A Simple Solution to Unfinished Backsplash when Removing a Microwave Range Hood
One of the changes that I was adamant about making in our low budget kitchen makeover was to remove the microwave range hood from above our range and install a smaller microwave in our pantry.
I REALLY wanted that microwave hood GONE! So much so, that I didn’t care that the back splash wasn’t installed all the way up behind the microwave.
Pre Paint!
So on a whim, I started to investigate removing the microwave. The investigation took a turn and before I knew it the microwave was gone! The kitchen felt so much bigger without something so big weighing your eye sight down.
I quickly ordered a simple range hood and installed with the help of my dad. Next I had to figure out how to disguise that the tile didn’t go all the way up. So I started with paint. I painted our backsplash AND the wall above it all the same color so that your couldn’t tell where the tile ended.
Next, I started to experiment with decor to see what would work best to help disguise where the tile ends. At first, I tried using a painting to disguise the problem and lived with it for a couple of weeks.
It didn’t look bad, but it bothered me that once you got close, you knew that I was trying to hide something with the painting. So I decided to go back to the drawing board.
My solution? Adding a shelf! I quickly made this shelf with a leftover 1x2 that I had leftover from a previous project. I cut the length down to size and prepped the wood for stain.
I wanted the stain to be light so I applied one coat with a cloth and quickly wiped off the excess. One coat was all I needed.
I used a satin polycrylic and gave the shelf two coats to make sure it was protected and worked on figuring out how I was going to hang it. I wanted to avoid using any visible shelf brackets so I went for a floating shelf look. The tile edge provides a little ledge on the back that I can set the shelf on it and I was able to secure it with a screw from the inside of the cabinet. So easy!
Sooo much better right?! And it was so easy! So happy that I removed the microwave oven, it made all the difference! I can’t wait to show you the kitchen reveal. I’m almost done just working on some finishing touches. I know you’ve been getting sneak peaks here and there and I can’t wait to show you the whole space! Have a great week friends!
