You can add some splash to your kitchen without spending a lot of money by applying a simple wallpaper border for a backsplash. You can get a pretty good bargain on borders in the closeout bin at your wallpaper store or home improvement center, but make sure they have enough of the border to go around the area you want to cover as these bargains are usually close outs and you might not be able to get more!

Since most wallpapers come pre-pasted, applying the border is easy. A backsplash area is usually pretty small so this project can be done in an afternnon. When selecting your border, think about your overall theme or color scheme of the kitchen. You want to pick something that complements it and, of course, pick one that is washable so that you can easily remove all the "splashes" that occur during normal kitchen activities.

To prepare your wall area for the wallpaper border, clean the wall thoroughly first. You can just wash them with soap and water but make sure you get any gunk or grease spots off. If there are any big holes in the plaster, you might want to patch them, but little holes are OK and the border will cover them up nice! Remove the coverings to any light switches or electrical outlets.

Measure out your wall paper so it is a couple of inches longer that the actual size of the backsplash and cut. Apply the paper to the wall per the manufactuers instructions. If your paper has a pattern, make sure you match the pattern on the cut edges in corners or where you couldn't use the continuous roll. Butt the bottom of the border up against your counter. If there are any windows or moldings in the area you are papering, you will want to overlap any paper that is against them. Make sure you smooth the paper out with a wet sponge or wallpaper brush to remove any bubbles and wrinkles. After putting the border up, take a wet sponge and smooth it out to the edge ? always move the sponge from the paper to the wall so that the edge doesn't buckle up. Make sure the edges have enough paste on them so that they don't peel back after it is dry.

Cut off excess paper around any moldings, window and in the electrical outlets and switches.

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can learn more about wallpapering and decorating your kitchen on a budget.