Should I paint the tiles or would it be a terrible idea...?

[closephine85]

We have small grey tiles spanning 2 walls, up to mid-window height in our kitchen. I hate them! But to remove them would be a mammoth effort. Our window shutters are fitted over them, so they would have to come off and the lights under our kitchen units are also fitted on top of them.

Could I paint them white?! Has anyone done this and what make/paint would you recommend? Or do you think they would quickly end up looking tatty and awful. I need to be able to regularly wipe them clean behind the hob and where the sink splashes.

Any advice/suggestions appreciated!

People will tell you they can be painted and they can. But they'll look dreadful. At some point you'll decide to retile. Might be a short term cheap fix if you need one.

I've painted tiles before with some success. Use proper tile paint, follow the instructions to the letter, make sure the paint cures completely before getting any hint of water on them. It's a cheap option that might last a good coup,e of years.

Thanks, this is what I fear. I really wish they hadn’t tiled quite so much of the room when the house was built. There really was only a need for behind the hob but it’s a whole 2 walls! I just wondered if plain white and a gazillion coats might look ok.

Don’t paint them. I agree that they will look awful. Bite the bullet and get them off the walls. Do you need so much tiling? Minimal tiling looks better in my view so see how you can paint over a new plastered finish.

Thanks @soontobe60 what colour did you paint yours?

No Bubbles, I think the tiler must have been mates with the developer - just not sure we can stretch to the cost of having them removed a walls replastered at the moment. I may have to live with them.

It’s an open plan kitchen/lounge so I have to look at them ALL the time and I feel like they put a downer on the rest of my lovely room!

What about the tile sticker things? Disclaimer - I am no bob the builder!

I've painted tiles white recently. You must buy the correct tile paint and rollers etc., and follow the instructions to the letter.

They look absolutely fine. New tiles would of course be the best option, but in lieu of that, it really helps improve ugly tiles.

If you make a shit job of it, they'll look awful, so take care and don't rush.

We've painted tiles - you need specific tile paint (b&q sell it) but it looks ok, not as good as replacing but 6 years on we haven't felt the need to chip them off yet

My partner is a painter and decorator and he said you can paint them but it will have to be an oil based paint x

But it can chip easy

Thanks everyone. I can’t lie, it’s tempting! Those of you who have done it with ok results, do you know which brand you used?

Rather than remove them, could you tile over the top of them?

I have painted the tiles in my bathroom very successfully. There are limited colours on offer, but if you are after something neutral you will be fine. You do not get the same sheen as you do with tiles but I am very happy with the end result. You can pick up the tile paint most places now. It is scary to start with and you need to work quickly, but you soon get the hang of it. Use a small roller , keep going in the same direction and make sure you use masking tape to cover areas you do not wish to go over. Do not attempt to give anything a second coat if more than a couple of minutes have lapsed as it will bring the paint of with it. Leave for 24 hours if you need to go over it again. Try watching some online tutorials before hand.