This week I am tackling a tiny hole in the wall, also known as the half bathroom in our farmhouse. We currently have 1 full and one half-bath, so both get plenty of use by our family of 5. Since we moved into our home 7 years ago my style has changed just a little bit (Read: I actually figured out what style I love the most. Before it was always a little bit of absolutely everything.)
So I’m on a mission to slowly update our farmhouse, on a shoestring budget. And first off is this half-bath.
Basically, all surfaces, minus the countertop and toilet, are receiving a coat of paint. And first up is the tile backsplash. I took it from a shiny glass backsplash to a matte white finish. And for about $15, which is much faster and cheaper than all new tile and grout.
To paint your tile you will need a few basic supplies. I used a solution for removing the gloss, painters tape, a strong primer, paint brush and mini sized paint roller.
step 1: clean the surface
Clean the tile surface with a little water and a cloth. If you have glossy tiles you can apply Krud Kutter to reduce the glossy finish and help the paint adhere. Follow the directions on the bottle to complete this step.
step 2: tape off the area
Tape off the area to protect other surfaces, especially countertops.
step 3: apply the paint
I used Zinsser Bulls Eye primer to help seal and cover the tiles. The image below is after the first coat of paint. Apply the first coat with a paint brush, making sure to get into any cracks and corners. After the first coat of paint is dry you can continue to apply coats of paint with a small roller until it is completely covered.
I needed 4 coats of paint to have a solid finish.
This tile does not come in contact with much water, so for the time being there is no sealant on top. I’m going to keep an eye on how well it wears and add a sealer like this one later if needed.
I love the simplicity of the final result, a matte white tile. It gives the tiny and windowless bathroom a bright look. And now it’s time to continue with the other bathroom projects! It will definitely have a modern farmhouse vibe in the end.
You can pick up the needed supplies for the project here.
Laurie says
Nice. I think the white really brightens up the area! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle! Pinning to share too. Have a great week
Nadia says
Wow, beautiful! I had no idea tile could be painted!
bonbon says
I love this project and I have always wondered if tile could be painted. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday link party. You are one of my favorite featured picks this week. I hope you will come back and check it out. http://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-122