Okay so you now want to put wallpaper over a crappy paint job ??/ What the hell do you think that will do? The backsplash does not relate to anything and that is the silliest island I have ever seen. Strip the cabinets remove the island and start over.

Best change you could make in that space - the back splash. Use white subway or something like that to keep it looking clean and not so busy. The back splash is kind of out of style already. Add a rug, curtains, art, plants, etc.

The paint on the cabinets can be either redone, or you can touch it up where it is needed. It sounds like if they are old and have been painted that you might want to replace them someday anyways, so I wouldn't go through with wallpapering them. I don't think you'll get the desired look.

You could pop out some of the panels in the doors and change them to glass (have local glass company make glass to fit door frames) or change them to a bead board panel (buy a sheet of bead board and cut them to fit in the door frames)? Add a very small cove crown to the top? Just repaint?

You have some good options, but I don't think wallpaper is the best one.

First, please do not add any more of that backsplash. In fact, please rip it out. Not only is it super busy (and dated), it's not even patterned properly in the corner. A simple subway tile is not only pretty cheap and easy to DIY, it will look a million times better.

Second, I don't think beadboard will fix the issue. If you swap out the backsplash it wouldn't be as glaring of a style contrast, but it also won't fix the problem.

Third, that island has to go haha. It's silly and the color of it clashes with all the warm tones in the kitchen. Plus, tile is awful for kitchen countertops since it's unsanitary with the grout.

(Is the sink not even centered to the window either?!? Oh boy, I know it's not you but whoever did this kitchen did a horrible job!)

No, don't put beadboard wallpaper on the cabinets, it will not turn out well. Repaint them. I don't mean to be rude, but the backsplash is not cohesive with the 'island'; if you can't remove the 'island' you might consider painting it while you're doing the cabinets... same color.

ETA: many people don't realize that 'ripping out' a backsplash can often damage the drywall, and unless you are able to repair that yourself, you will run into more costs than just new tile. I think the OP is attempting to try a less expensive route than replacing tile, repairing drywall.

I would avoid spending any money on quick fixes, that's how the kitchen ended up like this to begin with. Awkward island, mismatched tile countertops, incomplete backsplash, poorly finished cabinets, it all needs to go. Start planning and saving for a full remodel.

I'm with Carly on this one - that backsplash is busy and dated and really not worth hunting down the extra tile to fill in the bits they didn't do. A simple white subway tile would calm things down. As for the wallpaper idea - as Patricia pointed out, you'd be wallpapering over a bad paint job, which is not a great idea. It wouldn't solve the issue of the bad paint job either - just cover parts of it up. I'd suggest sanding the cabinets down and repainting as one possibility (it's a lot of work - whether you hire someone or DIY) - but you do need to consider whether they're cabinets you want to keep long term and whether they are worth the work.

Another option is new cabinet doors and refacing the cabinets, but again - you need to assess the condition and quality of the cabinets to begin with. Bead board with that backsplash would just be more busy-ness. The island may be your inspiration here, but it doesn't go with the rest of the kitchen - it kind of looks like it parachuted in from someone else's kitchen. Have you explored removing it? I know you didn't ask about it, but Patricia is right - it's pretty silly looking. ;)

Unfortunately, there really aren't any good "quick fixes" to a bad kitchen cabinet paint job. Cheap, yes, if you have a lot of patience and reasonable DIY skills (sand and repaint - preferably spraying if you can) but nothing that makes it all go away for a few dollars.

Whoa - lots of responses while I was typing. LOL. Anyway - could you post some more pics of the kitchen and perhaps a quick plan showing the dimensions? That way we might be able to better suggest some changes going forward. Also - are the cabinets worth keeping long term? Shelves all straight (not saggy), no sign of water damage, etc. etc.? I wouldn't do any major work on them unless they are.

The biggest problem with the beadboard wallpaper is that it is wallpaper and can rip. I have used it and like it in the right situation, but it is not strong enough to survive kitchen cabinet use, especially lower cabinets and drawers.

If that is a stick on backsplash without grout then you might be able to heat it up with a hairdryer and pull it off. I would have ripped it out two minutes after moving in because the optics would make me crazy:)

If your budget is very tight here are some ideas to help you work with what you have. Do not put good money into poor cabinets, so be careful of how much you spend.

You can remove the center panel in some (or even all) of the upper cabinets and replace with glass. To hide the inside of the cabinet, you can use frosted glass or you can shirr fabric behind the glass. This can be too country for some, but the type of fabric can also set the tone.

