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Diy tile backsplash bathroom


How to Install a Tile Backsplash Easily – Our Home Made Easy

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Last month we wrapped up the One Room Challenge and after 6 weeks of working really hard in our spare time, we had a beautiful finished powder room. But I have to admit, we (okay, Jordan) stepped out of our comfort zone when it came to including DIY projects. The biggest worry for something we’d never done before? Installing tile work! This morning I am going to share our best advice to give you for how to install a tile backsplash! Let’s get started!

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One of the most dramatic DIY projects homeowner’s can do themselves is tile work. It’s relatively affordable, there are tons of options at any home improvement store, and we all know that tile seems to make or break a room. But honestly? We hadn’t tiled anything before, well because, the thought of mastic, leveling, and grouting seemed really overwhelming.

 

Love a great DIY project? Be sure to grab your list of my favorite weekend warrior projects below!

 

 

At our last house we bought accent tile for a backsplash and sat on it for years— I’m not even sure what happened to it when we moved out of the house a few years ago! Ooops. Our hesitation wasn’t for a lack of complete know-how, Jordan attended one or two workshops, watched videos, and it seemed easy enough for small areas. Just the thought of mixing mortar and applying it with a trowel never sounded like fun to us. We assumed we’d make a huge mistake and that fear left our cute little kitchen looking a little undone. Sorry sweet little ranch in Alabama!

How did we get over this fear?

We ripped it off like a band-aid and dove in on tiling. We thought one small band around a powder room seemed like a great place to start. And we had a secret weapon…. which made it so much easier. I can’t wait to show you!

 

How to Install a Tile Backsplash

Items Needed

 

Plan Your Space

For this project, we wanted a small band lying against the pedestal sink. We didn’t have a particular preference to the height of the backsplash, so we decided to make it easy— use one-half of the square foot tile sheets.

Since our room is 6′-7′ square, we bought 13 sheets of mosaic tile and ended up using 11 of them.

When figuring out how much tile you need, over estimate! There is nothing more frustrating than running out of a material mid-project, or trying to skip a corner to make what you have last longer.

 

Related: Easy Storage Shelving Under $70

 

Jordan cut 10 pieces in half so that we had twenty 6″ by 12″ long tile pieces. They looked great. But there was something to consider— the transition from all bottoms halves to the tops. You’ll only want to transition once, which essentially means that you take a few loose mosaic pieces and ‘build’ your own mosaic column. Once you create it, you can move on with the top 6″ pieces for the other half of the room.

 

Start with a Flush Corner

Take one piece of mosaic tile and cut the piece flush. Jordan cut in the spot that touched the least amount of rows so that we could use the most amount of the sheet as possible. Any tile work requires a wet saw. Since this was our first experience DIY-ing tile, we rented the wet saw from a local shop. If we were doing this more often, we agreed that we’d buy a wet saw to have on-hand and not worry about finishing and returning it back to the store by a certain hour.

This may be the industry standard– and I apologize if it’s redundant…

Jordan wrapped painter’s tape across the cut line and that made both seeing the cut line and holding the little pieces of mosaic intact! It’s the small things that keep  us moving. 🙂

 

Prep Your Tile

Once your tile is cut, it’s not ready for hanging– yet! Each piece that goes through the wet saw is literally wet. You’ll need it to be bone dry for hanging. I used my hair dryer and blasted the tile to quickly dry it.

Before I dried the tile, I removed the painter’s tape and collected any small bits of mosaic. Some of the tile was used to fill in areas where they ‘fell’ out of place. For the first piece where we created the single flush line, Jordan used it help build his transition piece from bottom halves to top halves.

 

Apply Your Backer

You know how I admitted that we were scared to death about the idea of starting a tiling project? That little adhesive band in the photo above cured us. We had seen it in the stores for a few years, but Jordan was adamant that we were going to do a project “right” and use mortar. Whatever that means. 😉

But after seeing our in-laws’ recent kitchen backsplash install and realizing that Jordan was traveling for 4 weeks of our 6 week One Room Challenge, Jordan had to reevaluate what doing a project “right” meant.

