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7 Easy Steps to Tile a Backsplash Like an Expert

Jan 18, 2024 by Brooke Larsen · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Kitchen Backsplash

Give your home a new facelift by learning how to tile a backsplash like a professional.

Are you searching for a cost-effective way to spruce up your wall space? Look no further than a DIY tile backsplash that you can do yourself as part of your home renovation. By following the step-by-step guide below, you'll have the confidence and skills to install stunning new backsplash tiles in no time – without breaking the bank.

Come learn how to transform any wall surface in your home with a DIY tile backsplash and reap the rewards of a professional-looking kitchen at a fraction of the cost.

7 Easy Steps to Tile a Backsplash Like an Expert

Picking Wall Tile Backsplash

Before purchasing new tile you will need to figure out how much tile you need and what kind. An easy way to decide is by picking something that is neutral because then it can go with most, if not all, of your design choices. But don't be discouraged if you love a fun pattern, because ultimately it's all personal preference. It's also smart to add 10% of extra tile onto your total amount for waste or mistakes.

Here are several options for popular kitchen backsplash tile and bathroom backsplash tile:

  • Faux brick
  • Natural stone
  • Glass tile - high level of stain resistance, better to use in low-traffic areas due to glass
  • Mosaic tile - lots of variety for design
  • Porcelain tile - harder than ceramic and waterproof
  • Ceramic tiles - slightly more susceptible to moisture infiltration than porcelain, popular in kitchens and cleans up easily, glazed is best for kitchen and bathrooms
  • White subway tile backsplash - very popular and neutral for kitchens and bathrooms

Supplies for Ceramic Tile Backsplash

I chose to install a neutral white ceramic backsplash for our tile installation on our kitchen wall. The smaller tiles are beautiful with an intricate design.

  • White arabesque ceramic wall tile
  • Tile spacers - 1/16th of an inch
  • Tile adhesive or Mastic
  • Level
  • Tile wet saw
  • Trowel
  • Grout
  • Grout sponge
  • Grout float
  • Bucket for clean water
  • Drop cloth or plastic to cover the surrounds areas
  • Schluter
White tile backsplash

How to Tile a Backsplash in 7 Steps

1. Prep Work

Before beginning your tile backsplash installation, you will want to first cover your counter top and flooring. Remove outlet covers from electrical outlets and anything else on your wall that might interfere.

Next, lay out your tile before installation. This will give you an idea of a good starting point. As you can see from the picture above my first tile piece was half of a half, not a full tile.

2. Apply Adhesive and Add Spacers

Now you are ready to lay your first row of tile. Apply the tile adhesive to the back of the tile piece. Use a notched trowel and make sure to have a groove pattern in the tile adhesive. This is the best way to create a suction to your wall and hold the tile in place until it is dry.

For this backsplash I applied the mastic, or adhesive to the back of the tiles because I was starting and stopping often. Once you have mastic on the wall you don't want to stop until it is all covered. If it dries before you place individual tiles on the mastic it will have to be chiseled off.

Apply adhesive, then place tile. Use spacers in between tiles as you go, before adding your next tile. I am using 1/16" tile spacers. I didn't want the grout to be very noticeable so thinner grout lines are best.

add tile adhesive to the back of the tile

Hot Tip: Add a temporary support if needed.

I added temporary support to the area behind the stove for a straight edge. This just ensures the tile stays in a nice straight line and doesn't slide down as you stick tile on.

Tiling a kitchen wall

3. Cut Tile With a Wet Saw

As you work your way down the wall you will most likely come to your first item that needs to be cut around. It may be an outlet, light switches or the pipe for a pot filler. Exercise patience when using a wet saw because you may have to redo your cuts a few times.

wet saw cutting tile

Creating round cuts can be a little tricky with a wet tile saw. As you can see I accidentally broke the bottom of my tile. This was the 6th time I tried to make this cut without breaking it. However, I realized that the plate cover would hide it so I let it be. On some of these harder cuts with smaller tiles you can use tile nippers or snips.

Hot Tip: Run blue painter's tape along the cut line. This will give you clean lines for your cut.

how to cut around items with a tile saw

4. Ending Your First Tile Row

As you get to the end of your bottom row, you may not have something to butt the end of the tile into like upper cabinets. One of the easiest ways to create a finished look is using Schluter. This is the silver lining piece that runs from the bottom of the cabinets to the counter top. It allows for a very nice clean edge, and creates a nice vertical line to frame the open edges of my tile.

Wall tile backsplash

5. Continue Placing Tiles

A backsplash tile installation is a long repetitive process. Just keep placing tiles and working your way up the wall.

Take your time and keep checking your spacing. Even with spacers the spacing can get off. Mastic allows for some working time so make sure you are double checking and adjusting as you go.

Hot Tip: Use a level to press the surface of the tile to the wall. This will keep your tiles flush with each other so they will be nice and smooth to run your hand across.

White tile backsplash

6. Allow Time to Dry

When you have finished tiling your backsplash, let your tile dry for at least 24 hours before adding grout. When adding grout you will be using quite a bit of pressure to push the grout into the tile with the grout rubber float.

7. Add Grout

First, pick out your grout color. I am going with a white grout so it will blend into the white tile. Mapei is my favorite brand for grout in tiling projects. They have a lot of colors to choose from, it is easy to apply and holds up well.

How to Install a DIY Kitchen Tile Backsplash Like A Pro

When adding grout, spread your grout at all different angles: up, down, side to side. You want that grout in all of the nooks and crannies of this DIY kitchen tile backsplash.

how to grout a backsplash

Work in small sections as you add grout. Apply the grout and then wipe excess grout off with a damp sponge. To do this I fill up a 5 gallon bucket with warm water. I wash the grout out, wring the sponge out in the water and then wipe again.

It is VERY important to get ALL of the extra grout off. Once the grout dries it is very hard to get it off. So work in small areas and clean it well.

White grout backsplash

DIY Tile a Backsplash

You may have noticed I don't have any outlets in my backsplash. Instead of putting them on the wall I opted to put strips of outlets just under the cabinets. It also serves as my under cabinet lighting. I love that it keeps the backsplash area nice and clean.

plug and light for a kitchen backsplash

This backsplash is the perfect focal point for our kitchen! You can also use this process in your laundry room, mudroom or any bathroom for a beautiful tiling job.

Tile a backsplash in kitchen

Whether you are renovating an old kitchen or sprucing up a new one, a DIY tile backsplash is an easy way to make a big impact. With a few simple steps, you can create a uniquely beautiful, modern, and timeless look! What are you waiting for? Get tiling!

Check out other bathroom tiling options here!

Tiling a bathroom backsplash

Happy DIYing!

Brooke

« How to Style Large Abstract Wall Art for Living Room
How to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Parmesan French Fries »
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About Brooke Larsen

Hello Friends! I love anything DIY and home decorator! On my blog I hope you will find home inspo. Whether it is for your next DIY project or home decor. If I can do it, anyone can!

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Hi I am Brooke I am an avid DIY-er and home decorator! I share home inspo and all of my DIY projects with step-by-step directions. I sprinkle in a few recipes to help out all of us busy moms too. If I can do it, so can you!

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