Some lower cabinets can be replaced with curtains or baskets. Be careful of children and pets with accessible cabinets:

You can take down a cabinet and put up a small area of open shelving, or if you can deal with it, take down several of the uppers and do a lot of open shelving. You have to be up for keeping it orderly and neat.

You can buy a nice island when you have the money. You can use it in a remodel or sell it when you remodel.

The guest kitchen at French Country Cottage used some of these ideas:

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/2012/09/building-vintage-farmhouse-kitchen.html

I used some in my basement kitchenette. The shelves were made very inexpensively using fir joist, and I did use the beadboard wallpaper as a backsplash - it makes a very good temporary backsplash:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~65270573

This is my Amish made island. Here it has quartz, but for many years it had a home center piece of butcher block for the top:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~93784291

butcher block top:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~47679361

You can find similar "islands" in white or a color which would work for you.

I had this island from Crate and Barrel in my townhouse and it was wonderful. The top could fold out for more room and it comes with wheels or solid feet. I used the wheels so I could move it as needed. I can't tell from the pics if your current island can be removed without damaging the floor.

matz,,,that island w/a butcher block top would be fine.

maybe they didn't do a good job on the splash, or maybe they used Mastic! in that case the tiles should pull off the wall without too much trouble.

don't know if you two have ever tiled before, but a backsplash isn't too hard. get the large 3x12 subway tiles in a ceramic. rent a tile saw. watch some good videos and read up how to redo it. with a little research it isn't that difficult and you really couldn't do any worse!

save up for new cabs or cabinet refacing. check craigslist for cabinet deals. sometime people sell perfectly good cabs for next to nothing.

The quickest fix is buying a new island, yes. But if you really want to make a change and can afford it, I would replace the countertops. Just a simple black pearl granite would look nice and go with just about anything. after that, just put some white subway tile on your backsplash and those two changes will make a huge difference. I would not re-do the backsplash until you are ready to change the countertops.

Er, Anne - matzchristine said the countertops ARE black granite. They're doing a bang-up job of reflecting that busy backsplash in the photos, which does make it hard to tell. ;)

oh just kidding! That's what happens when you just skim, lol

Rip out the splash and learn to tile.

Learn to sand and paint properly too.

A IKEA island cart.

And ALL of this is temporary until you gut this and start over with a better design. That takes resources and planning though.

Going to agree with Sophie Wheeler. If you pull your tile out, learn to mud any uneven areas which might be caused by tile removal (I can, so am assuming you can also) so new tile goes on evenly. Island *cart* would be far better than what you have now. Painting your cabinets properly takes time and effort. It can be done, though.

I was not having a bad morning but I am honest when asked a question. If you want an island I would suggest a rolling one to see if it works I think a butcher block counter on it would be a good idea.

The first thing you need to do is change that back splash!! If you can't tile yourself, I'd get some peel and stick from Home Depot.

I'd also ask the sellers what color paint they used for the cabinets and touch up as needed. ANY painted cabinet will eventually show wear and tear and need touching up.

I think the island is just fine. Heck tile was used on counter tops for YEARS and no one died because of it. It was considered "in" at one point. Is it perfect? Nope. But not everyone can afford to have "perfect" anything.

I think just changing your back splash will make a huge improvement.

Here are two pics from Home Depot of peel and stick tile.

I also did some research and it CAN be put on over existing tile-youtube is your friend!

I'd take the back splash up to under your cabinets on both sides of the kitchen.

As for the areas where the original tile doesn't reach the top? Well you will have to build that out some how. Maybe even just use joint compound, or get a much cheaper peel and stick tile to finish the top ledge and put the newer peel and stick on top of that.

OR you could just put peel and stick over what is already there and call it a day. But I would still do the other side, the side with the stove. If you do this route I'd pick a solid white tile, to make it blend with your existing wall color.

Congrats on home ownership!! Don't stress. Know that things CAN be done DIY. I didn't know how to do anything when I started out either. Just don't be afraid to try. The worst thing that will happen is that you will eventually have to re-do something...which you are already in that boat lol.

Hello matzchristine! Just came across this thread and am reflecting that you have been in your new house for well over a year now, and wondering what you did to help your kitchen? We all love to see the after photos, or work-in-progress pics!!

Yes, would love an update!

I wouldn’t do any temporary fixes, either. I might replace the islet with a counter-height butcherblock-topped table (with a lower shelf or two for pot storage) if you need work space. Live with this kitchen for a while and then start planning and saving for a kitchen which will meet your needs. If you know it will be a year or more before you can replace the kitchen, you may consider having a pro come do a new paint job.