subway tile stick on kitchen

Why Peel and Stick Tiles Are Perfect for Small Spaces?

Written by: chenqiyu

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Time to read 8 min

Trying to decorate a smaller area can be quite difficult. In the struggle to have adequate storage or furniture, it is common to overlook the aesthetics of your space. Research suggests that almost 65% of urban dwellers struggle to personalize apartments under 500 sq. ft. The problem arises due to limited square footage or the fear of making the space feel more cramped. The outcome, however is always a space that lacks personality and a homey feel. To infuse personality and bring your small space to life, peel and stick tiles can be the ultimate solution.

In small spaces, the wall and floor plan offer a perfect opportunity to personalize your space. Peel and stick tiles can be applied to both your wall and floor for an instant makeover. Its thin and lightweight design make it an apartment-friendly tile. You do not need to purchase special tools or grout to install self-adhesive peel and stick tiles because they already have an adhesive backing. This makes it possible to simply stick the tile to the desired space. The simple application method makes the tiles ideal for quick, budget-friendly projects.

Another peel and stick tile benefit remains its versatility in both design and application. You can play around with different designs, colors, and textures to make your space feel more open. The easy application and removal of peel and stick tiles make it a popular choice among renters and homeowners. This small space renovation ideas can be the perfect way to personalize and elevate your small dwelling. 

fish scale backsplash stick on kitchen

Core Advantages: Why should you install peel and stick tiles in small spaces?

Make temporary and space-friendly upgrades:

Peel and stick tiles can lend a quick and hassle-free upgrade to your small home. The tiles can add plenty of visual interest without damaging or taking too much of your precious space. It's self adhesive backing allows you to apply and remove the tile without any damage. These no-renovation wall upgrades can be a great benefit to renters and frequent decorators. When thinking of making a change in your compact space, simply peel off and get ready for another space-friendly yet impactful upgrade.

Thinking to update your rented home with peel and stick tiles, then I must-read is "Peel and Stick Backsplash Tiles are a Renter-Friendly Option."

Create illusion of a bigger space:

When done right, peel and stick tiles can also make your compact space feel more open. You can opt for colors and materials that give an illusion of a bigger space. Your dark colored flooring could be replaced with white-washed wood to reflect light and extend the visual boundaries of the space. Similarly, you can use reflective peel and stick tiles upon the wall to maximize light in your compact room. White marble or reflective tiles can be perfect tiles to make your small rooms look bigger. Make smart and thoughtful choices to make the most of your small space.

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hexagon peel and stick tile for kitchen

Tailor space to your style and preference:

When it comes to personalizing or styling your space, self adhesive tiles offer a lot of flexibility. They are available in many designs, colors, shapes, and even sizes. Additionally, these tiles can be placed in almost any challenging area where normal tiles cannot be placed. Your sloping ceilings, tight corners and irregular spaces can all be tackled with peel and stick tiles. It can also offer many customizable tiles shape for tight spaces. You can easily customize and fit in hexagonal, picket, or subway tiles in a small or irregular space. Self adhesive tiles can help you achieve the desired look, anywhere in your house.

Save time and money with the DIY project:

One of the greatest advantages of peel and stick tiles remains its easy application. The self adhesive tiles can directly adhere to surfaces without the need for grout or mortar. Cutting down the need for specialized tools and materials, peel and stick tiles serve as budget-friendly, small space upgrades. Installing the tiles also does not require professional help. You can easily take up the project yourself and complete within a few hours. Peel and stick tiles can be the perfect DIY project for your small abode. To give an instant and budget-friendly to your home, self-adhesive tiles can be an excellent tool. 

If you are still confused about installing peel and stick tiles in your home, then check out the article, "In Defense of Peel and Stick Tile—What Pros Want You to Know Before Trying the Trend."

Stainless steel tiles stick on kitchen

Real-life inspirations:

Super small kitchen backsplash:

Backsplash can serve as a great place to add personality and interest to your kitchen. However, the problem truly arises when you have a small backsplash. In the inspiration above, peel and stick tiles are used cleverly to accentuate the visual dimension of the backsplash. It utilizes a mix of stone and metal tiles to add interest to the tight corner. The metallic surface bounces light around to give the illusion of a bigger space. Also, the horizontal orientation of the tiles enhances the length of the backsplash. The tiles on the side wall create visual continuity, allowing the backsplash to make a bigger impact.


Bring plenty of style and elegance to your kitchen with our Perisa Peel and Stick Stone Backsplash

Super small kitchen backsplash Inspiration

Mini bathroom wall:

Adding personality to your small bathroom can definitely be a challenging task. The problem worsens when you don't have adequate wall space. The inspiration above shows a great way to add personality to a mini bathroom wall. The wood texture effect peel and stick tiles add a dose of vintage to the bathroom. It uses a soft green-grey tone to reflect the light and make the space feel more open. The tiles run along the sink and toilet creating a cohesive design. It is important to note that peel and stick tiles are only applied to half of the wall. It can be a unique and budget-friendly way to update the bathroom. 


