How I Replaced My Kitchen Backsplash with Vinyl Shiplap (For About $200)

We’re not doing new countertops right now. We’re not ripping out cabinets. A full kitchen renovation is just not the conversation in this season of life (or the budget). But I did feel like updating the backsplash was one of those “low risk / high impact” upgrades that we could actually take on right now.

honestly — I didn’t want to invest in a real tile backsplash yet, because I know one day we’ll be replacing the countertops… and it just didn’t make sense to spend a bunch of money on something “permanent” when another big part of the kitchen is still a future project.

So instead, I went for an upgrade that felt:

✅ attainable

✅ budget-friendly

✅ low commitment

✅ still a huge visual difference

And I’m so glad we did.

This was an approachable weekend project that instantly brightened the whole space — and it ended up costing right around $200.

So here’s me walking you through exactly what I did, step by step, in case you’re thinking about doing something similar.

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• BUT FIRST, everything I used can be found here: SUPPLIES

• Here's a quick video: TUTORIAL
  

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Why I Swapped the Backsplash Instead of Renovating the Whole Kitchen

I feel like people think kitchen updates always have to be expensive to be worth it… but honestly sometimes it’s just about fixing the one thing that’s visually dragging the whole space down.

For us, it was the old yellow granite tile backsplash.

It made everything feel darker and a little dated, and I couldn’t unsee it anymore 😅

But since we’re not doing a full kitchen reno right now (and we’ll likely change the countertops down the road), I didn’t want to sink money into tile and then have to rethink everything later.

So instead of going all-in, I focused on one simple, attainable upgrade:

✅ swap the backsplash

✅ brighten the space

✅ keep it budget-friendly

✅ keep it beginner friendly

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Removing My Old Tile Backsplash (Spoiler: It Wasn’t All Clean + Easy)

I’ve seen other people pop backsplash tiles off like it’s nothing… and I fully went into this thinking mine would be the same.

Some of my tiles actually did pop off pretty easily without damaging the drywall. I was feeling very confident for about 4 minutes.

…and then the rest of them chose violence 😂

A bunch of tiles took the drywall with them. Like… not “a little paper peeling.” I mean whole chunks.

BUT honestly, it still wasn’t a deal breaker.

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Fixing the Drywall (It Was Easier Than I Expected)

Since I had missing drywall in a few areas, I just replaced the sections that needed it.

I grabbed a sheet of sheetrock and I’m pretty sure it was under $20.

What I did:

• Cut the drywall to size with a utility knife

• Screwed it back into the studs

• Moved on like nothing happened 😌

It sounds intimidating but it was actually super manageable — and it made the whole wall feel solid again before adding the new backsplash.

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What I Used Instead of Tile: Reversible Vinyl Shiplap from Lowe’s

Once I had a clean surface again, I installed reversible vinyl shiplap from Lowe’s.

And I loved this option because:

• It’s water-resistant

• It’s lightweight and easy to work with

• It gives that clean “built-in” look without needing tile skills

It’s also reversible, which is so fun — one side is shiplap and the other side is beadboard. Both are honestly so pretty, but shiplap felt like the perfect route for this kitchen and the vibe I wanted.

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Step-by-Step: How I Installed the Vinyl Shiplap Backsplash

This is exactly how I tackled it:

1. I prepped the wall

Once the old backsplash was removed and the drywall patches were done, I made sure everything was smooth and ready for the new material.

2. I started at the bottom and worked my way up

I nailed the vinyl shiplap directly onto the wall using a nail gun.

3. I brought the shiplap up about 1/3 the height of my cabinets

This part was intentional!

I didn’t feel like I needed to bring it all the way up to the ceiling or anything dramatic — I just wanted the backsplash area to feel cleaner, brighter, and more “finished.”

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Sealing the Bottom Gap (So Water Can’t Get Behind It)

Once the shiplap was up, I made sure water wouldn’t have any sneaky place to get behind it.

What I did:

• I ran a bead of silicone between the countertop and the bottom edge of the shiplap

• Then I added a small trim piece along the bottom edge

That trim is totally optional, but I personally think it gives it a more finished look — and it adds extra peace of mind.

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Priming + Painting (This Made It Look Like a Real Upgrade)

This part is what made the whole thing feel like it belonged in the kitchen.

Even though vinyl shiplap is already clean-looking, painting it helped it blend seamlessly with the rest of our space.

What I used:

• Latex primer

• Sherwin-Williams Latitude paint

• Color: Drift of Mist (Sherwin-Williams)

I painted the backsplash the same color as our cabinets, and I LOVE how it turned out.

I feel like the shiplap alone isn’t meant to be that “WOW tile moment”, but painting it this soft neutral color made everything feel brighter, calmer, and way more cohesive.

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The Final Result (And Why I’m Glad I Did This)

This project was exactly what I needed:

• It didn’t require a full kitchen renovation

• It didn’t require tile skills

• It didn’t require a huge investment

• And it made the space feel so much more updated

It’s one of those upgrades that proves you don’t have to do everything all at once to love your home more.

And if you’re in that stage of home projects where you’re thinking:

“I don’t want to spend thousands right now… but I need something to change.”

This is a really good option.

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Total Cost Breakdown (Approximate)

Here’s a rough estimate of what I used:

• Vinyl shiplap panels: ~ $90

• Drywall patch (if needed): ~ $20

• Trim/finishing supplies: ~ $50 • Brushes, outlet spacers, ect: ~ $30

• Primer + paint: ~ $32

Total: around $222

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My Honest Thoughts / Would I Do It Again?

YES.

Especially if you’re:

• not ready for new countertops

• not ready to pick “forever tile”

• not ready for a full reno mess

• just wanting a brighter, cleaner kitchen right now

It feels like the perfect in-between solution.

Let me know if you give this one a try! I'd love to hear how you love it :) -Aubrey