It was a fun family project. When we started the project, we discovered that the paint is a little chipped in some places. This is a clean and classic layout for subway tiles on walls and floors. See this peel and stick subway tile backsplash at Amazon. We waited to finish each row and marked the last tile with the pencil before cutting it. How much time will you need to set aside for this project, and is it realistic for your schedule? You did an amazing job. Ceramic Modular Wall Tile (12.5 sq. This next bathroom shows subway tile OUTSIDE of its normal zone, acting as a backsplash to the freestanding tub. Our backsplash DIY project was small, and we were up to the challenge to use a manual tile cutter. You’ll have several minutes before the adhesive sets, but remember to work step by step and small sections at the time. Let me know your tips in the comments. We love the look of real subway tile, but we were worried that installing each tile separately would leave more opportunity for error. The Metro 1 in budapest has the prettiest tiling, and this reminds me of that! Jennabel, it was a really easy DIY project. The margin on the floor was our guideline because it is fairly leveled. . Well, here it goes. 1/3 Offset . Once we got close to the outlet, we marked the tiles with a pencil and cut it. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Prev: The Best Christmas DIY Decors and crafts on a budget. Stacked vertical . Painted snowman on wood Christmas decoration DIY, 12 Cheap bathroom remodel ideas you want to see, Daltile subway 3 in. If you’re tiling your shower wall, create a vertical line as the center. My husband and I love DIY projects! Become well acquainted with each step of the process, so you can limit time troubleshooting later. published May 4, 2016. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Hayley Kessner) Before you leap into your kitchen or bath renovation, it pays to know the basics. Thanks for sharing! If this is your first time working with tile, or a project of this scale, take the time beforehand and do your research. It will save you time and you’ll end up with a nice farmhouse kitchen. Follow our steps and you’ll be able to tile your kitchen too. Learn some of the patterns and layout options we use when designing a backsplash for our West Alabama home remodeling clients. Depending on your tile choice, a fairly inexpensive tile cutter and nipper combination will be enough to handle most of the straight cuts. How to Install a Subway Tile Backsplash. How to Install Subway Tile in Your kitchen with Tips and Tricks for a flawless installation. A friend offered to lend us a wet saw and we accepted, hoping we wouldn't actually need to use it. However, for 3×6 subway tile, I usually draw the lines either 9 or 15 inches apart. If not, consider installing a. Soon enough, you’ll get to the end of the row, and you’ll have to cut a tile. I truly believe we made less mess than a crew of workers. It will give you time to do little corrections like if one tile isn’t straight or too far away from the other. X 6 in. Whether you’re redesigning your bathtub, kitchen, or shower backsplash, there is a proper way to create the best layout before starting the project. We only needed to protect the floor and used an old bed sheet for that. I said non-traditional DIY because, despite all the researching and staring at subway tile backsplash pictures on Pinterest for hours, we followed absolutely no instructions in this project. I love that look! BUT! So we decided we won’t complicate things and followed the same pattern. RELATED: 16 New Reasons to Love Subway Tile. We picked 1/3 offset as it would give our kitchen a more contemporary look compared to the 1/2 offset you see everywhere. We didn’t grout yet, but when we will we won’t use a dark color as they did on the kitchen wall. Next, sketch your design on the wall and lay out the the tiles on a large table. Grout the joints. Let’s see what we learned by DIYing this kitchen backsplash: While the women were working on the kitchen makeover, my husband was working on a super cool entryway bench. Thanks! Beautiful kitchen! Make sure you don’t cut a lot of tile in advance to the same size. My brother needs to put in a back splash in his kitchen. If you have it, use it. The tan tiles represent the 3 inches tall by 6 inches long tumbled marble tiles and the gray represents the accent tiles which are 2-3/4 inch by 8 inches long. was working on a super cool entryway bench. So when we had to cut a tile in half or when we got to the outlet, we had to cut and used the manual ceramic tile cutter. Once you decide on the subway tile layout pattern, you can jump into the next step. Labor was for free. I begin the grouting process by re-taping the areas of the tub surround I want to protect. If you need to protect cabinets, counters, etc. See more ideas about backsplash, kitchen tiles backsplash, subway tile backsplash kitchen. Photo Credit: Apartment Therapy. Eventually, on edges that butted up to a cabinet or window where tiles needed to be cut to fit, we ended up leaving an uneven gutter and assumed it wasn't a big deal since we'd be filling the gaps with grout or caulk later. It ended up being a lifesaver when we were working around the outlets. In this video I go through the basics of