How to paint kitchen tiles and give them a fresh look: 7 Ideas

Tired of your kitchen tiles? Do the backsplash tiles no longer shine as they used to? Paint them! You can give your kitchen a radical change, without any construction work, economically, and in less time than a Sunday nap. Yes, really. Painting kitchen tiles is always a great option.

Tile paint can be applied to both walls and floors. What’s the best part? Easy cleaning, low maintenance, excellent durability, and waterproof properties. And you can do it yourself! Plus, there’s a wide range of colors to choose from, so you can pick the one that best suits your decorative needs.

Still wondering if painting your kitchen tiles is the best option for renovating your space? Don’t miss this article. We’ve got seven ideas to clear all your doubts. Let’s go!

7 kitchens with painted tiles: Get inspired here!

Kitchen with painted tiles to inspire you

1- ’80s Decor? Painting kitchen tiles is the solution

Narrow kitchens with heavily patterned tiles aren’t the best for creating a sense of spaciousness and light. If this is your problem, there’s an easy fix.
Choose the color that suits your style best and paint all the tiles in your kitchen. You’ll achieve a completely renewed look, giving the space much more light and a sense of openness and roominess.

2- Painting kitchen tiles in multiple colors: A winning combination!

You’ve heard the saying, ‘No risk, no reward,’ right? Don’t hesitate to combine colors when painting your kitchen tiles. Adding vibrant colors to your kitchen is a fantastic way to create a fun and highly personalized atmosphere.
Don’t be afraid! Pick tones that you love and that work well together to achieve balance. And then get to work! When you’re done, you won’t believe how you managed to live so long without the kitchen of your dreams, created with nothing more than tile paint.

If you want to make the color combination stand out even more, pay special attention to the lighting. Highlighting key areas with light will make your color choices truly pop.

Additionally, if you have a baseboard in the lower section, you can play with the color and contrast it with a different tone for the rest. This effect can be enhanced if you have a decorative border, which you can either paint a contrasting color or blend in. The choice is yours because the possibilities for painting kitchen tiles are endless.

3- Refresh your backsplash with kitchen tile paint

The backsplash is one of the most noticeable parts of the kitchen and where changes are most evident, especially if you’re just looking to update a small section with kitchen tile paint.

We provide the ideas; you decide according to your style. Opt for light colors to make the area feel more spacious, or use the same color for your tiles and countertop for a seamless, uniform look with no visual barriers.
Backsplash renovated with kitchen tile paint

4- Hand-paint kitchen tiles: unleash your creativity

Do you love challenges? Then this is for you. If you want a completely custom tile design tailored 100% to your taste, why not do it yourself? The possibilities are endless: geometric patterns, hydraulic-style floor imitations, designs to frame specific areas, floral compositions, and so much more.

But if you feel you lack the experience or confidence to paint freehand designs on your kitchen tiles, you can always create and use stencils to achieve the look you want while minimizing mistakes.

Your kitchen will truly be one-of-a-kind when you hand-paint the tiles!

5-Paint kitchen tiles for a rustic look

Sometimes, rustic and traditional-style kitchens can feel difficult to update because they may seem cluttered or dark.

Leverage the natural materials already in place, like exposed beams or wooden cabinets, to contrast with freshly painted tiles. This will give your kitchen a more cohesive and polished appearance for a surprisingly small investment.

6- Create a boho style kitchen with tile paint

If you’re into textured finishes and ‘imperfections,’ you’ll love applying kitchen tile paint with free-form shapes, varying stroke intensities, and different shades within the same color family.

In no time, you’ll enhance the vintage or boho-chic style of your kitchen economically with kitchen tile paint. Add decorative touches like plants or a set of vintage-style pots to complete the look.

Front with accent wall created using kitchen tile paint

7- Paint your kitchen Tiles to create an accent wall

If your kitchen feels a little dull, you can give it a certain je ne sais quoi by painting the tiles on a specific wall. This technique, known as creating an accent wall, draws attention and creates a striking visual impact based on the result you’re looking for.

Whether you want to add depth, connect or divide areas, frame spaces, or bring warmth to the room, the wall you choose to highlight with kitchen tile paint should be a focal point that catches the eye as soon as you enter the room.

However, avoid choosing walls with doors or windows, as these can detract from the block effect you’re trying to create.