And gosh, it was a total time saver.

If you’re looking to skip the mortar and trowel, we cannot recommend the MusselBound backing enough. Jordan was so happy he went this route.

When you’re applying the backer, read the instructions before you start. For us, we unrolled the backing vertically, as directed. Then, I was in charge of taking our float and applying firm pressure to the paper to make sure we setup a strong foundation.

MusselBound saved us tons of time, gave us lots of confidence, BUT did require two sets of hands to apply before installing the tile work. Just a small PSA from these weekend DIY-ers.

 

Apply Your Tile

Once the adhesive sheet is pressed firmly into your drywall, it’s ready for the tile itself.

Remove your first sheet of adhesive in a corner. Place a layer of spacers along your bottom piece to ensure proper spacing for grout later. In this project, the top of our board & batten was the bottom. Carefully position your mosaic tile across the piece you just removed. Use the float to firmly apply pressure to the tile and adhesive. Repeat each piece as you work across the room.

Luckily for this room, we only had to use the wet saw for corners and creating flush ends. But it would be the same process for working around electrical outlets, cabinets, or light switches.

 

Apply Your Header Piece

I apologize, I’m not sure what the technical terminology is for the piece of tile that ends your tile work. Essentially, you need to add a trim piece to end your tile and keep the grout in the areas you want it, when you apply it. For most projects, you’ll want a small metal rail that you can pick up when you choose your tile.

For us, we used a 1″x 2″ piece of select pine to coordinate with our board & batten. Once we had the tile in place, we put spacers above the tile and laid the 1″ x 2″ board and nailed them in place.

 

 

Lastly, Grout & Wash!

Now the fun part! Follow the directions on your specific grout. You’ll want to apply it, wait the specific time, and wipe it off. You should only need to do each area once, so be sure that you are using more than enough grout.

In the picture above, Jordan grouted before he did the finishing work on the 1″ x 2″ header piece.

Here is what it looks like grouted (but not filled in on the header piece)!

Take a look at the final powder room makeover here!

 

And there it is! An easier way to tile a small space! Hopefully you’ll feel a little less nervous about starting a tiling project. I know this was the perfect introduction for us, and we couldn’t be happier with the effort-to-end result. Simply eliminating mixing mortar and using the trowel removed some mystery for these weekend DIY-ers. Have fun tiling!

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Small Bathroom Remodel: Easy DIY Tile Backsplash

As I mentioned in my previous post reviewing Smart Tiles, my friend Tom asked for my help to makeover his small half-bath in his condo. He had a tiny budget of $200 to makeover his equally tiny 20 ft2 bathroom. Luckily he was happy with the neutral color palette so no painting necessary, but he did want to update the look by adding a touch of warmth and elegance, and he also wanted to have more storage. Here’s the plan I came up with for the makeover:

  1. Add a contemporary tile backsplash above the sink area and a mirror
  2. Upgrade the lighting fixture
  3. Add a storage cabinet above the toilet

The first thing I tackled was adding the backsplash above the sink area:

This is what the area above the sink looked like before – a blank slate!

I was really excited to try Smart Tiles for the first time for this project. I don’t have much experience tiling so the fact that these tiles have a peel and stick backing was a welcome simplification – there’s no grout or specialized tools needed so the installation is quick and mess free. I chose the Capri Taupe Smart Tiles from the Mosaik collection because of their beautiful stone and glossy dual finish

I needed 4 tiles to cover the length of the vanity – they are easy to cut using a ruler and utility knife. I cut all the tiles to be 7 inches high and and for the first tile, I also cut off the ends to have a clean edge.

