How to Install Beadboard Backsplash in the Kitchen | Cottage Charm

Today I’m excited to show you the progress in our European cottage style kitchen upgrade and most specifically how to install beadboard backsplash to add charm.

We have been hard at work turning out kitchen into the European cottage style kitchen that we envisioned when we first moved in.

It’s not be the fasted project we’ve ever tackled.

But it has been worth it!

We’re not done yet, but we’re getting so close and I wanted to share a post that shows our progress.

Watch YouTube Video Here

Can beadboard be used as a kitchen backsplash?

Yes, it can.

But if you want beadboard backsplash behind your oven you need to make sure your oven model allows for it.

Beadboard backsplash is flammable, so you want to make sure the oven doesn’t get too hot too close to it.

Some ovens have a 4-6″ backsplash that you can install after you buy the oven and some come with it already attached.

So in our situation, we discovered that to buy a backsplash that coordinated with our oven model we were going to spend $400!

That was crazy!

So we looked for a generic backsplash, and that was $100-$150.

So ultimately we decided to purchase a quartz backsplash to go behind the oven.

The quartz guys told us that it is rated to 300F for direct contact so its a great option for behind an oven.

I recommend you check your oven model and see what the manufacturer recommends for safety.

Is the beadboard backsplash outdated?

No, beadboard backsplash is not outdated.

As far as a style, beadboard is more of a timeless design detail.

It’s very simple, yet adds so much charm and character.

How to Install Beadboard Backsplash in the Kitchen

Materials Needed to Install Beadboard Backsplash

• Beadboard (I used tongue and groove planks, but beadboard paneling works great too!)
• Trim (whatever style you like, for finishing off the edges)
• Liquid Nails
• Nail gun + Nails
• Circular Saw
• Caulk and caulk gun
• Primer
• Paint roller + paintbrush
• Paint

Install Beadboard Backsplash – Step by Step

1. Prep Wall

I took down all the shelves, then removed outlet covers, and the trim around the window that I wanted to replace with new trim to match the original part of the house.

1. Measure the height

This is going to depend on how high the distance is from the counter to the ceiling or the bottom of your upper cabinets.

We don’t have uppers in our kitchen and ultimately decided to go to the ceiling.

**HINT**

Don’t trust that the first piece you cut will be the same height as the last piece you cut.

Our old house has a very drastic difference, but regardless its always better to measure before you cut with each piece.

2. Cut the beadboard

Once you know the size of the beadboard you can use any saw you prefer to cut along your line.

We used a miter saw, but a circular saw would work fine in this situation as well.

3. Apply adhesive to the back of beadboard

When we did this we just used a wave motion from one end of the beadboard to the other.

But while we were out talking with people who install quarts counters for a backsplash they suggested that applying the glue in multiple circles creates better suction.

Beadboard is not nearly as heavy as a quartz backsplash, but I believe the same principle would apply.

4. Put beadboard on the wall

Once you’ve applied the glue it’s time to put the beadboard on the wall.

At this point it’s important to ensure the board is level.

This is something you’ll want to check multiple times throughout the installation to make sure you don’t end up with lines that are slanted.

4a. Ensure a tight fit

Beadboard planks are designed for one side to slide into the other to create a seamless look from one piece to the other.

So to make sure we had a snug fit, we took a scrap piece of beadboard and used it to gently apply pressure by hammering it into the the piece beside it.

5. Nail beadboard to the wall

Now that you are happy with the way the beadboard looks grab a nailer and put 1-2 nails in at the top and 1-2 nails in at the bottom.

6. Repeat until the area is covered

Do this until the area you want to cover in beadboard backsplash is covered.

7. Caulk & Paint

After you have the beadboard installed everywhere you will want to caulk the gaps between the beadboard and the trim.

Then when the caulk is dry you want to start to paint the beadboard and trim.

That is it!

It is such an easy DIY project and adds so much character.

Changes to Our European Cottage Kitchen Plans

I mentioned this a little bit earlier in the post, but because of the safety situation, we are making changes to what we planned on doing for our kitchen.

I’m actually really excited about it for a couple reasons.

The first being the practicality.

I’m such a messy cook, it’s not even funny.

This beadboard has only been up for 2 weeks and I’ve already had to wipe tomato sauce off it twice, homemade mac n cheese sauce once.

This is something I should really work on, but having a quartz backsplash right behind the oven is going to make clean up so much easier.

The second reason I’m excited is because I think it’s going to look more beautiful than the metal backsplash we originally planned.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see what we’ve been up to.

I can’t wait for next weeks post.

I’ll be sharing some of the ways we’re putting this beautiful kitchen to good use preserving the apples from our apple trees.

More DIY Projects

Lighten stained wood

How to DIY a hanging pot rack

How to DIY brackets for open shelves

DIY Cafe Curtains

How to paint over chalk paint

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Have a great week! XoXo

Open Your Doors,
Aliya

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