How to paint kitchen tiles: an easy and quick guide

Already picked the colour and tiles you want to paint? Awesome! Now all you need is the right paint and to know how to apply it. In just a few simple steps, you can totally transform the look of your kitchen—yourself, no messy renovations or stress involved. And no, you’re not dreaming!

You’re wide awake and about to read this easy, fast guide where we show you how to paint kitchen tiles in no time with Smartcover Tiles. Let’s go!

1. Clean and degrease the surface where you’ll apply the kitchen tile paint. Use degreasing products to remove accumulated grease or oil from the tiles. With our Smart Cleaner detergent, you can't go wrong!

2. Tiles already clean? We recommend you to apply masking tape to define the area you’ll paint and avoid unwanted smudges. If you need to cover any grout lines, use our Smart Jointer.

3. It’s time to paint the kitchen tiles with your chosen Smartcover Tiles color. Stir well and apply two coats, leaving 8 hours between them. Happy with the result? Next! But if your tiles are dark and you've chosen a light color, and the contrast is still visible, apply a third coat.

4. 24 hours later, your newly painted kitchen tiles will be ready for the next challenge. Now you can sit back, relax, and pour yourself your favorite drink to celebrate a job well done. But hold on! We recommend waiting 7 days before using them to allow the paint to reach its maximum durability and truly shine.

Painting kitchen tiles: before and after that will leave you speechless

If we’ve done it, you can too! These are some of the most stunning real-life renovations made with our Smartcover Tiles kitchen tile paint—you won’t be able to resist.

See how just a colour change and a couple of coats can turn an old kitchen into a modern, bright, and stylish space. And the best part: no building work, no mess, and way faster than you’d think.
Get inspired by these before and afters and get ready to transform your kitchen… maybe yours will be the next one we show off here!

Kitchen tiles painted white before the renovation

Kitchen tiles after being painted brown

Kitchen tiles before being painted

Kitchen tiles after being painted green

Smartcover Tiles: the iltimate tile paint for your kitchen

If you've already picked your favorite ideas and are ready to bring them to life, we recommend our Smartcover Tiles kitchen tile paint. You'll see—in less than a day, your walls will be full of life again! Instant results? We say YES!

Advantages of painting kitchen tiles with Smartcover Tiles

  • Smartcover Tiles is so quick and easy to apply, you’ll finish much faster than any old school art project. Being ready to use has its perks! And not needing a primer? Even better!
  • Don’t worry about wear over time after painting your kitchen tiles. They’ll stay as good as new with regular household cleaners. Keep it simple!
  • Water won’t be an issue. Smartcover is resistant to running water, a must for rooms like the kitchen.
  • Say goodbye to being overly cautious. Thanks to its scratch and abrasion resistance, your tiles will remain flawless no matter what.
  • And as if that weren’t enough, you have 11 colors to choose from. Go wild!
  • Oh, we almost forgot! It's not just for tiles! So if you want to go for a real 2-in-1 deal, pay attention. You can apply Smartcover Tiles without primers on bicottura or monocottura ceramics, porcelain stoneware, mosaic tiles, and wooden panels.

 

Tips for painting kitchen tiles

You’re just about ready to take the big step and transform your kitchen. But hold on! Check out these extra tips to make sure your tile painting project is a total success.

1. Follow the steps (seriously, do it!):
It might sound obvious, but it’s not. The process is simple, yes, but if you skip a step just to save a few minutes… the result won’t be as good as you expected. And we’re here to do it right, not halfway.

2. Choose the right tools (be smart!):
A short-nap roller is your best friend for getting a smooth, even finish without streaks. And don’t forget the paint tray! It helps you load just the right amount of paint, avoiding drips and waste. Every detail counts if you want a flawless result.

3. Invest in good paint (don’t risk it!):
Tools matter, but paint is everything. Use a specific tile paint (like Smartcover Tiles) that can handle moisture, scrubbing, and cleaning without flaking. Because there’s no point in all that effort if it peels off two weeks later...

4. Take care of it after painting:
Once it’s painted, wait at least 7 days before doing a deep clean so the paint has time to fully cure. After that, clean it with gentle products—no abrasive sponges!—so the finish stays perfect for longer.

Modern kitchen with black painted tiles over white furniture

With Smartcover Tiles, painting your kitchen tiles is so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. No more excuses—time to give your kitchen the makeover it deserves!

Are you ready to give your kitchen a brand new look and show off your before and after? Let’s go—your project could be the next one we feature!

Back to blog