I cleaned the wall with TSP to remove all the dust and grease, marked the height of the tile on the wall and then used a level to trace out the line. I removed some of the existing caulking where the tile meets the vanity to ensure that the tiles sits flush at the bottom. To install the tile, I first peeled back a couple of inches of the backing, used the line as a guide to make sure the tile is straight and then removed the rest of the backing and pressed the tile on wall.

For the last tile at the edge of the wall, the remaining space was a bit awkward to measure so I used a sheet of paper as a template and used that to cut the tile.

For a more finished look around the tiles, I used a Smart Edge Brillo (silver) and for a nice clean corner, I cut the ends at a 45 degree angle.

A quick trick to make sure you get a perfect 45 degree cut every time is to first draw a straight line on your scrap piece of wood with a speed square and then use the 45 degree side of the speed square to cut the Smart Edge.

And there you have it, for about $40 and in less than an hour, the backsplash was done and it looks absolutely beautiful!

It completely transformed the bathroom as you can see in this before and after picture:

You can see how I did the entire bathroom makeover, including the backsplash and how I tackled the very dated and uncentered lighting fixture above the vanity, in this video:

** This post was sponsored by Smart Tiles – all thoughts and opinions are my own **

20 kitchen and bathroom design ideas

As you know, the apron primarily performs a practical function, protecting the walls from splashes of water and soap, but at the same time it is able to make the kitchen or bathroom more stylish.

A huge variety of tiles will allow everyone to find the tile that is best suited to embody the intended image, and thanks to the relatively small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe apron, many will be able to lay the tiles themselves.


— A white tile backsplash reflects light well, creating a clean feeling and a bright atmosphere.

2021 TILE APRON DESIGN TRENDS

The small area of ​​the backsplash allows you to create a unique surface without much effort and effort, which, nevertheless, has a significant impact on the overall impression of the kitchen or bathroom. Approach this task creatively: even choosing a classic tile, but laying it in a non-standard way (for example, herringbone pattern), you can get an interesting result.

The main secret of a good apron is to combine it with other design elements and fit harmoniously into the interior. Recently, spectacular surfaces (for example, from mosaics) have been relevant, which immediately attract attention and become the main focus.

Try to come up with something interesting and create an apron that would decorate the kitchen or bathroom. Take a non-standard approach - create the effect of wallpaper by increasing the height of the surface to be lined to the ceiling. Experiment with color, patterns, and even different textures.

Nowadays, the range of tiles is so rich that you can embody almost any look. This versatile finishing material provides endless possibilities for interior design.


- Handmade imitation tiles look very artistic.


— Small hexagonal mosaics in neutral tones create a spectacular surface with a curious geometric pattern.


— Subway tiles can be the perfect backdrop for an accent glass panel artfully framed with shaped tiles.


- Wallpaper effect achieved with gray and white chevron mosaic tiles. Such a chic surface immediately attracts attention.


- Delicate blues add color to a predominantly plain white bathroom interior.

TILE APRON "METRO"

Subway tiles have a classic look and are always on trend. It was first used to decorate New York Subway stations at the beginning of the last century, and since then, due to its versatility and simple design, it has remained one of the most sought-after on the market.

Typically, subway tiles have a strict width to length ratio of 1:2 and a standard size of 3x6 inches (or approximately 7.5x15 cm). However, there are other varieties of "metro" tiles with dimensions of 2x4 inches (or 5x10 cm) or 4x8 inches (10x20 cm). To create a modern atmosphere, its elongated samples will be more appropriate, with sizes such as 2x8, 3x12, 4x12 and 4x16 inches (or 5x20, 7.5x30.5 and 10x40.5 cm).

Large-format tiles are more commonly used in smaller spaces, where they create a feeling of space. Today, subway tiles come in a wide range of styles and colors. It is made from different materials with different finishes.

An apron made of stone or glass "metro" tiles will look original. Look for tiles with a craquelure effect or tiles with a matte finish. For a more dramatic look, arrange the tile vertically or lay it in a checkerboard or herringbone pattern.