Shop the look of Ecru Rustic Subway Tile to elevate your compact bathroom.

Mini bathroom wall Inspiration

A narrow apartment entryway:

An entryway makes the first impression of your home. However, many houses and apartments have a narrow entryway. The inspiration above utilizes peel and stick tiles to add interest to the narrow passageway. It uses reflective tiles to amplify light and extend the visual boundaries of the space. The bold geometric pattern on the wall adds plenty of interest to the compact space. It captures the eye and takes attention away from the narrow space. Peel and stick tiles can be a simple and easy way to elevate your entryway.


Bring geometric elegance to any corner of your home with our Hexagon Peel and Stick on Backsplash

Small home office wall:

It is a common practice to fit home offices into compact rooms and tight corners. Self-adhesive tiles can be used smartly to accentuate the appearance and visual boundaries, as in the inspiration above. It utilizes white subway tiles to reflect maximum light and give the illusion of a bigger space. The subway tiles run horizontally to exaggerate the visual length of the office. The result is a home office that feels more open, stylish, and most importantly timeless.


Transform any small nooks or corner with a timeless touch with our Semi-matte White Peel and Stick Subway Backsplash

If you want more inspiration for incorporating self-adhesive tiles around your home, check out the article, "This TikToker Used Peel-and-Stick Tiles in a Surprising Spot — And It Looks Incredible.

peel and stick subway tile for  entryway

How to choose peel and stick tiles for small spaces?

Color and texture:

The color and texture of peel and stick tiles have the ability to extend the visual boundaries of your small space. Consider buying brighter, more reflective peel and stick tiles for your compact home. White remains one of the best tile colors for small rooms as it reflects the maximum amount of light. Similarly, reflective tiles can maximize light in the room, giving the illusion of a larger space. It is also important to restrict dark and heavily textured tiles to small nooks and details. Dark, textured tiles work great in adding depth to your space. Use it sparingly around the room to add depth and visual contrast.

Find the right size of tile:

In the battle of small vs large peel and stick tiles, there is no real winner. The right size of tile truly depends upon the surface you are applying it to. If you are applying the tiles to an entire floor or wall, then large tiles measuring 12 x 24 inches can be the perfect option. Showing off fewer seams and grouting lines, large tiles can offer a clean and seamless look. The tiles display fewer visual breaks to make your compact space feel more open.

These 2 x 4-inch smaller tiles are perfect for detailed work in small nooks. The beauty of small tiles can be appreciated as accents on your kitchen backsplash or bathroom. Using the right-sized tiles helps make your space more appealing.

metal kitchen backsplash
peel and stick vinyl tile for kitchen

Installation tips and pitfalls to avoid:

Tips for small spaces:

  • Accurately measure irregular walls:

Renovating irregular walls using self adhesive tiles can be a difficult task. Flawless results can only be achieved by taking precise measurements. A good technique is to divide the wall into sections and measure each separately. For tricky corners, try cutting out a paper or cardboard template to trace the exact shape. If you are working with curves or slopes, consider cutting the tiles into a slightly larger piece. Later you can trim the piece and attain a perfect fit. Accurate measurements can enable you to achieve a neat and professional finish even on irregular walls.


  • Use a laser level to ensure alignment in small areas:

Gaps and misalignments that are more pronounced in tiny areas can be covered up with a laser level. Since walls and floors aren’t always perfectly straight, relying solely on visual judgment may not be sufficient. A laser level serves as a more reliable source for aligning your tiles. The tool projects a beam of light to provide reference for leveling and alignment. Set up the laser level where you'll start and project a line across the surface. This helps keep things aligned and stops tiles from slanting later on. Using a laser level can give an even and professional finish to your peel and stick tiles.


kitchen backsplash tiles

Conclusion: Use peel and stick tiles to make a big impact in a small spaces

Peel and stick tiles remain a cost-effective and hassle-free way to infuse personality into any small space. The self-adhesive tiles are a temporary addition and work great for small apartments and rented spaces. It can be the perfect DIY project for your small dwelling. Make sure you pretreat the surface to attain the best result. It is also worth spending your time in matching the patterns and properly aligning each piece. A neat finish can effortlessly mimic the look of metal, natural stone, and wood, without being heavy on your pocket.

When choosing peel and stick tiles, use the color, patterns, and finish to your benefit. Generally, soft colors and reflective finishes can give the illusion of a bigger space. Vertically or horizontally aligned tiles or even herringbone patterns can exaggerate the visual boundaries of the space. From compact kitchens and bathrooms to a narrow hallway or tiny offices, each can greatly benefit from self-adhesive tiles. While taking minimal spaces, peel and stick tiles can lend visual expansion and fill up your small dwelling with plenty of interest and personality.