Ever wondered if you could DIY a kitchen backsplash? It’s easier and more affordable than most people think. We installed this subway tile backsplash in my aunt’s kitchen using inexpensive tile sheets. The whole job took about two half-days and cost roughly $200.
Why Add a Kitchen Backsplash?
A backsplash adds style, protects your walls, and can dramatically update a kitchen without a full remodel. In our first house we skipped tile and used paint for a pop of color, which we later regretted because a tiled backsplash would have been more durable and just as impactful. After several tiling projects — including backsplashes in past kitchens — installing tile yourself feels like a smart, cost-effective choice.
My Aunt Liz had new black cabinets and a gray-and-black granite counter but no backsplash. Classic white subway tile was exactly the look she wanted, and because the tile can be applied directly over painted drywall using ready-mixed adhesive and grout, the project was straightforward. Below I’ll walk through what we did, from prep to finishing touches.
Preparing Your Wall for Tile
On the first morning we cleared counters, removed outlet and switch covers, and protected surfaces with painter’s tape and rosin paper. If there’s old tile to remove, that’s a separate step, but for painted drywall the simplest preparation is to sand the paint to roughen the surface so adhesive bonds better — we used 80-grit sandpaper.
Because a backsplash is not a constantly wet surface like a shower, cement board is usually unnecessary. Tiling directly over properly prepared drywall works well for kitchen walls.
Planning Tile Sheet Placement
With the wall prepped, we laid out the sheets to plan the pattern and avoid skinny slivers at the edges. Instead of the common 3×6 subway tile, we used a smaller 2×4 tile on sheets, which fit the scale of the wall nicely. We also bought white bullnose tiles for exposed edges so the finished ends would look polished. Measure carefully and buy roughly 10–15% extra to account for cuts and breakage.
Pre-planning placement makes installation faster and ensures balanced lines across the wall.
Hanging the Subway Tile Sheets
We used a premixed mastic adhesive applied with a small trowel in manageable sections. Then we combed the adhesive with a V-notched trowel held at a 45-degree angle to create grooves for better adhesion and to remove excess. With the grooves in place, each tile sheet was pressed into position and leveled using 1/8″ spacers to maintain consistent grout joints. You have a few minutes of working time to nudge sheets into alignment before the adhesive sets.
Cutting the Tile Sheets
Cutting is the trickiest part. For separating tile sheets into rows, pruning shears or heavy scissors work well to snip glue dots. For precise cuts or notches around outlets and fixtures, a wet saw is the best tool. A wet saw allows slow, accurate cuts and makes odd shapes easier to handle. For simple straight cuts, a manual ceramic tile cutter can also be used, but it won’t handle complex notches.
Don’t stress over perfection around outlets; the cover plate conceals small imperfections. Use the wet saw to trim sheets at wall ends or to create angled cuts for bullnose pieces where tile terminates away from a corner.
Installing Ends and Borders
Where tile meets an adjacent wall, you can simply butt the sheets into the corner for a clean finish. Where the tile ends in exposed edges, use bullnose tiles or cut tiles at a 45-degree angle so the exposed edge looks finished. We chose to follow the existing granite backsplash height on one wall so the two elements read as one intentional design; other installations might remove a short granite lip to run tile all the way down to the countertop.
Grouting and Caulking Your Backsplash
We finished installing in about five hours and let the mastic set overnight. The next morning we removed spacers and began grouting. Premixed grout in a light gray offered subtle contrast, though premixed varieties can be a bit drier than mixed options and may require more effort to spread. Use a grout float to press grout into the joints, then hold the float at a steep angle to remove excess from tile faces.
After about ten minutes, wipe the tile with a barely damp sponge to remove remaining grout haze and smooth joints. You may want to repeat the sponge pass once the grout has further set. Finally, caulk the seams where tile meets countertops, cabinets, or walls with a matching color caulk. Tape the edges for a clean line, apply a thin bead of caulk, smooth with a wet finger, and remove tape while the caulk is still wet for the best edge.
Completing Your Installation
After grouting and caulking, allow the grout to cure for a day. Buff the tiles with a non-shedding cloth to remove haze and bring out the shine. Some grout or tile types may need sealing; check manufacturer guidance to decide if sealing is necessary. In our case no sealant was required.
The result was a clean, classic backsplash that Liz loved. We tiled three walls and kept costs low by using sheet-mounted subway tiles and premixed materials. If you only need one or two walls tiled, the price will be even lower. The finished look brought the kitchen together and made a noticeable difference for a modest investment.
This project may have inspired more updates — such as extending a living-room paint color into the kitchen — but the backsplash itself was a straightforward, high-impact upgrade that can be tackled by most DIYers with basic tools and patience.
Other Kitchen Backsplash Tile Options
If this project has you excited to update your kitchen, consider a few different tile styles: classic subway sheets, smaller mosaic sheets, herringbone patterns, or larger format tiles for a modern look. Sheet-mounted tiles speed installation, while individual tiles offer more layout flexibility. Choose a grout color that complements your counters and cabinets for the best visual result.
More Tiling Projects and How-Tos
We’ve tackled a variety of tiling projects over the years, from herringbone patterns to shower surrounds and floors. If you plan to do more tiling, practice cutting, setting, grouting, and finishing on a small area first to build confidence. A few projects under your belt make future jobs faster and easier.
This post was originally published in May 2017.