- Consider using a tile with a sophisticated pattern that adds depth and dimension to a crisp white bathroom.


— This unusual apron made of shiny penny mosaic tiles makes a lasting impression.


— Tiles in shades of grey, herringbone pattern. A great example of how you can make an apron more interesting with an unusual styling method.

MOSAIC APRON TILE

Give the room a unique character by creating an apron from mosaic tiles. Creatively connected on a single surface, small tiles in complementary colors will enliven any dull kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.

Create your own pattern with ceramic, glass or stone mosaic tiles to showcase the benefits of your chosen tile. Small round tiles in the "singing" or hexagonal style have classic shapes that will help to add elegance to both vintage and modern rooms.


- The choice of mosaic tiles today is very wide - you can easily pick up elements of the desired shapes, colors and sizes.


— This white and gray chevron framed apron looks great against a blue-and-blue tiled wall.

VARIOUS STYLES OF APRON DESIGN

Properly selected tiles will allow you to create such an apron that is perfect for any style of decoration, and neat thin lines will add elegance to the interior.

The main rule of modern design is to keep the appearance simple. However, that doesn't mean you can't draw attention to a particular surface, such as with a tiled pattern that brings some visual energy to a kitchen or bathroom and brightens up their space.

Thanks to the variety of designs available today, you can choose a backsplash tile that not only harmoniously fits into the finished interior, but also complements it favorably, beats the surrounding design elements or helps create an accent surface.


— This herringbone tiled panel adds variety to the look of a wall, creating a sense of depth and dimension.


— Tiles with the appearance of heat-treated wood give the space the character and charm of a country house.


— And this arabesque framed panel is an example of how white tiles can accent even a white surface.

DETERMINING THE MATERIAL FOR THE APRON

You can choose tiles made from the material that best suits your design. The most popular, of course, are ceramic and porcelain tiles, because they not only have excellent moisture-resistant properties, but also come in a huge variety of shapes, colors, patterns and finishes, which expands the choice.

Glass tiles have a glossy look and reflective surface, so they will help to create a brighter image, while metal or copper tiles (especially with a matte finish) will give the room a special character and personality. If you want to design your kitchen in a Tuscan style, take a closer look at natural stone tiles (for example, travertine).

Stenciled concrete tiles give a historic look to a room, but can also be used in a modern kitchen for a dramatic contrast. Be careful with the choice of tile material, as it can significantly affect the appearance of the room.


- Glass tiles can be an ideal finishing material when creating a backsplash.


- This chic ceramic tile covered the entire wall above the kitchen stove.


- Use copper "penny" tiles to create an splashback - this accent splashback will make your kitchen literally shine.

CHOOSE THE COLOR FOR THE KITCHEN APRON

The choice of color for the apron is also of considerable importance. The easiest way is to choose a tile color that goes well with the shade of the cabinets. For a luxurious look, use dark-colored tiles, such as black or charcoal gray.

If your room is decorated in a neutral palette, a white or beige apron would be appropriate. You can experiment with less familiar colors like red or yellow. Blue is considered the most popular color because it evokes a feeling of coziness and helps to create a relaxed atmosphere.

If you want to use white tiles, you can make the backsplash less boring by adding one or two rows of colored tiles (or randomly placing individual colored tiles). For an eye-catching surface, try using a contrasting color grout.


— A backsplash made of dark subway tiles with white grout adds style to the kitchen.


— This unusual tile in various shades of blue draws the eye to a stylish backsplash.


- An apron is the perfect place for a bold pattern that will stand out against a white kitchen wall.

You can already see samples of the collections at the stand in our company showroom KERAMOGRANIT.RU
Attentive to your needs, sellers who are well aware of the huge assortment of the salon will be happy to provide you with qualified advice and full support for the order.

