How To Install A Subway Tile Backsplash – Part 1

Hi friends,

Who doesn’t love subway tile? It’s a timeless classic. Even the spins you can put on it are totally amazing like this herringbone pattern or this funky pop of color.

When I bought my house the kitchen was relatively new, and it’s not that I didn’t like what the previous homeowner did, but it was just very masculine and darker than I would’ve preferred. It’s already a pretty small space and the finishes he selected just made it seem smaller. My goal was to brighten up the space (the whole house really) and I knew a bright white subway tile would help accomplish that.

Supply List For Part 1

• Subway Tile in your quantity and choice of color, mine was Snow White
  • Tip: When figuring out your square footage, always add 10% for waste. Some will be chipped and some may break when you’re cutting them so be sure to have extra on hand!
• Ceramic Tile Adhesive
• Sq-Notch or V-Notch Trowel
• 1/8″ Tile Spacers, 1000 count (or whatever grout size you prefer)
• Tile Cutter or Wet Saw
• Tile Marker
• Ruler
• Level

Using the flat side of your trowel, spread an even layer of adhesive on your wall.

Then using the notched side of your trowel, apply another layer of adhesive.

Decide where your tile is going to go and place it firmly into the adhesive. Realllllly smush it in there. Take your level and make sure that the tile is straight.

Use your spacers to get a consistent grout thickness throughout.

Right under my window it was a little too snug for two tiles to fit perfectly, so I had to cut 1/4″ off of all the tiles in the top row.

Using your ruler, mark where you need it to be cut with your tile marker. These markers are pretty cool, although I feel that they should be renamed tile crayons because that’s exactly the type of consistency it has. But they’re waterproof so the mark stays put if your using a wet saw which is really helpful.

If you don’t have a wet saw, none of your friends have a wet saw, and you really can’t afford to buy a wet saw, I highly suggest buying this tile cutter. First, it was less than $20. Second, it works surprisingly well! After you’ve marked your tile, align your tile with the blade of the tile cutter. Score along the line 3 – 4 times and then apply pressure down on the handle.

Your tile should have a relatively clean break! Some of my cuts were cleaner than others and some just failed miserably because I wasn’t doing it as carefully as I should’ve been. This is why it’s helpful to have extra tile on hand!

Repeat the tile cutting process for any corners or outlets that you have to go around.

This is what your finished product should look like at the end of part 1!

Excited for part 2 of How To Install A Subway Tile Backsplash?! Come back on Thursday when I show you those steps and the complete project!

I’m linking up to these great parties!