No Tiling Experience is Required!

If you have a sink or wall area needing a bit of dressing up and extra protection, you’re in luck. Today I’ll show you how to make a real tile backsplash for a few dollars.

Adding a Tile Backsplash to Protect the Walls

I added a small extra sink in our hallway to help everyone have more space to get ready for the day. It has proven most helpful in our house where the female population far outweighs the male. My poor husband has a fighting chance for the bathroom now. After using the sink for several weeks, it became clear that we needed something to protect the walls behind and beside it.

Where to Find Tiles for the Tile Backsplash

This is a relatively small area, but the proportions aren’t standard for tiling. I wanted to keep things simple but stylish. As often is the case, inspiration for a solution presented itself in the clearance section of our local hardware store. There are often sheets of leftover mosaic tile on sale for a few dollars. There is hardly ever a large quantity of them, just a few sheets of leftover odds and ends. It’s the perfect amount for a small backsplash project like this!

Change the Style of Tiles to Customize Your Tile Backsplash

I chose a couple of sheets of tile in a nice neutral faux-hued stone look. I was going for kind of a rustic farmhouse or coastal feel. You can customize your project by choosing a more smooth, shiny, modern tile.

Preparing the Walls for the Tile Backsplash

It’s important to prepare the walls before applying tile. Our walls are painted in eggshell paint. I washed the area I was going to tile with warm water and a bit of liquid dish detergent. I then wiped the area with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol to remove any residue. If your wall is shiny, you should lightly scuff it with fine-grade sandpaper before beginning.

Using a pencil and level, I outlined my wrap-around backsplash on the wall behind my sink. Next, I began peeling the tiles off the mesh fabric backing. I could have cut the fabric to fit the space, but I enjoy getting my hands in there and arranging things. Besides, it’s quite satisfying to peel the tiles away from the backing one at a time.

Placing and Cutting the Tile

Whenever you are working with tile, you always want to begin in the center of the space. This way you will end up with an equal amount of space at each end. It keeps everything centered and in balance and gives the finished backsplash a polished professional look.

If you need to resize the tile to fit the ends properly or go around an obstacle, like this outlet, you can take a sharp chisel and lightly tap where you want to cut. My tiles are unglazed. This method may not work as well with shiny glazed tile.

Creating Your Tile Backsplash

Now, I heat the faithful glue gun to high heat and get to work. Beginning in the center of my area I apply a thin line of well-heated glue on the back of a tile. Be careful not to add so much that it spills over the edge. You want all the glue behind the tile. Press the tile firmly to its position on the wall and hold it a few seconds while the glue dries, then move on to the next tile. Keep adding tiles as you create a mosaic of your liking. Fill the area you outlined making any necessary cuts for your border.

Once my tiles were all in place, I began giving them a grouped mosaic appearance. This is more an art than a science. I chose pieces that had different colors, textures, and patterns to go beside each other. You could try to group similar pieces in a pattern for a more formal look.

Adding Grout to Your Tile Backsplash

To give the appearance of professionally installed and grouted tile I got a glob of leftover joint compound (spackle) and thinned it with a tiny bit of water. Dip a sponge or old rag in the thinned compound and lightly spread it across the surface of the tiles. Wipe the mixture up, down, left, and right working the compound into any spaces or gaps between tiles. Once the tiles are evenly grouted, allow the compound to dry. Once dry, clean the surface of the tiles using a warm water moistened rag with a touch of dish detergent.

Sealing Your New Tile Backsplash

Using a sponge applicator, apply several thin coats of sealer allowing each layer to dry before adding another. You can change the sheen of your tiles by selecting a flat, satin, or high shine sealer. The sealer dries extremely fast. The entire process only takes around 20 minutes. Finally, to seal the gap between the sink and the bottom of the tile backsplash, run a bead of clear silicone caulk and smooth it with a damp finger.

That’s it! This beautiful tile wrap-around backsplash adds the perfect balance of style and function to an otherwise plain unprotected space. I like how easy it is to clean and wipe away mist splatters from toothbrushing. The tiled backsplash pulls the area together and gives it a bit of a luxury feel.

Other Places to Use a Tile Backsplash

No one (besides you folks) will ever know this classy corner only costs a few bucks and a little bit of time. You can easily do the same to a space in your home. You don’t have to limit a tiled backsplash to a sink area. They are great behind coffee stations, beverage centers, and break or snack areas.

How to Make a Removeable Tile Backsplash

If you are in a rental space or don’t want to permanently commit to tile on the wall you can create the backsplash on corrugated cardboard or thin plywood. Use double-sided command tape to temporarily attach the board to the wall. When you’re ready to move or ready for a change, pull off the command strips to remove your backsplash.

More Great Ideas

This project is another example of how you can turn the home you have into the home you want without spending a fortune. I share videos of projects just like this on the Sawdust and Cornbread channel each week. Be sure to check the videos out! Also, bookmark this blog to keep up with my latest posts.

Thanks for joining me for this awesome, affordable tile backsplash tutorial.

~Lora Lea