SALON ADDRESS: MOSCOW, STR. NOVOGIREEVSKAYA, BUILDING 10, BODY 1. TELEPHONE: +7 495 988 26 05

How to decorate an apron in the bathroom? – 12 interesting ideas

Modern bathrooms require radically new design solutions. And therefore, down with the bored tile finish from floor to ceiling. Now the trend is elegant decoration of "wet areas", which also comes out many times cheaper. Therefore, we will show you an interesting selection of 12 ideas for decorating an apron in the bathroom.

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  1. The same as the countertop
  2. Mosaic decor
  3. HALKA
  4. Bright accent
  5. Tiles "Sot"
  6. Gzhel
  7. Contrast grout 9005 "Kabanchik"
  9. Brahmar
  10. marmos with floor
  11. Same color with screen

Types and varieties of clematis What temperature should be in the refrigerator?

Same as countertop

When the countertop flows smoothly into the backsplash and frames the mirrors, it looks concise and stylish. For such a finish, designers suggest giving preference to neutral beige or coffee shades.

For lovers of brighter colors, I offer a combination of gray furniture with a marble top and an apron in the same style against a background of pink wall decoration.

Put a minimalist decor on the countertop and the interior of the bathroom will sparkle with new colors.

Mosaic decor

The apron decor in the form of mosaic masonry looks original and unusual. Of the popular options, a narrow rectangular mosaic is distinguished. The color scheme can be chosen randomly. The main thing is that it harmoniously combines with other elements in the bathroom.

A monochromatic mosaic in soothing shades is just as good for the bathroom.

Pebbles

Now the trend is eco-direction and, in order to keep up with fashion trends, I propose to decorate an apron with ordinary pebbles. In addition, the use of natural materials will help create a peaceful atmosphere.

There are a lot of decor options here. For example, you can lay out a small border between the countertop and the mirror. And, to further protect the wall, the pebbles can be varnished.

If you do not want to look for sea pebbles and spend time laying them out, then you can use a tile with its imitation.

Bright accent

A bright backsplash consisting of several multi-colored tiles will effectively stand out against the background of white walls. Additionally, you can lay out the same tile on the wall near the bath.

Honeycomb tile

This type of tile has been at the peak of popularity for several years in a row and does not plan to give up its positions yet. Therefore, this is a good option for finishing the apron in the bathroom.

Gzhel

The decoration with Russian painting looks very authentic. Especially in combination with a marble countertop and light wooden cabinets.

And in tandem with blue tiles, Gzhel creates a marine mood.

Contrasting grout

If you are not yet ready to use bright painted tiles, then you can use colored grout as an interesting detail in creating an apron. In this case, even a simple white tile will sparkle with new colors.

Boar

Boar is good for several reasons. Firstly, it is an eternal classic that serves as a neutral background for any design decisions. Secondly, no difficulties with its masonry.

"Boar" can be both neutral and bright shades.

It will be interesting to look at the option when the backsplash over the sink is made of small tiles of different colors. But here it is important to correctly determine the color scheme so that it does not draw all the attention to itself, but only skillfully emphasizes and maintains the mood of the interior as a whole.

Marble finishing

Marble in the "wet areas" performs two functions at once - aesthetic and protective. This season, designers offer options when the countertop "echoes" with an apron and trim around the bath.

White marble complements the bathroom, where the walls are painted in rich shades.

Up to the mirror

Apron in the bathroom does not have to be big. A few rows of tiles up to the mirror are quite enough. This is enough to protect the wall from moisture.

Matching the floor

Another design solution that can be borrowed to create an unusual effect in the bathroom. The tile "slips" from the wall to the floor and a single harmonious composition is obtained.

In the same tone with the screen

I suggest considering this option, where the backsplash over the sink and the screen under the bathtub are made of the same material and in the same color. These two small elements will set the mood for the whole room.

An apron in the bathroom is a way to make a room practical, stylish and at the same time save some money on repairs.

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