How To Install Ikea Wall Panels

Made from a melamine laminate, Ikea wall panels come in a variety of patterns. Each is reversible, giving you two different options for your project. Although Ikea markets the panels for use as a backsplash behind kitchen counters, as they are resistant to heat and water, the panels can add a unique twist in nearly any room of your house. You can install Ikea wall panels rather easily in an afternoon.

Step 1

Wipe down the walls where you plan to install the Ikea paneling with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt. If you are installing the panels in your kitchen and there is grease or food buildup behind the counters, use warm soapy water or a wall-safe kitchen cleaner to wipe down the walls.

Step 2

Determine which side of the Ikea kitchen panels you want visible after installation. Four options are available: stainless steel and aluminum, brown wood and white tile, white and floral, and black and black tile.

Step 3

Wipe down the opposite side of the panel that will be on display after installation with a damp cloth to remove any dust or residue from the packaging. Wait for the walls and the backside of the paneling to dry. This should only take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much cleaning the walls required.

Step 4

Measure the wall to determine how many full-size pieces you will need; Ikea wall panels come in one size: 16 7/8-inches by 24-inches.

Step 5

Apply 3-inch-long beads of panel adhesive to the backside of the paneling, making sure to evenly cover the edges. Apply a zigzag pattern of adhesive around the edges of the paneling to ensure a secure fit.

Step 6

Place the bottom of the panel on the bottom of the area above the counter where you will install the paneling so it is level, then press the paneling to the rest of the wall, making sure to keep the product straight and in line with both the bottom and side of the wall. If you are installing this item outside of the kitchen, draw a level line across the room where you want the bottom of the panel to be, and install it in the same fashion.

Step 7

Install the rest of the full-sized panels as needed until the wall is completely covered or there is no more room for a full-sized panel.

Step 8

Measure the remaining space and mark these measurements on a panel. Draw a level line based on this mark as a cutting guide. Use a table saw to cut the Ikea wall panel to size, and install it in the same manner as the full-size panels.

Step 9

Make cuts in a panel to accommodate any outlets or switches. Install the panels up until the piece that you need to cut is next, and measure where in the panel the outlet will come through. Use these measurements to cut a hole in the panel with a jigsaw and install the panel in the same fashion as the others.