceilings, trim, walls, and cabinetry, the processes of painting radiators or brick fireplaces are not as straightforward. Can you paint exposed pipes and expect the finish to last? What about a tile backsplash?

Regarding kitchen painting and remodeling, our clients often ask us, “Can you paint a tile backsplash?” In this blog, we’ll examine when it’s appropriate to paint a kitchen tile backsplash and when it might be better to replace it with something new.

So, Can You Paint A Tile Backsplash? 

The answer is, “Yes, but…”.  

Yes, you can paint a tile backsplash, but whether or not it’s the best option for you will depend on several factors. 

When Does It Make Sense To Paint A Tile Backsplash?

Why would a homeowner choose to paint a tile backsplash instead of replacing it?

Cost: Kitchen remodeling is expensive! If a homeowner wants a completely new presentation and color palette, painting the tile backsplash may be the most cost-effective way to accomplish this. 

Quick, simple solution:  Instead of removing the current backsplash tiling, sourcing new tiles, and hiring a contractor to perfect the damaged walls and install new tile, a simpler solution may be to clean, sand, prime, and paint the current tile backsplash.

Color choice: There is nearly an unlimited number of paint colors available, one to suit any decor, and certainly more than found in available tile. 

Eco-friendly: At a time when most of us are looking to lower our carbon footprint, painting a tile backsplash is an excellent choice. A fresh look is achieved with less waste in the landfill.

And When Does It Not Make Sense To Paint a Tile Backsplash

Those with the resources and time will likely find removing and replacing the backsplash tiling is the better choice. 

Style: When updating a kitchen, sourcing the latest in appliances, decor, cabinetry, and surfaces is part of the process. You’ll want freshly styled tiling that is likely better suited for the new kitchen’s design and color palette.

Durability: Backsplash tiles take a lot of abuse, particularly those located behind a cooktop or range. We recommend paints formulated specifically for durability, scrubability, and chip resistance and those most likely to produce an evenly coated surface. 

Type of tile: The most common types of backsplash tiling are ceramic, porcelain, glass, and variations of acrylics. While all these tile materials can work with specialized paints, natural stone tiles do not. Marble, granite, travertine, and slate backsplash tiles are all porous stones, and paint may not adhere to them properly. Paints can also compromise the integrity and natural beauty of the stone tiling. 

Each Situation is Unique!

DIYers, how-to specialists, and industry professionals can be found on every corner of the web and across TV networks, offering exponentially more exposure to trade processes than ever before. And with that comes a plethora of opinions. At Catchlight, we know each home and homeowner is unique. If you are thinking about painting a tile backsplash but are unsure if it’s the right solution for you, ask us!  We’ll happily give you a straightforward answer based on our years of experience.

Every Catchlight project, whether interior house painting, exterior painting, or light carpentry, is masterfully completed by professionals skilled at their craft. 

To learn more about our residential painting services, please contact us today.

The form and function of interior design schemes have an ebb and flow to them. Victorian times were formal, and the mid-century touted clean, colorful lines. Today, we see an open, often more casual aesthetic to match today’s way of life. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen. 

It wasn’t long ago that the kitchen was a place for cooking everyday meals only, certainly not where anyone outside the family would choose to gather. Instead, guests were entertained in the dining room, away from the chef and the accompanying mess of meal preparation. 

Today, the in-home dining experience is completely different, placing the kitchen at the very heart of it.  As more and more people have become cooking enthusiasts and exposure to food culture is ubiquitous, a greater emphasis is placed on creating beautiful kitchens built for hosting family and friends. 

In Catchlight’s 3+ decades of home and kitchen painting, we’ve seen the full gamut of kitchen design, from those that are strictly utilitarian spaces to now as the focal point of a home. One of the more delightful results of this shift in lifestyle is the kitchen island. And for Catchlight, it’s the painted kitchen island that is near and dear to us!

Learn About  Options for Interior Paint Finishes in Our Accompanying Blog

Painted Kitchen Islands – An Opportunity to Gather

It’s rare to see a modern kitchen designed without a kitchen island or kitchen bar. They help define the kitchen space and create a transition between different functional areas. Often central to the room, a bar or island is perfect for hosting conversations, testing mixologist and cooking skills, and, of course, dining. It is also the ideal spot to add a satisfying “pop” of color and personality. 

One of Catchlight Painting’s shining examples of a beautifully painted kitchen island is the Farrow & Ball, Hague Blue-painted Kitchen island in Newton, MA. Here, the clients wanted to imbue the kitchen space with a splash of color that would be visually dynamic and engaging without being too loud and distracting. The confident presence of the Farrow & Ball collection was the perfect solution. 

This blue kitchen island has an elegant yet bold and commanding presence. The beautiful natural stone slabs add so much visual (and physical) weight to the space, and Hague Blue is confident enough to match it. We are very pleased with the project’s result; it is an excellent example of how a painted kitchen island can simultaneously work with surrounding neutral tones but also distinguish itself with an engaging presence of color. 

Projects in Greater Boston

If you have a kitchen or home renovation project in the works and are looking for interior painting contractors, Catchlight provides premier interior painting services throughout the Greater Boston area. Please be in touch. We’d be delighted to hear more about your project! 

Please contact us today.