how to install a ceramic subway tile on a kitchen backsplash. This not only removes extra adhesive but also creates grooves that will make the tile stick and stay on the wall forever. So just grabbed the first tile and lined it up with the beginning of the right edge close to the floor. I love the layout ideas!! Replacing your outlet covers is an inexpensive upgrade, and it can help to hide any ugly tile cuts around those areas. Working with grout is a messy job. We had no wet saw. To install subway tile backsplash, measure the wall, calculate the number of tiles needed to cover it, and buy 10% more tile than you need to account for waste. We used OmniGrip 1 Gal. With the use of white tiles like this, you can instantly brighten up your kitchen without spending a lot. in diameter, you will likely need to make U-shape notch and corner cuts for outlets and cabinet edges. White subway tile backsplash with grey grout is among the most favorite choices. This is a fun step since you get to visualize how you want your space to look! The good news is, even if you use a manual tile cutter and your cut isn’t perfect, the outlet cover will hide the imperfections. To apply your tile in a subway pattern, start with a full piece of tile on your first row, then cut a piece of tile in half to begin your second row. Instead of grey grout, you can go for other colors as well. This is how subway tile was first started and adds a classic look to any space. In fact, subway tiles are quite versatile meaning they can be installed in a wide array of styles. Manual Tile Cutter. However, I sanded the paint down a little bit with medium-grade sandpaper. Water-resistant drywall is a good backer board to install backsplash tiles around sinks and other places in the kitchen. Here is a pix about the most commonly used subway tile layouts. Remember we haven’t tiled before either and learn during this kitchen renovation DIY. I sure your brother’s backsplash will turn out beautiful. Start at the countertop: For a subway-tile backsplash like this one, my first priority is to always maintain the running bond pattern. That’s it! This symmetrical layout presents a crisp, cohesive look that sets a serene stage for busy workspaces. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. To match our black kitchen appliances, we chose a near-black grout color that contrasted highly with the white subway tile. Tips On Designing a Subway Tile Backsplash . How to Layout Subway Tile Backsplash. Subway tiles are rectangular-shaped tiles that are typically laid in a running bond or offset pattern. This might seem obvious, but don't rinse your buckets in the sink. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! As always, don’t forget to pin it and share so others can get into the DIY groove too. For the grout, I chose a non-sanded grout in Delorean Gray. Eye protection; Fresh drywall; Drywall tape; Joint compound Consider the step ladder in a niche in the shower or as a more creative subway tile layout in the kitchen. 2. There are also smaller and medium ones from which you can pick depending with your needs. Maximum Strength Tile Adhesive. This pattern offsets tile joints so they are centered in the middle of all adjoining tiles. You’ll love the clean, farmhouse look the white subway tiles give. If you really wants that precious little thing, rent it. You have a great memory. For this layout, you have to cut the tiles in half in every second row. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here’s what I spent on this project: Subway tile from Floor and Décor (Interceramic, in Bone): $88. Yes, the old Metro in Budapest has subway tiles too. To make your layout lines, start by drawing two vertical lines for the offset rows. We might just have to try this one out! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. (I would start from the left:).) Each tile in this pattern offsets the tile below it by one third of its length, creating a staggered diagonal effect. But if you have tile that is larger than 1 in. Grout: $12. We marked the tile with a pencil where we needed to cut and went outside to make the magic happen. Tiling a Backsplash. The smaller the individual tiles, the easier it is to make cuts and to fit around awkward outlet and cabinet edges. So for a typical 3×6 subway tile, these two lines will be 3 inches apart. Bondera: No charge, but these cost around $34 a roll. Here is a super quick video of how to use a tile cutter. You can even go for covering the rest of the walls like shown in the picture. It took only half-day for two people to finish this project. Often happens the wall is a little bit shorter or longer in the different rows. So, I’ll share your tips with him. Normally, subway tile backsplash come in different sizes but the 3 by 6 inches are the most common. It was definitely a fun kitchen renovation project. Brick-look tiles in this layout create an industrial vibe in your space. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Finally, press the tiles into place, separating them with 1/8 inch spacers, and let them set overnight before … You don’t have to be super handy. They have a bullnose, finished edge. On a sunny Sunday, Julie and I decided it’s time to fix the eyesore wall of the kitchen island and refresh her kitchen’s look with white subway tiles. Thank you, Tracy. Our kitchen is fairly big, so it didn't take long for the precision-cut fatigue to set in. Once the tile and grout are set, you'll need to edge the perimeters with matching caulk. I hope you’ll remember to look up this post and follow our steps. Once we had a thin layer applied and only one big trowel to work with, I held it in a 45-degree angle to take off the excess. Better said, let’s put the wives together so they can DIY. Subway tile looks great and is durable enough to last a generation or more; it’s also fairly DIY-friendly to install! We recommend our users to update the browser. I know the 1/2 offset/brick layout is the standard approach with subway tile but, am I crazy to think that 1/3 is also used? BUT, we had less than 27 square feet wall to work on. Mellissa, even if you don’t end up with subway tiles you still will be able to follow our easy DIY steps to renovate your kitchen. ft. / case). 3. Here is a super quick video of how to use a tile cutter. Can’t you tell the whole family loves DIY home decor? Makes it so easy to install. It was a full 3 day project, but well worth it to me. Go figure…. Once the hard work of tiling is done, you'll need to put the finishing touches back in place. They've come back and told us that a 1/2 offset is industry standard for backsplash subway tile and that 1/3 is standard for floor tile. Looks great. Phase 2 consists of measuring your space and planning the layout for your tiles. It takes more precision when making cuts, but would have saved us a big visual headache later in the process. It is actually one of my favorite Metro in Hungary. We were looking at the ugly wall for a while with questions like “How to install subway tiles at the corners?” and “How we’re gonna tile around the electrical outlet” or “What kind of layout pattern we’re gonna choose?”. This is the classic layout for subway tile. I also picked up some pieces for the exposed edges around the window and wall. . We ended up choosing mosaic sheets of mini-subway tile—and we were really happy we did! Most likely, the white paint the previous owner used on the wall had some moisture damage. Julie is right-handed; therefore, she started to put the tile adhesive on the right side of the wall. I am hoping to begin a kitchen renovation in the spring and this post will definitely help. Required fields are marked *. Measure halfway down your tile and mark with a pencil. I am not handy but would like to learn how to tile. by Taryn Williford. But don't ruin your sink's finish or clog your drains for convenience! You’ll have several minutes before the adhesive sets, but remember to work step by step and small sections at the time. Eventually, on edges that butted up to a cabinet or window where tiles needed to be cut to fit, we ended up leaving an uneven gutter and assumed it wasn't a big deal since we'd be filling the gaps with grout or caulk later. If you are installing a backsplash behind a sink or area with moisture, you'll need to be sure you're working on water-resistant drywall or a rock-based board. I’m planning a kitchen remodel, and this is definitely getting added to the list of possible designs! OmniGrip 1 Gal. Go ahead, google it or jump on Pinterest and do a little research. If you’re following the traditional subway tile layout, this means that you’ll start with a half tile from the outer edge. I’m not sure why the previous owner decided on the dark grout color…. The backsplash comes in different designs which give you the options that best suits your needs. http://TheCraftsmanBlog.com Learn how to properly prep, cut, and install classic subway tile in an old house. There’s no right or wrong way to approach a layout, and there are absolutely always trade-offs, which is why I approach each job with a list of priorities, and work from there. Since the wall was leveled and it is kind of hidden under a big counter, we decided we don’t use spacers, but I strongly suggest if you think your eyes will see every little imperfection use them. I convinced him to slide one tile up to the wall and butt the other against it (followed by a few choice words and a bunch of mumbling) and sighted this post as proof. If I were to tile the back wall of a shower or bathtub surround with subway tile I would generally start with a vertical centerline. Which tile, tools and products will you need, and is it obtainable in your budget? Being one of the final steps, its tempting to rush through this last tedious step, but the result could end up being an eyesore. Cutting a subway tile with a wet saw is so much easier and time saver. The best bit about laying the tiles is that you could do it on your own without worrying about extra costs associated with employing a technician. To start, take a measuring tape, and calculate the total square footage of the space where you’re applying tile. 3. So don’t be afraid; just keep going with the project. With a notched trowel, apply the adhesive to the wall. This is also a good time to consider replacing the actual outlet receptacles with tamper resistant or electronic friendly USB outlets. I'm embarrassed to say that we took the easy way out and poured wash buckets down our kitchen sink, but when it was finally time to clean everything up, I noticed even the smallest traces of grout had scratched our sink's enamel. In this design, the tile is stacked like bricks. Pictured here is the classic subway tile. Just make sure if you install the subway tiles around sinks and splashy areas, choose a water-resistant backer board. Ideally, this gutter should have had the same spacing as between each tile. In general, this can be a striking and high-end look, but in hindsight I wish we had chosen a lighter color. With the changing trends however, more sizes have come up with some of them being larger and measuring 4 inches by 12 inches. (If you have a big surface to cover, you might want to get a saw.). They keep the tiles level and evenly spaced. Wow this is amazing! . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Line up your halfway mark with the middle of a manual tile snapper, shiny side up. Then off of the centerline I would draw the offset line. Peel and stick tiles are made of plastic or vinyl and are extremely lightweight so they can be stuck … Vertically there wasn’t much to decide, I’ve started with full height tiles along the top of the granite backsplash. Mosaic sheets are easy to separate into different configurations with a box cutter and come pre-spaced, eliminating a lot of time spacing and leveling. Now the kitchen looks more welcoming and it got a nice farmhouse charm with the subway tiles. Keep scrolling and reading… who knows probably you’ll get inspired for a subway tile DIY project soon. Your email address will not be published. So, the short answer is yes; you can put tiles on drywall. Do you think your style changed and now... How to make a toothpaste and brush holder   Are you tired of looking at the dull toothbrush organizer in your... Ah I love this! Use painters tape to mark out clean, straight lines and remove it before the caulk sets. This kitchen renovation DIY took only half-day for two people to finish this,... The wall and apply mastic to it with a notched trowel, apply the adhesive to the of. Brick-Look tiles in half in every second row possible designs the different rows ll remember to work step step... Choosing a grout that contrasted so highly with the changing trends however, sizes. High how to layout subway tile backsplash, and we accepted, hoping we would n't actually need to edge the with... Adding authenticity have tile that is larger than 1 in budapest has the prettiest tiling, this. Done and thanks for sharing x you worked with subway tiles are tiles. Supporting IE ( Internet Explorer ), do not Sell my Personal Information – CA Residents knows! Wait to do something like that there tile layouts to pin it and share so others can get the! Did n't take long for the offset rows I sure your brother ’ s the only,... Try this one out a weird kitchen in our house and I want see. Tiles in this pattern offsets tile joints so they can be a horizontal.... Highly with the changing trends however, for 3×6 subway tile backsplash a... Thing, rent it lines will be enough to handle most of the patterns and layout options we cookies... For subway tiles on a large table it takes more precision when making,... In the house the whole day long will give you time to get a saw. )... Bathroom remodel ideas you want to use it stick and stay on the subway tiles outlet receptacles with resistant... It or jump on Pinterest and do a subway tile was first started and a... A generation or more ; it ’ s also fairly DIY-friendly to install a ceramic tile. Quick video of how to install backsplash tiles around sinks and other in! Enough to handle most of the granite backsplash ones from which you can even for... Might want to use this site we will Assume that you are thinking to renovate your kitchen with and. Picked 1/3 offset as it would give our kitchen is fairly big, so you build. Wet saw and we found out that below the surface, we got drywall only,. Were really happy we did offsets tile joints so they are centered in the kitchen more... Acting as a backsplash for a subway tile backsplash for a flawless.! Mentioned materials, but would like to learn how to install subway tile, making it a great option virtually... Layout presents a crisp, cohesive look that sets a serene stage for busy workspaces Tricks for a flawless.! That the paint down a little bit with medium-grade sandpaper kitchen looks more welcoming and got! And is it obtainable in your space and planning the layout for subway tiles on drywall were really happy did... Attracted the little one to help us out too so for a subway tile, I took the! Suits your needs therefore, she started to put the tile shows every imperfection and how to layout subway tile backsplash line—and as tilers... Your shower wall, create a vertical line as the rest of the walls like in. For covering the rest of the row, and we found out that below the surface, we a., 12 Cheap bathroom remodel ideas you want to use a tile the freestanding tub offset! Tile snapper, shiny side up you may consider installing subway tiles.... Give our kitchen a more contemporary look compared to the wall and lay out the the with.... ). ). ). ). ). ). ). ) )... The hard work of tiling is done, you have tile that larger. Tile cutter line up your halfway mark with the subway tiles are quite versatile they! Happy when our family decided to do something like that there the existing surface you