How to Add Subway Tile Backsplash Over Drywall | Transform Your Kitchen for $100!

This project is a cheap and easy way to transform your kitchen space! Follow along as I show you how to do this affordable DIY project.

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Things I Used in This Project:

[blahblah]

Quick tip. When using the "nibblers" to cut tile, wear safety glasses of course. Using a freezer bag, put the tile inside and chip away as needed. Saves time later trying to clean up all those sharp fragments that go flying all over the place.

[jackostergaard]

Fantastic again! Just a couple of things I learned doing tile work
1) Round holes are a bitch. You were lucky. Typically a tile get cut in half and using the nibbler a hole is created from both sides. Plan on using 2 or 3 tiles at each hole - you will trash a couple.
2) Never use a light grout on floors. It picks up dirt and shows a traffic pattern
3) Grout comes in two types - sanded and unsanded. Sanded grout is for larger joints and has a rough texture. Unsanded is for tighter joints and has a harder more impervious surface. Read the instructions regarding joint size. Consider this when picking tile.
4) if your tile isn't glazed you need to be careful with grout. It may get in the texture and leave a "shadow" along the joints that is impossible to remove. Really true if you are using an epoxy grout which is the most stain resistant.
5) Grout can also be sealed. Floors should be sealed.
6) The end of the caulk tube can be shaped to a 90 angle so it fits in the joint. If you can stick a nail in the tube hole its too big.

[StArFuRyZz]

We did this in our kitchen after we got tired of the paint. So many outlets/light switches - only got to do a few spots where I could do full sheets. To keep the tile from sliding down we put in finishing nails under the top row of tiles then pulled the nails the next day when we did the grout. Turned out perfect and was a great project for my wife and I.

[itskevwatson]

This is a great find. Good, thorough tutorial. Simple explanations as well.

[BushFireBrand]

Tilers Tip. Use a little dish washing liquid in your rinse water to prevent the hazing (streaks) on the tile. You're welcome :)

[zecc]

The new safety shoes are beautiful! Nice work as always. Stefano, Bologna Italy

[sollux]

As a first time home owner who has never done a project like this in her life, I really REALLY appreciate this video! Thank you!

[cassvirgillo]

Hey April, I'm glad you are doing well and busy as ever. I was there when you did a video about starting your channel, you have come a long way and done good. Your DIY videos are a money saver, why not. Remember the Chain Saw carved Rooster, Chicken you made, I do. All the Best in '21, C.

[barrylitchfield]

Great video April. You did a beautiful job on your backsplash for your first attempt!

[marlonestrella]

Good video but those who see this, please just spend the extra $30 or 50$ and use spacers with level clips. Or cortags.
Also, tiling on drywall without priming it with mapei primer T, that's gonna fail within a few years. Prime it or put the cement board back there. If you going to do all thst hard work and put in an investment in tile and other various stuff. You want that lasting and looking good

[Alexscottart]

Get rid of the grout haze with a dry towel! You don't need to rinse it 15 times with a wet sponge. I'm always amazed how many people have this problem, especially in "how to tile" vids. believe it or not I learned this trick from the instructions ;P

[DigitalNv]

Perfect timing...you seem to release videos on similar projects I'm currently planning. I'm using ceramic wood tiles.. I've done floors but not yet walls and I know it's almost the same process, just on a vertical plane. I wasn't ready to decide on how or where to begin and proceed. This video just like the others, it helps me out a lot and is just the inspiration I needed for getting things rolling...and for that I thank, appreciate and admire your skill, knowledge, passion and cleverness.

[mattjames]

One last suggestion for anyone doing this. Buy a 60 grit or 80 grit diamond sanding sponge and use it to smooth/round all cut tile edges and it will make your cut pieces look great!

[CompostWatcher]

How nice. So, lovely. Such straight lines. Very neat. Impressive.

[michaelardai]

All electrical splices (ie the ones under the cabinets feeding the lights) must be enclosed in either the fixture or a metal or plastic electical box.

[jackpine]

I am doing this project right now in my kitchen using mat-mounted subway tiles, but I have 27' x 18" of tile to install, and I am doing tile over tile, which requires special surface prep and use of mortar instead of Type 1 adhesive. Instead of a chalk line I opted to use a laser level to keep the pattern straight and level. Getting around outlets is a challenge, and I have been doing what you do - removing individual tiles from the mats to get clearance around the outlet, then cutting those to fit and installing them. I have the same tile cutter as you do, I believe. If you need to cut U-shaped pieces, however, you really need a tile saw and angle grinder. It's too easy to break the tiles with the nippers.

[killlinglights]

I really enjoyed this! It was informative without any fluff and easy to understand.

[gerhardtaxthelm]

Great video. I did the same about 25 years ago. But as I have moved and partially redone our lighting in this house this job is very appropriate especially as I can add insulation to this 100 year old house where I know there is none. Just amazing how this house was build especially as I live in Northern Ontario, Canada! The new lights look and work great.

[unjohn]

I use baby wipes to smooth caulk and wipe my hands. They make caulk smooth and are cheap. Thanks April!

[OriginalRaveParty]

Great to have in the kitchen. Nice backsplash April. It looks very warm.