When it comes to updating a bathroom or kitchen, the thought of removing old tiles can feel overwhelming; messy demolition, piles of dust, and weeks of disruption often put homeowners off from giving their space the makeover it deserves. The good news is that you don’t always have to start from scratch to achieve a fresh, modern look. There are clever solutions that allow you to cover tiles without taking them out, giving your walls or floors an instant facelift with far less hassle.
From stylish wall panels to paint, these methods open the door to a whole new level of convenience and creativity - helping homeowners save both time and money. In this blog, we’re going to discuss solutions for covering up old wall tiles as well as ideas for ways you can refresh your home with bright, new styles.
How to cover up tiles
A full kitchen or bathroom renovation can be a bit of a headache when you have to rip up old tiles. Luckily, as we mentioned earlier, there are alternative ways to cover up old tiling without the hassle of tearing them out and taking days to redo your home interiors. Below, you can find some of the best and easiest ways to cover up old tiles.
Covering tiles using panelling
This is our personal favourite cover-up method. While paint gets the job done, panelling comes in a wide range of styles, textures and finishes, making upgrading your home interior easier than ever. Not to mention their moisture and mould resistance properties makes them a perfect choice for kitchens and bathrooms. On top of this, they’re easy to install and easy to clean, it’s easy to see why they’re such a popular choice for homeowners.
What you’ll need to cover tiles with panelling
Before we tell you how to cover your tiles with panelling, there are a few things you’ll need to ensure you get the job done right. Having the right items for the job is essential for making the process as easy and efficient as possible.
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Fine-tooth saw or jigsaw
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Stanley knife
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Tape measure
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Pins, staples or screws
How to cover tiles with panelling
Panelling is a quick, easy and stylish option for upgrading your home interior without all the fuss. Now you’ve got all the tools you need, you can begin the process of covering and refreshing your old tiles.
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First, you’ll need to measure the length of your panels and the walls to ensure that the panels will fit correctly. If you need help on measuring your walls and panelling correctly, you can read through our helpful guide, and use our calculator to help you figure out how many panels you’ll need for the job.
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Once you know your measurements, you can begin cutting up the panelling to the right size with the fine-tooth saw or jigsaw.
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Now they’re cut to size, they’ll be ready to put over your tiles. To do this, run a generous portion of solvent-free adhesive or sealant along the back of the panel before fitting it on the wall.
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Next, you’ll need to secure the panel to the wall using screws, staples or pins through the panel’s tongue - do this every 30cm on each panel.
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Repeat this process until your tiles have been fully covered.
Covering tiles using paint
Paint is a great choice for a quick and easy tile refresh. Sometimes adding a new or fresh coat of colour is enough to completely transform a room from tired to full of character.
What you’ll need for painting over tiles
Painting your tiles isn’t as simple as slapping on some new colour and leaving it to dry. In order to make sure the paint stays on and that you can enjoy a nice, even coat, there are a few tools you’ll need:
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Tile cleaner
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Waterproof tile paint
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A paintbrush
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Paint primer
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Sealant
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Sandpaper
How to paint over tiles
With all the right tools, the process of painting your tiles will be much easier, and you can enjoy long-lasting results. However, the process is just as important as the tools, and to make sure you’re doing it properly, we’ve included a helpful step-by-step guide below.
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Before you begin, and for the best results, you’ll need to ensure all your tiles have been cleaned, leaving no dust or debris behind. This can be done with a tile cleaner and sponge or scourer, depending on how bad the dirt is. You’ll want your tiles to be completely dry before continuing to the next step.
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Once dry, you’ll then want to sand your tiles down using sandpaper to help roughen up the gloss or the matt coating - this will help the paint to stick.
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Next, you’ll be applying primer onto the tiles and grout (ensure you open all windows and doors for ventilation during this process).
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Once the primer has been applied and dried, it’s time to apply your paint. We recommend doing two coats at a minimum to ensure full coverage of your tiles, However, this can change depending on the brand, so make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions first.
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For a watertight seal for your kitchens and bathrooms, we recommend applying a clear sealant as a top coat for a strong and lasting finish.
Ideas for covering up your tiling with panels
We personally recommend using wall panels to cover up your tiling as not only are they easy to install and easy to maintain, but panelling comes in a wide range of styles, textures and colours to suit every home interior taste. With so many designs to choose from, it can be hard to find the right fit for you. Which is why, below, we’ve added some of the best ideas for using panelling when covering up your old tiling.
Make your room brighter
If you’ve previously suffered with dark tiles or you find your bathroom or kitchen is feeling cramped, open up the space with some light and airy designs. Panelling such as these Beige Concrete wall panels is a perfect choice for brightening up your small rooms. With subtle effects and bright, warm tones, these panels will help you create a cosy and serene cover for your tiling.
Try a different tile style
Change doesn’t always have to be drastic. Tiles are a great look for bathrooms and kitchens, but when you're ready for a new, clean look. Tile effect panelling is great for upgrading your home interiors. These Ivory White Marble Tile Wall Panels are perfect for a modern tile upgrade, complete with a stunning design and easy-to-maintain features, so you can enjoy a tiled look without all the upkeep and hassle of real tile.
Add a touch of colour
If you’ve been stuck with bland tiles for a while, sometimes the best thing you can do is add a touch of colour and add some character to your tired rooms. Try a pop of blue with these Aquarius Wall Panels to help accentuate a beachy vibe for added brightness and personality to your rooms.
Experiment with different textures
The great thing about panels is that there are so many styles and effects to choose from when covering up old tiles. With everything from elegant marble to rustic stone and stunning wood effects for a naturistic touch. Take these French Oak Water Resistant Slat Wall Panels that are great for when you can bring nature indoors and cover your tiles with something that adds warmth and natural wood effects
Or if you prefer something a little more rustic and rugged, you can try these Vox Vilo Vintage Brick wall panels for a stunning stone effect. If you’re sick of the smooth look of tiles, these panels can be a wonderful way to add texture and charm into your interiors while hiding your tiling.
Cover up your tiles hassle-free with the panel company.
Giving your bathroom or kitchen a fresh new look doesn’t have to mean tearing everything out and starting from scratch. Covering existing tiles with alternatives like wall panels allows you to transform your space quickly, affordably, and with far less mess than a traditional renovation.
These methods not only save you time and money but also provide the flexibility to update your design whenever you’re ready for a change. If you’re ready for something new then browse our full range of wall panels here at the panel company and find stunning styles from wood effects to marble panelling for the perfect way to hide your old tiles.