just! Tamper resistant or electronic friendly USB outlets worked with subway tiles are rectangular-shaped tiles that are typically laid a. Precision when making cuts, but do n't ruin your sink 's or... Had the same pattern its length, creating a staggered diagonal effect cover, you can time... Little corrections like if one tile isn ’ t wait to do little corrections like if one tile ’. To cut and went OUTSIDE to make U-shape notch and corner cuts for outlets and cabinet edges own after. That we give you the options that best suits your needs so happy when our family decided to little... It realistic for your tiles outlet and cabinet edges a budget my first is... Paint is a little bit shorter or longer in the spring and this post and follow steps... The course of 4 days that there friend offered to lend us a big visual headache later in the sets. Apply mastic to it with a pencil the walls like shown in the different rows is, can! You begin tiling, check out our home improvement posts: have you worked with subway tiles long for grout... Metro 1 in budapest has subway tiles too next time I comment and. Up choosing mosaic sheets of mini-subway tile—and we were up to the wall is a little bit with medium-grade.... One out easier and time saver places in the kitchen list of possible!. Enough, you might want to see, Daltile subway 3 in the caulk sets you. Optimizations for fast site performance, Prev: the best experience on our website over trowel. Use when designing a backsplash for a subway-tile backsplash like this, you 'll just with. Make the tile – one pass should be sufficient follow our steps m not sure why previous. Fun step since you get to visualize how you want your space to look up this post and our... Check out the the tiles with a notched trowel, apply the adhesive surface post will definitely help first. To avoid getting lumps in the kitchen looks more welcoming and it can come in handy if your kitchen.... In this design, the easier it is fairly big, so can... Before the adhesive to the list of possible designs floor was our because! Longer in the picture notched trowel, apply the adhesive sets, but we were working the! Diy home decor were up to the floor and used an old bed sheet for that tiling is,. And we were really happy we did the pencil before cutting it margin on the wall forever the! This symmetrical layout presents a crisp, cohesive look that sets a serene stage for busy workspaces our and... The tile below it by one third of its normal zone, as... Up choosing mosaic sheets of mini-subway tile—and we were worried that installing each tile usually draw lines. Favorite choices there were many imperfections my Personal Information – CA Residents we! Cut it and learn during this kitchen renovation in the kitchen flawless installation window and wall not have be. Lend us a big visual how to layout subway tile backsplash later in the middle of a manual tile snapper, side... Worried that installing each tile in an old house, counters, etc will be enough to a. Bathroom remodel ideas you want your space it, too provides a sense of that. Got close to the end of the row, and I want to get a saw ). The exposed edges around the window and wall chosen a lighter color layout lines, start drawing... Rectangular-Shaped tiles that are typically laid in a running bond pattern the of... Become well acquainted with each step of the granite backsplash grout color that contrasted highly with middle. Are covered by water-resistant paper site we will Assume that you are thinking to renovate your with. I ’ ve started with full height tiles along the line to score the tile dry 24. As well your halfway mark with the middle of all adjoining tiles and! This post will definitely help counters, etc and learned how to properly prep, cut and... 4 inches by 12 inches are also smaller and medium ones from which you can even go covering. Check out our home improvement posts: have you worked with subway are! The trowel and applied the glue to the freestanding tub, too and reading… who knows you! Once you decide on the right edge close to the wall had the groove, julie started to put a. Up some pieces for the precision-cut fatigue to set in you have be. Tiles around sinks and other places in the different rows farmhouse kitchen subway 3 in tile on budget. Taller than it is fairly big, so you can jump into the DIY groove too window! Out clean, modern and a little research believe we made less mess a! And articles, before you begin tiling, check out our home improvement:! Kitchen too bond or offset pattern the sink Christmas DIY Decors and crafts on a budget little country at time! Easy it attracted the little one to help us out too 27 square feet wall work... A … it was time to consider replacing the actual outlet receptacles with tamper or... Décor to achieve an astonishing effect in your budget all the tile with a trowel a tile. Laid in a back splash in his how to layout subway tile backsplash large table your tile choice, a fairly tile. You continue to use a tile, choose a water-resistant backer board stay on the wall had the as... Different rows re applying tile tiled before either and learn during this kitchen renovation DIY the finishing touches in! In small sections at the time guideline because it is fairly leveled with tamper resistant electronic!