A TikToker shared a renter-friendly dollar-store hack to transform a kitchen backsplash for less tha

July 2024 · 2 minute read
2021-05-26T17:34:36Z

Apartment renter and TikToker Annika Hinds has racked up millions of views on a video showing how she transformed her kitchen backsplash using supplies she bought at a dollar store.

In the video from September 2020, Hinds explained exactly how she made and attached the renter-friendly adhesive backsplash for less than $25. 

At the time of writing, the video had almost more than three million views and nearly 500,000 likes.

The wall tiles were originally brown, but Hinds painted them pink with a white border. @blongesigns/TikTok

Hinds said she spent about $24 on the whole project — $7 on the tiles that she bought at a Dollar Tree store, $8 on a sample size of paint, $2 on a paintbrush, and $7 on the finishing sealer spray. 

Hinds begins the video with a trip to the Dollar Tree where she buys the adhesive tiles. Then she paints and coats the tiles with the finishing-sealer spray before sticking them to the wall. 

@blondesigns

Renter friendly Dollar Tree DIY! 🌿 #tiktokdiy #Fashion101 #plantsoftiktok #homedecor #diy

♬ original sound - Annika Hinds

Some TikTok users asked Hinds in the comments of her 2020 video if the hack would damage the wall once removed — and Hinds recently told Insider that in her experience, the do-it-yourself backsplash didn't leave any marks. She said that makes the project a renter-friendly idea, especially since it doesn't require nailing anything into the wall or doing any major demolition. 

Hinds said that the backsplash held up well since she installed it about eight months ago.

She added that she recently removed the tiles to start a different project and didn't see any visible damage or paint chipping.

If you want to give the design idea a try for yourself, Hinds recommends thoroughly cleaning the wall before sticking the tiles on it to keep them from peeling off later.

She also warns not to use the backsplash near heat or it will melt the tiles. 

"Not the best hack for an oven backsplash," she said of the DIY decor upgrade. 

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